Accounting Schools in Texas with Degree Program Overviews

There are a variety of 2-year colleges and 4-year universities in Texas that offer accounting education at all levels, including certificate, associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs. Undergraduate students could gain hands-on experience by completing internships as well as co-op education components. Program requirements for graduate students may include teaching assistantships, extensive research and a thesis or a dissertation. The programs that are offered include:

• Accounting
• Taxation
• Business Administration in Accounting
• Accounting and Information Technology

Career Requirements

Individuals who wish to work with the Securities and Exchange Commission are required to become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). CPA licensure requirements include completing 150 semester hours of coursework and passing a CPA exam. Students need to keep in mind that while a bachelor's degree program can prepare them for CPA licensure, having an undergraduate degree may not be enough to qualify them for the CPA exam. The ten largest public and non-profit schools in Texas with accounting programs are outlined below. A table that compares tuition rates among the schools is also included.

Austin Community College District

Located in Austin, this college has 3 marketable skills award programs, and students may take courses like intermediate accounting, computerized accounting and auditing. The accounting clerk certificate program provides 32 credit hours of coursework in business and accounting. The college provides 2 associate's degree programs in accounting that will prepare students for entry-level employment. Students may complete internships. Students who already have a bachelor's degree and want to learn about advanced topics in accounting can complete the advanced technical certificate program.

Houston Community College

Houston Community College offers a 41-credit certificate program in accounting. Students will take courses like accounting, internal control and cost accounting. The associate's degree in accounting has 65 credits of coursework. Students will study business, economics and accounting. Both certificate and associate's degree students will complete a cooperative education course.

Lone Star College System

The Lone Star College System has campuses in several locations: Cypress, Kingwood, Conroe, Houston and Tomball. The college offers a marketable skills award in taxation that provides a basic education on accounting and taxation principles. Accounting assistant and accounting certificate programs are available, and they provide courses in computer fundamentals, accounting software, accounting, cost accounting and federal income tax. An associate's degree program in accounting will prepare students for entry-level occupations, and students will receive a broad education in business, accounting and economics. Students who already have a bachelor's degree and want to prepare for the CPA exam can take the advanced technical certificate in accounting program.

Texas A&M University - College Station

Located in College Station, this university provides a bachelor's degree in accounting. Students will receive a foundation in business and accounting principles. Students in the energy accounting certificate program will complete an internship and courses in intermediate accounting, energy accounting and energy industry. A master's degree program in accounting will help students prepare for the CPA exam. The program does not require a thesis, and students can specialize in assurance services/information management or tax consulting/financial planning. Accounting PhD students are required to complete coursework, teaching assistantships, exams, research and a dissertation.

Texas State University - San Marcos

Texas State University - San Marcos has a bachelor's degree in accounting, and students will take courses in intermediate financial accounting, cost accounting, auditing and taxation. A master's degree in accountancy prepares students for the CPA exam. Grad students complete a comprehensive exam in lieu of a thesis. The university also offers a master's degree program in accounting and information technology. These students will need to complete a comprehensive exam as well.

Texas Tech University

Found in Lubbock, Texas Tech University offers a bachelor's degree in accounting, and students will learn about business, accounting and ethics. Undergraduate students interested in the oil and gas industries can also complete an accounting certificate in energy. The master's degree in accounting provides concentrations in auditing/financial reporting or taxation, and grad students will be required to complete an internship. An accounting doctoral program requires students to complete extensive research, seminars, exams, a colloquium and a dissertation.

University of Houston

The University of Houston provides an accounting minor program with courses in financial reporting and intermediate accounting. Students in the accounting bachelor's degree program will be able to specialize in internal auditing, oil/gas accounting or professional accountancy. Students must participate in colloquiums and take courses like auditing, financial reporting and accounting information systems. The master's degree program in accountancy will prepare students for the CPA, Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Management Accountant exams. The grad program provides tracks in financial accounting/reporting, advanced internal auditing, risk management and taxation. Those who are not accountants but still want to sit for the CPA exam can take the accountancy certificate program. Accounting PhD students will need to complete courses, research, exams and a dissertation.

University of North Texas

Located in Denton, this university offers an accounting bachelor's degree and a combined bachelor's and master's degree in accounting. Students may take courses in intermediate accounting, taxation, auditing and cost accounting. A separate master's degree program in accounting is also available, and students may choose the audit or management/entrepreneurial specialization. Those interested in working as a tax specialist can complete the master's degree program in taxation. The university has a doctoral degree in accounting for aspiring professors and researchers. PhD students must complete courses, a qualifying exam and a dissertation.

The University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington has two types of accounting undergrad degrees that will provide a broad education on accounting principles or a specialized study in a related business field. Students who did not graduate with an accounting major can pursue the Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) program. Another accounting master's degree can provide education on economics, finance, management or marketing. Grad students can also complete the taxation master's degree program, which can prepare students for the CPA exam. The 5-year Professional Program in Accounting lets students earn undergrad and grad degrees. PhD students can focus on accounting, and they must complete a dissertation, research, doctoral seminars and accounting coursework. Accounting professionals interested in updating their tax knowledge can complete the tax certificate program.

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin offers accounting programs that are ranked by U.S. News & World Report. The accounting undergrad program has courses in financial accounting, financial statement analysis, auditing/control and accounting careers. A MPA program is open to students from any field of study and provides tracks in financial reporting/assurance, managerial accounting/control, tax and generalist. Accounting PhD students will need to complete accounting seminars, a teaching experience and dissertation research.