Accounting Licensure Certification

Students enrolling in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree with a major in Accounting, the Masters in Business Administration (MBA), and the BS / MBA Dual Degree may be interested in becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

Licensing for the CMA certification is administered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and is not dependent on state/jurisdiction. Certification eligibility criteria consist of prerequisite requirements including work experience, educational requirements, and the CMA exam. The required curriculum for the BSBA with a major in Accounting and the BS / MBA Dual Degree meet the education requirements to earn a CMA license. The required curriculum for the MBA when paired with a bachelor degree from an accredited college or university meets the education requirements to earn a CMA license. For more information, please see the IMA’s CMA Certification requirements.

There are three broad elements required to become a licensed CPA –educational requirements, prerequisite requirements including work experience, and the uniform CPA exam. Each state/jurisdiction has unique educational and prerequisite requirements that candidates must meet.

If you are considering applying to one of these degree programs, please select the state/territory below for more information regarding educational requirements for CPA licensure/certification in that state/jurisdiction. While this information has been collected to assist with students’ research, you are encouraged to do your own due diligence regarding whether or not the educational requirements of your program of interest meet certification/licensure requirements in your location to ensure you are making the most informed decision.

Additional questions should be directed to the Department of Accounting & Taxation

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with a major in accounting

The required curriculum for the AACSB accredited Drexel Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting does not meet the education requirements to earn a CPA license. The LeBow College of Business offers courses that may allow an individual to meet the education requirements to earn a CPA license. However, these classes are not part of the required curriculum and would need to be self-selected by the student.

For more information, please see the chosen state’s public accountancy licensure requirements from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.

Masters in Business Administration (MBA)

The required curriculum for the AACSB accredited Drexel Masters in Business Administration (MBA) does not meet the education requirements to earn a CPA license.  However, when paired with the appropriate undergraduate degree, may allow an individual to meet the education requirements to earn a CPA license.

For more information, please see the chosen state’s public accountancy licensure requirements from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.

BS / MBA Dual Degree

Whether or not the required curriculum for the AACSB accredited Drexel BS / MBA Dual Degree meets the education requirements to earn a CPA license depends on which BS degree is paired with the MBA.  The LeBow College of Business offers courses that may allow an individual to meet the education requirements to earn a CPA license. However, these classes would need to be self-selected by the student.

For more information, please see the chosen state’s public accountancy licensure requirements from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.

Master of Science in Accounting

The required curriculum for the AACSB accredited Drexel Masters in Accounting does not meet the education requirements to earn a CPA license.  However, when paired with the appropriate undergraduate degree, may allow an individual to meet the education requirements to earn a CPA license.

For more information, please see the chosen state’s public accountancy licensure requirements from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.