Accounting Major

Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree Requirements
64 semester hours

The following degree requirements are from the current Franklin University Academic Bulletin. If you began your coursework before the current academic year, please contact your SSA for your degree requirements. Always confirm your degree requirements with your SSA.


Fundamental General Education Core (24 hours)
All courses must be at the 100 or 200 level

• Minimum of three semester hours of English Composition (if the course does not have a research paper component, COMM 130 Research Paper, two semester credits, is also required)
  Choose COMM 120 College Writing.
• Minimum of three semester hours of Mathematics (at least one mathematics or statistics course beyond the level of intermediate algebra)
  Choose from MATH 160 College Algebra, MATH 180 Applied Calculus, MATH 210 Finite Mathematics, MATH 220 Business Calculus, or MATH 215 Statistical Concepts.
• Minimum of six semester hours of Sciences (two science courses, with one having a laboratory component)
  Choose from the Science discipline.
• Minimum of six semester hours of Social and Behavioral Sciences (which must be in at least two different disciplines)
  Choose from the Anthropology, Economics, Psychology, and Sociology disciplines.
• Minimum of six semester hours of Arts and Humanities
  Choose from the Humanities discipline.

Additional General Education Requirements (16 hours)

• COMP 106 - Introduction to Spreadsheets (1)
• COMP 108 - Introduction to Databases (1)
• ECON 220* - Introduction to Macroeconomics (4)
• HUMN 305 - Global Issues (4)
• PF 321 - Learning Strategies (2)
• SPCH 100 - Speech Communication (4) OR COMM 150 - Interpersonal Communication (4) 

*Select another Social Science elective if ECON 220 is used in the Fundamental General Education Core.

Business Core (8 hours)

• ACCT 215 - Financial Accounting (4)
• ACCT 225 - Managerial Accounting (4)

Major Area (16 hours)

• ACCT 310 - Intermediate Accounting I (4)
• ACCT 320 - Intermediate Accounting II (4)
• ACCT 390 - Federal Income Tax I (4)
• Major Area Elective (4)*
  *Select 4 hours from the following:
  • ACCT 330 - Cost Management (4)
  • ACCT 341 - Fraud Examination (4) 
  • ACCT 360 - Government Not-for-Profit Accounting (4)
  • ACCT 420 - Federal Income Tax II (4)
  • ACCT 425 - Accounting Information Systems (4)
  • ACCT 470 - Auditing (4)

All business majors take introductory courses in Financial Accounting and Managerial Accounting. Students intending to major in Accounting continue their studies with a two-course sequence in Intermediate Accounting. The Intermediate sequence provides the conceptual framework for the major program.

Graduates of the Accounting major are prepared for employment or promotion in public accounting, private industry or government. They have the educational background and framework to seek professional certification (Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor). These designations require successful completion of rigorous examinations and additional study beyond that required for the Bachelor of Science Degree. Review is usually necessary. Qualified Franklin University students are encouraged to acquire training and work experience by competing for internships with certified public accounting firms, private industry, and government.

Major Requirements

Students seeking an associate’s degree must earn at least 30 credit hours overall in residence at Franklin University.

A minimum 2.25 GPA is required in the major area for students enrolled in either the associate’s or bachelor’s degree programs, and each major area course must be completed with a grade of "C" or better to count toward degree requirements.

If needed, English, reading, and mathematics placement tests determine which, if any, developmental education courses are required. Students placing into these courses must pass them prior to enrolling in any course at the 200 level or above. Developmental education courses carry institutional credit only and do not count toward degree requirements for graduation. Computer Literacy is a General Education prerequisite. Students with computer experience will have the option of completing a free placement exam to waive this prerequisite.

Business Principles (BSAD 110) is a Business Core prerequisite. Transfer students with the equivalent of four business courses are not required to take Business Principles.

All students are required to pass College Writing (COMM 120), Learning Strategies (PF 321) and either Speech Communication (SPCH 100) or Interpersonal Communication (COMM 150) prior to enrolling in any course at the 200 level or above. PF 321 must be taken prior to the first BLF course, or it may be taken concurrently with the first 15-week BLF course. General Education courses must be selected from science, math, social and behavioral science, humanities, economics, communication or professional foundations. Students must also meet the University algebra competency requirement.

The Accounting Program also offers a Bachelor of Science Degree, Subsequent Bachelor of Science Degree, Minor and Joint Programs of Study: B.S. in Accounting/MBA.