<p>I currently have my BA in Political Science, but would like to further my education in Business. I am looking at getting an accounting certificate online from UCLA Extension. This would give me enough credits to sit for the CPA exam. Another option is the BS in Business degree completion online from ECU. It would take about the same amount of time and I could complete my business degree online. With a few extra accounting classes I could still meet the CPA requirements, plus have a business degree. Any advice on which path would be best. I'm worried that a certificate won't be good enough for employers. Thanks.</p>
<p>A MAcc is going to be the best 30k you ever spent. Try the two things you’re thinking, and good luck, you’re going to need it.</p>
<p>It shouldn’t cost 30k for an MAcc. Take a look at CSU Fullerton or LA. Some of the more expensive/private univ.'s have niche programs, but if you’re just interested in sitting for the exam, you’ll do fine at a CSU. There really isn’t a drop-off with respect to quality as I’ve taken acctg. courses at Univ of Pennsylvania, CSUN and UCLA extension and felt that I learned equally at each. </p>
<p>I’d advise against taking online courses. I found the in-person classes at the Extension helpful in that a lot of instructors work in senior positions within their specialties and are thus able to give a bit more insight on preparation for exam modules or working in the field. Some may not be Univ employees, but you’ll learn just as well.</p>
<p>So long as you perform in the classes, sit and pass the exam, where you went becomes irrelevant. Believe me, I’ve done a bit of research in this field and work in accounting with people from all educational backgrounds all performing at high levels.</p>
<p>Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Well, I’m an Army Officer, currently deployed to Afghanistan so online courses are my only option for the next 6 months and until I get out of the Army. When I get out I will have about 7 years of experience as an Officer. Is an online BSBA degree completion program worth it for me? Will it really help me find a better job, or will my leadership experience in the military count for more? I would like to someday get an MBA, but I would rather not do an online program. Thanks.</p>
<p>Personally, I would stay away from the online universities. I’ve never heard of ECU, but Univ of Phoenix, DeVry or ITT are what I had in mind. It’s an extraordinary waste of money for what you get in terms of knowledge and employment opportunities. I have a friend in HR and those online schools don’t carry a lot of weight. UCLA Extension would be fine for online CPA-related courses. I just prefer in-class learning and discussion.</p>
<p>Your military experience would count for a lot. Employers and univ. (MBA programs) look favorably on the experience. So, I’d wait the 6 mos. if possible. There are MBA programs that have a concentration in Accounting, so you’ll get Business and Accounting and probably close to/or enough units to sit for the CPA exam. I believe you need in addition to the 24 accounting semester units, another 24 semester units of general business-related classes. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure ECU is Eastern Carolina University. It’s a member of the UNC system and hardly an online school.</p>
<p>A generic BSBA makes no sense when you should be getting a MBA if you want a generalized business degree. Get an undergrad with a real marketable concentration (read: not “business administration”) or go straight to the MBA.</p>
<p>Washington State University has a BBA accounting online. Florida International University has a BBA finance online. Or start your MBA online now and transfer. You can generally transfer up to 2 MBA classes.</p>
<p>If you can help it, do not do an entire degree program online. Whether or nor the school is reputable, you need a learning environment that closer resembles one you’ll see on the job. Online discussion groups are a poor substitute for the classroom. Plus, I can tell you with certainty that an advanced degree earned entirely online will carry less weight than one obtained the traditional way, even if it’s from ECU.</p>
<p>How exactly does the learning environment in a classroom resemble a job? As far as I can see, it doesn’t, at all.</p>
<p>Well, in an MBA program you usually do quite a bit of group work or team case studies. These interactions or team activities are meant to mirror/simulate the environment you’d encounter working in a firm. It depends on the school, I suppose, and whether they choose teach that way.</p>
<p>good luck, and thank you for your service</p>