Santa Clara University

Academic Programs

As one of only five AACSB-accredited accounting departments in California, our department continues to be influential in the Silicon Valley business community. Our graduates hold leadership positions in the area's major accounting firms, as well as management roles in larger companies throughout the region. Alumni achievement has led many national firms to identify SCU as one of the top accounting programs in the country.

Undergraduate Programs

Accountants provide businesses and external suppliers of capital with financial information essential to intelligent business decision making. Accounting graduates, who are in very high demand, embark on careers in public accounting, industry, government, and non-profit agencies. The largest and most prestigious international public accounting firms recruit each year on campus. SCU accounting students also post an excellent record on the CPA Exam.

Certificate in Advanced Accounting Proficiency Program

The Certificate in Advanced Accounting Proficiency (CAAP) provides the knowledge and understanding of the principles of accounting for non-accounting majors who are interested in taking the CPA exam. The program fosters an intimate learning environment with high-quality and grants the necessary accounting units to sit for the CPA exam. Students who register for the program must have a college degree.

We designed the curriculum so that students can participate in CAAP classes on either full-time or part-time basis. The Summer CAAP program is an intense, accelerated ten week seminar series of courses for full-time students. The Weekend CAAP program coincides with the academic year and can be taken by part-time students on Saturdays over a nine-month period.

Graduate Programs

The Santa Clara MBA Program is designed to develop leaders with a broad business, economic, and social perspective capable of managing change in dynamic environments. The Department of Accounting supports this program by providing several classes, introduce MBAs to current accounting standards and instruct MBAs on how to properly use accounting information in their decisions.

The MBA program also offers a concentration in accounting for students who are interested in further developing their skills in interpreting accounting information. The accounting concentration is designed for students who are pursuing careers in corporate accounting and finance, marketing, and management. MBA students who are interested in working as certified public accountants should take the additional classes provided in our CAAP program.