Accounting

About the Program

In Southwestern Illinois College's Accounting program, you will study financial, managerial and cost accounting, as well as business, economics, statistics and a variety of other skills necessary to work in business today.

Knowledge of accounting is essential if you are seeking a degree in business. Southwestern's Business Administration and Accounting department provides you with the opportunity to take advantage of state-of-the-art facilities and highly qualified instructors to obtain an excellent foundation in accounting.

Most students who are interested in careers in accounting choose to continue their education at a four-year college or university. Southwestern participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative which guarantees that Southwestern students who successfully complete the requirements for an Associate in Science Degree with an accounting emphasis will receive full credit for their courses when they transfer to most colleges and universities in the state of Illinois.

A Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting prepares students for careers in business, industry, or government. Also, it is solid preparation for students seeking a career as a certified public accountant or certified management accountant.

Career Opportunities

Prospects

The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects almost 300,000 job openings will be created for professional accountants and auditors before 2008. Careers for professional accountants offer excellent pay and chances for advancement.

Program Available

Associate in Science Degree - Accounting (0002)

Refer to the suggested sequence of courses below and the graduation requirements in the front of this catalog as a guide to completing an Associate in Science Degree. View Curriculum>>

Admission Procedures

All applicants are advised to see a counselor upon making application for entrance into the college.

MISSION SUCCESS

Students interested in a degree program need to participate in MISSION SUCCESS, an assessment, welcome and counseling program designed to assist you with entry to Southwestern.

COMPASS, a computerized assessment program designed to identify your skill levels in math, reading and language usage, is the first step in MISSION SUCCESS. Next, the welcome session provides you with information about the college, its resources and services. In the counseling session, you can discuss your academic needs and plans with a counselor. You will receive an interpretation of your assessment scores so that you can prepare to register for classes.

Admission to the program

The admission procedures for the Accounting program are described fully in Southwestern's catalog and are in accordance with Illinois law.

Enrollment in Southwestern's Accounting program is open to individuals who have earned a high school diploma; are transferring from another college or university or have earned a GED certificate.

For more information about the Accounting program or MISSION SUCCESS, contact a counselor at the Belleville Campus, (618) 235-2700, extension 5206; the Granite City Campus, (618) 931-0600; or the Red Bud Campus, (618) 282-6682.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For the current tuition rate, contact Southwestern's Counseling Office at (618) 235-2700, extension 5206. A student in the Accounting program will spend about $3,000 in tuition to complete the two-year program. Textbooks and supplies will cost about $200 each semester. Lab fees are charged for classes in which equipment is used. Southwestern's tuition and fees are subject to change at any time. All applicants to the college pay a one-time, nonrefundable application fee of $10.

Information about student scholarships, grants, loans and employment is available from the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment.

Workforce Investment Act funding, formerly known as Job Training Partnership Act, also may be available to qualified students. For information, contact the Center for Training Innovations at
(618) 235-2700, extension 5201.

Graduation Requirements

If you want to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, you are strongly encouraged to seek an Associate in Science Degree with an accounting emphasis. This will allow you to receive full credit for your coursework when you transfer through the Illinois Articulation Initiative. The nature and purpose of the Illinois Articulation Initiative is described in detail in Southwestern's catalog.

An Associate in Science Degree normally is awarded to students who successfully complete at least 64 semester hours of courses. The basic course requirements and the options that satisfy these requirements are described in Southwestern's catalog.

However, the specific number of hours you must take depends on your educational background and individual circumstances. If you are required to take prerequisite courses, this will add to the required number of hours. Because of such variations, it is necessary for you to meet with an academic counselor to ensure that all requirements are satisfied.

It is the policy of Southwestern Illinois College to grant equal educational opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin/ancestry, disability, sexual preference, or age. All academic, extracurricular, research and other educational programs and activities are non-discriminatory.