Experience, Learn & Earn Program

Helping accounting graduates prepare for CPA licensure

In partnership with the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), the Tulane School of Professional Advancement offers an innovative post-graduate program to help aspiring CPA’s fulfill the 150-hour course credit requirement to become a licensed CPA.

 

What

The Experience Learn & Earn (ELE) Program consists of affordable, online undergraduate coursework for accounting majors who have completed their bachelor's degree and core accounting classes but possess fewer than the 150 credit hours required for licensure.

 

 

Why

Many accounting students graduate with only 120 of the 150 credit hours needed for the CPA exam. Time and the cost of additional education requirements to earn a total of 150 credit hours can be a hurdle for some CPA candidates. Tulane SoPA offers up to 30 additional credit hours (10 courses) in an affordable, flexible, online format to allow these students to fulfill the required 150 total credit hours.

 

 

How

  • Students must have an undergraduate degree in accounting and completed at least 120 undergraduate course hours
  • Students must be employed by an ELE-affiliated firm, or work full-time (at least 37.5 hours/week) at an accounting firm
  • Accounting graduate applies to Tulane SoPA
  • Program participants earn up to 30 Tulane sopa credits through online courses
  • Firms provide time during the week for coursework in a balanced, flexible way
  • Credit-hour costs are set at highly affordable rates
  • Participating firms provide support and mentoring to help program participants work toward their CPA license

 

Applying is Easy!

STEP 1

Visit sopa.tulane.edu/apply.

STEP 2

On the Start Your Application form select Undergraduate Application.

STEP 3

Choose Undergraduate/Non-Degree Seeking as your program level.

STEP 4

Select AICPA as your student status.

Ready to register?

Step 1

Review suggested courses below.


Step 2

Visit Tulane’s Schedule of Classes and search for your course.


Step 3

Select course and click Continue to go to the registration screen. If a course does not allow you to register due to a prerequisite requirement, please contact Lindsey Yopp.


Step 4

Confirm course selections and click Submit Registration.


Frequently Asked Questions

Tuition is billed by the credit hour and set at an affordable rate for participating students. Please reach out to Lindsey Yopp for specific tuition information.

No, students take whatever number of credits they are lacking to reach the 150-hour requirement.

Although every online course at Tulane SoPA is open to ELE students, we offer a list of 25+ recommended courses that can complement their work experience. See the attached document. It lists the recommended courses.  I’ve also included several new ones that you will need to go into the catalog and get the descriptions.  You can decide the best way to display these recommended courses. 

The ELE Program is meant for students who already have the required accounting courses for CPA licensure.  These ten additional courses are meant to teach additional skills that can be useful in any professional setting. 

Tulane SoPA’s courses are mostly asynchronous, meaning you can access the lesson and complete the assignments on your schedule. All courses require you to access the material and complete assignments on a weekly basis.

Most of the online courses have three or four synchronous sessions that take place in the evening, after work hours.  However, we understand that attending these sessions may not be possible due to other obligations.  All of these sessions are recorded and you can access the content on your own schedule. Your professor may require you to complete an additional assignment if you are unable to attend the synchronous session. 

We strongly recommend that you take a maximum of two courses a semester. It can be difficult to balance more than two courses with a full-time work schedule. 

As a Tulane SoPA student, you have access to all SoPA resources, including an academic advisor.  If you have any questions about courses, registration, or any academic issues, please contact Micahla Williams.

Reach out to Micahla Williams, Director of Student Advising.

If you have a billing discrepancy, please email your student ID number, a screenshot of your bill, and a description of the issue to Christa Payne and cc: Crystal Gaither.

Recommended Courses

BSLS 2220-10 Intro To Finance
By identifying and creating clear, concise, and correct business language, students develop and hone their business writing and communication skills; analyzing each audience to target and tailor messages appropriately; and using critical thinking and a problem-solving approach to analyze business issues. This online course includes 2-4 synchronous video conferences, the scheduling of which will be confirmed during the first week of classes, with recordings available for students who are unable to attend. This course will not satisfy requirements toward majors in the School of Liberal Arts or the A.B. Freeman School of Business.
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisites: None

BSLS 2250-10 Business Communications
By identifying and creating clear, concise, and correct business language, students develop and hone their business writing and communication skills; analyzing each audience to target and tailor messages appropriately; and using critical thinking and a problem-solving approach to analyze business issues.
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisites: None

BSLS 2310-10 Principles of Management
Students examine the evolution of contemporary management approaches in response to changing circumstances; apply planning principles to set clear, verifiable or measurable goals and objectives; assess the methods managers use to plan in today’s dynamic environment; describe a socially responsible organization and the manager’s role in encouraging ethical behavior; identify the motivational principles that improve productivity and human relations, develop leadership and communication skills; and evaluate personal aptitude for management.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: None

BSLS 2450-10 Career Success Strategies
Students explore career options and develop long-term career plans, focusing upon in-depth investigation of lifestyle and career options and self-assessment and culminating in the creation and execution of a successful job search campaign.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: None

BSLS 3200-10 Intro to Marketing Principles
This course focuses upon the use of marketing to enable small and large businesses to achieve their goals. Students will identify and apply the basic principles of marketing practices, including research and analysis, strategy development, product development and pricing, consumers and target market analysis, promotion methods, distribution channels, feasibility analysis, and global marketing. In the Final Marketing Plan Project, students will apply and execute these theories in a scenario set in the current business environment.
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisites: None

BSLS 3210-10 Business Taxation
Using the U.S. Internal Revenue Code as a basis, students examine the federal system of taxation, emphasizing the laws governing tax matters and analyzing the taxation of corporations, S corporations, and partnerships; and addressing payroll and sales taxation and the tax impacts of formation, ongoing operations, disposition of a business entity, and other transactions upon shareholders, partners, and other stakeholders.
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisites: BSLS 2210

BSLS 3250-10 Business Statistics
Through the lens of practical business operations, students in this interactive course examine and evaluate the key concepts and techniques of statistics, including time series analysis and index number and computer implementation of statistical procedures.
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisites: None

BSLS-3260-10 – Essential Business Skills
The Essential Business Skills Course teaches the foundational skills required to be successful in a variety of businesses or non-profit settings. The course learning modules include communication and writing skills for the workplace, critical thinking and power (aka “soft”) skills, analysis and interpretation of financial statements and reports, data analysis using Excel, project management skills and tools, and presentation skills. The course will use project-based learning, individual analysis, scenario planning and group work throughout the semester, culminating in a final project that allows students to apply the acquired skills in a practical setting.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: None

BSLS 3310-10 Writing in the Workplace
Through writing-intensive assignments and skill-building exercises, students examine and apply techniques for communication effectively and professionally, organizing and presenting ideas clearly and concisely, and identifying the appropriate voice, style, and channel for contracting business scenarios.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010

BSLS 3320 –10 Compensation and Benefits  
Students analyze the purpose, structure, and effectiveness of compensation systems; identify governing laws and resulting legal issues; examine methods of job design, analysis, and evaluation; review pay systems and the incentives and psychological and motivational aspects of pay, executive compensation, and compensation and benefits plan administration.
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisites: BSLS 3330

BSLS-3330-10 Intro To Human Resources
Students examine the organizational, legal, and psychological frameworks governing modern human resources administration and evaluate both the overall human resources function and the key role of the human resources department in furthering employee and organizational goals.
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisites: None

BSLS 3340-10 Managing Org Behavior
Students analyze the methods by which organizations function; identify techniques for diagnosing and responding flexibly to organizational needs; evaluate the key themes that drive modern organizations, including teams, globalization and diversity, interpersonal and group communication, and organizational cultures; and explore the challenges inherent in negotiating the fit between the individual and the organization.
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisites: None  

BSLS 3360-10 Plan, Recruit & Selection HR
From the perspectives of both the employee and the organization, students examine the strategic, legal, and administrative issues associated with recruitment and selection of employees, including the assessment of staffing needs, coordination of human resources planning and organizational competitive strategy, and psychological aspects of human resources flow systems.
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisites: BSLS 3330

BSLS 3370-10 Perf Appraisal & Productivity
Focusing upon an organization's competitive strategy, students explore the development and implementation of performance appraisal systems and examine productivity-enhancing work designs, such as Total Quality Management, teams, empowerment, and Business Process Reengineering.
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisites: BSLS 3330

BSLS 3380-10 Business Ethics
Applying theoretical critique and case-oriented methods, students analyze the moral, ethical, and value issues that challenge business, industry, and corporate life, with a focus upon identifying the ethical principles and strategies that govern the management process and developing a personal business ethics code of conduct. This course will not satisfy requirements toward majors in the School of Liberal Arts or the A.B. Freeman School of Business.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: None

BSLS 3390-10 Employment & Labor Law
Focusing upon the disputes that may arise in the workplace, students explore the state and federal laws governing employment in the U.S. Through practical exercises, students identify and apply best practices for establishing, maintaining, and terminating the employment relationship; evaluating employment claims; and adhering to ethical practices.
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisite: BSLS 3330

BSLS 3400-10 Legal Aspects of Business
Through lectures and practical exercises, students examine the laws governing various business organizations and relationships, including sole proprietorships, agencies, partnerships, corporations; assess the responsibilities of business toward their consumers; evaluate the requirements, rights, and obligations that contracts create; recognize the impacts of bankruptcy laws upon creditors and debtors; evaluate the consequences of willful and negligent acts; and identify methods for functioning successfully in corporate and business transactions.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: None

BSLS 3410-10 HR Training & Development
Students will identify the elements of human resource training and development, including conducting a training needs assessment, implementing and evaluating training, calculating the return on investment; and linking performance and career development needs to employee training. In the process, students will formulate methods for assessing an organization; applying the ADDIE model ( assessment, design, development, implementation, and evaluation); comparing learning styles; performing needs assessments and SWOT analyses; and linking organizational strategy with training and development strategies to establish the training program as another tool for competitive advantage.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: None

BSLS 3650-10 Developing a Small Business
Through lectures and practical exercises, students analyze the essential principles of small business start-up and management, including methods for identifying and evaluating opportunities, establishing the operating structure, developing marketing and financial plans, and using financial reports to enhance the effective management of nascent and growing small business.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: None  

BSLS 3700-10 Global Business
Students examine the strategies, benefits, costs, ethical practices, and conduct of businesspeople, government leaders, workers, and customers in the global marketplace, including the economic, legal, and cultural impact of global business and current business and political events upon local and national communities.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: None  

BSLS 3900-10 HR Info Sys & Data Analysis
Students will identify and examine the functions and implementation of Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), including record-keeping, collection and storage of compliance data, supporting efficiency, tracking data to advance business strategies, and employee self-service; investigate the uses of HRIS to support applicant tracking systems, payroll, benefits administration, workhours and attendance, training, performance management, reporting & analytics, and succession planning; and recognize the methods and benefits of HRIS certification.
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisite: BSLS 3330

PAEN 2630-10 Expository Writing 
This course situates the critical skills and strategies of expository writing within the larger framework of academic writing. The course builds on the concepts and approaches to argumentation that students have learned from PAEN or ENGL 1010.
Credit hours: 4
Prerequisite: ENGL 1010

CPST 1200-10 Fund of Info Systems & Tech
This survey course provides a broad foundation in the concepts of modern information systems, information processing, and information technologies. It provides an overview of the key technology components that make up modern information systems and the processes and issues involved in the development of information systems.
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisite: None  

CPST 2300-10 Database Fundamentals
Introduction to database management systems with an emphasis on relational database concepts, database processing, data modeling, database design, development and implementation. Includes implementation of current DBMS tools and SQL.
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisite: CPST 1200

CPST 2910-10 Documentation & Tech Writing
This course provides a complete process for planning, creating, and editing technical content, for both internal and external audiences including assessing the needs of users, selecting appropriate formats, making effective use of media, and selecting the best content organization and delivery platform Students demonstrate proficiency in written content creation and presentation skills by producing different technical writing products, including formal research reports and workplace writing (e.g., technical reports, manuals, explanations of how to understand or use a product or service, proposals, etc.). Students will be exposed to software applications to architect, organize, and publish technical content and media. This course will also address the job duties of technical writers/editors. Topics include establishing positive working relationships with writers, management, and subject matter experts.
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 & CPST 3050

CPST 3260-10 Virtualization and Cloud
This course focuses on the skills and knowledge necessary for provisioning and managing virtualized services in cloud Infrastructure as a Services (IaaS) environments including: virtual networks, virtual machines, containers, web and mobile apps, and storage; planning and managing cloud resources, and configuring Azure AD integration with on-premises
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisite: CPST 1200  

CPST 4750-10 IP Routing & Switching
The TCP/IP suite of protocols is the de facto standard for multi-vendor connectivity within corporations and serves as the basis for Internet connectivity. This course focuses on Internet communications architecture and the internetworking between autonomous systems that is facilitated by IP routing. Layer 2 and Layer 3 (IP Switching) architectures will also be examined in relation to interLAN and VLAN routing.
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisite: CPST 2600  

CPST 4850-10 Penetration Testing
This course provides an introduction to computer and network security penetration testing techniques, tools, and methodologies. It will provide an overview of activities that are used during the planning, reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, post-exploitation, and reporting phases of a penetration testing process.
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisite: CPST 2700 and CPST 2600  

CPST 4950-10 Website Security
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to Website security and privacy issues. Students will understand how to identify security/privacy issues, recognize security issues involving JAVA, the Internet and email. Students will also explore techniques and best practices for limiting risk.
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisite: CPST 2200 and CPST 2700  

MDES 1100-10: Introduction to Mass Media
This course is designed to offer a broad appreciation of all types of media, and an understanding of how media shapes and reflects our culture. The course will examine the impact of books, newspapers, magazines, movies, radio, TV and the Internet. The course will also cover advertising and public relations and how these industries are used in mass media to shape consumer perceptions and behaviors.
Credit Hours: 3

MDES 1120-10: Media Writing
The media writing course is designed to develop students’ communication writing skills and styles in an effort to communicate with and reach diverse audiences. The course includes an overview of basic rules for becoming a better writer, journalistic writing with an emphasis on Associated Press style, and a comprehensive look at the types of writing assignments that communications professionals use to communicate with diverse audiences.
Credit Hours: 3

MDES 2200-10: Principles of Public Relations
This course focuses on the communication between an individual or organization and the public to promote public acceptance and approval. Students explore traditional and emerging components of the public relations process through mass media, as well as the needs of different types of businesses, such as corporations, nonprofit organizations, and government offices.
Credit Hours: 3

MDES 2300-10: Digital Media Principles & Strategy
This course will provide students with an understanding of how goals, audience, and metrics define a strategic approach to online communication and how specific channels, platforms, and tactics are used to achieve that strategy. The course will also focus on the key components of planning and creating an effective inbound strategy to reach an organization's audience.
Credit Hours: 3

MDES 2400-10: Principles of Advertising
This course covers the fundamentals of advertising, beginning with the history and evolution of advertising as an element in the economy, a specialized form of communication, a craft, and an area of ethical sensitivity. At the practical level, students will be introduced to media planning and the emergence of new media, market research, agency organization and creativity as well as the legal and ethical concerns that advertising professionals must bear in mind.
Credit Hours: 3

SPEC 1400-10 Persuasive Public Speaking
Principles of audience analysis, speech composition, and delivery. Special attention is given to persuasive techniques. (Note: includes two live sessions via video conference).
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisite: None

Contact Information

  • For general questions about the ELE program, contact Lindsey Yopp, Lead Manager—CPA Pipeline.
  • For questions about the application process, contact Sheila Gold, Assistant Dean for Recruitment & Admissions
  • For questions about registration and course enrollment, contact Micahla Williams, Director of Student Advising
  • For questions about billing, contact Christa Payne, Chief Business Officer. Please include your student ID number, a screenshot of your bill, and a description of the issue.