<li>Is it possible to get a second bachelor’s degree in accounting from any accredited universities (real universities that are not online universities) before pursuing the MSA?</li>
<li>If the answer to the question above is yes, then does anyone know of any accredited universities (real universities that are not online universities) that allows students to pursue a second bachelor’s degree in accounting or business?</li>
First, I am aware there are MSA programs open to students who did not study business and/or accounting as an undergrad.
However my main concern is: if I pursue MSA without first having a solid foundation in accounting and business, then I won’t be able to learn and absorb the materials taught in the program as well as I could have, compared to if I had the proper/adequate preparation as an undergrad majoring business and/or accounting.
Because as far as I know, many if not most schools that offer a second bachelor’s degree unfortunately do not allow students to pursue a second bachelor’s degree in accounting or business. So as an alternative, is it a good idea to get an associate’s degree in accounting (after graduating from college), but before applying to MSA programs?
I have also heard about post-bac programs leading to certificates upon completion as a preparation for MSA programs.
But instead of certificates, is it possible to earn a second bachelor’s degree in accounting via the post-bac programs?
bump! i really need to know. thanks!! =)
I got accepted to a Fox School of Business (Temple University) to get a second bachelors. I’m sure there are other schools that give the same opportunity.
I’m opting not to attend Temple though, because the requirements for a second bachelor’s seem wasteful both financially and in the time-commitment. Instead I’m taking the business and math courses (that are pre-requisites for the grad programs I am looking into) at community college and with that background I’ll apply for a Master’s program. At this point in my life I don’t want to invest in taking more “core” courses, especially since I tested out of many I’d be required to take at Temple, during my first undergrad program. The community college route will cost me about 1/6th of the cost of Temple and I can do this + a master’s program in less time than it would take to achieve the second bachelors.
@ FutureActuary
would you please elaborate on the requirements for a second bachelor’s degree from fox school of business? because i can’t seem to find the details on their site.
thanks for the info and input!!
For a second bachelor’s you should be considered a 45+ Transfer at Temple.
Your previous credits only transfer to Temple if they have a direct match for said course, which many of mine other than intro courses did not have a direct Temple equivalent and courses that I was placed out of during my first undergrad experience, such as composition 1, would be required to be fulfilled at Temple.
<li>For Temple, there is a list of gen ed courses that must be taken - and some of these are pretty Temple-specific and not universal type core courses. (like mosaic) The list is here: [Vice</a> Provost for Undergraduate Studies : Temple University](<a href=“Temple University Undergraduate Studies”>Temple University Undergraduate Studies)</li>
<li>Then for Fox, there are lower and upper division business foundation courses - your accounting, econ, finance, international, business calc, stats, etc… View the full list here: [Temple</a> University Undergraduate Bulletin - FSBM/Graduation](<a href=“http://www.temple.edu/bulletin/Academic_programs/schools_colleges/fox/intro/gradreq/fox_gradreq.shtm]Temple”>http://www.temple.edu/bulletin/Academic_programs/schools_colleges/fox/intro/gradreq/fox_gradreq.shtm)</li>
<li>Then there are your major course requirements. The majors and links to the requirements for each are here: [Majors</a> | Explore Fox | Undergraduate Programs - Fox School of Business | Temple University](<a href=“http://sbm.temple.edu/ugrad/majors.html]Majors”>http://sbm.temple.edu/ugrad/majors.html)</li>
Fox is underrated as an undergrad business school, IMHO. (It’s probably not helped by its horrible location, even if it does have great facilities and programs.) The business foundation they require is very strong, and Fox has a good alumni network in the Philly area. If this was going to be my first undergrad experience I believe I’d very much appreciate Fox and it’s requirements.
Being that this would be a second bachelor’s, I didn’t want to waste my time and money on the core requirements, when I feel I am quite well-rounded enough at this point in time. My first undergrad degree is in the social sciences - quite different than the math/business courses I want to take now. I also already have 7 years working in my industry. I initially thought I wanted the 2nd Bachelor’s, (especially since actuaries aren’t really expected to have a graduate degree), but the more I looked at it, master’s programs provide a more direct path in preparing for my goals and I don’t need a full 2nd bachelor’s program to be prepared for the master’s program - just a few courses. I suppose whether a 2nd bachelor’s is right for you will depend on the amount of time/money you have to spare. Going part time, I was looking at 5-6 years to complete all the requirements for the BBA from Fox. Part-time taking the courses I’m lacking at CC & then doing grad school will take about 4 years and will help me prep for all 4 of the actuary exams in that time. YMMV.
@ FutureActuary
thanks for the links and info!!
what specific field (ex: anthropology…etc.) in social science did you major in for your first bachelor’s degree?
i am curious because i am sort of in a similar situation with regards to getting a degree in the field of social sciences. currently, i am only one year away from graduating with a BA in sociology. however, i decided to take some time off from school because honestly (and no offense meant) i was not happy as a sociology major. and the source of my unhappiness is because my interest is in accounting, but i was unable to become an accounting major. as a result, i ended up majoring in sociology due various factors that came into play when I had to decide on a major.
i have been thinking about getting a second bachelor’s degree in accounting for three main reasons.
<li>accounting is a very technical major and in turn makes undergrad accounting courses very crucial.</li>
<li>i don’t want struggle through a msa program due to not having a solid undergrad education in accounting. as a result, i am planning to do the msa after getting a second bachelor’s in accounting.</li>
<li>i am considering to get my ba in sociology first, then getting a second bachelor’s in accounting instead of transferring to a different school at this point because i don’t want to lose too many credits as a result of transferring.</li>
Any input / advice? Thanks!
My BA is in sociology too. I loved my course of study, but over time I’ve found my interests/career needs developed in a different direction. I’m quite interested in the challenge of becoming and being an actuary. (Can I admit that I’m quite excited to be preparing for and taking the actuary exams and that I enjoy tests like these?)
I completely understand why you’d want to have the BA in accounting before going into a Master’s program, but at the same time, I think it’s important that we consider all of our options, because there may just be one that is more appropriate for you as an individual.
If you are considering finishing one degree and then going for a second, remember that the only federal (and probably state) financial aid you will qualify for once you already have a bachelor’s is loans. If cost is a concern, it may make more sense to transfer your credits and just go straight for the accounting degree without finishing your first - that’s a cost analysis you’ll need to do for yourself.
Good luck with your decision!
(As a side note, I love how you format your posts with numbered points - just like me! Most people don’t use numbers nearly enough for my tastes.)
@ FutureActuary
Thanks for your advice!! I found them to be very helpful and insightful!!
Did you apply to other schools for a second bachelor’s in accounting?
Cool! You majored in sociology too?! I’m glad you enjoyed studying sociology.
Yes, my biggest concern right now is the tuition cost of getting a second bachelor’s in accounting. Yesterday, I did find other schools that offer a second bachelor’s in accounting, but tuition costs for those schools are all very high.
Then after getting a second bachelor’s in accounting, there’s also high tuition cost for getting a MSA degree.
I’m glad you format your posts with numbered points too.
Good luck to you too!!
You’re welcome.
I also applied to West Chester, but I applied for an actuarial program,(which West Chester has as part of their math dept.)
Does your school you are currently enrolled in have an accounting major? If you changed majors, would your additional time there be +/- vs the cost of those other programs? By staying where you are at, there’s a chance you’ll be able to keep an institutional aid (Scholarships, grants, etc.) Do you currently receive any State/Federal Aid; other than Stafford, that will all go away once you finish your 1st bachelors and I wouldn’t count on much(any) institutional aid either. You can realistically expect to have to self-fund a second bachelors, so those very high tuition costs will all have to come from your own pocket either immediately or later(loans.)
My sister-in-law got her undergrad degree in accounting from Widener and became a corporate controller for a pharma company by the time she was 27. They paid for her master’s program, even though she could’ve afforded it on her own by that point. (She’s now CFO for another organization.) My point in mentioning this is just to say focus on your bachelor’s now, whether you decide to complete your soc degree or switch to accounting, the master’s will work itself out once you have some work experience. The aid situation for graduate programs doesn’t seem quite so grim, as it is for a 2nd bachelor’s.
@ FutureActuary
Good luck with your West Chester application!! When will you find out from West Chester?
<li>Yes, my school does have an accounting major, but it is very selective and very competitive. I was rejected when I applied to change my major to accounting in the past, so it will be very difficult for me to change my major at my school. </li>
<li>It will probably be still slightly cheaper for me to get a second bachelor’s in accounting from other schools that I’ve looked at, instead of changing my major to accounting at my school (even if I were to successfully get accepted as an accounting major for my first bachelor’s degree at this point, but that’s highly unlikely anyway).</li>
<li>My school does not allow students to pursue a second bachelor’s in accounting, so I am looking at other schools.</li>
<li>Yes, I am expecting to self-fund my second bachelor’s in accounting.</li>
<li>I’m glad to hear the aid situation for graduate programs doesn’t seem quite so grim, as it is for a second bachelor’s.</li>
are merit based academic scholarship(s) available to students pursuing a second bachelor’s degree?
@ FutureActuary
thanks for the info and link.
i guess i’ll have to call the schools one by one to find out.
Are there other universities that offer students the opportunity to pursue a second bachelor’s degree in accounting?