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Accounting and Finance Degrees Offered at Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University appears in our ranking of The Top 15 Best Affordable Online Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs.
Both the accounting and finance programs at Southern Utah University are part of the Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business. At the undergraduate level, students have the option of pursuing a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science in either field.
The main difference between accounting and finance is that the former focuses more on the daily flow of money and current financial standing, while the latter looks through a wider lens to predict and plan for the future. Students in both programs first complete the 25-hour foundation core which consists mostly of introductory accounting and economics courses, followed by a series of managerial, business, and marketing classes that make up the 24-hour business core. Accounting students then have 21 hours of advanced classes including Accounting Information Systems, Auditing, and Financial Accounting. The final track for finance students is 24 credit hours featuring classes like Investments I and II, Decision Modeling, and Financial Institutions and Markets. Throughout their time at SUU, students are invited to join the Professional Accounting Club which provides networking opportunities and professional development tips.
Almost half of the undergraduate accounting students enter a fast-track program that allows them to finish a master’s in accounting with just one additional year of study. At this time, they are prepared for and eligible to take the Certified Public Accounting exam. The CPA pass rate for Southern Utah University students is higher than the national average. The Master of Accountancy Program requires 30 credit hours, four core classes followed by six electives. The core includes Business Law, Auditing, Practice and Theory, and Accounting Ethics. For the elective requirement, students can select their own courses or follow one of the emphasis tracks, Business Analytics, Managerial Accounting, Public Accounting, or Taxation.
For students in the St. George area of Utah looking for a graduate level degree in accounting, the Master of Accountancy program from Southern Utah University will be a great choice. The AACSB Accredited MAcc Program can be started during any term but must be completed within six years of starting. The requirements for the MAcc from Southern Utah University can be taken full-time or part-time, in the classroom or online. Students can schedule up to 15 credit hours in the fall and spring term and up to 12 hours in the summer term.
Students interested in graduate education in finance are directed to the Business Analytics specialty of the MBA program. This curriculum consists of ten courses including Advanced Topics in Finance, Accounting for Decision-Making and Control, Global Business Strategy, and Data Analytics I and II. With the exception of the undergraduate finance degree, the above programs can be completed entirely online. Additionally, faculty and staff work with students in both the online and on-campus programs to help them secure summer internships.
About Southern Utah University
Located in Cedar City, a large town in the southwest corner of Utah, SUU opened in 1897 as a teacher training school. A couple of months later, inspectors determined that the school building was unacceptable and would have to be rebuilt or else the town would forfeit the land and lose the school. Thus, town members traveled for days in snowy conditions to retrieve wood from the sawmill, only to realize they needed sleighs, not wagons, and had to make the trip again despite the winter storms. Eventually, the Old Main building was completed and still stands on campus as a testament to the power of determination and cooperation.
Over the years, the school has expanded and now serves over 10,000 students in 144 undergraduate and 17 graduate programs. Aside from its powerful origin story, the campus is also known as the site of the annual Utah Shakespeare Festival and the Utah Summer Games. Also recognized for academic excellence, Southern Utah University is ranked 27th on the U.S. News and World Report list of top public schools in the Regional Universities West category, and the online MBA program ranks in the top third nationally.
Southern Utah University Accreditation Details
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) evaluates institutions in Utah, Wyoming, Washington, Arizona, Montana, Idaho, and Alaska to ensure that they are in compliance with certain standards. Schools are evaluated in five categories including Resources and Capacity, Effectiveness and Improvement, and Mission Fulfillment, Adaptation, and Sustainability, and if all benchmarks are met, the school receives accreditation status. Southern Utah University has maintained accreditation by the NWCCU since 1933. After initial certification, schools are periodically reviewed, and SUU is next due for an evaluation in 2021. In addition to regional accreditation, some individual programs are accredited by industry-specific organizations. The following SSU programs have received certification by the respective institutions.
- Education: Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- Athletic training: Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
- Dance: National Association of Schools of Dance
- Music: National Association of Schools of Music
- Engineering: Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology
- Accounting, finance, and business: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Southern Utah University Application Requirements
For admission to undergraduate programs at Southern Utah University, applicants need to submit the online application with $50 fee, official high school and/or college transcripts, and ACT or SAT scores. The test score requirement is waived for students who are older than 23 or have less than 24 hours of transferable post-secondary credit. Students applying to the Master of Accountancy program must fill out the program-specific online application and provide transcripts documenting completion of a bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA, GRE or GMAT scores, and contact information for three references. Additionally, students need to complete the undergraduate business and accounting foundation courses prior to applying for the master’s program. Students applying to the MBA program have similar application requirements including GMAT scores, official transcripts, a resume, and three references.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition at Southern Utah University depends on residency status with full-time undergraduate rates of $3003 and $9911 per semester for in-state and out-of-state students respectively. In addition, all students pay an additional $382 in fees. For the MBA and MAcc degree programs, in-state tuition and fees total $847.75 for the first credit hour and $460 for each subsequent hour with out-of-state rates of $2441.75 for the first hour and $1242 afterward. Online students outside of Utah pay in-state rates. There are a variety of scholarships available for undergraduate students, strictly based on GPA and ACT or SAT scores ranging from full tuition to $2250 per semester. Graduate students can apply for partial tuition waivers which are granted based on academic and professional achievement. Students are encouraged to discuss these programs along with other payment options by contacting admissions representatives at Southern Utah University.
