Accounting and Finance Degrees Offered at Washington State University
Washington State University appears in our ranking of the 50 Best Online Master of Finance Degree Programs.
A few different options are available for students pursuing a degree in accounting or finance at Washington State University on either the Pullman or Vancouver campuses or the Global Campus 100% online platform. All three locations offer the undergraduate accounting program which culminates in the Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) with a major in accounting. A total of 120 credits are required for graduation including the business core and the accounting core, each made up of six courses. Business classes involve primarily marketing and management topics, and the accounting core includes courses like Intermediate Accounting I and II, Introduction to Taxes, and Accounting Systems and Auditing.
The undergraduate finance program is offered on the same campuses minus the online modality and also results in the B.S.B.A. After the core business classes, students choose a finance track from the following: Financial Management, Investment Analysis, Financial Institutions Management, Financial Services, and Risk Management and Insurance. Throughout the program, there are opportunities to gain first-hand experience including a portfolio management course during which the class manages WSU’s Cougar Fund which is valued at $1.5 million. The above accounting and finance degrees are part of the Carson College of Business which requires all undergraduates to complete an international experience. This requirement can be met by studying abroad, minoring in a foreign language, or participating in some other approved activity that provides a global perspective.
The Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program is offered on the Pullman Campus and prepares students for the Certified Public Accounting exam. The degree requires a total of 32 hours with Professional Research and Business Law II as the only required courses. The remainder consists of four electives in the accounting and taxation list and four general electives as well as a 2-credit-hour thesis. The graduate program in finance is a concentration in WSU’s online MBA which most students complete in about two years. Students first take 21 hours in the categories of Strategic Leadership and Functional Business Tools. These are followed by the finance track which includes Investment Analysis, International Finance, and Interest Rates and Finance Markets followed by six hours of the capstone business plan project. Doctor of Philosophy programs are available for students in both finance and accounting for individuals interested in careers teaching and researching at the university level.
About Washington State University
In 1890, just months after Washington was granted statehood, Washington State University opened in Pullman with the help of the federal land-grant program. The government donated the property to build the school with the understanding that it would primarily focus on agricultural and engineering studies. Since then, WSU has greatly expanded, now involving an online platform and three more campuses, Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver. The student body has increased to approximately 30,000 with enrollment in 244 different academic programs. Innovation is a prominent theme on campus, and students in all majors are welcome to get involved in one of the many research projects on campus. Faculty also emphasize the importance of developing a global perspective, and every student is required to participate in some type of international experience before graduation. Additionally, Washington State University is recognized as a leader in online learning, and the Global Campus MBA program is ranked 13th out of 301 according to the U.S. News and World Report.
Washington State University Accreditation Details
Washington State University first received regional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) in 1918 and most recently passed a reevaluation in 2017. The NWCCU routinely verifies that colleges and universities in their seven-state territory measure up to quality standards in categories ranging from the student experience to fiscal responsibility. The process is continuous with certain reports due annually as well as improvement projects and peer visits throughout each seven-year cycle. Some individual departments and degrees at WSU are also certified by industry-specific organizations to ensure that the rigor and breadth of the program qualify graduates for a professional career in the field. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International has accredited all of WSU’s business and accounting programs which is a distinction only held by about 165 schools around the world.
Washington State University Application Requirements
All freshmen applicants to Washington State University need to fill out the online application and send ACT or SAT scores, and students over 25 can submit a resume and essay instead of scores. Individuals who graduated in the top 10% of their high school class and/or who have at least a 3.50 GPA have guaranteed admission. For entry into the specific accounting and finance majors, students need to become business-certified which means they have completed a series of general education and introductory business classes with at least a 2.5 GPA in 60 credit hours at WSU.
Applicants for the MAcc program must include a $75 fee with their applications, resume, statement of purpose, GMAT scores, and official transcripts. The main requirements are a minimum GPA of 3.0 and completion of a bachelor’s degree. Online MBA students have the same application requirements with the addition of one letter of reference. Students applying for the Ph.D. programs need a bachelor’s degree with a 3.25 minimum GPA. An applicant needs to submit GMAT scores along with transcripts, three references, a resume, and a statement of purpose. All of these graduate programs do have specific prerequisite coursework, and student are encouraged to check with the specific department to ensure their transcripts meet the requirements.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduate students living in Washington can expect to pay about $11,500 yearly for tuition and fees, and out-of-state students will pay about $25,000. The online MBA program costs around $30,000 for the entire graduate program, and veterans or active-duty members of the military receive an automatic discount of $99 per credit hour for a total discount of around $3500. Nearly all doctoral students receive full-tuition assistantships which may also pay a stipend for living expenses. It is recommended that all students complete both the FAFSA and WAFSA to determine eligibility for federal and state assistance. In addition, the Carson College of Business offers 140 scholarships to upper-level students based on academic achievement and potential at Washington State University.
