To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), students must complete 150 semester education credit hours.
Did you know there are three different options to meet that rule?
You may have graduated with 120 credit hours, changed your major halfway, or accounting is your second degree.
Regardless of where you are in your journey, I’ve got you covered.
What are the different ways I can earn 150 credit hours for CPA?
Keep reading to determine which option is best to earn 150 credit hours for your CPA license.
Dual degree
The first option is getting a dual degree.
Cost: Midpoint option
Time: It depends on how many courses are required or if a class overlaps in both degrees.
- Accelerated: completed in 4 years with your bachelor’s degree.
- Average: 4-year degree + 1 extra year
It might be best if you are interested in another topic besides accounting.
Many dual-degree earners enjoy finance, economics, marketing, and accounting. Most programs need an additional 30 credit hours to meet the education requirements.
The cost and time are in the midpoint range between the three options. The classes are charged at an undergraduate rate per credit hour. It is cheaper than a graduate degree, but you must take more courses than a non-degree major.
Non-degree major
The second option is to take courses without earning a degree.
Cost: A most affordable option
Time: The average time to complete the classes will depend on how many credit hours you need.
- Accelerated: One to two classes take about 8-16 weeks.
- More than two classes are needed: Add 8-16 weeks per course.
It might be the best option if you:
- Have close to 150 credit hours.
- Accounting is your second degree.
- Switched to an accounting major.
Individuals may choose this option because they only need a few specific courses to close the gap.
For example, the Colorado State Board requires accounting ethics and two auditing courses. Individuals with close to 150 credit hours will take those specific courses.
Check out Efficient Learning for the CPA education requirements by state.
Since it is a few classes, this is the cheapest and fastest option.
Graduate Degree
Getting your graduate degree is another option to earn 150 credit hours.
Cost: The most expensive option
Time: It depends on how many classes you can take each semester to complete.
- Accelerated: one year
- Full-time: 18 months to two years
- Part-time: Three years
It might be the best option if you:
- Need 30 credit hours or more.
- Want to specialize in a specific area in accounting with a MAcc or MSA.
- Want more career opportunities or to enhance leadership skills with an MBA.
Graduate courses cost more than undergraduate classes, making them the most expensive option.
A master’s degree was the best option for me. I had a bachelor’s in accounting with a minimum of 120 credit hours to sit for the CPA exam. The program had the exact 30 credit hours and required courses I needed.
Read, Which master’s degree is most beneficial for you if you have difficulty deciding between an MBA or MAcc (MSA).
Check with your college advisor!
Talk to the advisor at the colleges you are interested in to complete a program audit. The audit will compare the CPA education requirements in your desired licensed state to the program’s courses.
It will ensure you take the right courses to meet the education requirements. It will save time, money, and any possible future hassles.
My academic advisor created a customized plan to ensure I was on the CPA track every fall. My bachelor’s degree was one accounting class short of taking the CPA exam after graduation. She made sure I used my open elective for it.
Final thoughts
We have reviewed the three ways to earn 150 credit hours. The best option will depend on where you are in your journey, cost, time, and interest that is unique to you.
I hope this takes you one step closer to becoming a CPA.
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