Colorado Christian University will be adding a new emphasis to their
already popular MBA degree starting in the fall of 2012. The accounting
emphasis will prepare graduates for a range of non-profit, for-profit, and
public accounting positions, and it will meet increased Colorado state
standards for certified public accountants, which will be instituted in
2015.
The new standards, requiring 150 credit hours of work for
CPAs, will align Colorado's requirements with the national norm. Instead of a
bachelor's degree fulfilling CPA schooling, students currently entering their
undergraduate programs will need additional credits upon graduation.
The
MBA
with an emphasis in accounting will help meet this demand while offering
the broad job opportunities that come with an MBA. "This is a very
multi-purpose degree," said Dr. Mellani Day, dean of CCU's Business and
Technology Division within its College of Adult and Graduate Studies. "It will
be applicable in a variety of ways, from auditing and accounting systems for
small businesses to major organizations and CPA firms."
The
39-credit degree, which has already undergone feedback from stakeholders and
professors across the country, will continue the trend of CCU's College of
Adults and Graduate Studies by drawing experienced, working professionals who
are highly motivated to continue their schooling. Professors are working
professionals in the fields in which they teach, which in the accounting
emphasis means licensed CPAs with advanced degrees in accounting. They teach
because they believe in the mission of CCU.
Colorado Christian
University integrates biblical and ethical components in its adult classes,
training students to not only act ethically but to make a difference in the
business world. As Dr. Day iterated, "Ethics in accounting has taken a hit the
past few years in the public square. We have a need for ethical behavior and
believe that CCU offers a solution to train well-qualified students who go into
the world and perform with high ethical standards."
The job outlook
for CPAs with graduate degrees is expected to be particularly favorable over
the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. With growing
scrutiny of company finances, CPA growth is projected to be much faster than
average.