Denise M. Stefano, M.B.A., CPA, CGMA, Chair 
914-674-7779
dstefano@mercy.edu

 

Purpose

The 150-hour Combined B.S./M.S. in Public Accounting Program is for highly qualified students who wish to enter the profession of Public Accounting. The Combined B.S./M.S. in Public Accounting is the only 150-credit-hour CPA licensure-qualifying program commencing at the undergraduate level at Mercy University. Upon completion of the Combined Program, students will meet the academic requirements for admission to the CPA Examination in New York State and will satisfy the licensure requirements with one year of professional experience (as determined by the New York State Education Department’s State Board of Accountancy).

Objectives

Graduates of the Combined Program are well prepared for employment in the dynamic accounting profession. Undergraduate students are equipped with a strong liberal arts foundation, and a professional accounting and business curriculum. Graduate students experience an integration of advanced accounting research and studies in graduate business courses, which provide depth and breadth to the learning experience.

Admission Requirements

Requirements for matriculation and admission into the Combined B.S./M.S. in Public Accounting include undergraduate and graduate requirements as follows:

 

Undergraduate Program Admission

1. Undergraduate students enroll (and are admitted into) the B.S. Public Accounting Program.
2. Students must maintain an overall and accounting GPA of 3.0 or higher throughout their undergraduate studies.
3. After completion of the 300-level Accounting courses, students who meet the 3.0 GPA requirement may be eligible to switch majors to the Combined B.S./M.S. in Public Accounting Program after an interview with, and the written permission of, the Accounting Department Chairperson.
4. Accounting credits more than five years old may not be accepted in transfer in fulfillment of the major, which may require pre-requisite coursework as determined by the Accounting Department Chairperson.  Foreign accounting transfer credits are generally not accepted with some limited exceptions related to introductory accounting courses.  The Accounting Department Chairperson should be contacted for more information.

Graduate Program Admission

During the last year of undergraduate study (or prior as applicable), students who have achieved an overall, and Accounting major, GPA of 3.0 or higher meet with the Accounting Department Chairperson to switch majors to the Combined B.S./M.S. Public Accounting degree. Students who meet graduate admission criteria will matriculate into the graduate portion of the Combined B.S./M.S. Public Accounting Program. Program continuation will be granted to candidates who show promise of success in graduate studies, and who continue to maintain the required admissions GPA. An interview with the Accounting Department Chairperson is required.

Bachelor of Science

Students who are enrolled in the B.S. in Public Accounting portion of the Combined Program must complete:

General Liberal Arts and Sciences
General Education Requirements*	60 credits
Business Core	24 credits
Public Accounting	36 credits
Total Bachelor of Science	120 credits

*ECON 125 , ECON 220 , ECON 221 ,  ECON 230 , MATH 116 , and MATH 120  /CISC 120  or CISC 131   are Prerequisites for the major and must be used to fulfill general education requirements.

 

Master of Science

Students who are enrolled in the M.S. in Public Accounting Portion of the Combined Program must complete:

Public Accounting	18 credits
Business	12 credits
Total Master of Science	30 credits
Total Combined B.S./M.S	150 credits