Business Administration in Accounting

OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS 

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: A C- or higher is required in all business core classes: MGT 101 ,  ACC 201 , ACC 202 , MGT 220 , BIS 105 , BIS 235 , MKT 270 , MGT 325 , MGT 337 , MGT 343 , FIN 350 , and MGT 449 . Core business courses may be repeated only once, and when a student earns a grade less than a C- in a core business course, they must retake that class at UMaine.

Other GPA requirements to graduate: Must earn a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in all Business and Economics classes. Must earn at least 70% of the total credit hours in core business classes, as well as the majority of the courses in the major at UMaine

Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience: MGT 449  

Course stasifying the Writing Intensive requirement within the major: ACC 302  

Contact Information: Jason Harkins, Associate Dean, 211 DP Corbett, (207) 581-1968 

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The Accounting major prepares students to have skills in the organization and presentation of financial information to corporate stakeholders and internal financial and managerial information to business managers. Accounting majors’ career paths include financial reporting, taxation, internal and external auditing and business consulting.

School/Departmental Requirements:

To earn a B.S. in Accounting at least 70% of the total credits earned in business core classes, as well as the majority of the specialized courses in the major (i.e., 4 out of 6 in accounting) must be taken at the University of Maine. Business and economics coursework must be completed with a 2.0 (“C”) cumulative average.

A C- or better is required in all business core classes and those classes may be repeated only once.

Students wishing to transfer from other institutions or from other programs within UM must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and be in good academic standing. In addition to University-wide policies for transfer of credit, MBS, as an institution accredited by AACSB International, evaluates transfer credit according to AACSB standards.

First year accounting students should take MGT 101 , ACC 201 , ACC 202  and BIS 235 . Sophomores (24 or more degree hours) may take BIS 105 , MGT 220 , MGT 325 , ACC 301 , ACC 302  and MKT 270 .  Juniors (54 or more degree hours) may take any other 300- or 400-level business course for which prerequisites have been met unless the course specifies “Senior Standing”. Class standing requirements are never waived.

The Business Program for Accounting majors has three components:

1. The General Foundation (52 credits). Throughout the program students acquire a broad education in the liberal arts and sciences. Through courses in English, communications, international studies, mathematics, computer science, economics and psychology, as well as electives, students build a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Within this component, the student will satisfy the University’s general education requirements.
2. The Business Core (34 credits). The core business courses provide an understanding of the functional areas common to most businesses: accounting, finance, law, marketing, management, management information systems, production and operations, international business and strategy.
3. The Major Fields (15-18 credits). Students acquire advanced knowledge of a major field (accounting, finance, management, or marketing) by taking five courses (six in accounting) beyond the introductory level in a chosen major. Concentrations in International Business, Management of Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship can be elected in addition to a major.

Note: The remaining 16-19 credits needed to qualify for graduation can be filled with any course offered at the University.

Prospective CPA students:
Students who intend to sit for the CPA (Certified Public Accounting) examination must have completed 150 credits including a baccalaureate degree and a minimum of 15 credits in accounting. One option recommended for University of Maine students is to complete the baccalaureate degree in business with a major in accounting and then complete the UMaine MBA. Students should strongly consider an internship in accounting sometime during their program.