Every year thousands of undergraduate students hope to be admitted into the Kelley School of Business. Unfortunately, there is only room for roughly 2,500. For those who are not in that initial group of direct admits but are interested in business education, they often pursue majors in the Luddy School of Informatics or the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, or perhaps a merchandising degree from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
Certificate programs and minors, in general, at the Kelley School allow nonbusiness majors to earn business credentials from the Kelley School. IU President Pamela Whitten has encouraged Kelley to create more pathways for nonbusiness majors to earn business credentials. In addition, she’s been urging Kelley and other colleges to develop additional pathways to graduate programs. Consistent with those goals, Kelley has introduced the Undergraduate Accounting Certificate Program.
“Say someone is, for example, majoring in informatics and decides that it would make sense to get an accounting credential. They could take the courses that are required for the accounting certificate at the undergraduate level, which are also the prerequisites for admission to our Master of Accounting program,” says Sonja Rego, chair of the accounting department.
When you have this combination of a technical undergraduate degree coupled with an accounting certificate, that’s hugely beneficial in terms of marketability.
“That’s going to open up the world to you on the consulting side,” says Rego. “Today everything is about getting some technology skills, and then accounting, historically, is a fantastic double major or second credential because if you understand accounting, you can excel at anything in business.”
The Undergraduate Accounting Certificate, similar to other certificate and minor programs at Kelley, requires students to take a significant number of extra courses.
Julie Head, teaching professor of accounting, teaches the intro to accounting course for nonbusiness majors with roughly 800 students each year. It’s not unusual for her students to take the course and realize that they enjoy accounting. Once they learn that, they’re eager to find out what other opportunities exist for them to expand their accounting knowledge.
“That’s the type of student we would like to give opportunities to so they can earn a credential in accounting. This [certificate] might make a big difference to these students’ future careers and job opportunities,” says Rego, who regularly talks with recruiters, alumni, and partners at firms, all of whom say they want more Kelley students. That excitement stems partly from the fact that this new certifi ate is a pathway to Kelley’s MSADA (Master of Science in Accounting with Data and Analytics) program.
“With the MSADA program, students gain more technical accounting knowledge, and there is a major emphasis on soft skills, communication skills, teamwork, and field study opportunities,” says Rego. “That’s what really sets Kelley students apart from other programs. Our students come out so polished and ready to dive into the workplace right away.”
Leave a Reply