Accounting, BS
Program at a Glance
Program
Accounting, BS
Format
Online, Hybrid
Total Units
120
Requirements
No SAT or ACT
Required
Summer ’25 Early Application Deadline
March 9
Program Overview
Work Toward a CPA, CMA, or CIA
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 the adult undergraduate student 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. Students must complete a minimum of four courses (12 units) from the “Required Courses” list.
BSA courses can be taken to qualify and prepare for examinations in professional certifications. For the CPA, the degree will satisfy 120 semester hours of the educational requirements to obtain a CPA license. Courses will also satisfy educational eligibility for the CPA Exam. Students will need at least 27 additional units to reach the 150-hour milestone required by the American Institute of CPAs. The BSA will satisfy the educational requirements for the CMA, and may do the same for the CIA certification.
Curriculum
The degree requires completion of 120 units as follows: 36 units of general education and liberal studies coursework, 54 units required for the major, and 30 units of elective courses, including courses taken toward minors. (See Declaring Minors below for more information.) Each course listed carries three semester units of credit, unless otherwise noted. A cumulative gradepoint 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.)
And one of the following:
Note: Students may select any other ARTS, HIST, HUM, PHIL, SCI, SOSC, or PSYCH course offered.
Note: ACCTG 1A and 1B are MSADA foundation courses. Students who intend to pursue the Master of Science in Accounting Data & Analytics (MSADA) must earn a “B” or better in these courses in order to satisfy the program’s foundation requirement.
Note: ACCTG 100A, ACCTG 100B, and ACCTG 111 are MSADA foundation courses. Students who intend to pursue the Master of Science in Accounting Data & Analytics (MSADA) must earn a “B” or better in these courses in order to satisfy the program’s foundation requirement.
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 advisor.
Path2CPA Program
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. To pursue a Master’s in Accounting Data & Analytics or a Master’s in Taxation through the Path2CPA option, students are required to submit an abbreviated GGU application. No GMAT or GRE test score is required.
The Path2CPA electives include up to four designated graduate-level courses and seven 3-unit upper or lower-division course 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.
Master of Science in Accounting Data & Analytics (MSADA) Pathway – 30 UnitsSelect up to four courses for a total of 12 units from the following:
Select six 3-unit upper or lower-division undergraduate-level courses from any subject for a total of 18 units.
(NOTE: ACCTG 377, ACCTG 379, ACCTG 380, and ACCTG 381 are graduate-level CPA Applied Accounting Graduate Certificate program courses that prepare students for the Certified Public Accounting examinations.)
Select up to four courses for a total of 12 units* from the following:
Plus two 3-unit graduate-level Taxation elective courses for a total of 6 units.
Six 3-unit upper or lower-division undergraduate-level courses from any subject for a total of 18 units.
One 3-unit course from the graduate Accounting courses listed below and nine upper or lower-division undergraduate-level courses from any subject for a total of 27 unit(s):
(NOTE: ACCTG 377, ACCTG 379, ACCTG 380, and ACCTG 381 are graduate-level CPA Applied Accounting Graduate Certificate program courses that prepare students for the Certified Public Accounting examinations.)
*Only one 3-unit course of non-Taxation (TA) subject courses can be applied to the Master of Science in Taxation program as elective credits.
Declare a Minor
At GGU, you’ll have the opportunity to add up to two minors to your bachelor’s degree. We offer 15 minors in a variety of fields, so you can choose to specialize your education with courses that fit your interests and career goals.
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.
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 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: media and 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.
To complete the honors program, students must complete any combination of 12 units (four 3-unit courses) of honors-designated sections and an honors-designated capstone course section (3 units) 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 12-unit requirement. Students should contact their academic advisors to begin the petition process.
Core Requirements – 12 UnitsComplete the honors section of the capstone course applicable to the student’s degree program.
Undergraduate Tuition
The tuition for undergraduate degree programs at Golden Gate University is $462 per unit, covering the cost of high-quality, career-focused education led by experienced faculty. This investment supports essential resources, including personalized academic advising, state-of-the-art technology, and student services designed to help adult learners succeed.
Learn More About the School of Undergraduate Studies
Our programs promote student employability, adaptability, insight and lifelong learning through comprehensive and on-going support. We provide coursework in the liberal arts as a strong educational foundation for lifelong learning, emphasizing the relevance of communication skills, critical thinking, information literacy and other essential skills to practical business and organizational applications.
