Accounting, Bachelor of Science

Accounting is the language of business, and a discipline that plays a major role in every business, nonprofit or government organization. It is a highly regarded profession with job security, numerous career and advancement opportunities, and promising growth potential.

The Accounting program is designed to provide an expansive knowledge of accounting fundamentals, and to prepare the graduate for accounting positions in public practice, industry, government, or not-for-profits. The curriculum provides the prerequisites for graduates to prepare for taking the uniform CPA examination.

New Jersey State CPA* licensure requirements specify 150 or more credits are needed in business and liberal arts courses. The student planning to pursue the CPA route should consult with his/her preceptor in designing a program of study, which may include the accelerated dual B.S./MBA degrees.

Admission to the Program

The Accounting program is open to any student with an active interest in accounting. There are no specialized requirements for admission, with the exception of the dual degree program.

Program Organization and Graduation Requirements

The Accounting program offers a Bachelor of Science degree.  Highly qualified students can pursue an accelerated dual-degree program in which students may obtain an undergraduate degree (B.S.) and an MBA in a curriculum that can be completed in as little as five years.

A student must obtain a grade of C or higher in all program courses required for graduation (including transfer courses counted towards business program requirements).

Bachelor of Science Degree

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) curriculum engages students with accounting fundamentals, and prepares them for accounting positions in public practice, industry, government, or not-for-profits. It also prepares students for taking the uniform CPA examination.   

The B.S. Degree in Accounting requires 20 program courses (80 credits) as follows:

• 12 business core courses

• 8 Accounting courses

The degree also requires 48 additional credits in General Studies/At-Some-Distance courses.

Course Sequencing and Schedule Planning

It is essential that students develop sound skills and a conceptual foundation before attempting a concentration or degree program in business. The majority of business program courses are not offered to students until their sophomore or junior year, and the business major must carefully plan courses to develop the proper foundation of General Studies and lower-level Business Core courses.

In considering course selection and sequences, students should understand that Stockton University does not have an online or evening program. Consequently, there is no guarantee that all courses required for graduation will be offered every semester online or during the evenings. While some required business courses are offered online or during the evening and business faculty attempt to schedule required courses at night, it is highly likely that at some point students who only take evening courses will have to revise their schedules to allow them to take in-person, daytime course work in order to graduate.

Should the student be unable for any reason to take a prescribed course in the regular semester, it is his/her responsibility to take the course later. The student should not expect a waiver for the course at a subsequent date, nor should s/he expect that the course will be offered at an unusual time to meet personal needs.

Students should also understand that it is their responsibility to make sure that their academic records are in proper order at the time they apply for graduation.

Graduation with Distinction

A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree with “Distinction” will be awarded to students who have completed at least 32 program credits at Stockton, have a GPA of 3.85 and above in the Business Administration, Accounting, Business Analytics, or Finance major, and rank in the top 10% of their program’s graduating seniors (based on their program GPA).

Career Opportunities

A nationwide trend in American industry is the demand for managers who are technically advanced, analytical, and skilled at working and communicating effectively within organizations. Demand remains strong for individuals with both baccalaureate and graduate education in business. The Stockton Business program is designed to develop graduates who are ready to enter today’s workforce, prepared for graduate-level study, and well-educated and prepared to adapt to the ever-changing external social climate.

Students are permitted to double major in any of the following business-related disciplines: Accounting, Business Administration (B.S.), Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, and Hemp and Cannabis Management.

Full degree curriculum and transfer audits for the program can be explored using the Degree Works web-based tool. Full details about the curriculum are accessible on the website.