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Online Bachelor's in Accountancy

The online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accountancy is designed to deliver essential accounting knowledge to anyone looking for a flexible online program that will enrich their accounting expertise, help them start or grow their career in the field and/or prepare them to sit for the CPA exam in Kentucky.

UofL's online BSBA in Accountancy is virtually identical to our on-campus program, except delivered in a flexible online format that allows you to gain all the benefits of a University of Louisville College of Business education without ever physically coming to campus. Develop the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career as a professional accountant by completing coursework in key business and accounting areas—whenever it's most convenient to you.

UofL online students enrolled in our Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accountancy have the option to earn an Undergraduate Certificate in Franchise Management within their degree.

Offered by the School of Accountancy and the College of Business at the University of Louisville.

How Much Will I Pay?

Tuition & Aid    

Tuition rate does not include costs associated with a specific course or program, such as textbooks.

College of Business courses at the 300/400 level require an additional fee of $45 per course.


Already have your bachelor's degree?

Check out our Certificate in Accounting, which is designed for bachelor's degree holders who want to move into the accounting field, advance their current career and/or take the CPA exam.

Highlights

  • Enrich your business and accounting knowledge with courses in marketing, management, finance, and economics.
  • Gain the accounting credits you need to sit for the CPA exam in Kentucky* (requirements may vary in other states).
  • Develop skills in using the latest in technological resources—including tax accounting databases, Microsoft Office, Tableau, and others.
  • Complete the program in 4 years, or faster with transferred credits from prior coursework.
  • Learn from anywhere in the world, on your schedule, with 100% online courses.
  • Interact, learn from and network with other students in an online environment.
  • Engage with world-class faculty, many with extensive backgrounds in business and research.
  • Earn an Undergraduate Certificate in Franchise Management by completing four specialized electives while still enrolled in your major.

START YOUR APPLICATION     REQUEST INFORMATION


100% ONLINE COURSES

Complete your degree on your own time through fully online coursework and learning tools.

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120 CREDIT HOURS

Earn your accounting bachelor’s in 120 credit hours—with the option to transfer in up to 60 hours.

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AACSB ACCREDITED PROGRAM

UofL’s School of Accountancy is 1 of 178 accounting programs in the world to receive this accreditation.

Online learning video - Online Bachelor’s in Accounting

"If you look around at the fields that are in demand, you'll find that accounting is always up there near the top. There are just so many opportunities. It gives you an understanding of business that's hard to get other places or in other disciplines; it gives you exposure to business like no other career path."


Bill Stout, Ph.D., CPA (Connecticut),
BSBAA PROGRAM DIRECTOR
SCHOOL OF ACCOUNTANCY

What can I do with a bachelor's in accountancy?

Graduating with your BSBA in Accountancy will give you the expertise you need to start or advance a career in accounting, finance, business and more.

  • Complete the education requirements needed to qualify for the CPA exam (more information below)
  • Develop your understanding of business practices and research skills in tax, accounting, and auditing—all skills that will help you achieve your career goals, support your business’ bottom line and more
  • Learn more than just accounting; acquire valuable transferable knowledge in other business areas, from marketing to economics
  • Study data analytics and other tools currently used by auditors and other accounting professionals

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

  • Auditor
  • Bookkeeper
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
    (more information below)
  • Cost Estimator
  • Finance Manager
  • Financial Advisor
  • Financial Analyst
  • Small Business Finance Management
  • Tax Examiner

Watch this video to hear from Dr. Xi Ai, one of our professors in the Accountancy program!

 

BECOME A CPA

Graduates will also be prepared to successfully complete the CPA examination in Kentucky and other states. The CPA designation is a further mark of excellence for those pursuing careers in accountancy, and is a requirement for careers in public accounting. UofL's BSBA in Accountancy awards students with 120 credit hours that cover both of the sub-requirements needed to qualify for the CPA exam by the Kentucky State Board of Accountancy (minimum of 27 credit hours in accounting and 12 credit hours in business-related subjects).

Requirements may vary from state to state, and the BSBAA program may meet the educational requirements for examination or licensure in states outside of KY. Since these requirements occasionally change, we highly recommend you read more information about the exam and the requirements at the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy website.


START YOUR APPLICATION     REQUEST INFORMATION


Application Deadline Term Start Date
August 1 Fall August
December 1 Spring January
April 1 Summer May/June

Steps to Apply

Universoty of Louisville College of Business
  1. Complete online application
  2. Submit $30 application fee
  3. Send required materials (listed below)
  4. Check for Scholarships

START YOUR APPLICATION     REQUEST INFORMATION


For more information on the admission and application process, please contact our Online Learning Enrollment Counselor at 800.871.8635 or by email at online@louisville.edu

Admission in good standing requires:

  • GPA of 2.8 or better on a 4.0 scale based on all work attempted for college credit. (If previously enrolled at UofL, GPA will be calculated only on UofL work attempted for college credit.)
  • Good standing in the institution of last attendance, including eligibility to return to that institution
  • Full disclosure of previous attendance in another school or college of UofL and/or any other post-secondary institution

Transfer Students – less than 24 transferable credits from accredited institutions

In addition to meeting the 2.8 transfer college GPA, must meet all new freshmen requirements for COB applicants.

Required to submit:

  • All previous official college transcripts
  • Final high school transcript
  • ACT or SAT scores

Transfer Students – 24+ transferable credits from accredited institutions

Must have completed the following courses with a letter grade of B-minus or better:


Required to submit all previous official college transcripts.

Transfer Credit

Students may transfer up to 60 hours from a community college and up to 90 hours from an accredited 4-year college. Transfer applicants must have a minimum college GPA of 2.5 to be admitted in good standing. Complete the credit transfer pre-evaluation to get an idea of how many credits you'll be able to transfer in toward your UofL bachelor's degree, and visit our General Transfer Student page for more details.

Are you a KCTCS student? KCTCS students can transfer completed associate degrees in their entirety and begin immediately with online upper level coursework at UofL. Visit our KCTCS Transfers Page for more information.

See the UofL Transfer Credit Policy for more information.

The online Bachelor’s in Business Administration in Accountancy from UofL is a 120 credit hour program, divided into the following curriculum components:

  1. General education classes – all undergraduate degrees require completion of the university-wide General Education Program (31 credit hours)
  2. College of Business requirements (47 credit hours)
  3. Core accounting courses and electives (42 credit hours)

  • College of Business Requirements
    Courses Hours
    CAMP 100 Campus Culture/Business Students 1
    MATH 180 Elements of Calculus OR
    MATH 205 Calculus 1 (campus only)*
    Select one of the following:
    PHIL 222 Contemporary Ethical Problems
    PHIL 225 Business Ethics
    PHIL 321 Ethics
    PHIL 323 Medical Ethics
    3
    BUS 301 Business Communication 3
    BUS 201 Career Development 1
    ACCT 201 Principles of Financial Accounting 3
    ACCT 202 Principles of Managerial Accounting 3
    ECON 201 Principles of Microeconomics *
    ECON 202 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
    BSTA 201 Business Statistics 3
    CIS 205 Information Systems in Organizations 3
    FIN 301 Corporate Finance 3
    MKT 301 Principles of Marketing 3
    MGMT 301 Management and Organizational Behavior 3
    CLAW 301 Legal Environment of Business 3
    CIS 305 Data Analysis for Decision-Making 3
    MGMT 401 Operations Management 3
    General electives 6
    Total Hours Required: 53

    *Math and Economics requirements attribute 6 hours to both general education and College of Business requirements.


Core Accounting Courses

Course Titles Hours
ACCT 301 Intermediate Accounting I 3
ACCT 302 Intermediate Accounting II 3
ACCT 310 Introduction to Accounting Information Systems 3
ACCT 315 Introduction to Taxation 3
ACCT 320 Managerial Cost Accounting 3
ACCT 411 Advanced Accounting Information Systems 3
ACCT 430 Auditing Theory and Practice 3
MGMT 404 Project Management 3
Accounting elective – choose from one of the following:
ACCT 353 Accounting for Not-For-Profit Organizations
ACCT 401 Advanced Accounting Problems
ACCT 415 Advanced Taxation
ACCT 420 Advanced Managerial Cost Accounting
*Co-op in Accounting
3
Business electives 3
General electives 12
Total Hours Required: 42

Undergraduate Certificate in Franchise Management

Course Titles Hours
MGMT 410 Franchise Fundamentals & Legal 3*
MGMT 409 Franchise HR & Leading Teams 3*
MGMT 413 Franchise Growth & Support 3*
MGMT 414 Franchise Management Practicum 3*

*Students enrolled in the BBA or BSBA program in good standing, who successfully complete these four courses, can earn an undergraduate certificate in Franchise Management while still enrolled in their respective bachelor’s program.

Notes:

  • Transfer students must take a minimum of 12 credit hours in their major within the College of Business.
  • 6 hours of cultural diversity courses are required and may be incorporated within the degree program

START YOUR APPLICATION     REQUEST INFORMATION


Course Descriptions

Undergraduate Certificate in Franchise Management

UofL online undergraduate business students can earn a Franchise Management certificate within their degree! This certificate cannot be taken as a standalone program at this time.

This certificate is designed to provide professionals interested in a career in franchising (whether a franchisee, working for a franchisor, or supplier in the industry) with the practical knowledge and experience about the franchise business model – all in just 4 courses.

Enrollment & Completion Requirements

  • The Undergraduate Certificate in Franchise Management is currently available only for College of Business students in good standing and enrolled in the BBA or BSBA program.
  • BBA and BSBA students select a Franchise Management minor, comprised of the required certificate courses.
  • To receive the certificate, students must achieve a minimum 2.0 grade point average in the certificate courses.




    • Does the BSBAA help me meet the requirements I need to take the CPA exam?

      That depends on where you plan to become a CPA. The Kentucky State Board of Accountancy requires a minimum of 27 credit hours in accounting and 12 credit hours in business-related subjects to qualify for the CPA exam. The BSBAA degree awards you with 120 credit hours that cover both of those sub-requirements. These requirements may vary from state to state, and the BSBAA program may meet the educational requirements for examination or licensure in states outside of KY. Since these requirements occasionally change, we highly recommend you read more information about the exam and the requirements at the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy website.

    • Does this program prepare me to become a CPA in other states?

      This program helps prepare you, but 150 credit hours are needed in all states in order to become a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Since this is a bachelor's degree, you will need to pursue 30 additional credit hours to be licensed. However, you may be able to sit for the CPA exam while you are taking these additional 30 credit hours, depending on your state's requirements. We strongly recommend that you inquire with your applicable state board of accountancy, or other licensing board to determine all of the educational requirements before enrolling in the program. Please view the information on our “Professional Licensure Notifications and Disclosures” page for more information: http://louisville.edu/online/About-Us/state-authorization-disclosures

    • Once I’ve completed the BSBAA and passed the CPA exam, am I a CPA?

      No, all states require 150 credit hours to become a licensed CPA. In addition to specific education requirements and passing the CPA exam, you may need to complete a period of work experience, pay application and licensing fees, pass a criminal background check, submit references, fingerprint submissions, etc. Please view the information on our “Professional Licensure Notifications and Disclosures” page for more information: http://louisville.edu/online/About-Us/state-authorization-disclosures. And be sure to go to the appropriate state board of accountancy (or other professional licensure agency of the local government) to learn about all of the requirements to become a CPA. The CPA is a state designation and is governed by the states and other jurisdictions. Make sure you know the requirements in your chosen location.

    • I noticed UofL offers an online Certificate in Accounting. Which program is right for me?
      Both the certificate and bachelor’s programs offer a viable pathway to advancing your education in accounting, sitting for the CPA exam or starting/advancing your career. Whether or not the program is right for you will depend on your previous education and background. For instance, the certificate in accounting is a post-baccalaureate program that requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (see the UofL Transfer Credit Policy for more information). Respectively, the bachelor’s in accounting only requires a high school diploma (for admission to the lower division) or an associate degree (for admission to the upper division). Contact one of our enrollment counselors at online@louisville.edu or 1.800.871.8635 to find out which program best fits your goals.
    • How long will it take me to complete my degree?
      The standard length for completion of the BSBA in Accountancy is 4 years. This is without taking any courses over the summer, at full-time status. However, with transferred credits and summer courses, your degree could be completed in a shorter timeframe. Contact us today to see how quickly you can earn your degree!
    • How will I know if my courses will transfer?
      Once you’ve applied to the program, credit transfer checks are a standard part of the admission process. However, if you want to get a feel for how many general education credits will transfer before applying, check out UofL’s unofficial credit pre-evaluation tool.
    • Are there specific class times for the online courses?
      No! To help you balance your education needs with all that life demands, all courses are offered through an asynchronous format—meaning you complete coursework and class requirements at the time that’s best for you.
    • Will the online exams be proctored?
      There is no mandated proctoring rule for the online accountancy courses. However this decision is ultimately left up to the discretion of the course instructor.
    • Will my course textbooks be available online?
      While there’s no guarantee, we typically use textbooks available in print and eBook format.




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