نظرة عامة على البرنامج

Program Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Accounting is designed to prepare students for the CPA exam and advancement within their field. This 12-credit online program offers courses in auditing theory and practice, tax planning, cost management, financial statement analysis, and reporting for government or nonprofit entities.

Program Details

• The program is 100% online, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace.
• The application deadline for the summer 2026 semester is February 1, with classes starting on May 18.
• The program consists of 12 credits, with a cost of $1,037 per credit.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes a required course in auditing theory and practice, as well as elective courses in areas such as business tax planning, accounting information and decision systems, strategic cost management, and financial statement analysis.

Required Course

• ACCT 504: Auditing Theory and Practice (3 credits)

Elective Courses

• ACCT 510: Business Tax Planning Theory and Practice (3 credits)
• ACCT 532: Accounting Information and Decision Systems (3 credits)
• ACCT 545: Strategic Cost Management (3 credits)
• ACCT 550: Professional Responsibilities and Ethics in Accounting (3 credits)
• ACCT 561: Financial Statement Analysis II (3 credits)
• ACCT 572: Financial Reporting I (3 credits)
• BLAW 444: Advanced UCC and Commercial Transactions (3 credits)
• PADM 523: Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting (3 credits)

Career Opportunities

The program can help students prepare for a career in accounting, including positions in financial management, auditing, and public accounting. The certificate can also be applied to the Master of Professional Accounting degree program at Penn State World Campus.

Admission Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a tertiary degree deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
• Completion of a minimum core of accounting coursework, including financial and managerial accounting, federal taxation, cost accounting, and auditing.
• English proficiency, as demonstrated by TOEFL or IELTS scores, if applicable.

Tuition and Financial Aid

• Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which a student registers.
• Tuition rates for the 2025-2026 academic year are $1,037 per credit for 11 or fewer credits and $12,448 per semester for 12 or more credits.
• Students pursuing a certificate are considered "nondegree" and are not eligible for federal student aid, but may be eligible for private alternative loans or other forms of financial assistance.

Faculty

The program is led by experienced faculty members, including:

• Thomas T. Amlie, Ph.D.
• Patrick Cusatis, Ph.D.
• Ashutosh Deshmukh, Ph.D.
• Lydia Didia, Ph.D.
• Richard Scheib, J.D.

Accreditation

The School of Business Administration at Penn State Harrisburg, which offers the Graduate Certificate in Accounting, is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).