BBA/MAC Scholars Program
The Accounting Scholars Program is a dual-degree program designed to prepare highly-motivated students for careers as professional accountants. The program is a full-time two-year day program beginning in the senior year and is based on the Boca Raton campus. Students complete a rigorous curriculum, take their accounting classes together as a cohort group, and participate in professional development activities. To be considered for the program, students must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and an accounting GPA of at least 3.0. Students must also complete an on-site essay and interview with a member of the Accounting Scholars Program Committee. Graduates of the program receive both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Accounting. They also complete the requirements of the Florida Board of Accountancy to sit for the CPA exam.
Benefits of the program may include:
- Paid accounting internship
- Paid scholarships and assistantships
- Significant networking opportunities and special access to potential employers
- Automatic registration in cohort accounting course
- Special recognition at the graduation ceremony
The Accounting Scholars Program was designed to offer a unique opportunity that both recognizes students’ past success and enhances their career potential.
Accounting is a critical component of business. In response to recent changes, the accounting profession is evolving to meet the challenges facing the global business community. The program is therefore also challenging, but will prepare you for an accounting career in today’s dynamic environment.
School of Accounting Faculty
The program’s cohort accounting classes are led by some of FAU’s top accounting professors. The School of Accounting faculty is committed to providing an enhanced classroom experience.
School of Accounting professors have earned numerous teaching awards, are active in the accounting profession and are well-respected in the national academic community.
Admission Process
Students should apply to the program in the spring semester of their junior year. To be considered for the program, students must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and an accounting GPA of at least 3.0. Students must also complete an on-site essay and interview with a member of the Accounting Scholars Program Committee. Prior to beginning the program, students should have completed ACG3131, ACG3141, ACG3341, ACG4401, TAX4001, and ENC3213.
Time Table for Admission and Acceptance:
December: Applications due one week after fall grades posted
January: Complete essay and interview
February: Notification of admittance
On-Site Essay
Students meeting the GPA and admission test minimums will be invited for an on-site essay to be administered by the Office of Graduate Student Programs. Normally students take the GMAT exam as part of the graduate admission process. The GMAT has an analytical writing component. The on-site essay for applicants to the Accounting Scholars Program serves as an alternative way for the writing of applicants to be evaluated. Students will be contacted through their FAU email account to schedule the on-site essay.
Faculty Interview
Students who satisfactorily meet the admission criteria and who have demonstrated acceptable writing skills in the on-site essay will be invited for a faculty interview. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions about the program. Faculty will use the interview to determine the student’s commitment and ability to complete the rigorous requirements of the program and interest in the accounting profession. Because the program includes an internship, students should treat the faculty interview with the same importance as a job interview. This includes being prepared, bringing a resume, and dressing professionally.
Program Requirements
Students accepted into the Accounting Scholars Program must abide by the rules set forth by the Accounting Scholars Program Committee.
Specific requirements include:
- Agree to be full-time day students for two years
- Complete cohort courses as scheduled
- Maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 and an accounting GPA of 3.0
- Abide by the Accounting Scholars Program Honor Code
- Participate in student organizations
- Attend special events designed to enhance understanding of the accounting profession or to improve the student’s personal skills
Students who successfully complete the first year of the program are admitted to graduate school in the fall of the second year. The financial aid status of the student changes to graduate at this time. Students who have not maintained the requirements are not automatically admitted to graduate school. These students may apply to graduate school by taking the GMAT and going through the regular graduate school admission process.