FAQs Q. What's the market like for accounting and management information systems (M.I.S.) graduates now? The demand for accountants is steady despite firm mergers and the recent 150-hour requirement, and salaries for top students are healthy. With the constantly expanding scope of what accountants are asked (and expected) to do, and with the great expansion of services which accountants provide, growth is still foreseen. Historically, there have never been sufficient qualified M.I.S. trained applicants to meet the needs of employers. Though the current economic conditions have reduced the number of jobs in the field, there is no doubt that the demand for M.I.S. trained applicants will exceed the supply for many years to come. top of page Q.Who hires DePaul accounting and M.I.S. graduates? Just about everyone, from the largest global accounting and consulting firms through the largest of the regional firms to smaller local firms, as well as major industry and financial institutions. While a comprehensive list would not fit here, a few names-Andersen, Deloitte & Touche, Ernst & Young, KPMG, Grant Thornton, PricewaterhouseCoopers, BDO Seidman, Accenture, American Express Tax & Business Services, CNA Insurance, McDonald's, Quaker Oats, Ameritech--will illustrate the breath of interest in DePaul graduates. And since the School is only blocks from the headquarters of these firms, DePaul students have a distinct advantage: location, location, location. Q. What are internship and part-time jobs like while I'm in school? With DePaul's Loop location and the business community's knowledge of our standards and curriculum, DePaul students are highly sought-after for internships and part-time jobs. While there are seasonal fluctuations, the School usually posts over a dozen such opportunities. Be sure to periodically refer to the Internships listing in the School, or on this website. top of page Q. Just what is this "150 Hour Rule" I hear about? Education of the contemporary accountant has also created change in another area, licensure by the State of Illinois. Effective January 1, 2001, the "150-hour Requirement" increased the educational qualifications needed to sit for the C.P.A. Examination in Illinois. This new educational requirement is another response to the growing public expectations of the accountant, and the expansion of the roles that the accountant plays in today's business environment. Briefly, the new requirement calls for 150 semester hours (225-quarter hours) of education to sit for the C.P.A. Examination. For most DePaul students, this translates to eight to ten business courses beyond the DePaul accounting degree. While some students may be able to meet this requirement within the traditional four-year time frame, most students planning to enter the profession should expect continuing education beyond the bachelor's degree. For more information, and for a very popular FAQ on the 150 Hour requirement, please check out our 150 Hour FAQ and Requirement Rules. DePaul University offers a number of ways to meet the 150-hour requirement for Illinois as well as other states that have enacted similar requirements. The appropriate course of study for you depends on your interest and circumstances. Be sure to read up on this, check with our advisors, and talk to recruiters and practitioners when you can. Also, visit (see Links and Resources) the ICPAS and AAA websites for more information on the 150 Hour regulations. top of page Q. What are some of the ways to meet the 150-hour requirement for Illinois? If you are still in high school, AP--Advanced Placement--courses could create room in a four-year program to complete 150 hours. And consider CLEP-ing, through the College Level Examination Program. These efforts could help considerably in your future. Check with the DePaul Admissions Office for more information. Double major--say Accounting and M.I.S.; accounting major with a minor (see our Minors Brochure), summer school, occasional overloads, or between-term session to graduate with 225 credit hours in the traditional four-year timeframe. OR As most students seem to be doing, pursue a graduate degree (M.S.T., M.Acc, M.B.A., etc.), and take the C.P.A. Exam upon degree completion or upon reaching the 225 hour mark. We say "most students" because in contemporary business a masters degree of some sort is rapidly becoming an entry-level certificate. Many (if not most) student planning business careers pursue a masters degree anyway. (And keep in mind your colleagues in law and medicine have YEARS of coursework beyond the undergraduate.) top of page Q. Why should I choose the accounting or M.I.S. degree? There are many reasons, including: Good starting salaries High demand for graduates Challenging and exciting careers Many career paths Stepping stone for upper management positions See the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' website at www.aicpa.org for more information about careers in accounting. Q. How is the undergraduate M.I.S. major different from a degree in computer science? The computer science major does not get near the exposure to business topics that the B.S.C./M.I.S. major receives. The M.I.S. major offers an optimal blend of business knowledge and technology acumen. For this reason M.I.S. professionals are good liaisons between the technical and non-technical personnel. They are often in a role of assessing information user requirements and assisting in the design of systems that meet those requirements. And they are excellent candidates for promotion to upper level management. top of page © 2007 DePaul University, 1 E. 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