Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting

About the Program

This program is not admitting applicants at this time, please continue to check this page for updates.

The Forensic Accounting Graduate Certificate at Georgia Southern is the next innovative program to stem from the 10 year long experience in higher education excellence delivering fraud examination and forensic accounting coursework.

The graduate certificate in forensic accounting provides a rigorous and cutting-edge curriculum. Our engaging faculty guide students in developing and honing the skills necessary to support the legal process and investigate legal disputes, fraud and financial irregularities in today’s complex business world. The forensic accounting program topics include: fraudulent financial reporting; fraud schemes; cyber forensics and data analytics; interviewing and interrogation skills; financial statement analysis and valuation techniques; and expert testimony.

Admission Requirements

Students may gain admission to the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting program in the following ways. First, Master of Accounting program students may apply for admission to the degree program and the Certificate program simultaneously to earn the Certificate as an extension of their MAcc program of study. A degree seeking application and an application to the Certificate program must be submitted. As part of the MAcc application process, the admissions committee reviews applications on an individual basis looking at both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the applicant’s academic background and professional experience (if applicable).

The committee seeks to assess each applicant’s potential for academic success and future professional growth based on the following:

1. Statement of Purpose Essay: This essay is an optional component which allows the faculty to consider the applicant’s motivation as well as written communication skills.
2. Past Academic Performance: While there is no minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) requirement, the admissions committee views past grades as an important indicator of the applicant’s future academic performance. The committee may also consider the ranking and reputation of the applicant’s undergraduate institution.
3. Extracurricular Activities: Public, community, or military service; travel experiences; extracurricular activities, hobbies and special aptitudes; and any honors or recognitions received are all important indicators of the applicant’s motivation and character.
4. Letters of recommendation: Letters are optional but may boost candidates’ chances for admission. References should speak to the applicant’s personal qualities, career potential, and potential to succeed in the classroom.

*International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES accredited evaluation service and must be a course by course evaluation and include a GPA. (www.naces.org)

Participation in the Certificate Program is open to any qualified, degree-seeking graduate student at Georgia Southern University. Students currently enrolled in a degree program must first apply and be admitted to the Certificate program. As permitted by their degree program, students may apply coursework to both the certificate program and their degree. It is not required that the certificate and degree be completed simultaneously, however, students must be enrolled to take classes and the seven year limitation on the application of prior coursework to either the degree or the certificate must be satisfied. Upon recommendation of the Graduate Program Director and approval from the College of Graduate Studies, credit earned in a certificate program may be applied to a graduate degree program.

Finally, students seeking only the Graduate Certificate or the Graduate Certificate independent of another degree program, may be admitted by the College of Graduate Studies (COGS) under a Non-Degree Certificate admission status. Admission as Non-Degree Certificate does not guarantee subsequent admission to a graduate degree program. Applying to a graduate program is a separate process and different criteria must be met. Certificate program admissions decisions are based on applicants’ prior academic work and other factors that indicate their potential for program success and enrichment of the learning environment. Upon recommendation of the graduate program director and approval of the College of Graduate Studies, a maximum of six (6) credits earned before the student entered the certificate program may be applied to that program.

Deadlines

*The application and all ​​required documents listed on the “admissions requirements” tab​ for the program must be received by the deadline.  If all required documents are not received by the deadline your application will not be considered for admission.

Program Contact Information

Stephanie Hairston, PhD, CPA
macc@georgiasouthern.edu
912-478-5767

Last updated: 4/13/2022