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From Business, Accounting, & Economics

[edit] About

Accounting (ACC) At Western, we believe that the best accountants are those with the greatest breadth in their undergraduate education. Thus, Accounting majors at Western are required to take a full range of General Education courses while still completing all necessary accounting and related business courses. This approach results in graduates who have over half of their course work in liberal arts disciplines, but who still meet all educational requirements to become certified public accountants. This method of accounting education, together with the rigors inherent in the study of accounting, combine to create an outstanding program with outstanding students. In addition, as with other disciplines at Western, students can count on small classes with caring and dedicated faculty. Western State College of Colorado offers three programs of study in Accounting: a Comprehensive Major: Professional Emphasis, a Comprehensive Major: Finance Emphasis, and a Standard Accounting Major. The Professional Emphasis is intended to provide the appropriate educational background for students interested in professional accountancy (CPA) as a career, or the pursuit of a graduate degree in accounting, business, or law. The course work leading to graduation with a Comprehensive Accounting Major is composed of five areas: 1) general education and elective courses; 2) supporting tool courses; 3) Accounting Nucleus courses; 4) supporting courses in Accounting, Business Administration and Economics; and 5) a Capstone Course. Students completing one of the Comprehensive Majors do not need a minor area of study. Students interested in becoming a Certified Public Accountant should be aware that many states have passed a requirement for 150 credits to take the CPA exam. In Colorado the requirement continues to be 120 credits. Completion of the Professional Emphasis meets these requirements. In addition, Western offers classes that meet all aspects of the 150-credit requirement. Students should consult with an Accounting faculty advisor to develop an appropriate academic program if they are interested in meeting out-of-state requirements.

[edit] Finance Emphasis

The Finance Emphasis in Accounting is designed for students who are interested in careers in accounting or finance but who do not intend to seek professional accounting certification (CPA). This Emphasis includes courses in the traditional areas of managerial finance, financial institutions, investments and corporate finance, and also requires a substantial core of accounting courses. This approach maximizes the post-graduate opportunities available to students. Students completing the Finance Emphasis do not need a minor area of study.

[edit] Standard Accounting Major

The Standard Accounting Major is appropriate for students who have a strong interest in both accounting and another discipline. It does not offer the integrated breadth provided in the comprehensive majors. Students pursuing a Standard Major must also complete a minor area of study or have a second major in another discipline. The Standard Major does not provide sufficient preparation for someone interested in professional accountancy, but provides an excellent preparation for graduate study or for careers that make use of accounting information. The selection of a minor area of study (or a second major) that complements a Standard Accounting Major should be made with the aid of an advisor.