Business Foundation

• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Principles of Financial Accounting
• Statistics or Business Analytics I and II
• Business Law or Legal and Social Environment of Business
• Principles of Management
• Principles of Marketing
• Principles of Finance
  

Requirements
Admission to the GCA program is limited to candidates who meet the following criteria:

• Four-year regionally accredited (SACS, NCACS, NEACS, etc.) bachelor's degree from a US institution
• Must be a US citizen or a Green Card holder (Permanent Resident)  and have either a USA or APO address in a SARA authorized state
• Must meet the business foundation prerequisites outlined in the Prerequisites drop-down above

How to Apply
Start your application on the Graduate School Online Application. The following materials should be uploaded with your application:

• Résumé
• Statement of Purpose
• Names and email for three references (references should be current or former employers, clients if you are self-employed, or professors)
• Unofficial transcripts from every institution attended (official transcripts will be required for students accepted into the program)
• Pay the $60 graduate school application fee

Current Harbert College of Business graduate students do not have to pay the application fee. Email gradadm@auburn.edu once you complete your application and before you submit your payment to finalize your application.

Deadlines
All application materials must be received by the deadline listed below.  Applications that remain incomplete will be deferred to the following semester.  Completed applications will be considered on a competitive basis.

Semester to Enroll	Application Deadline
Fall	July 1
Spring	November 1
Summer	April 1

Selection
Applications for the GCA program are considered on a competitive basis. Minimum GPA requirements are not advertised, because the Admissions Committee uses a holistic approach when reviewing a candidate's application package. The Committee considers the quality of the candidate's academic background, grade point averages, campus involvement, and work experience.

The School of Accountancy has full authority over the admissions and matriculation processes for all applicants to the program.

The program requires the completion of four courses (12 hours)*. Students can choose four courses from the list below.

• ACCT 6110 Intermediate Accounting I (offered fall, spring, and summer)
• ACCT 6120 Intermediate Accounting II (offered fall, spring, and summer)
• ACCT 6130 Advanced Accounting Topics (offered fall and spring)
• ACCT 6210 Cost Accounting (offered fall, spring, and summer)
• ACCT 6300 Auditing & Assurance Services (offered fall, spring, and summer)
• ACCT  6410 Income Tax I (offered fall, spring, and summer)
• ACCT 6420 Income Tax II (offered fall, spring, and summer)
• ACCT 6510 Accounting Information Systems (offered fall, spring, and summer)
• ACCT 6520 Accounting Analytics (offered fall, spring, and summer)
• ACCT 6610 Governmental & Not-for-Profit Accounting (offered fall and spring)
• ACCT 6700 Advanced Business Law (offered fall, spring, and summer)
• ACCT 6810 Corporate Governance & Accounting Ethics (spring)
• ACCT 7110 Research in Accounting (summer I)
• ACCT 7130 Financial Analysis & Valuation (fall)
• ACCT 7300 Advanced Auditing & Assurance Services (spring)
• ACCT 7320 Fraud Examination (summer I)
• ACCT 7410 Federal Tax Research (fall)
• ACCT 7420 Corporate & Partnership Taxation (fall)
• ACCT 7510 Integrated Accounting Applications (fall )
• ACCT 7520 Enterprise Accounting Systems (summer II)

* Current Harbert MBA students can count BUSI 7230 Cost Analysis and Systems towards one of the four classes.

For course descriptions, please refer to the AU Bulletin.

Tuition for online students is $950 per credit hour regardless of residency. The certificate is a 12 credit hour program.

*Tuition is reviewed annually and subject to adjustment. Tuition will be $1000 per credit hour beginning Fall 2025.

Students are responsible for a $250 confirmation fee, $40 graduation fee, and any proctoring fees.

Due to federal guidelines and regulations, Graduate Certificate programs do not qualify for financial aid.

Are the online courses different from the campus program?
Our campus lectures are recorded and streamed so online students receive the same instruction and academic credit as their campus peers. Online students can expect the same rigor, standards, and student accountability as campus students.

Is Auburn University accredited?
Auburn University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Both the Harbert College of Business and the School of Accountancy are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

How long does it usually take to complete the program?
Auburn University operates on a semester system. Depending on the course load taken, the Graduate Certificate program can be completed in as short as two semesters. The maximum number of classes taken for students working full-time is two courses per semester.

What is the average credit load per semester?
On average, students take three to six credit hours (two courses) per semester.

Do I have to come to campus?
No, there is no required residency for the Graduate Certificate in Accounting program.

What entrance examinations are required?
There are no entrance examinations required for the Graduate Certificate in Accounting program.

Is it possible to transfer credits?
Up to six semester hours of graduate credit taken in residence at another accredited graduate school may transfer to the Auburn University Master of Accountancy. Transfer credit is not allowed towards the Graduate Certificate in Accountancy. The credit must be acceptable to the Admissions Committee and the student's advisor and be pertinent to the student's plan of study. Transfer credit will be approved only with an official transcript. Courses with a grade lower than B will not be transferred.

Can I audit a class?
Auditing of online courses is not available at this time.

Will I have an academic advisor?
Andee Hodo, Director of Graduate and Online Accounting Programs, serves as the Academic Advisor for all graduate online accounting students. She will work with you on your plan of study, course registration and educational goals.

Can I withdraw or drop a course?
Should circumstances in your life change and you need to withdraw from a course, simply contact Andee Hodo at  (334) 844-6207 or andee.hodo@auburn.edu. Notifying the instructor or ceasing to accept class materials does not constitute official withdrawal. The Auburn University Academic Calendar contains important drop deadlines that must be carefully followed.

How do I take tests?
Exams are taking online using a virtual proctoring service. Students can take the exam within the window provided by the faculty member. Students pay all proctoring fees directly to the proctoring service.

How do I contact my advisor, professor or peers?
Online students have immediate access to professors and classmates via e-mail once you are registered. 

How do I get my books?
Textbooks required for your course(s) may be ordered each semester by visiting www.aubookstore.com.

Will I have access to University resources?
Access to all on-campus activities, libraries, etc., is available to you as an off-campus student upon verification of student ID. As an Auburn student, you are also eligible for athletic tickets (football, basketball, baseball, swimming, etc.) at student prices. Information is available through Auburn Access at https://auaccess.auburn.edu.

What are the technical requirements?
Access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection is required. Canvas runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android or any other device with a modern web browser. It is recommended that you use the newest version of your browser and the most up-to-date Flash plug-in.

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