SUNY Empire State College will debut a new program this fall that combines the B.S. in accounting with the MBA in business management.   

“The college’s combined programs, such as the B.S. in accounting/MBA, provide opportunities for exceptional undergraduate students to begin their graduate coursework while completing their bachelor’s degree,” said Brian Carolan, Ph.D., dean of the School for Graduate Studies.  “Not only do these options provide a predictable pathway from the bachelor’s to the master’s degree but they also enable students to save time and money by allowing graduate credits to be used toward both degrees.” 

“We are thrilled to be able to educationally equip those who intend to pursue CPA licensure with the entire 150 credits of coursework through our combined B.S. in accounting/MBA” said Julie Gedro, MBA,  Ed.D., dean of the School of Business.   

The combined B.S. in accounting and MBA in business management is a CPA-150 Licensure Qualifying Program that is registered with the New York State Department of Education. It satisfies the educational requirements for the certified public accountant license.    

Each state sets its own educational requirements for the CPA credentials, but most states require a minimum of 150 credits. A CPA candidate must also hold a bachelor’s degree.   

SUNY Empire’s combined B.S. in accounting and MBA in business management program enables CPA candidates to more easily meet this requirement. Students who are accepted to the combined program will take three graduate courses (nine credits) during their bachelor’s degree studies at the undergraduate tuition rate. These credits will count toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees, for a combined program total of 152 credits.   

The shared nine credits between the two programs will help students save on program costs and reduces the time needed to finish both degrees (a total of 152 credits, instead of 160).  The B.S. in accounting can be offered in any modality, including totally online. The MBA in business management is a fully online program.     

To be considered for the combined program, students must meet the following criteria:   

1. Have completed at least 60 undergraduate credits with a 3.2 GPA or better  
   
   
2. Two letters of support, one from the primary mentor  
   
   
3. Provide a statement of objectives (i.e., commitment letter)  
   
   
4. Have successfully completed at least three credits each of statistics, principles of economics (or a course that covers both macro and micro), and accounting  

Students interested in the program should contact their advisors.