Accounting Degree: Online & On-campus - Linfield Distance Education

Are you working and want to attend college? Linfield College offers a bachelor's degree in accounting for the working adult student. This degree completion program employs a variety of delivery formats to overcome barriers that you have encountered in accessing higher education such as work schedules, proximity to a college, responsibilities to family, etc. You can complete all of the courses in the accounting degree through a combination of on-the-ground and online classes or all online classes. This allows you, with your busy life, to achieve your educational goals via the technological innovations available to us.

• Program Overview- The Linfield Accounting Degree
• Why Choose Linfield College?
• Expected Competencies upon Completion of Accounting Degree Program
• Required Courses
• Frequently Asked Questions about Linfield's bachelors degree in Accounting, including costs, tuition comparison, financial aid and program requirements.

About the Accounting Degree- Program Overview

The Linfield Department of Business believes that education is a life-long process in which higher education has an important part. The focus of the Department's courses and programs provide you with a sound basic education in business and accounting within the broader context of a liberal arts education.

Graduates with an accounting major normally advance in professional fields such as accounting, finance, or management. The projected growth rate for careers in the accounting field is estimated to increase 22.4% before 2014. (Data from the U. S. Department of Labor)

As a graduate in this field, you will find opportunities in the profit and non-profit sector, as well as private industry and governmental agencies.

Why Choose Linfield College?

Linfield is one of the oldest colleges in the West and was chartered in 1858. The college has been fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities as an independent, not for profit institution, since 1928 and has consistently earned high rankings by such organizations as U.S. News and World Report's “America's Best Colleges”, Barron's Guide, and The Princeton Review.

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) was launched in 1975 by Linfield College. Today you can earn a Linfield College Bachelor's degree with a choice of seven majors through this program. DCE's Adult Degree Program seeks to provide you with an affordable and convenient way to obtain your bachelor's degree.

The advantages of Linfield's adult degree program are

• Desirable faculty to student ratio of 1 : 14
• Convenient methods of class delivery (1 evening a week, online, or a hybrid of both)
• Affordable costs, comparable to state schools
• Academic advising support and financial aid assistance

Linfield College - Accounting Major Competencies:

Upon successfully completing a major in Accounting, a student will be able to:

• explain the basic concepts of financial and managerial accounting.
• demonstrate basic procedures of financial and managerial accounting.
• use fundamental techniques in the analysis of financial statements and other corporate disclosures.
• demonstrate an introductory-level understanding of the fundamental concepts of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory and the ability to apply these concepts to analyze a wide variety of economic problems.
• analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the impact of relevant environmental influences on marketing activities, and formulate effective marketing strategies in a competitive environment.
• apply core management functions of decision-making, planning, organizing, leading, and controlling to realistic organizational situations.
• analyze complex factual and legal situations, identifying, defining, and explaining applicable legal principles and their impact on the involved parties.
• appraise the analytical techniques in the valuation of financial assets and investments.
• explain the function and operation of financial markets
• appraise a firm's capital structure and dividend policy and their relevance to the firm's value.
• work in teams for project development/completion and presentation.
• professionally communicate ideas, research, and analysis in both oral and written formats.
• demonstrate an in-depth understanding of cost accounting systems and procedures, the use of managerial accounting information for short run decision making, and the use of accounting data for planning and controlling in an organization.
• perform an audit of a sample company, including risk assessment, evaluation of internal control risk, development, and execution of substantive audit programs.
• develop and produce audit opinions appropriate to circumstances involved in an audit.
• resolve reporting issues which apply to unique and nonrecurring economic events.
• properly account for and report an organization's assets, liabilities, equity, and income.
• explain the basic concepts of federal income tax theory.

FAQ's about Linfield's Accounting Degree in the Adult Degree Program

Does the Accounting degree satisfy the educational qualifications to sit for the CPA exam?

The coursework required in accounting, finance, economics, business law and other business subjects is fully covered in the Accounting major at Linfield College. In addition to the specific body of knowledge and credits, the candidate for the CPA exam must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college, and have completed a total of 150 semester credits to qualify for the exam. Oregon and Washington Boards of Accountancy are listed here. Check with your state board of accountancy for specific information.

Oregon Board of Accountancy
http://www.boa.state.or.us

Washington Board of Accountancy
http://www.cpaboard.wa.gov

How much will the accounting degree cost? Will it be worth it to me?

A bachelor's degree in accounting from Linfield College will boost your marketability, confidence and professional standing.
For more information on cost, visit the Tuition Cost area of our website.

How does the Linfield Adult Degree Program compare to other colleges in regards to tuition costs for completing my degree?

You will find that the Linfield Adult Degree Program tuition is extremely competitive in tuition costs when compared to both public colleges and other private schools. Information on tuition comparison can be found on our Tuition Comparison page

Can I get financial aid assistance?

Linfield College works with all students to provide assistance in obtaining financial aid including various types of Federal loans, grants and scholarships. Most admitted students in the Adult Degree Program are working and therefore attend college on a part time basis. You will find that the financial aid award usually covers your cost of tuition, fees, and books. Many employers offer full or partial tuition reimbursement. Please remember to ask your employer if they provide a benefit for continuing education.

Can I receive credit for previous college work?

Absolutely! Most academic college classes that you have taken from an accredited community college or four year college or university; for which you received a grade of “C” or higher, will count towards your bachelor's degree. Our Academic Advisors will review all transcripts and will work with you to transfer as many credits as possible.

What about experience? I own my own business—shouldn't that count for something?

We have a program that awards credit for knowledge gained on the job or through volunteer activities called credit for prior learning (CPL). You will work closely with an instructor to decide what courses you will challenge and assemble a portfolio to present prior learning demonstrated through experience. Your Academic Advisor can tell you more about this program.

Can I complete my accounting degree online?

Yes! If you choose to take all your classes online, this option is available to you. Learn more about the online accounting degree .

I've never taken an online class. What is that experience like?

Online courses are perfect for students with schedules that demand flexibility.
Online classes will require you to post assignments by a certain time each week. You can do most of the work on your own schedule.
You will have separate links for submitting homework, group discussion, and personal communication with your instructor, and tests are done online.
With internet access you can work from anywhere in the world. This is an ideal program for those who travel.
Expect to spend the same amount of time in an online class as you would in a face-to-face class, and expect to adhere to similar homework deadlines.
A fee is charged for each online course in addition to tuition. Once you register and pay the fee; you will sign up for a Linfield computer account (if you have not taken any online classes previously with Linfield DCE).

Isn't online learning new? What experience does Linfield have in this delivery format?

The Linfield degree completion program is designed for working adults. Linfield has been delivering online classes for over ten years. Many of our instructors were involved in the early design of online learning and have valuable expertise. Online classes provide plenty of communication between you, your professor and class members.

Can I complete my accounting degree with a blend of on campus and online classes?

Definitely! Linfield's Adult Degree Program offers classes that meet one evening per week for face to face learning at convenient campus locations in Oregon, giving adult students more personal access to Linfield's strong teaching faculty.

You recognize the value of interactive learning and your life demands a flexible class schedule; so you can have it both ways by blending an evening class and an online class.

What are the evening classes like?

Working adults enjoy the small class size at Linfield, with an enviable 14 to 1 ratio between students and professor. You will enjoy plenty of interaction, through discussion, lecture, and guided instruction so that you get all the benefits of college learning as an adult. Classes that meet once per week for 3 hours are designed to fit into your busy schedule and start at 6:00pm.

If I choose to complete my accounting degree entirely online, will it be the same as a “regular” Linfield degree, even if I do it through the internet?

Whether you take a combination of on-campus and online classes or all online classes, your completed bachelor's degree is identical to the fully accredited and highly regarded bachelor's degree in accounting that is awarded to students who attend classes on the McMinnville campus.
The diploma shows the Bachelor's degree awarded and the transcript records the courses and credits earned and are the same for all Linfield graduates. The transcript does not show how the course was delivered.

How many credits will it take to finish my degree?

The requirement for a bachelor's degree from Linfield College is a cumulative total of 125 semester credits. Credits that you completed at accredited community colleges and four-year colleges and universities, where you earned grades of “C” and higher, or the equivalent, count toward this total. A minimum of 30 credits in the degree must be completed at Linfield. Your advisor will work with you to maximize your previous college and work experiences, and provide a suggested academic plan to finish your program in the major you choose.

When does the academic year start?

Whenever you want it to! Thanks to our continuous enrollment program, you can usually jump right in at the semester break. Online and on-the-ground classes begin 4 times per year, which means that you can accelerate your degree completion at Linfield.

I'd like to find out more. What is the next step?

Please contact us and one of our knowledgeable admission and enrollment specialists will be in touch with you shortly.

Congratulations on taking the first step to completing your bachelor's degree in accounting!