Accounting, B.S.

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree program from the College of Business  is designed to provide students with the basic body of knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to enter the accounting profession (public, government, or business and industry).

Students planning to obtain the CPA certificate must complete 150 credit-hours and are encouraged to complete the coordinated 150 hour B.S. and M.S. in Accounting. See the relevant section of this catalog for more information on the Accounting, M.S.  program.

Professional Licensure Disclosure:

Federal law requires GSU to disclose information related to the educational requirements for licensure and certification in U.S. state and jurisdictions.

The B.S. in Accounting at GSU meets the educational requirements to sit for the four sections of the CPA exam in the state of Illinois. Students may also need 150 total credit hours to sit for the exam. Additional information about the educational requirements as well as the licensure requirements after passing the CPA exam are available on the Illinois Board of Examiners website: https://www.ilboe.org/

GSU has not made determination for licensure in other states and jurisdictions. Please visit https://nasba.org/stateboards/ to find each state’s licensure requirements. Students should note that many states and jurisdictions may also require 150 total credit hours and work experience being licensed.

5-Year MSA Admission Requirements - Special Sequence for students enrolled in the GSU BS in Accounting:

The 5-Year MSA will prepare students for professional accounting positions in public accounting firms as well as other positions in industry, government, and nonprofit organizations. Students will earn their BS degree at GSU after completing 120 credit hours and their MS degree after completing 33 additional credit hours. Undergraduate Accounting majors at Governors State University may elect to enroll in this track, once they have reached “junior” status.

Admission requirements include:

• Minimum 3.25 GPA in all GSU undergraduate course work, including transfer credits, with no grade lower than a “C” in any course;
• Minimum of 60 hours of GSU and transfer credit course work successfully completed (meaning no grade lower than a “C”);
• Completion of 4 courses (12 hours) with a minimum GPA of 3.25 from the following: 
  • ACCT - 3111 Cost Accounting I (3)  
  • ACCT - 3151 Intermediate Accounting I (3)  
  • ACCT - 3152 Intermediate Accounting II (3)  
  • ACCT - 3252 Accounting Information Systems (3)  
  • ACCT - 4251 Tax I (3)  
  • ACCT - 4354 Auditing I (3)  
• Apply in the first semester after acquiring “junior” status and include a statement of intent, letters of recommendation, and a current resume.

Students interested in pursuing this track should meet with their Undergraduate Academic Advisor to assure that the program of study reflects this 5-Year MSA option.