Departments
The Department of Accounting and Business Law (ACCBL) has ten full-time faculty members teaching undergraduate and graduate classes in accounting and business law. Both a baccalaureate degree and a masters degree are offered in accounting. Students may also pursue a minor in accounting.
The accounting major is designed to provide entry-level knowledge, skills and concepts to prepare students for professional careers in accounting. These careers are generally in four broad areas: public accounting, management accounting, government and not-for-profit accounting, and accounting education. An accounting career can include such activities as auditing, budgeting, cost management, financial analysis, tax planning and compliance, and design and analysis of financial systems.
Practicing accountants generally acquire one or more certifications available to members of the profession. The most common certification is the Certified Public Accountant (CPA), conferred by the State Board of Public Accountancy of the state in which the individual maintains his or her license. Other certifications include the Certified Management Accountant (CMA), the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).
The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy has set the minimum educational requirements for taking the CPA examination at 150 semester hours. Students aspiring to an accounting career should give serious consideration to pursuing advanced studies at the graduate level to enhance their potential for a successful accounting career.
Accounting Newsletter
Mission
The Department of Accounting and Business Law supports the missions of the College and University by focusing on the higher educational needs of accounting students in the region. Programs are designed to help students advance their education in accounting to become more productive citizens, further they accounting careers, and pursue advanced studies within a changing global environment. Based on a broad business core, the Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting (BBA-Accounting) prepares graduates for entry positions in industry, government, and not-for-profit organizations. The Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program offers advanced accounting studies. The Professional Program in Accounting (PPA) provides a more focused degree path for obtaining the undergraduate and graduate accounting degrees. To meet the educational qualifications necessary to qualify as a candidate to take the Uniform CPA Examination for the State of Texas, accounting students need coursework beyond the bachelor's degree. Both the MAcc and PPA academically qualify students for and encourage students and graduates to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination in the State of Texas.
Student learning is the highest priority of the Department. To that end, the Department emphasizes intellectual contributions of applied scholarship and instructional development. The Department supports faculty development, community service and involvement in professional organizations resulting in service to key stakeholders. The Department solicits input from its primary stakeholders to continuously improve its programs.
Finance, Economics, and Decision Sciences
The Department of Finance, Economics, and Decision Sciences (FEDS) includes the academic disciplines of economics, finance, management information systems, operations management and business statistics. The Department has sixteen full-time faculty members teaching undergraduate and graduate classes in these areas. Majors and minors are offered in Economics, Finance, and Management Information Systems.
The economics major is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the theory and applications of economics in preparation for their chosen profession. Possible career opportunities for graduates include entry-level positions as research and financial analysts in the business and government sectors; and brokerage and currency traders in the financial and banking sectors. In addition, the economics major offers an excellent preparation for graduate studies in law, economics, and other business disciplines.
The courses required for a finance major are designed to help students prepare for careers in Corporate Financial Management, Investment Planning, Brokerage, Insurance, Commercial Banking, Real Estate and other similar fields. Core courses in finance provide students with a background in security analysis and investments, portfolio management, and financial planning and analysis. The curriculum also covers monetary policy, banking, financial markets, financial reporting, statement analysis, and risk management. Students may select finance electives in their area of interest such as insurance, real estate, accounting, or expand their knowledge in investments or financial analysis.
The MIS program supports students and professionals in their applied use of computers. Information systems supports a variety of business activities using computer systems, but it is not intended to prepare software developers.
The Department of Marketing and Management offers a major in marketing and a major in management. Within the management area the Department offers concentrations in General Management, Human Resource Management, and Health Care Management. The Department has eleven full-time faculty who teach both undergraduate and graduate courses.
The marketing major is well prepared to assume positions at the corporate and small business level. Marketing graduates are employed in well compensated positions in sales, research, retail management, and related fields. General Management graduates are able to move into management training positions at the corporate level and manage small businesses. Human Resource graduates are prepared to accept the responsibility of employment in human resource departments in both profit and not for profit organizations.
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