The certificate of graduate study in accountancy is designed to provide working professionals and non-accountancy graduate students with a set of courses focused on the foundational areas in the accountancy discipline. A certificate in accountancy will enhance a student’s understanding of the role of accounting in business and other organizations. The courses partially fulfill the educational requirements to sit for the CPA examination and count towards completion of the Phase One accountancy courses for the Master of Accounting Science (see Master of Accounting Science admission requirements).
The certification program is a part-time cohort program with students admitted only in the fall semester. A minimum of three terms (including summer school) is required to complete the certificate. The admission criteria follow:
An undergraduate degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.75.
A grade of C or better in a financial accounting concepts course taken within the last five years or pass the related exemption exam.
A grade of C or better in a managerial accounting concepts course taken within the last five years or pass the related exemption exam.
A minimum TOEFL score of 100 with a minimum writing score of 26, or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum writing score of 7 for international students.
Students interested in the certificate should apply no later than the Graduate School fall admission deadline. Students who are not already admitted to the Graduate School, will be required to complete a Graduate School on-line application as a Student-at-Large. Students are also required to complete an application with the certificate coordinator. The department application for admission and other pertinent information are available on the Department of Accountancy website: www.cob.niu.edu/accy/.
To successfully complete the certificate program, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 in the certificate courses. All courses must be completed at NIU within six calendar years of starting.
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