How to Get Your Bachelor’s and Master’s in just FOUR Years
By Natali Fluhman
Traditionally, getting a master’s in accounting requires a four-year bachelor's degree, which means you will likely be in school for a whopping six years to earn it. Well, Utah Tech University is here to change that! Starting this fall, incoming juniors can apply to our new Accounting 3+1 Master’s Degree Program! This program will help students get their master’s in 4 years (and save money on tuition!).
New CPA Pathways
With the state of Utah changing its CPA exam requirements, those interested in pursuing accounting no longer need a master’s and work experience, they can take their CPA exam with just a bachelor’s (plus work experience).
Associate Professor of Accounting Derrick Esplin says that this change to the CPA Pathways is what inspired the Bachelor of Applied Studies (BAP) in Accounting/Master of Accountancy Dual Track (that’s the long title for the 3+1 master’s degree program).
“What led us to this point is, on July 1st the state of Utah is going to allow students to get their CPA with a bachelors and two years of work,” Professor Esplin said. "We intentionally designed the master’s degree program to prepare students to pass the CPAs, so they feel ready.”
The Basics
This dual-degree program is a fast, practical pathway for students who know that they are passionate about accounting to get their master’s. It will be intense, exam-focused and 100% percent worth it.
Professor Esplin said, “Since we are a polytechnic ‘tech’ university, we should be training students to hit the job market running, this program will allow students to do that.”
One of this program’s standout features is a set of four specialized bridge courses that connect upper-division undergraduate learning with graduate-level accounting concepts. These courses help students strengthen their expertise and prepare for professional certifications, including CPA licensure. Because at the end of the day, this program is intended to set students up for success and career-readiness.
Students who are interested can apply for the accelerated BAP/MAcc program at the end of their sophomore year or the start of their junior year. Students may apply for enrollment in the program in either the fall or spring semester, with application deadlines similar to those in the existing MAcc program.
The Graduation Requirements
1. Complete a minimum of 92 college-level credits (1000 and above).
2. Complete a minimum of 30 graduate-level credits (5000 and above).
3. Complete at least 40 upper-division credits (3000 and above).
4. Complete at least 30 upper-division credits at Utah Tech for institutional residency.
5. Cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher.
6. Minimum C grade and 3.0 GPA in Core Business Requirement, Accounting, and Business Elective courses
For students interested in applying, find more information at https://catalog.utahtech.edu/programs/ or reach out to Dr. Derrick Esplin or Dr. Cindy Greenman.