Education helps Kaine-George examine and break down biases
Ellena Kaine-George B’16, M’18 came to Saint Mary’s with an associate degree, an 8-year-old, a busy work life schedule, and... Read More
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- B.S. in Accounting
Bachelor's in Accounting
Master the language of business.
Finish your degree and gain invaluable skills in financial analysis, strategic planning, and business decision-making. With just 30 prior credits, you can begin refining your expertise to help drive the financial success of any organization.
At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, earning your accounting degree will set you on the path to pursue the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exams. You’ll develop the skills needed to become a highly sought-after expert in the business world.
Learn from experienced faculty with backgrounds in Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and small businesses, gaining practical knowledge in financial accounting, cost accounting, auditing, tax accounting, and analysis.
Discover the unique advantages of Saint Mary’s and take your career to the next level. Talk to us about our credit transfer policy to fast-track your degree by making the most of your previous hard-earned credits.
For more information about this program and CPA licensure, visit our Professional Licensure page.
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B.S. in Accounting Program Highlights
- No need to wait. With six start times annually, begin your journey today.
- Fast-track to a graduate degree by taking courses that count toward both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Ask your transfer counselor for details.
- Check if your employer is part of our Trusted Partnership Program, offering scholarships through our partners with several companies, school districts, and organizations. Learn more.
What You’ll Learn in the B.S. in Accounting Program
- Analyze financial/non-financial data for stakeholders
- Apply audit methods in daily operations
- Use accounting technology for data analysis and communication
- Laws, regulations, and the GAAP
- Collaboration with diverse teams
- Foster ethical principles and leadership
B.S. in Accounting Program Accreditation
This program is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), recognizing our commitment to delivering business education that aligns with the university’s mission of developing confident, competent, and ethical leaders for today’s changing business environment.
This accreditation not only reflects the high quality of our graduates — who possess in-demand skills valued by employees — but also reflects the strong presence of the Lasallian mission in action, as witnessed by the IACBE in every interaction with students, alumni, faculty, staff, leaders, and external business partners. At Saint Mary’s, we deliver on our promises. They go beyond words — they’re a commitment we live by.
Turning a doable degree into a dream job.
Ephrem Eshete B’23 is a father, husband, and member of the U.S. Army Reserve. When he received a life-changing offer from a Big 6 accounting firm, he attributed his success to the bachelor's completion programs at Saint Mary's. “I wouldn’t see myself in this position unless I got this degree,” he said.
Read moreHow can I transfer my credits? How long will it take me to finish? Sign up for an information session to get these questions answered and more or watch a recorded session on your time.
Accelerate Your B.S. Degree
Take advantage of our credit transfer policy to possibly avoid retaking classes and speed up your degree completion.
- Your past credits never expire and are always eligible
- Transfer up to 90 credits (75% of your bachelor of science degree)
- Associate degree or technical college credits are accepted
- Get credit for your military experience and training
Learn more about accepted credits or submit your transcripts for a personalized degree plan.
Apply in two easy steps
With six start dates throughout the year, you can apply for admission now and begin your program when it works best for you. Plus, we may be able to order and cover the cost of transcripts for you — making the application process even easier.
| Application Deadlines | Start Dates | |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025 | December 2, 2024 | January 6 Term 2: March 3 |
| Summer 2025 | April 4, 2025 | May 5 Term 2: June 30 |
| Fall 2025 | August 1 | September 2 October 27 |
| Spring 2026 | December 5, 2025 | January 5 |
Applicants who complete the application process by the priority deadline are guaranteed consideration for their intended start date and will be notified of acceptance about two weeks after application completion.
- Applicants must demonstrate an overall grade point average of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale with evidence of at least 30 transferable semester credits¹.
- These credits must include completion of one basic English composition course with a grade of C- or better.²
- Applicants may be required to complete an interview with a program administrator as part of the admissions process.
¹These credits may be made up of:
- Industry Training and Military Separation Paper carrying American Council on Education (ACE) credit recommendations or,
- Past College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or Dantes Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) exam credits or,
- International credits evaluated by a source accepted by Saint Mary’s University or,
- Any credits transferable from a regionally accredited or non-regionally accredited institution.
²The English composition course requirement helps the student prepare for college level coursework. The applicant may be conditionally admitted if he or she cannot prove competency in this area, in which case the CLEP College Composition exam with essay or a similar university course must be taken within the first semester of study at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
- Students who have completed 30 credits from an accredited institution within the U.S. or the equivalent of these credits from an institution in an approved waiver country are exempt from demonstrating English language proficiency. Otherwise, students with transcripts from universities located outside of the U.S. are required to take and pass English proficiency testing.Saint Mary’s accepts:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 72
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.0
- International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP) with a minimum score of 4.0 or Pearson Test of English with a score of 51
- Duolingo Language Test with a minimum score of 100
- Pearson Test of English with a score of 51
Please see our academic catalog for a list of all approved waiver countries.
Applicants must submit the following:
- Completed application form
- Official transcripts should be issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from all previous institutions attended with a minimum of 30 semester credits (C- and higher) and a college level English Composition course.
- Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated on a course by course basis by a university accepted evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, Educational Perspectives, One Earth International Credential Evaluators or any approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES.org) and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards.
- Saint Mary’s can order and cover the cost of transcripts from domestic institutions that allow third-party requests for eligible degree-seeking applicants. Contact your transfer counselor for more information.
- Official Transcripts should be sent to Office of Admission:
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
2500 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404 - Or email: tcadmission@smumn.edu
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Tuition & Financial Aid
Only pay for the credit you need with the credits you’ve already earned. Plus, there are resources to help cover the cost of your degree, including loans, grants, and exclusive Saint Mary’s financial aid programs. Our counselors will guide you to find a financial aid plan that works for you.
Course Catalog
In addition to foundational courses, you’ll take courses such as:
- Corporate Finance
- Cost Accounting
- Auditing
The course catalog provides complete information about course requirements.
Careers & Salary
A bachelor's degree in accounting gives you the expertise to work in any accounting setting from finance to public service to marketing.
$95,570 per year*
$77,250 per year*
$63,380 per year*
Related Programs
Advance your career with flexible online programs designed for busy adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Saint Mary’s, we want you to succeed, and we help you do so, inside and outside of the classroom:
Student Central: Your one stop for student services
Library: Resources and services are available 24/7 to all students.
Writing Center: Offers virtual and face-to-face services to support students
Career Services: Can help you develop your career-readiness skills at any point in your education
The only thing virtual about your online experience is the classroom. Our flexible online programs offer the rigor and reputation you expect from Saint Mary’s.
Explore more here.
Life gets busy. Whether you’re raising a family, pursuing your career, or playing an active role in your community, we know you want to keep up with what you love while you take the next step in your career. That’s why Saint Mary’s online programs are flexible and designed to fit your demanding life.
News from the School of Advancing Studies
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Sources and Disclaimer
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Accountants and Auditors at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm (visited February 14, 2023).
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Financial Analysts at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts.htm (visited February 14, 2023).
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Loan Officers at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/loan-officers.htm (visited February 14, 2023).
- All other career data on this page can be found at Lightcast (lightcast.io) Q1 2023 Data, September 2022-February 2023.