Prospective Students
Accounting graduates are trained to speak the technical language of business. Our BBA and MPA graduates find employment opportunities in public accounting (Big Four CPA Firms), Government (IRS, FDIC, FBI, state tax and audit agencies), and Industry (corporate financial reporting, internal audit). Many graduates go on to complete the Uniform CPA Examination.
Three degree levels
The Department of Accounting offers the BBA degree with a major in accounting. We also work with the College of Business Graduate Business Studies to offer the Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) and the PhD in Business with a concentration in Accounting.
Undergraduate
BBA
Bachelor of Business Administration
Major in Accounting through the College of Business.
Master's
MPA
Master of Professional Accountancy
Graduate program offered through the College of Business Graduate Business Studies.
Doctoral
PhD
PhD in Business (Accounting)
Doctorate in Business with a concentration in Accounting.
Where our graduates work
Three career paths + the CPA credential
Accounting graduates are trained to speak the technical language of business. Our BBA and MPA graduates find employment opportunities across three primary sectors, and many go on to complete the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination.
Public Accounting
Big Four CPA Firms and other public accounting practices.
Government
Internal Revenue Service, FDIC, FBI, state tax and audit agencies.
Industry
Corporate financial reporting, internal audit, and other industry roles.
Uniform CPA Examination
Many of our graduates sit for and complete the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination.
Our mission & preparation
The Accounting, Finance and Entrepreneurship Department in the College of Business at Jackson State University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting, Finance, and Entrepreneurship. The mission of the Department is to provide quality education that is based on professional standards and best practices to our undergraduate students who are majoring in Accounting, Finance and Entrepreneurship. Our program will prepare undergraduate students with the knowledge, competencies, critical thinking skills and field experience to operate as ethical and solutions-oriented professionals and business innovators. The undergraduate programs will also prepare students for entry into graduate programs and prepare them for further professional development in their careers. Our program will prepare students to expand their knowledge, conduct research and continue their professional growth in their chosen fields.
What our graduates demonstrate
Thirteen student learning outcomes across the three disciplines of the department — Accounting, Finance, and Entrepreneurship.
Accounting
4 Outcomes- 1 Undergraduate accounting students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of financial reporting related to financial statements, asset measurement, and income determination.
- 2 Undergraduate accounting students will demonstrate basic accounting concepts for state and local governments and not-for-profit organizations.
- 3 Undergraduate accounting students will demonstrate a working knowledge of the Federal Income Code and gain sufficient knowledge to begin an entry-level position as a tax practitioner.
- 4 Undergraduate accounting students will demonstrate the nature of auditing and develop a foundation for acquiring the skills and knowledge to become an auditor.
Finance
5 Outcomes- 1 Students will demonstrate a solid foundation in applying the financial principles of the time value of money.
- 2 Students will be able to evaluate a large and complex business problem, make some assumptions, structure the firms’ cash flows and make a decision.
- 3 Students will demonstrate knowledge and application of various investment instruments.
- 4 Students will demonstrate knowledge of risk and returns in evaluation of portfolios performance.
- 5 Students will be able to demonstrate how international business activities influence financial decisions.
Entrepreneurship
4 Outcomes- 1 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the business start-up process using the lean methodology approach.
- 2 The student will be able to develop the business model for a new start-up by proper completion of the business model canvas.
- 3 The student will demonstrate effective oral communication skills by preparing an oral presentation of the business model to an outside group.
- 4 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the available sources of start-up funding for a successful business.
BBA degree pathway
The College of Business awards the Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree in seven majors. To earn the B.B.A. degree, students must complete requirements in four areas: (1) the University’s general education requirements, (2) the College of Business core requirements, (3) the major requirements, and (4) the elective requirements (unrestricted and business).
Seven B.B.A. Majors
Accounting
Business Administration
Economics
Entrepreneurship
Finance
Management
Marketing
Eight requirements to earn your degree
Specific requirements for the completion of each course of study within the College of Business.
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Complete a minimum of 120 semester hours.
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Earn a cumulative academic average of not less than 2.0 in all courses taken at the University. The 2.0 cumulative GPA must be earned at the end of the semester prior to the semester that the student applies for graduation.
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Earn a cumulative academic average of not less than 2.0 in all business courses that are required in the business curriculum (including the business core, the business electives, the business philosophy requirement—business ethics, and the business major). The 2.0 cumulative GPA must be earned at the end of the semester prior to the semester that the student applies for graduation.
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Earn a cumulative average of not less than 2.0 in all courses that constitute the 24 hours in the business major. The 2.0 cumulative GPA must be earned at the end of the semester prior to the semester that the student applies for graduation.
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Take all senior outcome measures and examinations required by the College (Major Field Test in Business, goal assessments, etc.).
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Complete, in residence, not less than half of the credit hours which fulfill the combined College core requirements and the major requirements (33.0).
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Complete the final semester’s course work in residence.
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Complete all senior exit requirements (College of Business Questionnaire; submission of final resume; Jackson State University Graduating Student Survey, etc.).
Explore our academic offerings
Our curriculum is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in their chosen fields, as well as the flexibility to explore their interests and pursue their passions. At the undergraduate level, programs combine core courses (broad foundation) with electives (specific areas of interest). For graduate students, programs are more focused and specialized.
View Undergraduate Curriculum
Core courses provide a broad foundation in your chosen discipline, while electives let you explore specific areas of interest. Visit Student Success for degree maps.
GraduateView Graduate Curriculum
More focused and specialized, letting you dive deeper into your field. Combines core courses, electives, and specialized courses in your area of focus. Visit the Graduate Catalog.
Ways to fund your education
In addition to the scholarship programs offered by the University, the College of Business has a number of financial resources for business majors.
Bill Cooley College of Business Scholarship
Brandon J. Bolden Endowed Book Award
C Spire Foundation Endowed Scholarship
George F. and Alleane M. Currie Endowed Scholarship
John Palmer Endowed Scholarship Fund
Yates Construction Endowed Scholarship
Dr. Jacquelyn C. Franklin Annual Scholarship
Brandon J. Bolden Book Scholarship
Charles F. Moore Endowed Scholarship
Five-for-Five Book Scholarship
Ready to Join?
For more information, please contact us at (601) 979-2411. We look forward to meeting with you and seeing how our program can help you achieve your goals.
Department of Accounting, Finance, and Entrepreneurship
College of Business
Jackson State University
1400 John R. Lynch Street
Jackson, MS 39217