Accounting Major

Saint Joseph's undergraduate accounting program ranked Top 20 by U.S. News & World Reports (2025). 

Saint Joseph’s University’s accounting program offers classes that offer preparation to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam in your state of residence and become certified if you choose to take the additional credits required by your state board of accountancy. You'll also be awarded a Certificate of Competence in SAP R/3 software upon completion of core courses.

As an accounting major, you will have the opportunity to apply classroom learning to the real world. A network of industry partners in Philadelphia supports our accounting internship program, providing professional experience prior to graduation.

Saint Joseph's University is home to several clubs and organizations dedicated to preparing you for a successful career in accounting. The Accounting Society hosts speaker series with accountants from local accounting firms as well as those with experience in finance, information technology and the FBI. An accounting social event is held each year, helping juniors meet with recruiters from various accounting firms.

Saint Joseph’s University offers an accelerated bachelor’s/master’s program that allows current undergraduate students to start earning their master's degree by their senior year. This model enables you to complete your undergraduate and graduate work in just five years, instead of the traditional six or seven. Combining your bachelor’s with a master’s degree can help you save time and money. The accounting major is compatible with the following graduate programs for the 4+1:

• Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Organization Development and Leadership MS

Accounting majors at Saint Joseph's interested in this unique option must apply to the graduate program in their junior year and be provisionally accepted before they complete their bachelor’s degree.

Saint Joseph's University offers a variety of graduate degree options to help you further develop your skills and advance your career in accounting, including the MBA, MPA and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accountancy if you did not major in accounting.

View required courses for this program in the academic catalog. Please contact us if you have any questions about the program curriculum.

Affordable tuition rates can be found on our tuition and fees website.*

*Pricing does not include room and board, health insurance or any professional, clinical or transportation fees. Visit our tuition & fees page for a detailed breakdown.

To apply for this program, complete an application online. SAT and/or ACT scores are optional but you can submit them if you think they’ll strengthen your application.

Learn more about admissions requirements and how to apply as a first-year student, transfer student or international student.

First-Year Students
Applications for high school students are available beginning August 1 of your senior year. Early Decision, Early Action and Regular Decision options are available. For a full timeline of deadlines, visit our admission page.

Transfer Students
Applications to transfer to Saint Joseph’s are accepted on a rolling basis for fall and spring start terms.

1. To be considered for admission, you must have graduated from an approved secondary school (or be on track to graduate), received a diploma from an accredited home school association or earned a GED.

2. A high school transcript with an official school stamp or an official GED transcript is required. High school transcripts must include courses completed through your junior year as well as courses in progress during your senior year. If you’ve attended any post-secondary institutions, official transcripts for those institutions are required as well.

Transfer credit may be awarded for previous coursework. A course must meet the following requirements to be considered for transfer to Saint Joseph’s University:

• Undergraduate courses with a grade of “C” or above
• Graduate courses with a grade of “B” or above
• Pass/Fail grades are not eligible for transfer credit
• Must be from a regionally or programmatically accredited institution
• The coursework must match the course offered at Saint Joseph's
• Some programs have a time limit for specific courses
• Earned credit may be submitted for review based on a timeline of less than or equal to 5 to 10 years between completion of course and enrollment at SJU

*Visit the transfer page for a detailed breakdown of courses and institutions eligible for transfer.

If you are not a United States citizen, you must show proof of permanent resident visa status. Students educated in another country may be admitted if they:

• Satisfy general admission requirements
• Earn a minimum of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based) on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey

Students from English-speaking countries may choose to take the SAT or ACT as an option to the TOEFL exam. An evaluation of foreign transcripts by the World Education Service or other approved agency is required.

Saint Joseph’s is a military-friendly institution and offers assistance and services to veterans and their dependents who are utilizing educational benefits. Benefits include:

• Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill®
• Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation
• Chapter 33 Post 911 GI Bill®
• Chapter 35 Survivors and Dependents Assistance
• Chapter 1606 National Guard or Reserves
• Chapter 1607 National Guard or Reserves (REAP) (*if eligible, must be utilized by November 25, 2019)
• Pennsylvania National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP)
• Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)