University of Texas Permian Basin Finance and Accounting Degrees
The University of Texas Permian Basin appears in our ranking of the 50 Best Online Master of Finance Degree Programs.
The University of Texas Permian Basin administers a number of accounting and finance degrees at both the baccalaureate and master’s degree levels. These are all overseen by UTPB’s College of Business.
Students may choose a major in accountancy when they begin working toward a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Graduates of this program may enter the professional world and are qualified to seek professional certifications such as Certified Financial Planner, Certified Cost Estimator/Analyst and Certified Financial Manager. A total of 120 credits is required to graduate from the program. Fulfilling general education and computer usage credits also is necessary. Through their coursework, students will encounter upper- and lower-level business courses along with required Accountancy coursework such as Intermediate Accounting, Cost Accounting Principles, Federal Income Tax and Introduction to Auditing. Additional accounting and business classes also are required.
The College of Business also offers a major in finance for students who are working toward the Bachelor of Business Administration. In this coursework, students will gain an overview of financial institutions and markets and financial decision-making for the business world. Economics and accounting courses are required to complete this major. As with the accountancy major, finance majors will fulfill general education, computer use, and lower- and upper-level business coursework. Core courses for finance majors include International Finance, Financial Markets and Institutions, Options & Futures, Portfolio Theory & Management, and selected financial electives.
The Master of Professional Accountancy may be earned either on campus or online. Designed for students who wish to become Certified Public Accountants, this program provides individuals with the necessary academic background for the profession and the required 150 hours of instructions that are mandated for CPA candidates. This incredibly flexible program serves as a fifth year of study for individuals who hold a baccalaureate degree and as a part-time study program for those who are already employed in accounting, finance or a related business field. Each class is offered in the evening to suit the schedule of working professionals. The program involves 12 hours of electives in addition to the core courses. Choice of electives depends upon which track the student selects. The research track is for individuals who want to pursue research or who are interested in a doctoral degree. The non-research track requires 36 semester credits to prepare for the CPA exam.
About University of Texas Permian Basin
Situated in Odessa, Texas, UTPB is surrounded by one of the country’s biggest oilfields. It has the distinction of being the only university that is named for a geological formation, but this is not the institution’s only distinguishing feature. It also is one of Texas’ top five public universities when it comes to the success of its graduates. Within one year after completing a degree program, the vast majority of students have found a career or been accepted into a graduate or professional program.
Overall, UTPB offers 35 undergraduate degree programs and 18 graduate degree programs. Approximately 7,000 students are enrolled each academic year, and they are instructed by 250 faculty members who are recognized leaders in their chosen fields. UTPB excels at providing flexible options for online and on-campus study. U.S. News & World Report ranks it as one of the top 35 schools in Regional Universities West. UTPB also receives high rankings from the publication for its undergraduate engineering programs and online bachelor’s degree programs.
UTPB is a relatively new institution, having opened in 1973 with an enrollment of 1,112 students. It only offered junior- and senior-level coursework at the time, with a handful of master’s degree programs. Nearly 20 years after opening, the state legislature voted to make UTPB a four-year college. Since then, UTPB has flourished with a growing and diverse campus that is at the forefront of technological innovations in the classroom.
University of Texas Permian Basin Accreditation Details
The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits UTPB to confer baccalaureate and graduate degrees. In addition, programs at the College of Business are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This accreditation applies to the undergraduate degrees in accountancy and finance as well as to the Master of Professional Accountancy degree.
University of Texas Permian Basin Application Requirements
Undergraduate candidates are asked to complete an online application, which is submitted with a non-refundable fee. SAT or ACT test scores may be submitted with the application. An official high school transcript that shows the student’s GPA, rank in class and date of graduation or expected graduation date is required. Freshmen who want to begin in the fall semester must apply by July 15, though a priority deadline of March 1 may mean early acceptance.
Admission to the Master of Professional Accountancy program similarly begins with an online application and requires completion of a bachelor’s degree before enrollment unless the candidate is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in accountancy. Students must submit GMAT test scores before they have completed six semester hours at the graduate level. Applicants are required to demonstrate a history of satisfactory academic performance during their last two years as an undergraduate. Submitting a college transcript may fulfill this requirement. Leveling coursework in accounting or business may be necessary for students who do not have extensive academic experience with the subject matter.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Resident undergraduates may expect to pay approximately $7000 per semester while out-of-state enrollees will pay closer to $17,000 per semester. A resident graduate student typically pays nearly $5,500 for a semester, with non-residents paying around $12,000 per semester.
A variety of financial aid products are available for UTPB students. These include grants and scholarships as well as education loans from the government and private sources. Work/study positions are available to students with a demonstrated financial need. The Falcon Promise Program provides assistance to UTPB students whose families earn less than $45,000 per year. Additionally, Earn-In Scholarships are available for resident undergrads who meet certain financial and academic criteria. All students at The University of Texas Permian Basin are encouraged to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, if they want to be considered for loans, scholarships, grants, and other financial aid.
