POST BACCALAUREATECertificate in Professional Accounting

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 face-to-face.

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.

What are the hiring projections in the accounting field?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 10 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations.”

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.

Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to sit for the CPA exam and pursue careers as CPAs in corporations, non-profits and a wide variety of accounting positions.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers Salary Survey, accounting student starting salaries will exceed those in nearly every field, except engineering. Robert Half’s Salary Guide for Accounting and Finance (Louisville market) reports starting salaries at midsize and large public accounting firms range from approximately $45,000 to $65,000 per year; and manager level (5-7 years of experience) salaries range from approximately $75,000 to $115,000 per year.

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.

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.

Kentucky CPA Exam Requirements

• If you passed the Uniform CPA Examination as a Kentucky candidate, obtained 150 college semester hours, and completed 1 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 2000 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 1-year of experience. The CPA verifying your experience must have an active practicing license, but does not have to be your supervisor.

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).

The W. Fielding Rubel School of Business at Bellarmine University is accredited by AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), which places it among the elite business schools in the nation. Bellarmine is the first and only private university in Kentucky to achieve AACSB accreditation. The Rubel School is also listed as one of Princeton Review’s “295 Best Business Schools.”