New 120-credit accounting degree targets $79,880 median wage

The University of Baltimore will launch a new Bachelor of Science in Accounting this year, a 120-credit degree designed to place graduates in roles across tech, healthcare, and government sectors. The program, housed in the AACSB-accredited Merrick School of Business, aims to prepare students for a job market where employment for accountants and auditors is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, that growth rate outpaces the average for all occupations, with the median annual wage recorded at $79,880 in 2023. The curriculum covers financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and accounting information systems, while integrating business technology, data analysis, and professional communication.

Faculty members teach the course with a focus on leveraging artificial intelligence for routine tasks, allowing students to concentrate on strategic judgment. Every instructor in the program holds a CPA license, including Mikhail Pevzner, who holds the Ernst & Young Chair in Accounting, and Jan Williams, the Lockheed Martin Chair and a 2023-2024 T. Rowe Price Excellence in Teaching Award recipient.

Local employers are already engaging with the student body. On October 23, the accounting firm Cohen & Co hosted an open house at its Baltimore office for UBalt students. These networking events are part of a strategy to connect graduates with firms before they leave campus, supported by the Accounting Honors Program which offers employer site visits and internship access.

The program also includes an accelerated track that allows undergraduates to take up to nine graduate credits that apply to both their bachelor’s and a master’s degree. One available path is a STEM-designated Master of Science in Accounting and Business Advisory Services, offered jointly with Towson University.

This joint degree deepens skills in advisory services and data analytics, providing students with a timeline that compresses their path to advanced credentials. The University of Baltimore positions this new degree as a way for students to enter a profession that remains essential to every industry that manages money.