RUSTON, La. — Louisiana Tech University has revised its accounting curriculum following a change in Louisiana law that gives prospective certified public accountants an additional route to licensure.
Under the new pathway, candidates can pursue CPA licensure after earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting with 120 credit hours, passing the CPA exam and completing two years of qualifying work experience. Louisiana’s existing pathway, which requires 150 credit hours, passing the CPA exam and one year of qualifying work experience, remains available.
Louisiana Tech’s School of Accountancy said its undergraduate and graduate programs are structured to accommodate students pursuing either option. A revised undergraduate accounting curriculum taking effect this fall includes coursework needed for students following the 120-hour pathway.
The university’s Master of Accountancy program, or MAcc, has also been updated, with increased emphasis on CPA exam preparation as well as advanced technical, analytical and professional skills.
“The new pathway is a positive development because it gives students more choices,” said Chris Martin, dean of Louisiana Tech’s College of Business. “But becoming eligible for CPA licensure and preparing for a successful career in the profession are not necessarily the same thing. Our MAcc is not simply about accumulating additional credit hours. It provides students with deeper technical knowledge, focused CPA exam preparation, and an advanced level of experience that can benefit them throughout their careers.”
The changes give accounting students a choice between entering the workforce after completing their undergraduate degree and accumulating the two years of experience required under the new pathway, or continuing into the MAcc program before beginning their careers.
“We’re excited that our students now have greater choice in determining the path that best fits their professional goals,” said Emily Hunt, professor and interim director of the School of Accountancy. “Some students will be ready to enter the profession after completing their undergraduate degree and gain the additional experience required for licensure. Others will choose the MAcc to deepen their expertise and prepare more intensively for the CPA exam. Whichever path they choose, our goal is to ensure they are well-prepared for professional practice.”
Louisiana Tech’s School of Accountancy was the first accounting program in Louisiana and among the first nationally to receive separate accounting accreditation from AACSB International. The university continues to hold the organization’s specialized accounting accreditation.
The school also has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for its graduate accounting program and maintains relationships with accounting firms and other employers.
The expanded licensing options reflect broader efforts to give CPA candidates more flexibility in balancing education and professional experience. At Louisiana Tech, the undergraduate program now provides a route tailored to the state’s 120-hour option, while the MAcc remains available to students seeking additional accounting education and CPA exam preparation.