Program Information
The Bachelor of Science in Accounting program prepares students for careers in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, either as accountants or for positions that require an accountant’s skills. The program provides a high-quality education that integrates accounting principles and methods with real-world, practical training from leading-edge professionals. In addition, the program commits a significant portion of resources for the development of a well-rounded professional through liberal studies education. The program is committed to helping adult undergraduate students gain strong practical skills and knowledge in accounting principles, income tax and auditing standards. Students will learn the technical aspects of accounting and appreciate the economic consequences of accounting rules and practices. Skills acquired will advance students’ ability to analyze problems and clearly communicate solutions consistent with ethical standards.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the Bachelor of Science in Accounting, including the general education program, will be able to:
- Examine data and argument, as informed by interdisciplinary approaches to business management and organizational leadership.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills.
- Recognize the need for information in professional and business contexts and to responsibly access, evaluate and apply information using a variety of research tools and methods.
- Develop strategies for organizational challenges using an understanding of business functional areas, management theory, principles, ethical reasoning, and innovative approaches.
- Prepare financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
- Employ critical thinking skills and current technologies to analyze financial data and the effects of differing financial accounting methods on the financial statements.
- Demonstrate an understanding of current auditing standards and acceptable practices, as well as, the impact of audit planning, risk, and rendering an opinion on the engagement.
- Apply cost accounting methods to evaluate and project business performance.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of taxation.
- Recognize and understand ethical issues related to the accounting profession.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Accounting
The degree requires completion of 120 units as follows: 36 units of general education, 54 units for the major, and 30 units of elective courses, including courses taken to earn minors. (See Declaring Minors below for more information.) Each course listed carries three semester units of credit, unless otherwise noted. A cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 “C” or higher is required in all courses taken at Golden Gate University.
All degree-seeking undergraduate students must complete their English, mathematics, and critical thinking requirements within their first 27 units at Golden Gate University, unless they have already earned credit for the equivalent courses from another institution and have had those courses accepted in transfer by Golden Gate University. If either math or English requirements for the degree have not been satisfied, newly enrolled students must take placement tests to ensure proper placement in the appropriate math or English course. Students may also choose to waive the placement tests and enroll in the first course in either series, which are ENGL 10A and MATH 10 . (See the course descriptions below to identify courses that have prerequisite course requirements.)
General Education - 36 units
Lifelong Learning and Self Development - 3 units
Communication and Critical Thinking - 9 units
Quantitative Reasoning - 3 units
Liberal Studies - 21 units
Major Requirements - 54 units
Foundation Courses - 24 units
Accounting Courses - 30 units
Elective Courses - 30 units
Select ten additional upper- or lower-division courses from any subject for a total of 30 units. Note: courses used to complete minors also count toward this requirement.
Note: Students may elect to complete an accounting internship by enrolling in ACCTG 198 to satisfy general electives requirements. Students interested in the internship course should speak with their advisors.
OR
Path2CPA and Elective Courses
The Path2CPA option makes the journey to an advanced degree quicker and less expensive. Students can earn a Master of Science in Accounting Data & Analytics (MSADA) or Master of Science in Taxation in as little as one year after completing GGU’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting or Bachelor of Science in Business with Accounting Concentration. The Path2CPA option can also satisfy the 150-hour education requirement for CPA licensure. Pursuing this option eliminates the requirement to apply for either of these Master’s programs and no GMAT/GRE test score is required.
The Path2CPA electives may include up to four designated graduate-level courses and six to nine 3-unit upper or lower-division undergraduate-level courses from any subject. The graduate-level courses will be included in the unit totals and GPAs for both applicants’ undergraduate Accounting and graduate-level Accounting or Taxation degree programs. Students whose cumulative GPAs in the graduate-level courses fall below a 3.00 GPA will be conditionally admitted to either of these Master’s programs.
Choose one pathway program:
Master of Science in Accounting Data & Analytics (MSADA) Pathway - 30 units
Select up to four courses for a total of 12 units from the following:
Master of Science in Taxation Pathway - 30 units
Select up to four courses for a total of 12 units* from the following:
Declaring Minors
Students may declare up to two minors for their bachelor’s degree programs. Students seeking to declare more than two minors will be required to appeal to the dean for approval.
Students will not be permitted to declare minors at the point of application but may do so following admission or prior to degree conferral. Students should make their minor declarations through their assigned academic advisors by submission of the Declaration of Minor form.
Student’s must earn a minimum grade of “C-” for each course used to fulfill minor requirements.
Students’ diplomas will list the minors that they had successfully completed at the time their degrees were conferred. Students may not declare additional minors after their degrees have been conferred.
Bachelor’s degree-seeking students may declare the minors shown below. Note: students may not declare minors that are the same as their majors.
Undergraduate Honors Program
The School of Undergraduate Studies’ honors program provides opportunities for students enrolled in all degree programs to engage in enriched learning experiences while they work toward earning their degrees. Students do not need to apply separately for this program, but may participate in it simply by registering for honors-designated course sections, as described below. Upon graduation, students who have completed the honors program must complete and submit the Honors Program Notation Request form to the Registrar’s Office to have the notation added to their transcripts.
Honors-designated course sections will emphasize the following learning outcomes: information literacy, quantitative fluency, oral/written communication, and critical thinking. Students will be required to complete advanced and more rigorous assignments that demonstrate learning beyond the articulated course outcomes. Additional assessments will be designed to emphasize core skills such as critical thinking, writing, research, and self-reflection.
Program Requirements
To complete the honors program, students must complete honors-designated core requirement course sections and an honors-designated capstone course section for a total of 15 units, with a minimum GPA in the five honors courses of 3.00 and a minimum overall degree program GPA of 3.30. Note: honors course sections can be identified in the online course schedule with a section prefix beginning with the letter “A” (e.g., ASF1) and by information in the section comments field of the section details page. Students should contact their academic advisor or the Registrar’s Office if they need help identifying honors-designated course sections.
Honors sections of the courses below will be offered every term. In addition, students who transfer any of these courses into GGU may petition to have an honors section offered of other courses in order to satisfy the core requirement. Students should contact their academic advisor to begin the petition process.
Core Requirement - 12 units
Capstone Course - 3 units
Complete the honors section of the capstone course applicable to the student’s degree program.
