Program Contact: Donn Johnson 203-582-8205

The Accelerated Dual-Degree BS in Economics/MS in Accounting (3+1) program offers highly motivated students an opportunity to earn a bachelors degree in economics and a master’s degree in accounting from the School of Business in just 4 years. Both degrees are completed in full without compromise. 

This program offers advantages to students who have a passion for economics and ambitions for a career that combines economics and accounting. The study of economics develops your critical thinking and analytical skills. Students who would like to have their resume stand out from the pack, while developing an exceptional skillset and earning a respected degree in business, might consider this 3+1 program as a differentiator.

Additionally, this program offers advantages to students who wish to pursue careers in professional services firms, business corporations, governmental agencies, and business consulting firms among others. The program uniquely qualifies these graduates as accounting professionals in public and private accounting, as well as in government. By pairing their passion for economics with the Master of Science in Accounting, economics students substantially increase their employability and earning power upon graduation without compromising the personal, interpersonal and intellectual growth that a liberal arts education offers.

Students in the accelerated dual-degree BS in Economics/MS in Accounting (3+1) must complete:

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
FYS 101 First-Year Seminar (UC Foundations Inquiry) 3
EN 101 Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing (UC First Year Writing) 3
EC 111 Principles of Microeconomics 3
MA 170 Probability and Data Analysis (UC Math) 3
Foreign Language 101 3
Free Elective 3
 Credits18
Spring Semester
EN 102 Academic Writing and Research (UC First Year Writing) 3
EC 112 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
EC 272 Advanced Applied Statistics 3
Foreign Language 102 3
Fine Arts Elective 3
Free Elective 3
 Credits18
Summer Semester
Humanities Elective 3
Fine Arts (AR) or Science (SC) (no lab) 3
 Credits6
Second Year
Fall Semester
AC 211 Financial Accounting 3
EC 211 Intermediate Microeconomics 3
Natural Science with Lab 4
Humanities Elective 3
EC Elective 3
Free Elective 2
 Credits18
Spring Semester
EC 212 Intermediate Macroeconomics 3
EC 365 Econometrics 3
AC 212 Managerial Accounting 3
EC Elective 3
Free Electives 6
 Credits18
Summer Semester
Free Elective 3
Personal Inquiry Course 3
 Credits6
Third Year
Fall Semester
AC 305 Intermediate Accounting I 3
AC 411 Auditing Theory and Practice 3
EC 450 Senior Seminar 3
EC Elective 3
Free Electives 6
 Credits18
Spring Semester
AC 335 Accounting Systems 3
CAS 420 CAS Integrative Capstone 3
AC Elective 3
EC Elective 3
Free Electives 6
 Credits18
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
AC 635 Advanced Topics in Financial Accounting and Reporting 3
AC 645 Information Assurance 3
AC 650 Advanced Accounting Information Systems 3
MSA Electives 6
 Credits15
Spring Semester
AC 660 Strategic Management Control Systems 3
AC 670 Advanced Business Law, Regulation, Ethics and Reporting Environments 3
AC 680 Advanced Federal Income Taxation and Tax Research 3
MSA Electives 6
 Credits15
 Total Credits150

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the undergraduate program, students will demonstrate the following competencies:

  1. Knowledge of Economics: Students demonstrate and can apply the core theories of economics.
  2. Quantitative Reasoning: Students develop the ability to represent mathematical information symbolically, visually, numerically and verbally, and to interpret mathematical models such as graphs, tables and schematics to draw inferences. They also develop an ability to use arithmetical, algebraic, geometric and statistical methods to solve social and business problems.
  3. Critical Thinking: Students develop the ability to recognize problems and to acquire, assess and synthesize information to analyze social and business problems.

Upon completion of the MS in Accounting program, students will demonstrate the following competencies:

Students who graduate with this degree will demonstrate:

  1. Professional Communication: an ability to communicate complex accounting reports and other financial information in both technical and common language; a proficiency in the use of information technology packages to process information and to effectively complete tasks in applicable areas.
  2. Business Analytics and Critical Thinking: proficiency in the use of statistical and analytical tools to analyze complex accounting problems and the ability to make practical and reliable decisions as appropriate to resolve problems.
  3. Business Environment: the capacity to recognize ethical issues encountered in public and private accounting environments and consider resolutions that are legal and ethical with appropriate consideration on the firms’ material stakeholders; knowledge of the issues involved in Multinational Corporation accounting including a strong understanding of the issues in international financial reporting standards.
  4. Accounting Integration: knowledge of the principles and standards applied to financial reporting for U.S. corporations (U.S. GAAP) and to financial reporting for specialized industries and organizations such as nonprofits and governments; an understanding of the relevant professional standards.

Admission Requirements: Accelerated Dual-Degree BS in Economics/MS in Accounting (3+1) 

The accelerated dual-degree (3+) program is designed for outstanding students. First-year applicants will be considered for an accelerated dual-degree program based on demonstrated academic achievement to complete the bachelor’s degree at an accelerated pace.

While scores are not required, if a student wants to submit, they should have at least a 1200 SAT or 25 ACT to be considered

For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog. You can also learn more about accelerated dual-degrees on qu.edu