Major in Accounting

The undergraduate Accounting major is a 120-unit program. The program provides transition to our specialized M.S. in Accounting and Business ­Advisory Services, which is designed to complete the 150 units required for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing in Maryland and many other states.

In order to assure that students have retained ­critical information from prior courses, students take a comprehensive examination on business content as part of the capstone course, MNGT 481. The results of this examination serve as 10 percent of the MNGT 481 grade. MNGT 481 requires senior standing and completion of FIN 331, MKTG 341, MNGT 361, EBTM 365 and BUSX 301. MNGT 481 is only taught during the fall and spring semesters. 

This is a screened program. Please see the admission requirements for additional information.

Accounting Major

Accounting is a screened major. Admission to the Accounting major requires:

  • An average GPA of 2.7 or higher in the six lower-level business courses (listed below).
  • An average GPA of 2.7 or higher in the three upper-level accounting courses required for admission to the major (listed below) 
  • A cumulative GPA of 2.30 or higher in all course work.

A grade of C or higher is necessary for each course required for admission.

No more than nine (9) units in Accounting will be accepted toward admission to the Accounting major from another higher education institution that is regionally and/or AACSB accredited. The nine (9) units are courses that are equivalent to ACCT 201, ACCT 202, or ACCT 301. At least 50% of the required units in this major must be completed at Towson University. Contact the department for the current list of courses that are eligible to be transferred from another institution.

Lower-Level Business Courses Required for Admission to the Major
ACCT 201PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING3
ACCT 202PRINCIPLES OF MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING3
ECON 201MICROECONOMIC PRINCIPLES3
or ECON 203 HONORS MICROECONOMIC PRINCIPLES
ECON 202MACROECONOMIC PRINCIPLES3
or ECON 204 HONORS MACROECONOMIC PRINCIPLES
LEGL 225LEGAL ENVIRONMENT OF BUSINESS3
Select one of the following:3
STATISTICS FOR BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS I
BASIC STATISTICS
HONORS BASIC STATISTICS
Upper-Level Accounting Courses Required for Admission to the Major
ACCT 301INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING I3
ACCT 302INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING II3
ACCT 341MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING I3
or ACCT 361 TAX ACCOUNTING I
Additional Required Business Courses
BUSX 301BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS4
EBTM 250PROBLEM SOLVING IN BUSINESS I1
EBTM 251PROBLEM SOLVING IN BUSINESS II1
BUSX 460PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE3
EBTM 350BUSINESS ANALYTICS3
EBTM 365PRINCIPLES OF OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT3
FIN 331PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT3
MKTG 341MARKETING AND CREATIVITY3
MNGT 361LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT3
MNGT 481STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT (must be taken at TU)3
Select one of the following international courses:3
INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING
SURVEY OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
GLOBAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
GLOBAL MARKETING
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS: THEORY AND PRACTICE
Other Required Courses
COMM 131PUBLIC SPEAKING3
or COMM 215 INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
LEGL 226BUSINESS LAW3
MNGT 282BUSINESS ETHICS AND SUSTAINABILITY3
or PHIL 371 BUSINESS ETHICS
Upper-Level Accounting Courses
ACCT 300ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS3
ACCT 303INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING III3
ACCT 361TAX ACCOUNTING I 13
or ACCT 341 MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING I
ACCT 401AUDITING I3
ACCT 421ADVANCED ACCOUNTING3
Accounting Electives
Select two of the following:6
TAX ACCOUNTING II
AUDITING II
GOVERNMENTAL AND NOT-FOR PROFIT ACCOUNTING
INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING 2
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING II
FORENSIC ACCOUNTING AND FRAUD EXAMINATION
SUSTAINABILITY ACCOUNTING
Free Elective
While this elective may be taken from any discipline, it is recommended that students take an additional Accounting elective from above or any of these recommended courses.
ACCOUNTING INTERNSHIP 3
ENTERPRISE INFORMATION SYSTEMS
WRITING FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
INVESTMENTS AND EQUITY SECURITY ANALYSIS
FINANCIAL MODELING IN CORPORATE FINANCE
FUNDAMENTALS OF FINANCIAL PLANNING
Total Units87
1

Either ACCT 341 or ACCT 361 can be used for admission to Major; the remaining course is one of the additional required upper-level Accounting courses.

2

Not applicable if taken as international course requirement.

3

 Accounting Internship is recommended but not required.  It may be taken for 1 to 3 units. ACCT 497 and BUSX 460 cannot be taken in the same term. ACCT 497 must be a different experience than BUSX 460

Sample Four-Year Plan

The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.

Freshman
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
ACCT 2013ACCT 2023
ECON 202 or 204 (Core 6)3COMM 131 or 215 (COMM 131 satisfies Core 5)3
ECON 205, MATH 231, or MATH 233 (Core 3)3ECON 201 or 2033
Core 1 (or Core 2)3Core 2 (or Core 1)3
Core 74Core 84
 16 16
Sophomore
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
ACCT 3013ACCT 3023
ACCT 3613ACCT 3413
EBTM 2501LEGL 2263
EBTM 2511MKTG 3413
LEGL 2253Core 103
Core 43 
 14 15
Junior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
ACCT 3033ACCT 3003
BUSX 301 (Core 9)4ACCT 470 (Recommended) 3
FIN 3313EBTM 3503
MNGT 3613MNGT 282 or PHIL 371 (Core 14)3
Free Elective3International Elective3
 16 15
Senior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
ACCT 4013ACCT 4213
ACCT Elective3ACCT Elective 3
BUSX 4603MNGT 4813
EBTM 3653Core 133
Core 123Free Elective (optional)11-3
 15 13-15
Total Units 120-122
1

This elective is optional and only necessary if the student is not on target to earn 120 units by the end of their final term.

Goals and Learning Objectives (LO):

College of Business and Economics Goals

CBE Goal 1: Know and Apply Core Knowledge and Concepts

CBE LO1a: Our Graduates will possess core accounting knowledge and an understanding of the accounting cycle to develop, measure, analyze, validate, and communicate financial and non-financial information.

Accounting Goals

Goal 1: Research, Prepare, Analyze and Communicate Financial, Regulatory and Other Statements/Information

LO1a: Our graduates will be able to apply relevant accounting and regulatory standards in order to conduct the necessary research for and prepare financial, regulatory, and other important accounting documents.

LO1b: Our graduates will be able to communicate the findings of their analyses and interpretations of financial, regulatory, and other important accounting documents.

Goal 2: Use and Apply Technological Tools and Analytical Methods

LO2: Our graduates will be able to utilize accounting software to process transactions, analyze data, and produce a variety of financial reports.

Goal 3: Understand the importance of ethical behavior in the accounting profession

LO3: Our graduates will be able to understand and apply the precepts of accounting ethics to situations that they will encounter in their professional careers.