Business (BS)/Accounting (MS)

Program Description

The BS/MS in Accounting program is an accelerated dual degree program unique to the Stern Undergraduate College. The program graduated its first class in 2010. Stern undergraduates are required to apply to this academically rigorous track and have the benefit of earning two distinct degrees, a Bachelor of Science in Business from the Stern Undergraduate College and a Master of Science in Certified Public Accounting from the Stern Graduate School. Students in the BS/MS in Accounting program can study away as well as pursue a second Stern concentration or a minor or additional major at CAS - options that can ultimately enhance their academic and professional opportunities.

By design, the program satisfies the educational requirement to become a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New York State, offering students the opportunity to earn 150 credits in an abbreviated time frame. The BS degree is completed in four years, or with careful planning, in as little as three-and-a-half years. Students begin the MS degree requirements while still matriculated as undergraduates and as a result, are able to complete the MS degree in the summer immediately following graduation from the Undergraduate College. The accelerated format also empowers students who plan to earn a CPA license in New York State to sit for all four parts of the CPA Exam in as early as spring of their senior year. This means that most BS/MS students will have passed the licensure exam before starting full-time employment.

BS/MS in Accounting students regularly secure coveted positions in auditing, taxation, forensic accounting, or advisory in one of the Big 4 or Mid-Tier Accounting firms. The BS/MS in Accounting program also opens a world of opportunities to students beyond the field of accounting. Students utilize the power of the dual degree in fields as diverse as consulting, investment banking, private equity, mergers and acquisitions, as well as in entrepreneurial ventures.

The program boasts an alumni network with a global reach and universal appeal. Recent graduates have shared stories about joining teams where they work alongside other program alumni. The alumni remain a critical force in the BS/MS in Accounting program, returning to campus to mentor and inspire the next generation.

CPA Licensure Disclosure Statement

Graduates of the BS/MS in Accounting Program satisfy the educational requirements for the CPA licensure in New York State. For CPA licensure requirements in other states, students are encouraged to refer to the specific state board for the most current information since the requirements are different for every state and may change. Check the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy website at nasba.org/stateboards for information on individual states.

Admissions

The BS/MS in Accounting program is only open to NYU Stern undergraduates enrolled in the Business Program. Admission is open to second-semester first year students, sophomores, and first-semester juniors, however, interested second-semester juniors and seniors are encouraged to meet with an academic adviser and may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and grades of B- or better in accounting coursework who have an interest in the dual degree are encouraged to apply.

For information regarding specific admissions processes and policies for this program, see the Program’s Application Guidelines.

Program Requirements

The dual degree requires the completion of 150 credits, comprised of the following:

Sample Plan of Study

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

Business

1. Achieve professional levels of competence in core functions of business, including oral and written communication.
2. Exhibit intellectual curiosity, high levels of intellectual engagement, and open-mindedness to new ideas and alternative points of view.
3. Develop the skills needed to thrive in groups, organizations, and communities.
4. Achieve an understanding of the role of business within our global society.

Accounting

1. Be prepared for careers in accounting, attestation and assurance services, and forensic accounting.
2. Be provided with educational requirements needed for CPA licensure.
3. Attain an ability to prepare, read and interpret financial statements at an advanced level.

Policies 

Program Policies

Concentration Selection

The primary major for a Stern BS in Business degree is Business. Students are permitted to declare up to three official designations as part of their major (i.e., two concentrations and one minor; one concentration and two minors; or two concentrations through Stern and one major through the College of Arts & Science). 

Students are encouraged to declare one or more concentrations by the end of their sophomore year and are required to declare at least one Stern concentration on Albert no later than the end of their junior year. When considering a double concentration (or a major through CAS), students should be aware that the degree requirements might exceed 128 credits, possibly affecting financial aid. Those who have questions about specific concentrations, double concentrations, or who require help making this decision should see their adviser at the Stern Office of Academic Advising or the respective undergraduate faculty adviser. 

Students can formally declare a concentration by completing the Concentration Declaration form found on Stern Life.

Academic Standards for Students in the BS/MS in Accounting Program

Admission to the BS/MS in Accounting Dual-Degree Program is only open to enrolled NYU Stern undergraduate students in the Business Program. Spring admission is only open to first-year students and sophomores. Juniors and seniors should speak to an academic adviser about applying for admission.

To maintain good academic standing in the BS/MS in Accounting Dual-Degree Program, you must earn a grade of B- or better in all accounting coursework, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and maintain a minimum semester GPA of 2.5.

Academic Warning

You receive a letter of academic warning if you earn a grade of C+, an incomplete or a withdrawal in a required accounting course or your performance results in a semester GPA below 2.5 (even if the cumulative GPA is above 2.5). You are advised to seek guidance from the BS/MS in Accounting Program academic adviser to discuss recommendations for achieving an appropriate standard for academic performance.

Dismissal

Following one semester of probation, you may be dismissed from the BS/MS in Accounting Program if you fail to satisfy the conditions of the probation.

If you are placed on probation in your second-to-last semester in the BS in Business Degree Program and fail to satisfy the conditions of probation at the conclusion of the final semester in the BS Program, you may not be permitted to matriculate into the MS in Accounting Program.

Admission and Degree Conferral

Admission to the MS in Accounting Program is contingent upon completion of the BS in Business Program. Conferral of the MS in Accounting degree is dependent upon you earning a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better and satisfying any other degree requirements maintained by the Graduate School of the Stern School of Business.

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Stern Policies

Additional academic policies can be found on the Stern Undergraduate academic policies page.