Minnesota West Community and Technical College Finance and Accounting Programs
Minnesota West Community and Technical College appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Best Associates in Accounting Online.
Minnesota West Community and Technical College offers various programs for individuals that aspire to work in the field of accounting or finance. The programs currently offered are an accounting certificate, an accounting diploma, an accounting clerk diploma, and an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S) in Accounting. There are no finance programs offered at the moment, but the study of accounting and finance are related and can ultimately lead to the same career paths.
The accounting certificate focuses on teaching students the basics of accounting. Students are prepared to use their education immediately in the workplace or go on to earn a degree or diploma in accounting. Upon earning the certificate, students should know the fundamentals of accounting principles and practices, payroll accounting, and accounting skills involving computers. The following courses are required to successfully complete the accounting certificate: Principles of Accounting 1, Principles of Accounting 2, Spreadsheet Concepts, and 2 extra Business or Accounting Courses for electives. This certificate program can be completed in one or two semesters, depending on if a student is full-time or part-time.
The accounting diploma is centered around researching, evaluating, analyzing, and interpreting data related to accounting. The data that has been gathered and analyzed is used to provide advice to clients and companies about their financial documents and budget needs. Students are also taught how to handle specific business transactions, such as receipts, payroll, and disbursements. The following courses can be found in the curriculum of the accounting diploma: Principles of Accounting, Payroll Accounting, Computerized Accounting Applications, Spreadsheet Concepts and Applications, Database Concepts and Applications, Intermediate Accounting, Income Tax, Auditing, Cost Accounting, Fund/Nonprofit Accounting, and more. Full-time students usually complete the diploma program in two years.
The accounting clerk diploma prepares individuals for a career as an accounting clerk. Some of the duties of an accounting clerk are calculating, posting, and verifying financial data to update and maintain accounting records. This diploma program will teach students the essential knowledge and skills to manage accounting records as well as handle a variety of business transactions, such as receipts, payroll, bank statements, vouchers, and invoices. Students must pass the following courses to earn their diploma: Principles of Accounting, Payroll Accounting, Computerized Accounting Applications, Spreadsheet Concepts and Applications, Business Math, and more. The accounting clerk diploma may be completed in three semesters.
The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Accounting degree provides an education that teaches students how to gather, analyze, and review data related to accounting. Once a student can effectively analyze and interpret accounting data, they should be able to provide advice to clients and businesses regarding their financial needs and goals. Students in the A.A.S. in Accounting program will also learn how to manage and control business transactions, such as receipts and payroll. The following courses are frequently chosen by students in this degree program: Principles of Accounting, Business Math, Payroll Accounting, Computerized Accounting Applications, Spreadsheet Concepts and Applications, Database Concepts and Applications, Intermediate Accounting, Income Tax, Cost Accounting, Fund/Nonprofit Accounting, and more. Full-time students are estimated to take two years to complete this degree.
Each of these programs can also be accessed and completed fully online with no need to commute to campus. Providing flexibility, convenience, and an exceptional education at the student’s fingertips, are the main goals of the Minnesota West online campus. The online programs in accounting require the completion of the same courses as the on-campus programs.
About Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Minnesota West Community and Technical College is a public college that was founded in 1997. It is located in Granite Falls, Minnesota, and the graduation rate is at a steady pace of 51 percent. This college is a small, two-year college with a student population of 3,162 and a campus size of 76 acres. The student-teacher ratio is currently 18:1, and the highest degree achievable by students is an associate degree.
Students attending Minnesota West Community and Technical College have the option to choose between 16 different fields of study to earn a degree, diploma, or certificate in. According to Niche, this school ranked fifth for best community colleges in the state of Minnesota, and it is known for giving college credit for real-life experiences. Overall, the mission of the faculty and staff is to prepare all individuals that attend the college for a life of success.
Minnesota West Community and Technical College Accreditation Details
Minnesota West Community and Technical College has received its accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (H.L.C.), which is located in the city of Chicago. The H.L.C. is a regional accrediting agency providing accreditation to colleges and universities in its specific region. The states that are part of the H.L.C.’s region are Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Minnesota West Community and Technical College Application Requirements
Minnesota West Community and Technical College possesses an open admissions policy, which means the acceptance rate is 100 percent and every individual that applies will be admitted. The application process involves completing an application, paying the $20 application fee, and submitting high school or college transcripts. This is a quick and easy process, and applicants are notified within two weeks after submission about registering for courses.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For the 2019-2020 school year, the cost of attendance for on-campus programs at Minnesota West Community and Technical College is $194.88 per credit, including fees. An online student is required to pay $207.38 per credit, which includes all fees as well.
Individuals that may be unable to pay the full tuition can apply for financial assistance. The federal government offers a simple application called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (F.A.F.S.A.), which determines if a student may or may not receive financial assistance and the amount, if so. Other types of financial aid that students should consider are federal and state grants, student loans, scholarships, and work-study opportunities.
Annually, Minnesota West Community and Technical College awards 81 students with a Workforce Development Scholarship of $2,500. This scholarship is typically granted to Minnesota residents that are earning an education in an in-demand field.
The college also features several different work-study opportunities, such as office/clerical work, maintenance, working in the computer lab, solving technical programs, working in the athletic department, and assisting professors and faculty members in classes. Some students are even able to work off-campus for a nonprofit organization and still earn money through the work-study program. The pay for the work-study positions ranges from $10 – $12 an hour.
For more information about earning an accounting degree, please visit the website of Minnesota West Community and Technical College.
