Earn credits to sit for the CPA exam.
The Rider University CPA Apprenticeship Program (RUCPA) offers accounting professionals a unique opportunity to earn college credit for their real-world accounting experiences. This innovative program addresses the need for flexibility and inclusivity in professional education and allows individuals to earn the additional college credits needed to sit for the CPA licensure exam in New Jersey at a low cost per credit hour. Participants will put the knowledge gained during their undergraduate studies into practice and leverage that knowledge to improve their professional accounting skills and pass the CPA exam.
Program requirements
To enroll in this non-degree earning program, participants must be a Rider graduate with a bachelor’s degree and have taken core accounting classes at fewer than 150 credit hours. They must also obtain employment (working more than 34 hours per week) with a company or firm doing meaningful and substantial work as an accounting professional. In addition to working, participants must complete five online, seven-week courses, each worth six academic credits. Participants may take as many or as few courses as needed to reach 150 credits and are strongly encouraged to plan and take the CPA exam during the program. The program cost is $250 per credit.
How to apply
- Fill out a Graduate Business application
- Select "CPA150 Apprenticeship - Online"
Becoming a RUCPA partner
Cooperation and commitment of employers is integral to the program’s success. Companies that hire CPA Apprenticeship Program candidates must sign a memorandum of understanding, committing to provide meaningful, full-time accounting work and allowing participants time to study for and take the CPA exam. A licensed CPA must supervise the participant’s work.
Benefits:
- Allows your recent Rider hires with less than 120 credit hours to work while they earn the additional 30 credits needed to sit for the CPA licensure exam
- Opportunity to extend contingent full-time job offers to recent graduates while they obtain the additional 30 hours, increasing their value on day one of their full-time employment
- Ability to extend the employment courtship of participants needing more training and work experience before extending a full-time offer
- Attract talent to the firm/company by offering to pay for all or a portion of the program
Current RUCPA partners:
Associate Professor, Department Chair
Sweigart Hall
emcdowell [at] rider.edu
609-895-5712
Academic Focus: Accounting
