University of California – Los Angeles Accounting and Finance Degree Programs
UCLA appears in our ranking of the 25 Great Master of Financial Engineering Programs.
The graduate-level accounting and finance degree programs at UCLA are conducted at the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management. Many publications rate this business school as being among the best in the nation. Faculty members are award-winning, notable professionals who are recognized experts. Opened in 1935, the school now enrolls some 1,600 students each academic year in a variety of degree and certificate programs.
Those enrolled in the accounting and finance programs benefit from being in the center of the thriving Los Angeles economy. This provides opportunities for internships that frequently lead to employment. Even those who study online benefit from the prestige associated with the institution, which engenders many professional opportunities.
Interested students may choose the accounting or corporate finance specializations as part of the MBA curriculum. Thus, their studies will include a broad foundation of business courses including topics such as Organizational Behavior, Statistics, Economics, Leadership Foundations, Marketing, Strategy, and Communications. Several accounting electives may be chosen at the end of the first year and throughout the second year. A summer internship is recommended, and capstone projects are required.
Alternatively, students may enroll in the Fully Employed MBA program, which features a hybrid of online and on-campus classes. This is a flexible program designed for working professionals who are not able to attend on-campus courses every week. Enrollees must spend one weekend every three weeks on campus. The curriculum and the degrees earned are the same as in the traditional, on-campus MBA program. Moreover, students may choose accounting or corporate finance as their specialization. This program typically requires three years to complete.
About University of California – Los Angeles
The University of California – Los Angeles, or UCLA as it is more commonly known, is a well-respected academic institution that is known for innovative research, a dedication to public service and for being at the forefront of educational achievements. It fulfills its role as a public research university by assembling, disseminating and preserving knowledge for every generation.
In 1919, legislation was signed that created the Southern Branch of the University of California. It was the second undergraduate institution in the University of California system, the first being UC Berkeley. Enrollment increased so rapidly that the school quickly outgrew its original location on Vermont Avenue, necessitating a move to a site to the west of Beverly Hills. The current Westwood campus location was opened in 1929. Approximately 5,500 students were enrolled at the time.
Currently, UCLA includes a College of Letters and Science, which is composed of four academic divisions. These are social sciences, life sciences, physical sciences, and humanities. The university also features a dozen professional schools such as the Jonathan and Karin Fielding School of Public Health, the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management, the School of Law, the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science and the School of the Arts and Architecture.
This respected institution frequently is recognized for its academic and research achievements. U.S. News & World Report places UCLA in the 21st spot on its list of national universities. On the global level, it ranks at the 13th spot. Washington Monthly gives UCLA the 15th slot on its annual list of university rankings while the Times Higher Education World University Rankings calls UCLA the number one U.S. Public University for academics.
University of California – Los Angeles Accreditation Details
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission accredits all programs at the University of California – Los Angeles. In addition, the Anderson School of Management is accredited by AACSB International-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
University of California – Los Angeles Application Requirements
The UCLA Anderson School of Business is widely regarded as one of the best in the nation. This translates to a competitive admissions process in which it is beneficial to have taken prior coursework in accounting or finance. Those who completed a minor in one of these subjects or who majored in business or a related field may be given priority consideration. Moreover, applicants who have worked in finance or accounting similarly may enjoy an advantage.
All prospective students must apply online, adhering to the November and December application deadlines for admission the following fall. Requirements include holding a baccalaureate degree from an institution with regional accreditation. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they maintained a GPA of between 3.0 and 4.0 for the last two years of their undergraduate studies. Official transcripts are submitted at the time of application. Satisfactory GRE test scores are essential as are three letters of recommendation.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The on-campus Master of Business Administration degree program costs approximately $58,000 per year for two years of full-time study. With the Fully Employed MBA program, students may expect to pay approximately $42,000 per year for three years.
To help pay for their education, students may want to try for a fellowship. The university sponsors several, most of them awarded on the basis of academic achievement. Scholarships also are available. Students may compete for some fellowships and scholarships while others are awarded only in specific departments or programs. Many of these awards cover three terms, which is a full academic year.
Assistantships also may be available for students in accounting and finance degree programs. These positions provide graduate students with experience teaching undergraduate students or have them conducting research under faculty supervision. Assistants are compensated for their time, easing the cost of their studies.
Awards also may be made based on financial need. Students may complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, submitting the form to the Financial Aid and Scholarships department with any supporting documentation.
The FAFSA also may be used to apply for loans that the student must begin to pay back after graduation. Loans from government sources are the most common, but private-source loans further may be available.
With an outstanding reputation for academic excellence and well-regarded faculty members, the Anderson School of Management at UCLA is singularly well-qualified to provide a thorough business education. The MBA programs at the University of California – Los Angeles provide students with opportunities to specialize in sought-after specializations like accounting and finance.
