I was interested in majoring in criminal justice, but I heard the FBI is looking for people with accounting degrees. Now I have no idea what accounting is or have ever taken a class on it. What if I wanted to "try" it out, could I take a class in college. Would this cost extra money?
2006-07-18 16:18:53 · 17 answers · asked by beast 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
You could audit (for no cost if your school offers it) an introductory accounting course to see if you are interested. If you are going to take the course, it would qualify as an elective. It might be possible to sign up to audit the class with the option to add it as a credited class if you sign up before a certain period has passed.
2006-07-18 17:10:28 · answer #1 · answered by Jim T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends. Management course work... which is where your Accounting class is offered... can be tricky and may have pre-req's required that have very little to do with Accounting. Find out who your advisor is at the university that you attend and ask him/her about this.
On the money issue, if you pay a flat rate to attend your college, then adding a course to your schedule will probably not cost extra... however, if your college charges per credit hour, then it will cost you extra. Again, another good question for your advisor.
Why is the FBI looking for accounting degrees? That may be the major that they need right now, but that doesn't mean that they do not hire others from different majors. A political science major will give you a well-rounded liberal arts education which is what many employers look for... accounting is a highly specialized major with a specific job attached to it. I would ask yourself... what do you want to do in the FBI? Then find a major that other FBI employees have who do the job that you want.
The best way to work towards your goal is to find a mentor in the FBI as well. You need to find someone who can tell you what it is really like to work in the FBI and the best way to get in, if that is your goal.
Good Luck!
2006-07-18 23:31:56 · answer #2 · answered by karen 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're a full time student, they may not charge extra for an overly full schedule -- at leas they didn't at my college -- this is called taking an 'elective' and electives were REQUIRED by my college.
When the FBI says they need "accountants" they mean young adults with a college degree who have passed the CPA exam -- and that's a 5 year degree in most states nowadays. Your state CPA board can tell you whether a 4 or 5 year degree is required to sit on the exam.
So if you want to work for the FBI, we're talking about a fairly long, detailed major to get to the level of expertise that makes you interesting to the FBI.
2006-07-18 23:27:53 · answer #3 · answered by urbancoyote 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most majors have room for electives (meaning, you can take whatever course you want, as long as you take something). But, some colleges do not let non-business majors take business courses like accounting. However, I'm pretty sure you could get at least an intro-level accounting class as part of your normal schedule.
2006-07-18 23:22:03 · answer #4 · answered by Tiger 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends, if they are in the same college, then yes you can certainly take an accounting class as an elective. However, if you're attending a college of arts and sciences, and the accounting is in the college of business, then you cannot take it even if they are in the same university.
2006-07-19 00:38:14 · answer #5 · answered by ronnieneilan1983 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can take it as an elective
You can audit a course
You can take a class at a Community College where the tuition will usually be less expensive.
You can take an indepdent study course at your conveniece
You can study for a Dantes exam and take a test
You can take an online course just to get an idea of the subject
http://www.accountingcoach.com/
2006-07-18 23:27:13 · answer #6 · answered by jd 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could certainly take it up as an elective (you'll have to take some of those each year anyway). As for it costing extra, that probably depends on what college you attend and how badly said college wishes to leave you impoverished. But generally, I wouldn't expect any extra cost.
2006-07-18 23:25:54 · answer #7 · answered by bleach_blu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All college classes cost money whether they are required or not. If you can fit it in your schedule, sure, you can take an accounting class it would be considered an elective.
2006-07-18 23:21:38 · answer #8 · answered by ???? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yea you can take the class as an elective but to give you an idea what accounting is it keep and store all records for money you need to know math pretty well and of course the book would cost you money
2006-07-18 23:22:02 · answer #9 · answered by tlalteutli 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure..most major universities allow you elective classes to explore interests outside of your major. Also, speak with your advisor about considering a double major or major/minor to make yourself more marketable....Even if it takes a few extra semesters.
2006-07-18 23:22:13 · answer #10 · answered by osuross2005 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋