Certificate in Professional Accounting
Become a CPA in 24 Months
Program Overview
The Bellarmine Post-Baccalaureate Accounting Certificate helps graduates meet Kentucky requirements to sit for the CPA exam and can often be adapted for other states. Designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than accounting, the program prepares students for careers in public accounting, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.
Students complete the coursework needed to meet CPA eligibility requirements, including accounting and business credits toward the 150-hour standard. Offered part-time through the W. Fielding Rubel School of Business, the program can typically be completed in about 24 months with all required accounting courses delivered in person.
Finish the Coursework Needed for CPA Eligibility
This certificate is built for graduates from non-accounting backgrounds who want a direct path into professional accounting. You can complete the required curriculum part-time in as little as 24 months while preparing to sit for the CPA exam.
Build Connections for Career Advancement
Bellarmine connects students with employers through recruitment events, networking opportunities, and on-campus interviews with CPA firms and industry partners. Certificate students also have access to the Career Development Center and accounting-specific recruiting opportunities.
“In the classroom, professors prepare students with both the technical and conceptual skills needed for a career in accounting, and care deeply about the success of their students. Outside of the classroom, Bellarmine connects students with employers through networking events, luncheons, and on-campus recruiting visits that are second to none. These opportunities in and out of the classroom allow students to achieve their goals no matter what they may be.”
Joey George ’17, CPA at Dean Dorton Allen Ford, PLLC
24
Months to Complete
39
Semester hours
CPA
Career Preparation
Program Highlights
The Bellarmine Post-Baccalaureate Accounting Certificate Program is designed to help graduates of bachelor’s programs complete Kentucky state requirements for eligibility to take the CPA examination. The program can usually be modified to meet the requirements of other states.
Designed for those who have completed a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than accounting and wish to enter the CPA profession to pursue a career in public accounting (CPA firms), corporations, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. The Certificate in Professional Accounting qualifies you to sit for the CPA exam. Under current Kentucky law, that requires 27 semester hours in accounting, 39 semester hours in business (including the accounting hours), and a total of 150 semester hours.
This is designed to be a part-time program and you should be able to complete it in 24 months. All required accounting courses are offered exclusively in-person, with classes scheduled Monday through Friday, as part of the undergraduate studies division in the Rubel School of Business. No online or night classes are available.
CPA Exam Requirements
Kentucky
- If you passed the Uniform CPA Examination as a Kentucky candidate, obtained 150 college semester hours, and completed one year of experience in an accounting or auditing position in public practice, academia, industry, or government that can be verified by an actively licensed CPA of any state, you may apply for a Kentucky license.
- A year of experience is defined as 2,000 hours in a period of not less than 12 months earned after the awarding of a baccalaureate degree.
- A certificate of experience may be submitted for more than one employment situation to meet the one-year of experience benchmark. The CPA verifying your experience must have an active practicing license, but does not have to be your supervisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this program prepare me for a certification exam?
The Bellarmine Post-Baccalaureate Accounting Certificate Program is designed to help
graduates of bachelor’s programs complete Kentucky state requirements for eligibility
to take the CPA exam as quickly as possible without impairing the quality of education. The program can
usually be modified to meet the requirements of other states. The program is not intended
to serve as a “test preparation” type of program.
How do I apply to the certificate program?
Step 1: Click on the “Apply Now” button.
Step 2: Choose “Graduate or Second Degree Student” in the first drop-down menu.
Step 3: Choose “All Other Graduate Programs” in the second drop-down menu.
Step 4: Click on the “Begin Application” button.
Do I need an undergraduate degree to apply for the program?
Yes, students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
in a discipline other than accounting.
What courses are required to complete the program?
- ACCT 101, 102, 211, 212, 313, 418;
- Nine semester hours selected from other accounting courses (ACCT 215, 317, and 318 recommended);
- Twelve semester hours selected from other accounting, business administration, or finance courses.
Can I transfer credit into this program from another institution?
A maximum of 9 hours in accounting and 18 hours total may be transferred to the Certificate
program. All Certificate Program students must complete a minimum of 21 semester hours
at Bellarmine University.
What is the average length of time to finish this program?
A student with an undergraduate degree in business will typically need to complete
8-10 courses (24-30 credit hours) to be awarded the certificate in 2 years.
A student with an undergraduate degree in a non-business field will typically need to complete 13 courses (39 credit hours) to be awarded the certificate in 2.5 years.
How many courses per semester may I take?
We do not have any limits on the number of courses that a student may take each semester.
However, we recommend students with a full time work schedule start with one course
to determine the workload and take no more than two courses in any given term.
Do you offer online courses?
No. The courses are all in-person.
Can I register for the certificate program at any time?
Yes, you may enroll in the program before the start of any semester (Summer, Fall,
Spring). Both day and evening classes are available each semester. Every student works
with the program director to develop an achievement plan that best accommodates his
or her schedule.
Is the program accredited?
The W. Fielding Rubel School of Business at Bellarmine University is accredited by
AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). Bellarmine
is the first and only private university in Kentucky to achieve AACSB accreditation.
Do you provide job or internship placement?
Yes. Every Accounting Certificate student has access to Bellarmine’s Career Development
Center and is invited to attend regular Accounting CPA Firm and Industry recruitment
events. All of the “Big 4” international CPA firms, several regional firms, and all
large local CPA firms in the Louisville area interview on campus and hire Bellarmine
students. Many large Louisville, national, and international businesses also interview
on campus or request résumés.
Is financial aid available?
Accounting Certificate students are eligible to apply for Bellarmine University Accounting
Alumni Scholarships (range from $500-$2,000) and KYCPA Accounting Student Scholarships.
When is each course offered?
Please visit the “Course Descriptions” page on our website to see when courses are typically offered.
How many hours can I expect to spend studying outside of class time?
Each student has their own learning style so this can vary greatly. As a rule of thumb,
expect to spend an average of two hours studying for every hour you spend in-class.
Admission Requirements
Students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a discipline other than accounting. For information about the application process, please visit our Admission Requirements page.
Tuition
Visit our Graduate Tuition Rates page for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information.
Financial Aid
- In addition to company tuition reimbursement plans and private bank loans, students are eligible for federal Stafford loans, both subsidized and unsubsidized after completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Bellarmine’s school code is 001954.
Funding Assistance
For questions regarding funding options for post-baccalaureate programs please contact the Financial Aid Office at Bellarmine University (finaid@bellarmine.edu or (502) 272-7300).
Disclosure for Students Who Reside Outside of Kentucky
Bellarmine University cannot confirm whether its courses or programs meet requirements for professional licensure in states other than Kentucky. Prior to enrolling in a Bellarmine program, a student who does not reside in Kentucky should contact applicable licensing board(s) in the student’s home state to determine whether the program meets requirements for licensure in the state where the student resides.
Accounting licensure contacts: https://nasba.org/stateboards/
Take Your Next Step
Start your Bellarmine story. Request information today.
Request InformationCome to campus and see what Bellarmine hospitality is all about.
Schedule Your Visit