Department of Accounting
Department of Accounting
Why study Accounting at Western Kentucky University?
An accounting major can lead to a successful career in many different areas of accounting and business. From the smallest start-up company to large international companies and governmental agencies, every organization requires the skills of accountants.
The accounting programs at WKU focus on building and nurturing a culture of student success and engagement while preparing students for careers in the field. The programs provide innovative curricula that adapts to changes in the industry. Opportunities for career mentoring, professional development, networking with professionals, and involvement in engaging student organizations are provided and encouraged for our students. Additionally, we have a low faculty/student ratio in all of our upper-level accounting classes.
The Department of Accounting and the Gordon Ford College of Business are both accredited by the AACSB-International, the highest mark of quality a business program can be awarded.
Find Your Program
in the Department of Accounting
Accounting, Bachelor of Science
The accounting programs at WKU focus on developing communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, team building, and technical competencies.
WKU Accounting graduates have one of the highest passage rates for the CPA Exam (for schools in Kentucky and surrounding areas with undergraduate accounting programs).
The undergraduate major in Accounting requires 75 hours of professional and elective courses and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. No minor is required, although approved minors and certificates inside or outside the college are encouraged.
Master of Accountancy & Data Analytics
The Master of Accountancy & Data Analysis (MADA) is an advanced program of study designed to provide students with an expanded understanding of accounting, data analytics and business by building on the foundation gained in an undergraduate accounting program. The program provides a graduate-level curriculum to accommodate the growing body of knowledge in accounting and equips accounting students with additional skills and competencies.
What is the JUMP?
The Accounting Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP) allows academically outstanding students the opportunity to begin working on the graduate degree while still an undergraduate. At the completion of the program, the student will have earned both the Bachelor of Science in Accounting and the Master of Accountancy and Data Analysis (MADA) degrees.
What are the JUMP admission requirements?
- A minimum overall 3.25 GPA in: ACCT 300, ACCT 301, ACCT 310, and ACCT 312
- A minimum of “C” in all accounting courses
- A minimum of 60 credit hours earned and 15 or more credit hours remaining to complete the undergraduate degree
- A minimum of 24 undergraduate hours earned at WKU
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25 for individuals earning their first baccalaureate degree
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 for individuals earning their second baccalaureate degree
Note: the above establishes the minimum criteria but does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
How does the JUMP work?
Students interested in the JUMP must submit a “Statement of Interest” to the program director once the admission criteria has been met. After acceptance into the program, the student is then eligible to complete a maximum of 12 hours towards the graduate degree while finishing the undergraduate degree. Unlike some graduate programs, there is not a “double counting” option (counting hours for a single course in both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.)
What are the benefits of the JUMP?
- Taking graduate courses while still an undergraduate (affects tuition and financial aid)
- Waiving of the GMAT
How to apply for the JUMP?
To apply or to find out more about the JUMP option, contact Dr. Stacy Bibelhauser (MADA director) at stacy.bibelhauser@wku.edu or (270) 745-3194.
GFCB has been a welcoming, encouraging, and scholarly learning environment for me in the past four years. It is the place where I realized I wanted to study Accounting. At GFCB, I was able to make professional connections and build my own network. At the same time, with the support from faculty and student success resources, I was able to acquire useful and practical knowledge and professional skills during my time at GFCB.
- 270-745-2279
Email the Department directly at: acctdept@wku.edu
Email the Department Chair (Dr. Mark Ross) at: mark.ross@wku.edu
Department of Accounting
Grise Hall 502
1906 College Heights Blvd. #11061
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1061
The Gordon Ford College of Business is a top business school with dual AACSB accreditation
in both business and accounting programs.
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.