Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Programs in Illinois (A-L)
Though you need to complete 150 credits of college work before sitting for the Certified Public Accountant exam, you can gain 120 credits or more through one of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Illinois. Chicago is the largest city in the state and one of the largest in the Midwest, but it’s also home to some of the top accounting firms in the world. Depending on which degree program you pick, you may have the chance to work for one of those firms. These colleges have clubs and other organizations that can help you gain some more financial experience too.
American Intercontinental University
Business
Founded on the belief that everyone deserved access to higher education, American Intercontinental University is an online university that allows students to earn undergrad and graduate degrees over the internet. Professors working for the university have advanced degrees and years of experience, which help them provide students with an inside look at different industries. Many of the programs the university offers helps students improve their skills and makes them more to their employers. American Intercontinental University offers three of the top bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Illinois that you can both enroll in and complete from your own home.
Bachelor of Accounting
One of the accounting programs that AIU offers is a Bachelor of Accounting. This program is available on select campuses, but as an Illinois student, you’ll enroll in the online version. You will take around 85 credits of general education classes, 45 credits of upper and lower division accounting classes, some electives and classes from within the accounting specialization. AIU offers classes on tax accounting, auditing, accounting information systems, risk management and professional accounting. Accounting students take a capstone course that is worth 4.5 credits, which lets them pick a subject to study outside of what their courses cover.
Featured Programs
Bachelor of Business Administration with a Specialization in Accounting
AIU offers a second accounting program that lets you focus on business administration and take fewer accounting classes, but this program will still give you a solid understanding of most financial terms and systems. This accredited program requires that you complete 180 credits of classes. Most of the classes that you take are worth four or more credits. If you transfer from another college, the university may reduce the number of general education courses that you need to take. You will still need to take a capstone course and classes on government and institutional accounting, intermediate accounting and accounting information systems.
Bachelor of Business Administration with a Specialization in Forensic Accounting
The university established a forensic accounting program to meet the increasing need for accounting professionals capable of identifying and finding proof of fraud. Many of its graduates work for government agencies and find signs of criminal activity as well as proof of tax fraud. Though you will still need to take 180 credits to graduate, you will take more classes on fraud detection. The program includes classes on criminal investigation, business and professional ethics for accountants, principles of financial accounting and auditing. You’ll also take classes on crimes that happen over the internet and examining cases for signs of fraud.
Accreditation
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Contact
231 N Martingale Rd.
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(877) 701-3800
Bradley University
When designing and building its accounting department and all associated programs, Bradley University started with the professors teaching those classes. It looked for professors who have more real world and practical experience because the university knows that this experience helps students learn more about what they will actually do in the field. It also designed this program to meet the needs of those who want to attend graduate school as well as those who want to take licensing exams and start working right after college. Bradley accepts just a small number of new students into its accounting program each year to keep class sizes low.
Accounting
The accounting program offered by Bradley University is one of the top bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Illinois for those who want to enroll in the university’s graduate program. You must take 28 credits of required classes that include intermediate accounting, accounting systems and control, auditing and federal taxes. These courses prepare you for the master’s program offered by the university. Bradley University also offers an internal auditing concentration that you can select as your minor. You will need to maintain a 2.5 GPA and take classes on auditing and computer auditing techniques.
Accreditation
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Contact
1501 W. Bradley Ave.
Peoria, IL 61625
(309) 676-7611
Chicago State University
College of Business
Chicago State University takes its accreditation very seriously. It has accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and created its own board that looks at aspects of the programs and its College of Business before that accreditation comes up for renewal. This helps the university determine if it should make any changes to its program and whether students want certain things from its programs. Chicago State also believes that students learn better when they form lasting relationships with their peers and professors, which is why all new students work with an adviser from the department from the first semester on.
Accounting Program
Some of the major components of this accounting program are a senior thesis and an extensive examination. Chicago State offers one of the only bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Illinois that requires students take a business field test before they graduate. Your score shows whether you developed a proper understanding of business subjects. All students must take and pass a capstone analysis class and do a senior thesis. You’ll also need to participate in an exit interview. This gives you the chance to give the university some feedback about your experiences and what you think the university should change.
Accreditation
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Contact
9501 S. King Drive
Chicago, IL 60628
(773) 995-2000
Colorado Technical University – Schaumburg
Colorado Technical University is a university based out of Colorado that now offers opportunities for students through its online campus. This virtual campus gives you access to all the classes that you need to take to earn a degree and provides you with dozens of majors and hundreds of classes that you can take. CTU established a number of campuses across the country too and now has a campus in Schaumburg, IL. Many of the accounting students attending CTU opt for a hybrid program. These programs let you take a small number of classes on a local campus and take all other classes online.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
U.S. News & World Report ranked the CTU accounting program as one of the best online programs, but it also ranks among the top bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Illinois. The program starts every few months, which makes it more convenient and easier for students to enroll. Many of the classes you will take are worth 45 credits, but the program includes some 1.5 credit classes too. The accounting core, which is worth 117 credits, includes management of human resources, financial statement analysis, organizational behavior principles, the legal and ethical environment of business and managerial accounting.
Accreditation
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Contact
231 N. Martingale Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(855) 230-0555
DePaul University
DePaul University College of Business
DePaul University is one of the highest ranked and rated colleges in the country. It provides students with an Ivy League education in the Midwest and without actually attending an Ivy League university. The DePaul University College of Business appeared on several best of and top lists because of the internships and other opportunities it offers to its students. This university also has a large alumni network that includes former students working all around the world. Current students can attend networking events and chat with alumni online to form professional relationships that can help them gain working experience before they graduate.
Accountancy (BSB)
One of the highest ranked bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Illinois is the BSB program that DePaul University offers. Though it does not offer a number of concentrations, students can pick a concentration in internal auditing and take three or more classes instead of declaring a minor. DePaul has a five-year option available for those who want to sit for any professional exams. This program lets you take graduate courses for credit in college and finish your master’s degree only one year after you complete your bachelor’s degree. DePaul also gives you the option of majoring in business and choosing an accounting minor.
Accreditation
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
1 E. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 362-8000
admission@depaul.edu
Eastern Illinois University
EIU School of Business
Eastern Illinois University offers two options for accounting students who want to sit for the CPA exam. The first is a more standard or traditional program that includes a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. You can get an MBA and an undergrad accounting degree after completing 154 credits of work. The other option is open to students who want to minor in finance. This requires that you do an internship worth 12 credits, take six credits of graduate classes and complete 12 credits of finance classes. Your adviser can help you pick the right classes to take.
Accountancy
When you start work on your accounting degree, EIU will provide you with a four-year plan that shows you what classes you should take. You will then work with your adviser to ensure that you take all required classes and all general education courses to meet the total of 120 credits needed for graduation. This is one of the only bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Illinois that lets you take two different types of internships as an undergrad. You’ll have the chance to work for nonprofits and government agencies to see where you prefer working.
Accreditation
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
600 Lincoln Avenue
Charleston, Illinois 61920
(217) 581-2627
business@eiu.edu
Illinois State University
College of Business
Illinois State University is one of the top public colleges in Illinois and one of the largest too. The university has an honors society that is open only to students who maintain a higher grade point average and major in accounting. Students can also participate in a student association for black accountants or its Student Accounting Society. These organizations bring in professionals to talk with students about different jobs in the accounting field and to talk about some of the advancements in accounting. ISU offers two of the top bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Illinois.
Accountancy
When you study accountancy at ISU, you can pick a sequence or a concentration in one of three fields: accounting information systems, business information systems or financial accounting. Though all students will need to take a few classes in each subject, you have the chance to study those subjects more in depth. You’ll also need to complete a career specialty sequence. This sequence lets you meet with your adviser to talk about your career goals, get help creating your first resume and find out more about opportunities that let you gain accounting experience. ISU highly recommends that accounting students do at least one internship.
Bachelor of Science/Master of Professional Accountancy
Instead of enrolling in the more traditional accounting program that ISU offers, you can enroll in this joint program and save yourself for time. Designed for those who need to meet the minimum number of college credits required to sit for a professional licensing exam, this program lets you spend three years working on general education courses and required accounting classes. You’ll continue taking some of those classes as a senior, but you’ll take some graduate courses too. Once you finish your BS degree, it will take you only one year instead of two to finish a Master of Professional Accountancy degree.
Accreditation
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
Illinois State University
Campus Box 5500
Normal, Il 61790-5500
(309) 438-2111
Lewis University
Established in 1932, Lewis University is an Illinois university that has a religious affiliation with the Catholic Church. It emphasizes the importance of the liberal arts but also allows students to take any classes that interest them. You can declare a minor in a field completely unrelated to accounting or take a few classes that pique your interest. Lewis has a low ratio of just 13 students for each professor and has more than 200 full-time professors working on its campus. The university offers double major options as well as two different accounting degree programs that can help you get your CPA license.
Accounting, B.S.
While some colleges require that students spend five years working on an undergrad degree in accounting, Lewis University lets you finish that degree in just four years. It also offers one of the top five-year bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Illinois, which allows you to spend one extra year at the university to finish your master’s degree. Completing the five-year program also helps you complete the minimum number of credits required to take a professional licensing exam. With its double major program, you can major in both accounting and business administration , finance, marketing, economics or information systems.
Accreditation
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Contact
One University Parkway
Romeoville, IL 60446
(815) 838-0500
Lincoln College
Undergraduate Programs
Lincoln College is a small college in Illinois that has two campuses in the state. Its Lincoln campus offers several associate degree programs that let students earn a degree in general studies. This campus has a pre-nursing program too. Students can enroll in one of 10 bachelor’s programs, including vocal performance, business management and sport management. Its Normal campus offers some of the same bachelor’s programs. Though Lincoln College does not have a traditional accounting degree program, it does have a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management program that includes classes on accounting.
Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management
One of the top bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Illinois for students who aren’t sure if they want to focus on accounting is the BBA in Business Management that Lincoln College offers. Though you can transfer to the program, you will need to take the last 30 credits of your degree through the college. You’ll also need to maintain a 2.5 GPA while enrolled. Some of the accounting classes that you can take while in this program include cost accounting, fund accounting, managerial accounting and financial accounting. The college also allows students to do internships for credit.
Accreditation
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Contact
300 Keokuk St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
(217) 732-3155
Lindenwood University – Belleville
Division of Business and Entrepreneurship
Lindenwood University – Belleville is one of the newest colleges in Illinois. Founded in 2003, the university sits on the former grounds of the old high school used by the township. Lindenwood University established a branch in Belleville to meet the needs of students who could not travel to its main campus. Though it’s a newer campus, this university offers many of the same majors and degree programs that the main campus does. Students take courses and participate in activities designed to give them more knowledge in different fields that will help them in their classes and in their careers.
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting
The main accounting program that Lindenwood University – Belleville offers is a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting. This program requires that you take seven foundation courses that include accounting information systems, financial accounting reporting, accounting cycle analysis and auditing. You can then pick two electives relating to your major. Electives include government and nonprofit accounting, international accounting and income tax for corporations. The university offers a special topics in accounting class at least once a year that covers a new or unique field of accounting and counts as an elective.
Accounting Emphasis
Not all students looking at bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Illinois want to major in accounting. That is why Lindenwood University – Belleville offers a Business Administration degree with an Accounting Emphasis. You can enroll in either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science program. You’ll need to take 21 credits of electives, but you can take up to 12 credits of accounting classes that the university will count as electives. These courses include financial statement analysis, introduction to cost accounting, accounting information systems, financial accounting and reporting, income tax for corporations and government and nonprofit organization accounting.
Accreditation
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Contact
2600 West Main St.
Belleville, IL 62226
(618) 239-6000
Loyola University Chicago
Quinlan School of Business
Loyola University Chicago is a private university that has an affiliation with the Jesuit branch of the Roman Catholic Church. Founded in 1870 under a different name, Loyola has a strong reputation today and ranks as one of the nation’s top colleges. Washington Monthly ranked it as the 142nd best college in the United States, while U.S. News & World Report ranked it as the nation’s 99th best college. Loyola also ranks highly as one of the top colleges devoted to community service. The university offers a number of programs that allow students to help locals living near one of its campuses and those from other parts of the world.
BBA in Accounting
One of the best bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Illinois is the BBA in Accounting program offered by Loyola University Chicago. The general education courses that you’ll take give you a strong background and help you better understand some of the advanced topics that you’ll go over in your later classes. You must take required business courses like global awareness, business and professional speaking, calculus and business ethics. Loyola students must do an internship in the accounting industry too. The program includes 13 core classes like business analytics, introductory accounting, business statistics and principles of marketing also.
Accreditation
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
820 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 915-7057
quinlan@luc.edu
Becoming a CPA is just one of the things that you can do with an accounting degree. You may decide to focus on individual taxation, corporate taxation or nonprofit accounting. One of the bachelor’s in accounting degree programs in Illinois will help you gain the experience necessary to be a great accountant.
Continue here: Bachelor’s in Accounting Degree Programs in Illinois (M-Z)