20+ years Accredited
The first state university in Pennsylvania to earn and maintain AACSB International accreditation
Top CPA Exam Performance on First-Time Pass Rates
Pass rate 11% higher than average for the Uniform CPA Exam in PA
- National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) 2024
93%
College of Business students find a job within 6 months of graduation
Shippensburg University's Accounting, BSBA program prepares you for success as a professional accountant.
All Bachelor of Science in Business Administration majors take the same core curriculum that includes economics, finance, information systems, marketing, organization behavior and business law as well as other business subjects. The accounting core courses provide you with the academic background necessary to be successful in the accounting profession.
Many students who want to double major pair accounting with finance or MIS. However, those wishing to earn their CPA designation must comply with a strict set of educational/course requirements set forth by individual state boards of accountancy.
What Types of Careers Could I Get With This Degree?
Our program prepares graduates for a number of different career opportunities. Accounting is a high-demand, high-salaried field. Today's accountants fulfill a variety of roles, from big-picture budgeting to research and analysis. Many end up in managerial roles where strong people skills are an asset. Others will apply their problem-solving abilities to taxation and internal auditing. Accountants are always needed in these areas and more:
- Businesses
- Government
- Non-profit organizations
- Hospitals
- Insurance companies
- Charitable organizations
- Schools and universities
Some of our students choose to pursue our accelerated B.S.B.A./M.B.A. Accounting program to receive both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration in only five years.
What Kinds of Experiences Could I Have?
The John L. Grove College of Business is internationally accredited by the most prestigious business-accrediting agency, AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Shippensburg University offers small class sizes and plenty of opportunities for one-on-one contact with faculty members. Classes are taught by professionals with both a strong theoretical understanding of business administration and a working knowledge of modern accounting practices. Our faculty has a diverse range of professional backgrounds, including government financial management, personal finance, portfolio analysis and more.
There are a number of clubs you can participate in to learn more about your area of study outside the classroom. Student professional organizations will provide you with a variety of opportunities to develop professional contacts, enhance your course of study with hands-on application and build lasting friendships within the business community. Join the Accounting Club and you can volunteer in community service, visit local businesses and share your experiences.
Internships provide great opportunities for on-the-job experience while you gain credits. Internships often turn into job offers for our students.
4+1 Program Available
With careful planning, you may be able to complete a B.S.B.A. in Accounting and a M.B.A. in with only one additional year of study through a 4+1 program. For more information, contact the College of Business MBA Department.
Student Spotlight - Edward Barrett selected as 2025-26 PCAOB Scholar
John L. Grove College of Business student Edward Barrett has been selected to receive a $15,000 scholarship from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Scholars Program, a prestigious national award that recognizes high-achieving accounting students who demonstrate integrity, leadership and a strong commitment to the ethical standards of the accounting profession.
The PCAOB Scholars Program is a merit-based award funded through monetary penalties collected on behalf of the PCAOB. Each year, the organization selects a select number of eligible students across US institutions to receive $15,000 toward their education. The scholarship is awarded to students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate accounting programs who maintain at least a 3.3 GPA and exhibit strong character and professionalism.
Barrett, an accounting and information systems and analytics major, was nominated by faculty members who admired his dedication to the field both in and out of the classroom. Barrett serves as the president of the Accounting Club on Ship’s campus, where he connects members to industry professionals and various learning opportunities.
Course work for Accounting, BSBA
All B.S.B.A. majors in the John L. Grove College of Business should satisfactorily complete the 100-/200-level business core courses during their freshman and sophomore years and the 300-400-level business core courses during their junior and senior years, as listed below. For full course descriptions, visit the catalog.