High School Students

Choosing a college

In-state or out-of-state? Private or public? Large or small? Metropolitan or rural? Choosing the right school to earn your undergraduate degree is not an easy task.

Since you know you want to be a CPA, obviously a school with a strong accounting program is essential. How do you find out about a school's accounting department?

First, research using a college resource guide such as Peterson's College Guide or Barron's College Guide to find schools with accounting majors and concentrations. If you are unsure if the college has one, pick up the phone and call the admissions office. They will be more than willing to answer your questions and, of course, send you information on their schools and its programs.

Also call upon CPAs at firms in your hometown. Ask them where they went to school and which schools, in addition to their alma mater, they would recommend to learn the most about the profession. Your high school guidance counselor or career counselor can help you get in touch with a local CPA. Or call the Maryland Association of CPAs at 410-296-6250 and we will have one of our members give you a call.

Once you have narrowed down your search, contact the accounting departments at each of you schools. Get information about the number of accounting graduates, the percentage of those students placed in jobs after graduation, and examples of firms and companies that hired their graduates. Don't forget to ask to meet with faculty members when you attend the school's open house.

Finally be sure the school that you chose is:

• accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business;
• or is accredited by the Middles States Association of Colleges and Schools;
• or is accredited by an equivalent regional accrediting association for other regional areas;
• or is recognized and approved by the Maryland State Board of Public Accountancy.

Contact the Maryland State Board of Public Accountancy at 410-230-6322 to check on your school's accreditation.

Related Reading

Go to Amazon.com now!

The 100 Best Colleges for African-American Students
(2nd Ed)
Erlene B. Wilson/ Published 1998

101 Things a College Guy Should Know
Stephen Edwards / Published 1998

101 Things a College Girl Should Know, from a Big Sister Who's Been There
Stephanie Edwards / Published 1996

America's 100 Best College Buys 1999 (2nd Ed)
Institutional Research, Inc. Evaluation / Published 1998

Choosing the Right College: The Whole Truth About America's 100 Top Schools
Intercollegiate Studies Institute, William J. Bennett

Maryland Colleges and Universities with Accounting Programs

Bowie State University 14000 Jericho Park Road Bowie, MD 20715-9465 301-464-3000 Accounting Dept: 301-464-7518	University of Baltimore 1420 N. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21201 410-837-4200
Coppin State University 2500 W. North Avenue Baltimore, MD 21216 410-383-5990 Accounting Dept.: 410-383-5400	University of Maryland, College Park College Park, MD 20742 301-405-1000 Accounting Dept.: 301-405-2138
Frostburg State University Frostburg, MD 21532 301-687-4201 Accounting Dept: 301-687-4297	University of Maryland, Eastern Shore University Boulevard Princess Anne, MD 21853 410-651-6523
Loyola College 4501 N. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21210-2699 410-617-2000 Accounting Dept: 410-617-2474	University of Maryland - University College University Blvd. At Adelphi Road College Park, MD 20742 301-985-7000
Morgan State University Cold Spring & Hillen Roads Baltimore, MD 21239 443-885-3333 Accounting Dept.: 443-885-3160	Washington College 300 Washington Ave. Chestertown, MD 21620 (800) 422-1782
Mount St. Mary's University 16300 Old Emmitsburg Road Emmitsburg, MD 21727-7799 301-447-6122	McDaniel College 2 College Hill Westminster, MD 21157 410-848-7000
Salisbury University Franklin P. Perdue School of Business Accounting & Legal Studies 1101 Camden Ave. Salisbury, MD 21801 Accounting Dept.:410-543-6000	Towson University 8000 York Road Towson, MD 21252-0001 Accounting Dept.:410-704-3226
Stevenson University Greenspring Valley Road Stevenson, MD 21153 (410) 486-7000

Wondering if your college is accredited? Check with the Maryland State Board of Public Accountancy: 410-230-6322.

Maryland Community Colleges with Accounting Courses

Allegany College of Maryland 12401 Willowbrook Road Cumberland, MD 21502 301-784-5000 Business Dept: 301-784-5141	Baltimore County Community College (Essex) 7201 Rossville Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21237 410-780-6313 Accounting Dept.: 410-780-6856
Anne Arundel Community College 101 College Parkway Arnold, MD 21012 410-647-1100 Business Dept.: 410-451-2390	Frederick Community College 7932 Opossumtown Road Frederick, MD 21702 301-846-2400 Accounting Program: 301-846-2508
Baltimore City Community College 2901 Liberty Heights Avenue Baltimore, MD 21215 410-462-8249 Accounting, Business and Technology Dept.: 410-986-5575	Garrett Community College 687 Mosser Road McHenry, MD 21541 301-387-3000
Carroll Community College 1601 Washington Road Westminster, MD 21157 Business Dept: 410-386-8249	Hagerstown Community College 11400 Robinwood Drive Hagerstown, MD 21742 301-790-2800
Community College of Baltimore County - Catonsville 800 South Rolling Road Catonsville, MD 21228 410-455-4239 Business Division: 410-455-4163	Harford Community College 402 Thomas Run Road Bel Air, MD 21094 Business Dept.: 410-836-4374
Cecil Community College One Seahawk Drive North East, MD 21901 410-287-6060 Academic Divisions: 410-287-1000	Howard Community College 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway Columbia, MD 21045 410-992-4800
College of Southern Maryland Mitchell Road La Plata, MD 20646 301-934-7765	Montgomery College 51 Mannakee Street Rockville, MD 20850 301-279-5000 Accounting Dept.: 301-278-5137
Chesapeake College 1000 College Drive Wye Mills, MD 21679 410-822-5400	Prince George's Community College 301 Largo Road Largo, MD 20870 301-322-0819
Community College of Baltimore County - Dundalk 7200 Sollers Point Road Baltimore, MD 21222 410-285-9539 Business Division: 410-285-9539	Wor-Wic Community College 30 Wesley Drive Salisbury, MD 21801 410-334-2800