General Information for Public Accounting, Master of Business Administration Program
The Public Accounting MBA program has been designed to meet the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ requirements which went into effect in the year 2000. In addition, the Public Accounting program has been registered with the NYS Education Department for candidates seeking admission to the Uniform CPA Examination.
Admission for Public Accounting, Master of Business Administration Program
Application to the Public Accounting / MBA program should be done well in advance to the start of the semester. There is a rolling admissions. A program participant must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and complete all undergraduate requirements set forth to satisfy the 150 hour education requirements for the Uniform CPA Exam. Applicants to the program should have a minimum of a 2.6/4.0 undergraduate GPA and a score of 500 on the Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) for admission, requirements for both are subject to increase in subsequent years. Each participant must submit two letters of reference in addition to the transcripts and examination reports required. The Graduate Program Director will review applications and provide recommendations to the Graduate Dean. Admission procedures are delineated in the ADMISSIONS section of this Graduate Catalog.
Applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 560 (paper-based) or 220 (computer-based) or 83 (Internet based) is needed. Information on this test is available from Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08540.
All international students must have official transcripts sent directly from the student’s home school of study to SUNY Oswego. Transcripts cannot be used for official acceptance unless this criterion is met. Transcripts sent with the application can be used for review purposes only, even if they are sealed and have a stamp from the school.
Transfer students from other four-year institutions should apply to the Public Accounting, MBA program. Students accepted for transfer from other four-year institutions should have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in the field of accounting as described in the New York State Public Accountancy Handbook.
Degree Candidacy for Public Accounting, Master of Business Administration Program
It is the responsibility of the student to file for degree candidacy once they have completed 15 credit hours of graduate study. A cumulative average of 3.0 or better is required to qualify for the awarding of degree candidacy status. The Graduate Program Director will conduct a review of the candidate’s academic performance to ensure these standards are upheld. Any credit hours over 15 are subject to forfeiture.
Transfer Credit for Public Accounting, Master of Business Administration Program
Up to six credit hours of accredited and approved graduate work may be transferred from other accredited graduate programs of study. Only grades of ‘B’ or higher may be transferable into or out of another degree program.
Foundation Requirements for Public Accounting, Master of Business Administration Program
Oswego students will fulfill foundation requirements through their undergraduate course work (See the Undergraduate Catalog). Students from other institutions will fulfill their foundation requirements by virtue of their undergraduate degrees in accounting or the equivalent as set forth in the New York State Public Accountancy Handbook. An overall average of “C” is required, but no grade less than a C- will be accepted in any individual course.
Additional Information
All foundation requirements and elective courses are predetermined based upon requirements set forth by the NYS Education Department for the CPA exam. Graduates of the program are awarded a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree that is registered with the NYS Education Department. The degree reduces the experience requirement for the CPA license to one year.
Foundation Prerequisite Requirement Listing
