American Public University is also featured in our ranking Top 25 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Accounting.
Online Bachelor of Science in Accounting Degree at American Public University
The online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Accounting degree at American Public University (APU) provides students with the necessary research know-how, practical skills, and theoretical knowledge to address complex accounting issues. From entry-level bookkeeping jobs to chief financial officer positions in major corporations, all types of businesses and companies need accounting professionals. Students who successfully complete the online program will be prepared for careers as examiners, auditors, accountants, and other related financial positions in the not-for-profit, private, and public sectors. The 120-credit-hour program is designed in part by industry business leaders. The curriculum is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and has earned ACBSP Specialized Accounting Accreditation as well.
In addition to the degree-level and institutional learning objectives, graduates with a B.S. in Accounting will be able to explain the roles that accountants play in society and articulate a basic knowledge of business and legal terms and concepts that relate to the field of accounting. Students will also be required to demonstrate a foundational understanding of the ethical framework by which accountants practice, adopted by professional accounting organizations such as the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Coursework also allows students to prepare and analyze financial information for stakeholders and management utilizing appropriate accounting reports and analyses.
Students may complete the online-only degree within four years, and the program is divided into 16-week and 8-week sessions. Students seeking to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam in their respective states should keep in mind that the B.S. in Accounting from APU may or may not satisfy the educational requirements to do so. The degree consists of 30 credit hours in general education requirements and 42 credit hours of major course requirements such as ethics, statistics, financial management, operations research, business theory, marketing, basic and advanced productivity applications, accounting, calculus, and college trigonometry.
Students must also take 27 credit hours in a general concentration, which is designed to prepare students to succeed in various accounting careers in not-for-profit accounting, governmental accounting, and public accounting. During this phase, students gain research skills, practical skills, and theoretical knowledge needed to address many complex accounting issues facing businesses on a daily basis. To round out the degree, students must also take 18 credit hours in elective requirements, including topics such as individual federal taxes, cost accounting, auditing, and intermediate accounting as well as three courses of their choosing from APU’s list of eligible courses, and three credit hours in final program requirements. The final program consists of a senior seminar in accounting that is designed to be taken as the very last class prior to graduation.
About American Public University
American Public University (APU) and American Military University (AMU) make up the American Public University System (APUS), a for-profit, private, online-only learning institution. APUS offers doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees as well as learning tracks, certificate programs, and dual degrees. Despite its name, APUS is not associated with the U.S. government or U.S. military, nor is it a public institution. U.S. News & World Report ties APUS 94th on its list of “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs” in 2018.
Schools are open to both civilian and military students, though APU caters to students interested in public service careers and AMU caters to servicemembers. Although the schools are two distinct organizations, they share a number of resources. APUS offers approximately 40 online bachelor’s degree programs, including retail management, sports and health science, business administration, homeland security, and accounting. APUS does not operate any brick-and-mortar institutions; rather, all degrees are earned completely online. Students may take advantage of many academic resources, including mentoring, live tutoring, writing workshops, and a 24/7 online library.
American Public University Accreditation Details
American Public University System is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The HLC is recognized by both the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education, and it is responsible for the accreditation of degree-granting schools located in a 19-state region. In addition, the School of Business is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and several of its business programs have specialized accreditation from the ACBSP as well. Graduates with an accredited degree may be recognized for assignment, promotion, and position qualification standards within both the private sector as well as in the federal government and/or military. For students seeking to transfer to other schools, credit earned from American Public University is considered transfer-eligible since it is an accredited institution.
American Public University Application Requirements
All students seeking an undergraduate degree from American Public University must hold a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent such as a General Education Diploma (GED). By the same token, if applicants have not previously earned college-level credits, APU requires proof of completing high school. Students are required to complete an online application, but APU does not require an application fee. Students may also be asked to complete the school’s College Readiness Assessment, although this requirement may be waived if the student has previously earned a minimum of nine hours of college credit. Applicants will be asked to submit a legible color copy of a government-issued photo ID prior to registering for courses.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Students pursuing an online Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree from American Public University will pay $270 per credit for a total tuition cost of $32,400. To minimize out-of-pocket costs, American Public University offers a tuition grant for veterans, military spouses and dependents, Reserve, Guard, and active-duty servicemembers that caps undergraduate tuition at the military tuition assistance limit. The per-credit-hour rate drops to $250, making the total cost of tuition $30,000 for the undergraduate degree. In addition, since American Public University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the school offers and accepts a number of forms of financial aid and payments, including Federal Student Aid (FSA), veterans’ benefits, military tuition assistance, employer vouchers, private loans, scholarships, payment plans, and self-pay online with e-checks and credit cards.
