Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Accounting is an undergraduate degree offered by the Collat School of Business at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. This program equips students with foundational and advanced accounting knowledge, analytical skills, and real-world business competencies needed for careers in public accounting, corporate finance, auditing, tax, and related fields. It blends core business coursework with specialized accounting studies and emphasizes experiential learning and professional readiness.
Key Program Features
- AACSB-accredited accounting program (international quality standard)
- Offered through UAB’s well-established Collat School of Business
- Strong foundation in financial, managerial, tax, and auditing accounting
- Emphasis on ethical decision-making and professional standards
- Experiential learning focus, including internships and applied projects
- Access to UAB’s Career Center, employer networking events, and career fairs
- Preparation pathway toward CPA, CMA, and other professional certifications
- Located in Birmingham, Alabama, a regional business and healthcare hub
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Bachelor’s in Accounting and Related Services at UAB are prepared for a wide range of roles in business, finance, government, and professional services. Typical career paths include:
- Public Accountant (audit, tax, advisory services)
- Corporate/Staff Accountant
- Auditor or Internal Auditor
- Tax Consultant or Tax Associate
- Financial Analyst
- Budget Analyst or Cost Accountant
- Accounting Information Systems Specialist
- Government and Non-profit Accounting Roles
Graduates commonly find employment in:
- Public accounting firms
- Corporations and multinational companies
- Government agencies
- Healthcare organizations
- Banks and financial institutions
- Non-profit organizations
Many students also continue into graduate study (e.g., Master of Accounting, MBA) to meet CPA licensure requirements and advance into senior or specialized roles.
Program Curriculum
The curriculum includes:
- Fundamental business courses (economics, finance, management)
- Core accounting coursework (financial accounting, managerial accounting, auditing, taxation)
- Advanced topics such as forensic accounting or information systems auditing
- Experiential learning components tied to workplace readiness and industry practice
The degree typically requires 120 semester hours for completion, including satisfaction of the UAB Blazer Core Curriculum and major requirements.
Admission Requirements
The Accelerated Bachelors/Master's Program is for exceptional students. The accepted student will have:
- an average GPA of 3.5 in all institutional courses
- a minimum of 60 credit hours (36 of these credit hours must have been taken at UAB)
Before applying, the student must meet with their graduate program coordinator and their undergraduate advisor to discuss program requirements; students should also meet with a financial aid/scholarship advisor to determine the impact of ABM on their scholarships and/or aid award. The student should also be advised that additional credit hours may be required for licensure as a CPA.
Upon acceptance, a detailed plan of study must be mapped out specific to each ABM student. This plan must be agreed upon by the student, their undergraduate academic advisor, and graduate program coordinator and strictly adhered to while in the ABM program to guarantee their continued participation in the ABM. Acceptance into the program takes place after a student has earned 60 credit hours of coursework. Admission is by a committee chaired by the graduate program director, consisting of the graduate program director and department program coordinator.
To maintain status in ABM, the student must:
- maintain an institutional GPA of 3.25 or higher
- receive a B (or higher) in all courses taken while still an undergraduate student
- maintain full time student status at UAB
- Accounting and Finance Department will waive the hour requirement for internship terms if the internship causes them to drop below the full time student hour requirement.
If any of these requirements is violated, the student will be withdrawn from the ABM program. If a student is withdrawn from the ABM program, they will retain credit for the courses already completed in the program.
Once the student has completed all undergraduate course requirements for graduation, their undergraduate degree will be awarded. Once the student graduates from a bachelor's degree program, they enter the Master of Accounting program and must maintain the requirements of that program. Tuition is then charged at the graduate rate.
To accelerate progress through the Master of Accounting degree, a limited number of courses (up to 12 credit hours) may be counted toward the completion of the bachelor's degree and toward the completion of the Master of Accounting degree. The selected Master of Accounting courses must be approved by the student's undergraduate academic advisor.
Graduate courses allowed for credit sharing are the following:
- AC 523 External Auditing
- AC 530 Financial Accounting III (prerequisite - AC 310)
- LS 557 Business Law for Accountants
- AC 573 Fraud Examination (prerequisite - AC 423/523)
- AC 580 Advanced Accounting (prerequisite - AC 430/530)
- AC 600 Accounting Research (prerequisite - AC 430/530)
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
$22,000–$29,000 per year
Tuition for undergraduate programs at UAB varies by residency:
- In-State: approx. $11,640/year
- Out-of-State: approx. $28,980/year
- International: similar to out-of-state rates
- (Estimated costs may also include housing, meals, insurance, and supplies.)
UAB offers financial aid options such as federal grants and loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Prospective and current students should apply for aid through FAFSA and consult the UAB financial aid office for specific opportunities.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
1. Federal Financial Aid
U.S.-based students can apply for federal assistance by submitting the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This can include:
- Federal Pell Grants (need-based, do not require repayment)
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
- Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
- Federal Work-Study (campus employment earning an hourly wage)
International students are generally not eligible for federal U.S. financial aid.
🎓 Institutional Scholarships
UAB offers a variety of scholarships funded by the university, including:
- Merit-based scholarships – awarded for strong academic achievement (GPA, test scores)
- Departmental awards – offered by the Collat School of Business for accounting/business students
- Need-based grants and awards – based on financial need demonstrated through FAFSA or UAB financial profiles
Scholarship awards may range from partial tuition coverage to full tuition waivers depending on criteria and funding availability.
💼 Engineering & Business Awards
Accounting and business students may qualify for College-or major-specific awards such as:
- Collat School of Business Scholarships
- Blazer Achievement Awards
- Leadership and Service Scholarships
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarships
- External business society scholarships (e.g., Beta Alpha Psi, local accounting foundations)
Some awards require application essays, recommendation letters, or demonstrated campus involvement.
💸 Loans & Payment Plans
UAB students can also access:
- Federal Direct Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized)
- Parent PLUS Loans (for eligible parents of dependent students)
- Alternative/private loans (credit-based, for partial coverage)
- UAB Payment Plan — allows students to pay tuition in installments over the semester rather than a single lump sum
🤝 Graduate Assistantships & Student Jobs
While typically more common at the graduate level, undergraduate students can offset costs through:
- Student employment (Work-Study or hourly jobs)
- Research/teaching assistant positions (departmental, if available)
- Internships with paid stipends (especially in accounting firms and corporate finance roles)
🧾 Applying for Aid
- Submit FAFSA (priority deadlines vary by state and year)
- Review the UAB Financial Aid Offer Letter after FAFSA processing
- Apply directly for UAB scholarships via the university’s scholarship portal
- Consult the Collat School of Business financial support office for major-specific awards
About University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a public research university and academic medical center located in urban Birmingham, Alabama. Founded in 1969, UAB has grown into one of the...
University ProfileApplication Information
- Application Deadline varies by yea
- Start Date Fall (August) and Spring (January)
- Language English
- Duration 4 years