Curriculum

As a student in Oregon State’s accounting program, you’ll learn the theoretical and applied aspects of accounting, the fundamentals of auditing and taxation, as well as the latest and greatest technical skills you need to improve business decisions. You’ll gain an overall understanding of how businesses and markets work, with an emphasis on ethics and social responsibility— so you can navigate your future career with confidence and integrity.

Degree requirements

A minimum of 180 quarter credits — at least 60 of which must be upper-division credits — are required to graduate with your accounting degree, including:

• OSU's Baccalaureate Core (general education)
• Major requirements: Accounting

Honors degree online

As an undergraduate degree-seeking student, you can apply to earn an honors degree online in your academic major. Earning this prestigious degree gives you the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on research, complete a comprehensive thesis experience and engage in co-curricular activities.

Sample course topics

• Accounting
• Auditing
• External reporting
• Foundations of statistical inference
• Accounting analytics
• Taxation
• Accounts payable
• Business information systems
• Strategic planning
• Cost management
• Operations and supply chain management

Additional program features

Prepare for the 2024 CPA Exam

The CPA Exam is scheduled for a major overhaul in 2024. Candidates still need to demonstrate knowledge in accounting, auditing, tax and technology, but they will also need to demonstrate deeper skills in one of the following areas: business reporting and analysis, information systems and controls, tax compliance and planning. Oregon State has the courses and leadership you need to address this coming shift.

It’s important to note that every state has its own set of education and experience requirements for CPA licensure. For example, the Oregon State Board of Accountancy requires a minimum of 225 quarter credits to sit for the CPA Exam.

If you’re interested in pursuing CPA licensure, you can choose how to fill these remaining credits online. Once you enroll at OSU, your academic advisor can recommend specific courses to best prepare you.

Accelerated Master's Platform

Get a jump-start on your MBA or M.S. in Business while working toward your undergraduate degree in accounting. Through Oregon State’s Accelerated Master’s Platform, current undergraduate accounting students can take graduate-level courses online that will be applied to their bachelor’s degree, and the credits earned will be transferred to the MBA or M.S. in Business programs. Students enrolled in Ecampus graduate courses will pay the graduate tuition and fees rate.

Transfer credits

Some degree requirements may be transferred from other institutions. Please note that a minimum of 45 credits of the last 75 credits in this degree program must be completed at Oregon State (online or on campus) to meet the academic residency requirement.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admittance to OSU for appropriate articulation. Additional information about transferring credits is available through OSU's Transfer Credit Central or you may request an unofficial transcript evaluation through the College of Business.

Connect with College of Business transfer advisors

Get your questions answered about pursuing a management degree online by contacting COB.Transfer@oregonstate.edu. If you have already completed your bachelor’s degree and are interested in enrolling in this program as a postbaccalaureate student, connect with Charlie Carr to learn more.

Add a minor

As an OSU Ecampus student, you'll have the ability to add a minor to your bachelor's degree program. Oregon State offers a diverse selection of minors online. Combine your management degree with a minor in health management and policy, or merge your major studies with an agricultural and food business management minor to create an even more powerful résumé fit for today's job market.