Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting

Develop the skills to enjoy a high-paying, and flexible career by studying a BBA in Accounting

The Marian University Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting program helps students develop skills that lead to high-paying, flexible careers. Graduates find success in corporate finance and banking, non-profit organizations, government, healthcare, and more. Earning a bachelor’s in accounting allows students to acquire a solid foundation of business knowledge and the crucial accounting skills needed to specialize in a field that interests them. Regardless of the industry or sector, accountants are vital to any organization’s success, which is why we help develop leaders who are prepared to provide a positive impact for all businesses.

Students with accounting knowledge are ready to work for nonprofit organizations, corporations, and government agencies. Marian prepares our graduates through coursework in accounting, economics, finance, law, management, marketing, and personnel. Whether students pursue careers as CPA’s, CMA’s, private accountants, or in the business sector, our BBA in Accounting curriculum prepares graduates to jumpstart their career.

Position yourself for success in the accounting profession!

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Prepare for an Exciting Career as an Accountant

No matter what sector of accounting you want to work in, you will graduate from Marian University with real-world skills and experiences.

  • Take courses that integrate real business challenges into the classroom.
  • Add real-world experience to your resume through internships and cooperative work experiences in your specific field of interest.
  • Get immersed in an international approach designed to teach the skills necessary to compete in global business, including creativity, critical thinking, communication, cultural awareness, and computer knowledge.
  • Gain competencies and experience needed to qualify to take the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) or Certified Managerial Accounting (CMA) exams.

Explore a Business Administration Degree

A business degree from Marian University opens the door for a career with any company, in any industry.  Choose a specialty in sport and recreation management, business administration, marketing, marketing and public relations, accounting, healthcare administration, management information systems, or finance. Professors bring topics to life through their real world experience in running companies and managing staff. Courses teach you about businesses not only from a local/regional perspective but also from an interconnected global perspective. Discuss current events and how to survive and thrive in different economic conditions. Whatever your major, participate in an internship where you spend between 150 and 300 hours at a business either in the U.S. or abroad.

As a business student, you will take general education courses alongside students from all Marian bachelor programs.  Then you will take a core of business courses and courses specific to your concentration.  If you are not sure what business major is for you, reach out to our Center for Academic Support and Excellence (CASE).  They have tools to help you choose a business degree based on your interests and abilities.

BBA in Accounting Curriculum

The Marian University Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting program aims to develop leaders prepared for the global marketplace as technology rapidly expands worldwide. As a student in the program, you’ll explore and develop essential knowledge and skills in all aspects of business—including accounting, economics, finance, law, management, marketing, and personnel.

General Education Courses

As a bachelor’s level student, you are required to take about 30 credits of general education courses as part of the 120 credits required for a bachelor’s degree.  General education courses  are required regardless of your major.

All students take 10.5 to 17 credits in these areas:

  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Argumentative and Research Writing
  • Introduction to Christian Theology
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Introduction to Ethical Reasoning
  • First Year Studies

Core Courses

Accounting majors will take courses covering topics such as:

  • Financial Accounting
  • Managerial Accounting
  • Business Law
  • Microeconomics
  • Income Tax
  • Marketing

CPA Option: Students with a goal of becoming a Certified Public Accountant should work with their academic advisor to ensure they meet CPA exam requirements such as completion of 150 credits from any discipline.

Learning Outcomes
The student will be able to:

  • Possess an integrated knowledge of business functions and systems.
  • Demonstrate effective written communication.
  • Exhibit effective oral and presentation skills.
  • Critically think to solve local, national, and global problems.
  • Conceptually understand the Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures and apply them to everyday accounting needs.
  • Understand the terminology and context of financial ratios, horizontal analysis and vertical analysis, and be able to perform analysis and draw conclusions about financial health.
  • Communicate oral and written forms of financial analysis.

Mission
The Marian University Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting program prepares students to understand common business principles. Developing the skills needed in accounting enables students to apply this knowledge in the field. Whether the choice is to pursue CPA and/or public accounting opportunities, students pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in accounting will be ready to jump-start their career.

Professional Standards – Business programs at Marian University focus on the following principles of business education:

Outcomes Assessment – The academic business department designed and fully implemented outcomes assessments consistent with their mission and broad-based goals.

Strategic Planning – The business faculty consistently review material and curriculum to provide continuous improvement in alignment with mission and future academic goals.

Curriculum – Programs offered are consistent with current, acceptable business practices and the expectations of professionals in the academic and business communities.

Faculty – Highly-qualified faculty provide appropriate program coverage and continue to devote time to scholarly activity, service, and teaching.

Scholarly and Professional Activities – Faculty members participate in scholarly and professional activities that enhance the depth and scope of their knowledge.

Resources – Financial resources available are sufficient to support a high-quality learning environment.

Internal and External Relationships – Business faculty work collaboratively with other departments across the institution to create meaningful linkages that include building strong relationships with business practitioners and local external organizations.

International Business Education – Business faculty ensure students possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to understand and deal effectively with critical issues in a dynamic global business environment.

Educational Innovation – Business faculty collaboratively maintain an environment that encourages and recognizes innovation and creativity in the education of business students.

Professional Conduct (Standard for Students)

Faculty and staff in the Business Department in the College of Professions expect the highest standards of honest, ethical professional conduct from each student. Primary components of professional behavior expected include:

  • Respect for others
  • Full engagement
  • Responsibility and integrity, and commitment to quality.

Graduating with a Bachelor’s in Accounting from Marian University prepares students to enter the professional world, with defined experience and competencies in preparation to take Certified Public Accounting or Certified Managerial Accounting exams.

Accounting
Assessment

Outcome: Knowledge Acquisition – Business
Measure: Peregrine CPC Comp Exam

Results:

Marian Baseline Target = 50 %-ile (51.9% correct)
Comparison (IACBE schools) = 50%-ile (51.9% correct)
Marian Stretch Goal = 80%-ile (62.5% correct)
Marian Average achieved = 78%-ile (59.9% correct)
Marian Highest Achieved = 98%-ile (79% correct)

Conclusions:

On average, Marian students performed higher than the IACBE comparison average.
Almost half of Marian students performed in the top 20 percent nationally (45%).
In general, students have good knowledge of business concepts as measured by the CPC-Comp.

Outcome: Integrated Knowledge of Business
Measure: CAPSIM Business Simulation

Results:
Standard: Balanced Scorecard – Standard = at/above National average (50th %-ile)
Stretch Goal: Balanced Scorecard – Standard = at/above 80th %-ile
Marian Achieved = All teams above average except 1. (Range: 16th to 96th %-ile)
Marian Stretch Goal Achieved: 44% of teams at or above 80%

Conclusions:
94% of Marian teams achieved results at or above the national average compared with others teams.
44% of Marian teams achieved the stretch goal performing at or above the 80thpercentile.
In general, students do well in the simulation, demonstrating integrated knowledge of business.

Internships

Recent graduates have held internships in places such as

  • Dreifuerst & Sons Moving
  • Fond du Lac County
  • Jefferson Land Trust
  • Mayville Engineering Company
  • Metalcraft of Mayville
  • Michels Corporation
  • Neenah Paper
  • Society Insurance
  • Tab Products

Through personalized support and quality practical applications, Business faculty will inspire and motivate Marian University accounting students to be prepared to become successful contributing members of their community. Our students benefit from having faculty who are experts in the business field, bringing with them decades of experience and a passion for serving others. Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Marian University, students have the skills, knowledge, and insight to be successful in the 21st-century business world.

Criteria for Undergraduate Business Students
A student who meets Marian University admission standards and who declares a business major must comply with the following standards at each class level:

Freshman Criteria (for students with at least 30 credits completed)

  • Students should have completed the following with a minimum grade of C:

ENG 101 or ENG 105
Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00

Sophomore Criteria (for students with at least 60 credits completed)

Students should have completed the following with a minimum grade of C:

  • ENG 151 or ENG 106
  • MAT 111 or MAT 130 or MAT 132
  • BUA 210
  • Science lab(s)

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00

Junior and Senior Criterion (for students with at least 80 credits completed)

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00

Failure to Meet Criteria

Any business student failing to meet these criteria is placed on probation. During the first semester of probation, students may continue taking business courses. If the student has failed to meet the criteria after one semester on probation, that student may only retake deficient classes and general education requirements.

Graduation Requirements

A business student is not allowed to graduate with a D+ or lower grade in any business course. If such a grade is recorded, the course must be retaken and a grade of C- or above must be achieved. All business students are required to take a comprehensive exit examination during the semester prior to graduation. Students pursuing more than one major in the business program must complete at least 15 credits of unique courses to count in each major. Students pursuing a minor must complete at least 9 credits of courses unique to the minor.

Internship Experience

The internship provides practical work experience related to the student’s career objective. All internships involve planned and supervised on-the-job training with interaction among the student, a faculty advisor, and a supervisor from the site of the internship. The student may complete the internship on a part- or full-time basis. Before the student begins their internship, they must consult with the internship coordinator in their respective discipline to review requirements and expectations.

Prior to the start of the internship, the site must be approved and a learning contract and supervisor agreement must be completed. Students are eligible to register for a 0-3 credit internship upon achieving junior status. Specific internship requirements such as number of hours, paperwork, and other assignments may differ depending on major. Students must consult with the program director and internship coordinator for these details and cannot register for the internship until authorized by the internship coordinator. Business students are required to complete a minimum of one internship experience regardless of the number of declared majors.

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