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Certificate Program in Accounting

Learn accounting fundamentals in this 6 course certificate. Courses can be used to fulfill the undergraduate coursework requirements of UMass Lowell's Master of Science Degree in Accounting.

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An accounting certificate is one way for non-accountants to begin a future in accounting at a reasonable cost. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Employment of bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks is projected to grow 11 percent from 2012 to 2022... As the number of organizations increases, more bookkeepers will be needed to keep these organizations' books. In addition, in response to the recent financial crisis, investors will pay increased attention to the accuracy of corporate books. Stricter regulation in the financial sector will create demand for accounting services, creating opportunities for accounting clerks."1 These entry-level accounting positions can reasonably be served by employees with the skills obtained in the Accounting Certificate program.

AACSB Badge This program is offered through UMass Lowell's Manning School of Business, which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) — an elite distinction earned by less than five percent of business schools worldwide.

Designed for students who already have earned their Bachelor's degree in another discipline, this certificate has been developed to provide the required undergraduate-level courses in Accounting that one needs before they can apply to most graduate-level programs in Accounting.

All of the courses in this certificate program can be used to fulfill the prerequisite courses requirement for UMass Lowell's Master of Science Degree in Accounting, which is available entirely online.

1 [http://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/bookkeeping-accounting-and-auditing-clerks.htm#tab-6 accessed July 28, 2014.]

Learn from Leaders Who Strive for Real-World Results

UMass Lowell's Manning School of Business faculty and instructors are dedicated to excellence in teaching and research, and the program's challenging, relevant curriculum is aligned with current industry trends and employer needs.

Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 10 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. In general, employment growth of accountants and auditors is expected to be closely tied to the health of the overall economy.
—U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2019

One Success Leads to Another

Apply credits from lower credentials to higher ones. Our programs are designed to build upon themselves:

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Certificate Program in Accounting
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Master of Science in Accounting

Curriculum Outline

- 6 Courses / 18 Credits

Note: Accounting/Financial (ACCT.2010) and Accounting/Managerial (ACCT.2020) are prerequisite courses and should have already been taken as part of your undergraduate degree program. If you have not already taken these two courses, you are required to take them before you can take any of the following ACCT.3000/4000 level Accounting courses.

Required Courses (6 / 18cr)

Undergraduate Certificate Requirements

Students enrolled in UMass Lowell certificate programs must complete all courses, generally consisting of both required courses and electives. Students are required to maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better to receive the certificate. All Certificate courses must be completed within a five-year period.

Students can complete the certificate program at their own pace, enrolling in one or two courses each semester. Courses are available throughout the year, during the Fall (September-December), Spring (January-May) and Summer (May-August) semesters.

Certificate Completion

Upon successful completion of the certificate program, students must complete and submit a Certificate Petition Form. Once successful completion of the program is verified, certificates will be mailed to students. Receipt of the certificate will be noted formally on the student's transcript with an award date of October, February or June.

Course Descriptions

Examines the generally accepted accounting principles relating to the preparation of financial statements. The student will study, in depth, the valuation and disclosure problems associated with the assets of the enterprise. The accounting framework and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board are emphasized. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ACCT.2020 pre-req

Presents the in-depth study of the valuation and disclosure issues associated with corporate liabilities and stockholders' equity. Emphasis is placed on the statements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ACCT.3 ( 'C' or above) pre-req

Presents accounting as a system designed to meet the needs of external and internal users. Accounting information system concepts are emphasized. Topics include accounting transaction cycles, internal controls, and systems development processes. 3 credits.

An examination of the manufacturing function from the view of the cost accountant. Managerial control of the elements of product costs will be studied with an emphasis on cost accumulation systems both historical and estimated. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Quantitative Literacy (QL). 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ACCT.30 with 'C' or above pre-

An examination of the purposes of financial statement audits. The following topics will be examined in depth: auditing standards, professional ethics, legal responsibilities, internal control, audit evidence, financial statement disclosures and audit reports. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ACCT.3030 with ('C' or above)

Deals with the basic rules and regulations of the Internal Revenue Code as it affects the individual and the corporation. An understanding of the code is developed through lectures, assigned readings, research, and the solution to a wide variety of problems. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Information Literacy (IL). 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ACCT.2020 pre-req

Tuition & Fees

At UMass Lowell, we believe that students should have as much information as possible up front so they can make informed decisions before enrolling in a degree program or signing up for a course.

Tuition for all undergraduate courses offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition for all online graduate courses is also the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition is priced per credit. To calculate the tuition for a course, simply multiply the per-credit tuition by the total number of credits per course. Exception: If the total number of course contact hours is greater than the total number of credits, the per-credit tuition is instead multiplied by the total number of contact hours.

Fall 2020 Tuition

 Per Credit / Contact Hour
Undergraduate Face-to-Face Courses and Audit $340.00
Undergraduate Online Courses and Audit (except Manning School of Business* Undergraduate Online Courses and Audit) $380.00
Manning School of Business* Undergraduate Online Courses and Audit $385.00
Registration includes access to parking after 3 pm and access to Blackboard.

*Applies to courses with the following prefixes: ACCT, BUSI, ENTR, FINA, MGMT, MKTG, MIST, POMS offered through the Manning School of Business
**Applies to courses with the following prefixes: CHEN, CIVE, EECE, ENGN, MECH, PLAS offered through the Francis College of Engineering. Applies also to MSIT courses in the Master's in Information Technology, Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity and the Graduate Certificate in Systems Models and Management.

Additional Fees
Registration Fee per Term $30.00
Late Fee for Nonpayment $50.00

Looking for Financial Assistance?

UMass Lowell offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship options.
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Registration

Current students can register using SiS Self-Service. New students who have not already applied and been accepted to a program must use the Non-Degree Registration Form.

You can take courses without being officially enrolled in a certificate or degree program, but you must meet course prerequisites. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Class size is limited. We recommend that you register early to reserve your place in class.

For more information, please visit our Registration Page.

Transfer Policy

With the program coordinator's approval, one course may be transferred from another accredited institution to satisfy undergraduate certificate program requirements. The course should be equivalent to UMass Lowell instruction, applicable to the intended program, and the student must have received a grade equivalent to a C- (1.70 on a 4.00 scale) or better.

Academic Advising

Our professional advisors in our Advising Center are available to help students determine appropriate course loads, discuss admission requirements and review the transferability of courses. If you have a question, we invite you to Schedule an Appointment, email Continuing_Education@uml.edu or call 978-934-2474.

New Students

If you have not already applied and been accepted to a program.
Register with Non-Degree Reg. Form

Current Students

If you have applied, been accepted to and are currently enrolled in a program.
Register with SIS Self-Service

Questions?

Email our Advising Center for assistance, or call 800-480-3190 to speak with an advisor.

Please Note: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented within this website, the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies reserves the right to implement new rules and regulations and to make changes of any nature in its program, calendar, locations, tuition and fees. Whenever possible, appropriate notice of such changes will be given before they become effective. In registering for courses, each student assumes full responsibility for knowledge of and compliance with the definitions, regulations, and procedures for the University as set forth in our Academic Policies & Procedures and on the main UMass Lowell website.

Admission Requirements

  • Undergraduate degree from United States institution in something other than accounting or undergraduate degree from a non-United States institution in any field.
  • Prerequisites: Financial Accounting (ACCT.2010) and Managerial Accounting (ACCT.2020)

In addition to completing the Application for Admission, students interested in this program must contact their prior institution of higher education and have their official college transcripts forwarded directly from that institution to UMass Lowell at the address below.

Applying into an Undergraduate Certificate Program

Apply to an undergraduate certificate program using the Online Application Form or by printing and completing the Undergraduate Certificate Application Form in .pdf file format. Applicants will be required to have either their official high school transcript, HiSET®, GED® or their most recent college transcript if applicable, sent to Graduate, Online & Professional Studies at the address below. Applications, transcripts, and other correspondence should be sent to:

University of Massachusetts Lowell
Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies
Undergraduate Admissions
839 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor
Lowell, MA 01854

Undergraduate certificate applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and there is no fee to apply. You will be notified upon acceptance.

Apply Online

Questions Regarding Your Undergraduate Application?

Email OCE_Admissions@uml.edu or call 978-934-2474.

For General Assistance:

Call the Advising Center at 978-934-2474 or 800-480-3190. Our academic advisors are here to help!

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