Accountancy Major - Bachelor of Science (BS)
UWL accountancy majors have the technical knowledge and the practical experience that puts them in demand for both entry-level positions and throughout their careers. Internships are a big part of the practical experience opportunity. Career Services data shows that the Accountancy Program is usually the most active internship program at UWL. Accountancy internships are well-paid.
To be eligible to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) requires the minimum of 120 credits (in Wisconsin and Minnesota, laws may vary by state), an undergraduate degree and 2 years of professional experience. UWL's undergraduate program allows students the flexibility to complete either the 120 credits or the 150 credits, an internship, and an undergraduate degree in four to five years.
The Accountancy Program works closely with organizations and alumni to keep our program up-to-date. A byproduct of that work is a variety of scholarships for accountancy students. Be sure to apply through the UWL Alumni & Friends Foundation as a continuing student.
(College of Business Administration)
College of Business Administration (CBA) core requirements
All students enrolled in any program within the college are required to complete the following:
- College of Business (CBA) core courses
- CBA upper division prerequisite requirement - Most professional, upper division courses (300/400 level) in the CBA require students to have the following to register into the course:
Curriculum
30 credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 311 | Intermediate Accounting I 1 | 3 |
| ACC 312 | Intermediate Accounting II | 3 |
| ACC 313 | Intermediate Accounting III | 3 |
| ACC 325 | Cost Accounting | 3 |
| ACC 327 | Accounting Information Systems | 3 |
| ACC 330 | Individual Income Taxation | 3 |
| ACC 418 | Business Law for Accountants | 3 |
| ACC 421 | Advanced Accounting | 3 |
| ACC 438 | Principles of Auditing | 3 |
| Plus three credits of ACC numbered higher than 311 2 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
Accountancy majors/minors are allowed and encouraged to register for ACC 311, after successful completion of ACC 221.
- 2
Additional requirement for accountancy majors:
- A cumulative grade point average of 2.50 in the accountancy major courses.
All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements to qualify for a degree. All enrolled students have access to a degree audit to track all of these requirements.
College of Business Administration core requirements
All students enrolled in any program within the college must complete the 16 business core courses listed below and all requirements for the major (see department listings). MGT 449 must be taken in the semester of graduation.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 221 | Accounting Principles I 1 | 3 |
| ACC 222 | Accounting Principles II 1 | 3 |
| BLAW 205 | The Legal and Ethical Environment of Business 1 | 3 |
| ECO 110 | Microeconomics and Public Policy 1 | 3 |
| ECO 120 | Global Macroeconomics 1 | 3 |
| ECO 230 | Data Analysis for Business Applications | 3 |
| ENG 110 | College Writing II 1 | 3 |
| FIN 355 | Principles of Financial Management | 3 |
| IS 220 | Information Systems for Business Management | 3 |
| MGT/MKT 301 | Business Communication | 3 |
| MGT 308 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| MGT 393 | Production and Operations Management | 3 |
| MKT 309 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| MTH 160 | Mathematics for Business 1 | 4 |
| or MTH 175 | Applied Calculus | |
| or MTH 207 | Calculus I | |
| STAT 145 | Elementary Statistics (or equivalent) 1 | 4 |
| or STAT 245 | Probability and Statistics | |
| Capstone - taken in the semester of graduation | ||
| MGT 449 | CBA Capstone: Applied Business Strategy | 3 |
| Total Credits | 50 | |
- 1
A grade of "C" or better required.
Upper division prerequisite requirement
Most professional, upper division courses (300/400 level) in the CBA require students to have the following to register into the course:
1. A grade of "C" or better in ACC 221, ACC 222, BLAW 205, ECO 110, ECO 120, ENG 110,
MTH 160/MTH 175 /MTH 207, and STAT 145/STAT 245;
2. 54 credits or higher earned (or in progress).
Baccalaureate degree requirements
Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:
- Fulfill the Core General Education Requirements (CGER).
- Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
- Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
- At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
- Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
- A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
- Submit an application for graduation via the "Submit Intent to Graduate" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
- 1
Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.
- 2
The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.
No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.
Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.
The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use their degree audit and work closely with their advisor(s) and college dean's office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.
Core General Education Program
The Core General Education Requirement (CGER) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include CGER placeholders to ensure completion of the core general education requirements. The CGER category listed in parentheses indicated the recommended course to help complete CGER and the program requirements. Transferred courses may alter the plan. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. CGER courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the Core General Education Requirements for more specific details.
At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level.
Note: New students and transfer students with less than 12 credits earned are required to take The Eagle Advantage for College Success (UWL 100, 2 cr.) or FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.
This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENG 110 (CGER CL-WL Communication & Literacy: Written Literacy)1 | 3 | CST 110 (CGER CL-SL Communication & Literacy: Spoken Literacy) | 3 |
| ECO 110 (CGER SBS-BS Social & Behavioral Science: Social & Behavioral Studies)1 | 3 | ECO 1201 | 3 |
| MTH 160, 175, or 207 (Depending on math placement exam scores)1 | 4 | ACC 2211, 2 | 3 |
| CGER CP-CU Civics & Perspective: Communities of the United States | 3 | STAT 145 (CGER MQR-QR Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning: Quantitative Reasoning)1 | 4 |
| CGER HA-AA Humanities & Arts: Arts & Aesthetics | 3 | UWL 100 or FYS 100 (CGER SBS-FS Social & Behavioral Science: Social Foundation for Success) | 2 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ACC 2221 | 3 | ACC 312 | 3 |
| ACC 311 | 3 | ACC 325 | 3 |
| IS 220 | 3 | ECO 230 | 3 |
| BLAW 2051 | 3 | MGT 301 or MKT 301 | 3 |
| CGER HA-PDU Humanities & Arts: Pasts that Define Us | 3 | CGER NSWL-ES Natural Science & Wellness: Experiential Science | 4 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ACC 313 | 3 | ACC 327 or 330 | 3 |
| ACC 330 or 327 | 3 | MGT 393 | 3 |
| MKT 309 | 3 | MGT 308 | 3 |
| FIN 355 | 3 | CGER NSW-MBP Mind, Body, & Planet | 3 |
| University Elective | 3 | University Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ACC 421 | 3 | ACC 418 | 3 |
| CGER CL-SWT Stories We Tell | 3 | ACC 438 | 3 |
| CGER CP-CW Civics & Perspective: Cultures of Our World | 3 | MGT 4494 | 3 |
| ACC 300/400 Level Elective3 | 6 | University Elective | 4 |
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total Credits: 120 | |||
Some students take an internship during the Spring semester of their fourth year. This may extend the time it takes to earn a degree past four years in order to fit in the required courses. Students should work with an advisor to plan their program of study for the additional internship credits.
Students intending to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Wisconsin or Minnesota must earn a minimum of 120 required for the bachelor's degree.
- 1
Grade of "C" or better is required for the CBA core requirments.
- 2
Accountancy majors may complete in the first year.
- 3
Different electives are offered in the Spring and Fall. Be sure to plan your elective in advance.
- 4
Taken final semester, requires completion of all other core requirements.