Accounting Degree Programs in San Diego, CA with School Info

Research accounting degrees in San Diego, CA, which currently has at least six area colleges offering accounting programs. Read an overview of degree programs, admission info and program requirements for three San Diego schools and decide which program is right for you.

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Comparison of San Diego Accounting Schools

Point Loma Nazarene University, operated by the Church of the Nazarene, offers a bachelor's degree and a minor in accounting. San Diego State University, a public school, has bachelor's and master's degree programs and the lowest tuition of the schools profiled here. A Catholic institution, the University of San Diego offers a bachelor's degree in accountancy, as well as certificate programs and a master's degree program that provide higher levels of preparation.

	Point Loma Nazarene University	San Diego State University	University of San Diego
Accounting Degrees Offered	Minor in Accounting, Bachelor of Arts in Accounting	Accounting Minor, Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration with an Accounting Major, Certificate in Accounting, BS in Business Administration with an Accounting Major/Master of Science in Accountancy, MS in Accountancy	Bachelor of Accountancy, Accountancy Certificate, Graduate Certificate in Accountancy, Master of Science in Accountancy
School Type	Four-year; private not-for-profit	Four-year; public	Four-year; private not-for-profit
Total Enrollment (Fall 2011)	3,251*	30,541*	8,317*
Campus Setting	Large city	Large city	Large city
Tuition & Fees (2012-2013)	$29,510*	$6,578, in-state; $18,236, out-of-state*	$39,970*
% of First-Year Students Receiving Any Form of Financial Aid (2010-2011)	93%*	60%*	76%*
Acceptance Rate	56% (Fall 2012)*	33% (Fall 2011)*	43% (Fall 2012)*
Retention Rate (2010-2011)	81% full-time students, 100% part-time students*	89% full-time students, 81% part-time students*	87% full-time students*
Graduation Rate (Began Fall 2005)	72%*	66% (6% transfer-out rate)*	75%*
Noteworthy	Third best pass rate among California schools on the 2010 certified public accountant (CPA) exam	Top students eligible for Business Honors Program	The Accountancy Institute provides continuing educational and networking opportunities
Distance from Downtown (Driving Time)	7.9 mi. (19 min.)	10.3 mi. (17 min.)	6.5 mi. (12 min.)

Source: *NCES College Navigator.

Programs at Point Loma Nazarene University

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Accounting and BA in Business Administration are the two degrees offered by the university's Fermanian School of Business. The school emphasizes Christian values and ethical concerns, as well as the global aspects of business. Small class sizes allow students to build relationships with faculty.

Minor in Accounting

Students who are interested in accounting but do not wish to major in the field can choose it as a minor by taking 20 to 22 units of courses. Requirements include the principles of financial and managerial accounting, intermediate accounting and intermediate managerial accounting. Students can choose one course from a list that includes federal tax accounting, managerial cost accounting, advanced accounting and auditing.

Bachelor of Arts in Accounting

This program consists of general education courses and lower and upper division courses in accounting. The general education curriculum includes courses on the Bible and Christian tradition in addition to course options in composition, psychology, problem solving, science and social studies. Lower-division courses include managerial accounting, the business legal environment, economics and statistics. Upper-division courses include federal tax accounting, auditing, marketing and strategic management.

Programs at San Diego State University

San Diego State University (SDSU) offers programs for students who want careers in accounting, as well as careers in finance and general business. SDSU offers a student accounting society and a chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, an honorary accounting organization.

Accounting Minor

The minor in accounting consists of 24 credit hours. Required courses include the fundamentals of managerial and financial accounting. Other courses include economics and integrative accounting topics.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an Accounting Major

This degree program prepares students for entry-level finance or business positions, as well as graduate studies. Students learn about tax accounting, managerial accounting, fraud examination and financial reporting. The program is called an impacted program, meaning there are more students seeking admission than there are spaces. Students must join a pre-major, and then transfer into the major after fulfilling specific prerequisites, including passing foundational accountancy courses with at least a C.

Certificate in Accounting

Intended as a post-baccalaureate accounting credential for non-accounting and accounting professionals, this 30-unit certificate program requires students to take courses in integrative accounting topics, as well as managerial and financial accounting. In addition to these basic courses, students work with an adviser to select additional units of accounting and business electives to suit their needs.

BS in Business Administration with an Accounting Major/MS in Accountancy

Students who want to pursue careers in professional accounting can complete 150 units to earn both BS and MS degrees in accounting. Students must apply to the program and, if accepted, will begin accounting studies in their junior year. They attain graduate status after earning 120 units and finish the program at the end of their fifth year of school when they are eligible for the certified public accountant (CPA) exam.

Master of Science in Accountancy

This program's content meets the requirements for the California CPA exam. Students can choose from concentrations in taxation, financial reporting or accounting information systems. They can enter the program with a bachelor's degree in any field and must complete at least ten courses beyond the core business requirements. The program takes about a year to 18 months to complete after the core requirements have been met. Students with no education in accounting or business will need about 18 to 24 months to finish this program.

Degrees and Certificate Programs at the University of San Diego

The University of San Diego offers several options for accounting education through bachelor's, master's and certificate programs. Students can enhance their experience through membership in organizations such as the Accounting Society and Beta Alpha Psi.

Bachelor of Accountancy

This program prepares graduates for careers in government, public and business accounting. Students can focus their education by choosing from options in accountancy, accountancy and supply chain management, accountancy and finance/real estate, or accountancy and information systems/technology. After completing lower division prerequisites, including managerial accounting, financial accounting and information systems, students go on to upper division business courses, such as marketing and business law. Students then take the courses pertinent to their chosen option.

Undergraduate Certificate in Accountancy

An individual with a bachelor's degree in a field other than accounting can prepare for the CPA or Certificate Management Accountant (CMA) exam through this certificate program. The program consists of 24 units. Available courses cover federal income tax, cost accounting, accounting information systems, and managerial and financial principles.

Graduate Certificate in Accountancy

Individuals who have bachelor's degrees in accounting and who do not want master's degrees can complete the 150 semester units required for the CPA exam or update their skills through this program. The program calls for completion of 15 semester units of graduate level accounting courses. Students meet with an adviser to determine a course of study prior to enrolling.

Master of Science in Accountancy

This program is for students with undergraduate degrees in accounting. Individuals with degrees in other fields may apply, but will need to meet substantial prerequisite requirements. Classes meet for two evenings a week. This 30-unit program focuses on acquisition of the skills needed for mid- to upper-level positions in accounting or finance. Courses in leadership, negotiation, and communications and ethics are required. Students choose electives based on their area of specialization. Specialization options are corporate reporting and financial management, controllership and accounting information system development, and personal financial planning. Students have the opportunity for a study experience in Europe.

Other School Options

San Diego Mesa College, a two-year public school, offers programs awarding a Certificate of Performance in Governmental/Nonprofit Accounting, Certificate of Achievement in Accounting and Associate in Science in Accounting. National University offers a BS in Accountancy and Master of Accountancy program, both available online and at the university's Spectrum Business Park campus in San Diego. At Cuyamaca College in El Cajon, students can earn a Certificate of Achievement in Accounting or Bookkeeping, as well as an Associate in Science in Accounting.

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