Degree Programs

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Randy Elder
Professor and Director of Lubin School of Accounting
(315) 443-3359
Rjelder@syr.edu

Agnes Magnarelli
Secretary/Office Coordinator
(315) 443-1383
ahmagnar@syr.edu

Degree Programs Undergraduate Students enrolled in the undergraduate accounting program at the Whitman School receive the training and experience needed to become professional accountants with the ability to focus on careers in public accounting, business and industry, not-for-profit organizations, and government. Opportunities for internships and interaction with practicing professional about. Upon graduation, students are recruited by some of the top accounting firms in the country including Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, and Ernst & Young, among many others. The professional certified public accountant (CPA) track includes 24 credits in accounting and provides a strong background for students who expect to seek CPA certification. Graduates may enter the professional workforce or enroll in a qualified MBA/MS program to meet the 150 education hours required for CPA licensure in most states. The managerial program requires less accounting credits and is often combined with a major in finance or other subject areas. This managerial program is designed for students who plan to work in accounting or finance but do not plan to seek CPA certification.

Graduate The Lubin School is also home to the MS in Accounting and the iMS in Accounting programs –acknowledging that students need more than just centralized knowledge in accounting to survive in a fast-paced business world. With a flexible elective schedule, you can now integrate different aspects of business into your degree to give you the communication and decision making skills essential for success. The MS program is a one-year program for students with an undergraduate degree in accounting from a qualified program. Up to an additional year of study is required for students with undergraduate education in other fields. In today’s competitive business world, those who hold a customized master’s degree in accounting enjoy special advantages. Earning your MBA with a special focus in accounting will prepare you for recruitment by the best organizations in the world for positions such as financial analyst, corporate treasurer, controller, auditor, and financial consultant. The MBA accounting focus is specially designed so students are able to take certain electives to work toward earning eligibility for the New York State CPA exam.

PhD The Whitman PhD accounting program prepares students to enter the academic world with rigorous training in how to conduct research for publication in the top accounting journals and how to develop the skills to become an exceptional teacher. Enrollment in the program is selective to ensure that students gets the support and interaction they deserve from the award winning Whitman faculty. Students and faculty collaborate throughout the year to produce research and to teach courses throughout the school. The Whitman School also provides PhD studies in its innovative Management Information Systems (MIS) program. This interdisciplinary program provides students with the skills necessary to understand how technology is used in the world today. PhD candidates should possess a strong motivation to do accounting research, good communication skills in English, some quantitative training, and preferably some business experience.