The combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Accounting Bridge Program is designed to better serve the needs of NJCU accounting students who intend to enter the accounting profession. This combined undergraduate and graduate program allows full-time students to meet the current educational requirements for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure in New Jersey.  Full-time students may complete the program within five years.

Undergraduate students who have been accepted into the Bachelor of Science in Accounting program and who wish to follow with the Master of Science in Accounting program may apply for admission to the Bridge Program during the semester in which they will complete 80 undergraduate credits. A minimum of 9 undergraduate credits in Accounting, including ACCT 351, are required to have been completed with a grade of B or better. Applicants must have a minimum CGPA of 3.00 and a minimum 3.25 GPA in Accounting courses to be accepted into the program.

Students admitted to the Bridge Program will take 120 credits as undergraduates including 9 graduate level credits that can be used to satisfy the degree requirements to earn the Bachelor of Science in Accounting Degree.  Students in the Bridge Program pay undergraduate tuition rates for these three graduate courses.  Upon graduation with a BS in Accounting, students matriculate into the MS Accounting Program and complete the remaining 7 seven courses for a total of 21 additional credits to complete their MS Accounting Degree.  The 9 graduate credits taken as an undergraduate, plus the 21 credits taken after matriculation into the MS Accounting Program, fulfill the 30 credit specialization requirement for the MS Accounting Degree. Students seeking CPA licensure in NJ must take an additional 9 credits to reach a total of 150 credits.

NJCU accounting students who are accepted into the BS/MS Accounting Bridge Program take three graduate courses in lieu of three undergraduate courses.  Undergraduate students are required to take ACCT 354, ACCT 451, and ACCT 455 . Students in the Bridge Program do not take ACCT 354, ACCT 451, or ACCT 455 . Instead, Bridge students must take: ACCT 551, ACCT 552, and ACCT 553. The three graduate courses taken in the Bridge program fulfill both the undergraduate and graduate course program requirements.

Students who successfully complete these three graduate courses and all undergraduate requirements for a total of 120 will be awarded a B.S. in Accounting degree. Upon verification of eligibility to begin graduate study, Bridge students may apply for matriculation to the M.S. Accounting Program to complete the 21 remaining credits. 

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Students who take English Composition I and II for English as a Second Language (ESL 101 and ESL 102) complete these in place of ENGL 101 and 102 but have fewer free elective credits as a result.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Accounting—Bridge Program to the M.S. in Accounting, B.S., students will be able to:

1. Identify ethical issues and understand the implications of social responsibility for sustainable business practices.
2. Evaluate information and apply critical thinking skills to identify solutions and inform business decisions.
3. Utilize technology, apply quantitative methods and interpret data to solve business problems.
4. Integrate knowledge of core business concepts and collaborate productively as part of a team.
5. Work effectively in a diverse environment and understand how global and cultural issues effect the organization and its stakeholders.
6. Compose clear and concise forms of written communication to effectively convey ideas and information associated with business topics.
7. Communicate business concepts effectively through oral presentation.
8. Apply professional accounting concepts and standards for financial reporting and ethical decision making.
9. Effectively employ business software utilized by accounting professionals.