Said It Here

How to get CPA accounting credits without another degree

Most traditional degree programs require years of redundant coursework just to fulfill a handful of missing credits for the CPA exam. People with non-accounting degrees end up facing expensive and time-consuming choices like a second bachelor's or a master's program, when they really just need specific upper-level classes to qualify.

What people tried

Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.

  1. 1
    Enrolling in an MPA program to pick up credits
  2. 2
    Taking third and fourth-year undergraduate courses to meet state credit minimums
  3. 3
    Going back to university for a second bachelor's degree
  4. 4
    Studying independently
  5. 5
    Talking to accountant friends for guidance

In their words

Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.

r/Accounting2 people · September 2026

“I've recently starting thinking about becoming an accountant. I'm 25 with a BA in creative writing and its taken me 2.5 years since graduating to be able to fully acknowledge that this degree isn't going to get me anywhere.”source ↗

“I was just admitted to my local university to get a second bachelors- I would have to do at least 2.5 years to get the degree- business administration/accounting but I'm just not sure if that is a good use of time.”source ↗

“Is it possible to study on my own and get a job without any sort of university study?”source ↗

Safe-Manufacturer-82 · r/Accounting · 2 upvotes

“I’m going through this same situation in New York State. I have an undergrad in Eco with 7 accounting credits. I need 15 to get into the masters program but technically just 30 to take the CPA exam.”source ↗

Royal-Pop3761 · r/Accounting · 1 upvotes

Where this came up

r/Accountingaccountingcareer changecpaeducationjob search

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