Which Schools Offer Accounting Degree Programs in Alabama?

Several schools in Alabama offers accounting degrees at associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree levels. Keep reading to get specifics for each program.

What You Need to Know

Accounting programs in Alabama are typically found in 2-year community colleges and 4-year colleges or universities. You could earn a 2-year associate's degree and choose between computerized or general accounting concentrations. You might also earn a 4-year bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. Additional credits may be required for those wishing to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. A 1-year master's degree in accountancy course of study or a 5-year combination bachelor's/master's degree program offer the required credits to qualify for the CPA exam. Internships may be available in select programs. Read on to determine which offerings might be desirable for your situation.

Associate's Degree Programs in Accounting in Alabama

Jefferson State Community College

As a condition of admission to Jefferson State's associate's degree program in accounting, you must first complete the school's certificate program in accountancy, which comprises a series of introductory courses in the field that cover a variety of areas. These may include payroll accounting, computerized accounting and basic accounting procedures. Once admitted to the degree program, you'll elect to concentrate your studies in either the general accounting option or the computerized accounting option. While the former option concentrates subjects relevant to financial, managerial, legal and business aspects of accounting, the latter option emphasizes the digital aspects of accounting, such as microcomputer accounting, e-commerce and Web development.

• Program Name: Associate in Applied Science-Accounting
• Program Length: Two years
• Tuition: $4,800 per year for in-state students; $8,670 per year for out-of-state students (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent; completion of certificate program in accounting
• Requirements: Application; primary form of documentation or two secondary documentation forms
• School Type: 2-year, public; 9,078 students (all undergraduates)

Bachelor's Degree Programs in Accounting in Alabama

Spring Hill College

Although Spring Hill's accounting program is administered through the college's business department, its faculty espouses the importance of liberal arts and ethics to your educational development. Consequently, a significant portion of your undergraduate coursework will encompass core areas such as philosophy, theology, history, English and social science. The accounting foundation of your curriculum will emphasize leadership development in management positions. Some of your course topics may include economics, cost analysis, business statistics and auditing. It should be noted that this program will not give you a sufficient number of hours to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. In order to prepare for that exam, you'll need to complete 150 credit hours.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting
• Program Length: Four years
• Tuition and Fees: $39,464 per year (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: High school diploma; minimum 16 high school units (12 academic units); four units of English; two units of math; two units of natural science; two units of social science
• Requirements: Application and application fee; official high school transcripts; official SAT/ACT scores; high school counselor evaluation; personal essay
• School Type: 4-year, private; 1,254 undergraduate students; 125 graduate students

University of Alabama

As a student in Alabama's bachelor's degree program in accounting, you'll have the option of concentrating some of your coursework within an accounting specialization, which includes courses in non-profit and business taxation. In addition to general education courses in disciplines such as economics, calculus and statistics, you'll be required to take advanced courses in areas particular to accounting, including financial reporting, corporate governance and risk assessment.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting
• Program Length: Four years
• Tuition and Fees: $10,780 per year for in-state students; $29,230 per year for out-of-state students (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent; minimum four units of English; three units of math; three units of natural science; four units of social science; one unit of foreign language; five additional academic units; minimum 2.5 GPA for all lower division coursework completed
• Requirements: Official ACT/SAT scores; application and application fee; high school transcripts
• School Type: 4-year, public; 33,028 undergraduate students; 5,362 graduate students

Master's Degree Programs in Accounting in Alabama

University of Alabama

Alabama's master's degree program in accounting is designed for students who have completed the pre-professional accounting program as undergraduates and seek more in-depth professional training. This program may prepare you to enter a range of careers in various sectors, such as government, finance, nonprofit and business. While the master's degree curriculum in accounting is very similar to the undergraduate curriculum, the master's courses are more advanced. In addition to coursework, you may have the opportunity to participate in various internships that the school's career center may set you up with.

• Program Name: Master of Accountancy
• Program Length: One year
• Tuition: $10,780 per year for in-state students; $29,230 per year for out-of-state students (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree in accounting or equivalent field; 3.0 cumulative GPA, 3.0 GPA in last 60 credit hours of undergraduate degree program or 3.0 cumulative GPA in prior graduate degree program; minimum score of 500 on Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT); completion of undergraduate courses in areas such as cost analysis, basic taxation, corporate governance and financial reporting.
• Requirements: Application and application fee; statement of purpose; three letters of recommendation; official transcripts from all prior colleges/universities attended; official GMAT scores
• School Type: 4-year, public; 33,028 undergraduate students; 5,362 graduate students

University of Mobile

The University of Mobile's integrated accounting and MBA program is a 5-year program that you may consider if you're seeking to major in accounting as an undergraduate and, upon graduating, immediately enroll in a graduate program that will provide you with enough hours to sit for the CPA exam. The program consists of 113 hours of undergraduate credit hours and 40 graduate credit hours in the school's MBA program. Throughout your five years, you'll explore a number of areas within accounting and business, such as information systems, business policy, managerial ethics and financial management. In order to earn your MBA degree, you'll be required to pass a comprehensive examination.

• Program Name: Integrated Bachelor of Science in Accounting/Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program
• Program Length: Five years
• Tuition and Fees: $23,230 per year (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree in any discipline; minimum 2.75 GPA from graduating college/university; minimum GMAT score of 400; minimum grade of 'C' on all course prerequisites
• Requirements: Application and application fee; official college transcripts; official GMAT scores
• School Type: 4-year, private; 1,676 undergraduate students; 209 graduate students

Overall, Jefferson State Community College offers an AAS degree program, Spring Hill College provides a bachelor's degree, the University of Mobile has an MBA program in the field, and the University of Alabama has both a bachelor's and master's program available in accounting.