PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM IN ACCOUNTING (PPA)
The Professional Program in Accounting (PPA) is designed for highly motivated students that are interested in careers in professional accounting. Students are admitted to PPA in the fall semester of their junior year. Provided that all degree requirements are satisfied, students will be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Information Management (BS-AIM) at the end of their senior year and a Master of Science in Accounting and Information Management (MS-AIM) at the end of their fifth year.
The PPA program provides the following advantages:
- Smaller "honors" type core classes that only PPA students may register for, taught by highly experienced faculty
- Better networking opportunities with students, faculty and professionals
- Exclusive access to many internship and full-time employment opportunities
- Help with CPA eligibility and exam preparation
- Enhancement of technical accounting and "soft" skills, such as interpersonal interaction, teamwork, communication, presentation and networking
- Mentor program and workshops focusing on interviewing skills, resume writing and professional etiquette
The program timeline is as follows:
Junior Year:
Fall semester:
- Submit PPA application
Spring semester:
- Take AIM 3351 Individual Taxation
- Interview for internships
Senior Year:
Fall semester:
- Take AIM 3332 Intermediate Financial Accounting II
- Take GMAT for graduate school admission
Spring semester:
- Internship for selected students during first eight weeks
- Take AIM 6335 Ethics for Professional Accountants during second eight weeks
- Apply to MS-AIM Program
- Graduate with BS-AIM
Graduate Year:
Summer/Fall semester:
- Begin MS-AIM program
- Take AIM 6352 Corporate Taxation (fall)
Spring semester:
- Take AIM 6370 Business Law
- Take AIM 6390 CPA Review Course
- Graduate with MS-AIM
The required PPA courses are summarized in the following table. Students must take all of these courses with their PPA group in order to remain in the program:
Junior Year |
Senior Year |
Graduate |
|||
Fall |
Spring |
Fall |
Spring |
Fall |
Spring |
Apply to program; no class offered |
AIM 3351 Individual Taxation |
AIM 3332 Intermediate Financial Accounting II |
AIM 6335 Ethics for Professional Accountants (second eight-week course) |
AIM 6352 Corporate Taxation |
AIM 6370 Business Law |
Interested students should apply in the fall semester of their junior year for spring semester admittance. The application deadline is September 15th and the prospective applicant must:
- Be junior level (completed at least 60 credit hours).
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Have completed (1) AIM 2301 Introduction to Financial Accounting, (2) AIM 2302 Introduction to Management Accounting and (3) AIM 3320-Financial Information Management.
To apply, please download and complete the application form. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the PPA by email.
If you have any questions, please contact Amy Troutman or Matt Polze.