The Undergraduate Certificate in Accountancy is perfect for students who already have
a degree but are lacking the accounting coursework needed to sit for the CPA Exam.
With courses designed to not only meet the educational requirements for most states,
the Undergraduate Certificate in Accountancy gives students the academic preparation
they need to be successful, not only on the CPA Exam, but also their future career.
Why an Undergraduate Certificate in Accountancy Online?
With the Harbert College of Business, you are not only choosing a certificate, you
are choosing a quality educational experience.
All School of Accountancy programs are accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate
Schools of Business (AACSB International).
The Harbert College of Business hosts smart classrooms, designed to allow an equal
opportunity experience for both on-campus and online students.
The business foundation courses listed below must be completed prior to beginning
the Undergraduate Certificate in Accountancy program. No prior upper-level accounting
courses are required.
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in any discipline from an U.S. regionally
accredited institution and the business foundation courses listed below.
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
Most states require a minimum of 21 semester hours in general business coursework
to be licensed as a CPA. These required prerequisites will help fulfill this coursework
requirement. Visit NASBA for more information on the specific requirements for each state.
Candidates who have not completed the Business Foundation prerequisites are not eligible
to apply.
Requirements Admission to the online Undergraduate Certificate in Accountancy program is limited
to second degree seeking candidates only who meet the following criteria:
Four-year regionally accredited (SACS, NCACS, NEACS, etc.) bachelor's degree from
a U.S. institution
Must be a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder (Permanent Resident) and have either a
USA or APO address in a SARA authorized state
Must meet the Business Foundation prerequisites listed in the Prerequisites drop-down above
Dual enrollment in an Auburn campus program and an Auburn online accounting program
is not permitted.
Statement of purpose in which you explain your academic background and why you want
to enroll
Official transcripts sent directly from every university you attended (we prefer digital
copies sent through email but also accept physical copies sent to the address noted
below)
Alumni and Former Auburn University Students If you are alumni or a former student of Auburn University, email the following materials
to accounting@auburn.edu:
Copy of your current (not expired) driver’s license
Résumé
Statement of purpose in which you explain your academic background and why you want
to enroll
Official transcripts sent directly from every university you attended (we prefer digital
copies sent through email but also accept physical copies sent to the address noted
below)
Physical Address Auburn Accounting Online Admissions 405 West Magnolia Avenue 355 Lowder Hall Auburn University, AL 36849 accounting@auburn.edu
Deadlines To receive priority consideration for admission to enroll in the online Undergraduate
Certificate in Accountancy Program, application materials must be received by the following deadlines. Completed applications will be considered
on a competitive basis.
Semester to Enroll
Priority Deadline
Fall
July 1
Spring
November 1
Summer
April 1
Selection Applications for the Undergraduate Certificate in Accountancy 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.
Students admitted to the Undergraduate Certificate in Accountancy are required to
complete at least 24 semester hours in accounting.
Required Courses (6 credit hours):
ACCT 5110 Intermediate Accounting I*+
ACCT 5120 Intermediate Accounting II*+
Elective Courses (choose 18 credit hours):
ACCT 5210 Cost Accounting*
ACCT 5510 Accounting Information Systems*
ACCT 5520 Accounting Analytics*
ACCT 5300 Auditing & Assurance Services*
ACCT 5410 Income Tax I*
ACCT 5130 Advanced Accounting Topics (fall and spring)
ACCT 5420 Income Tax II*
ACCT 5610 Governmental & Not-For-Profit Accounting (fall and spring)
ACCT 5700 Advanced Business Law (fall, spring and summer)
* Courses are offered fall, spring, and summer semesters. +Students that have completed Intermediate Accounting I and II at another regionally
accredited institution and have earned a minimum grade of B or higher in each course
may receive a waiver of these two courses and therefore, be required to take 24 hours
from the elective courses.
For course descriptions, please refer to the AU Bulletin. The student's plan of study must be approved by Andee Hodo, Director of Graduate and Online Accounting Programs, at or (334) 844-6207.
Tuition is $775 per semester credit hour regardless of the student's geographic location.
Cost of each course: $2,325 = $775 x 3 credit hours Cost of program: $18,600 = $775 x 24 semester hours
Tuition is subject to change each year with the approval of the Auburn University
Board of Trustees.Student Financial Services provides a Tuition Calculator and current Estimated costs of Attendance at Auburn University.
There are no additional fees charged by the university. Textbooks and any proctoring
fees will be additional expenses.
Financial Aid Federal Financial Aid is not available to students in the Undergraduate Certificate
in Accountancy program. Students needing financial aid should seek private financial
aid or consider applying for the online Accounting Bridge.
Are the online courses different from the campus program? Our campus lectures are recorded and streamed so that 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 Undergraduate Certificate in Accountancy (UCA) program can be completed in as
little as 3 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 Undergraduate Certificate in Accounting
program.
What entrance examinations are required? There are no entrance examinations required for the Undergraduate Certificate in Accounting
program.
Is it possible to transfer credits? Students in the Undergraduate Certificate in Accountancy program will not get transfer
credit for courses taken at other institutions but those courses will be recognized
to satisfy prerequisite requirements.
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 undergraduate 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 andee.hodo@auburn.edu or (334) 844-6207. 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.
Have more questions? Check out our information request form.
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