Re-entry & Resiliency Plan (updated 7/22/22)
Acquire in-demand, up-to-date skills in Carlow University’s IACBE-accredited online Master of Science in Fraud and Forensics. One of the first of its kind in the nation, the program is consistently ranked as one of the top forensic accounting programs.
The College of Arts and Sciences Department of Business Management, Accounting, and Ethics at Carlow University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11374 Strang Line Road in Lenexa, Kansas, USA.
For a list of accredited programs and retention information, see Accreditations.
You can pursue a new career or seek promotion in the field with a graduate certificate in fraud and forensics. The program combines case-based learning with top anti-fraud resources from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) to help prepare you to investigate, remediate and prevent fraud.
11 credits
$929/credit
As few as 2 semesters
100% Online
You will learn key strategies to minimize fraud, build an understanding of required personal ethics and hone the skill of financial statement examination. Courses include lectures and videos from experts in the forensic accounting field.
Upon completion, you will be prepared to pursue ACFE certification. Credits earned in this certificate program can be used toward a master’s in fraud and forensics.
Heightened awareness and growing intolerance of fraudulent activity has increased demand for forensic accountants, according to the ACFE. Once certified, forensic accountants can hold positions in governmental departments, accounting firms, corporate security and risk management, and law firms.
You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:
An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred; however, provisional admission is also possible if you do not meet all of the admission criteria but exhibit a strong possibility of academic success.
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
If you are interested in this certificate program, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.
If your undergraduate studies are in psychology, criminology or accounting, you will find Carlow’s dual degree in Psychology and Fraud and Forensics highly relevant. It blends the study of motivation, psychopathy and criminal decision making from the Psychology program with the hands-on investigative skill areas of the Fraud and Forensics program.
46 credits
$957/credit
As few as 18 months
On campus, some online
The Fraud and Forensics courses focus on financial and cyber-crime investigation, as well as forensic accounting and prevention, detection, investigation and remediation of fraud and white-collar crime. The Psychology courses address personality and developmental differences, and how deviant behavior and beliefs can lead to criminal activities. You’ll study criminal and civil forensic psychology, along with the inherent ethical issues. The dual degree program includes eight courses from Psychology and seven courses from Fraud and Forensics for a total of 46 credits. You must satisfy the requirements of both programs before the degrees are conferred.
With the dual degree, you will be prepared to work in jobs in the civil and criminal court system, in fraud detection and investigation, and within corporations and government where financial and cyber-crimes are most prevalent.
Many master’s-level graduate students immediately pursue doctoral degrees in related fields. Some Psychology and Fraud and Forensics dual degree students enroll in law school or doctoral programs in psychology or criminology.
You can apply for free online, and must submit the following materials:
An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred; however, provisional admission is also possible if you do not meet all of the admission criteria but exhibit a strong possibility of academic success.
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
If you are interested in this graduate program, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.
You will be a valuable asset to employers in almost any industry with an accounting degree from Carlow University. You will learn what you need to know to pass the Certified Public Accountant exam while obtaining real-world experience with an internship or practicum in greater Pittsburgh’s vibrant business community. The accounting and forensic accounting programs are offered at undergraduate and graduate levels in traditional as well as accelerated formats.
Accountants do more than crunch numbers all day. Accountants ensure businesses are operating ethically and efficiently; are in compliance with state and federal regulations and taxation requirements; and are meeting the demands and challenges of our global economy. With a bachelor’s degree in accounting, your opportunities include positions in the public, corporate, small business, government and nonprofit arenas.
The curriculum for the accounting major meets the requirements for the Pennsylvania Certified Public Accounting (CPA) exam. Upon graduation, you will be well prepared to achieve professional success. Gain the knowledge and experience you need to build your resume and prepare for the CPA exam.
Bachelor of Science
On campus or online
Oakland
Up to 90 credits
The bachelor’s degree in accounting is a comprehensive study of the in-demand technical and soft skills organizations will require of you. The curriculum allows students to design, navigate and explore a chosen field of study while establishing a knowledge base for career readiness and ethical leadership.
Required courses in the accounting program provide an in-depth look at accounting principles such as taxation, finance and auditing, all while establishing a knowledge base for career readiness and ethical leadership. The BS in Accounting curriculum integrates a strong liberal arts education with the hard business skills needed in today’s changing world.
Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online degree option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.
Finish your bachelor’s degree in three years by following a 3-year academic plan. Courses are taken across fall, spring and summer terms with summer courses completely online. When applying, indicate your interest in the 3-Year Degree option.
Fast track your way to a master’s by taking graduate courses as an undergraduate student. Course credits count toward both degrees. Apply for the accelerated option after your sophomore year.
A bachelor of accounting degree will provide a career opportunity in virtually any industry. Accounting is a core operating function of any organization, and a BS in accounting will prepare you to contribute to this vital role. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a growth of 10% for accounting and auditing occupations.
The College of Arts and Sciences Department of Business Management, Accounting, and Ethics at Carlow University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11374 Strang Line Road in Lenexa, Kansas, USA.
For a list of accredited programs and retention information, see Accreditations.
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
Accounting major Holly Doyal ’22 likes the small-school atmosphere at Carlow and the way it caters to adult students with full-time jobs. “My advisor actually cares and knows who I am and what my goals are and is there to help with any issues or concerns I have along the way. It is like I have a whole team of caring people who are there to help me succeed and reach my goals.”
If you are interested in this major, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.
You can expand your business and finance knowledge with a minor in Accounting. This 18-credit minor, available to any major offered at Carlow University, will give you the in-demand technical and soft skills sought by companies and organizations.
You will complete six courses in accounting that provide an in-depth look at accounting principles such as taxation, finance and auditing, while establishing a knowledge base for career-readiness and ethical leadership.
You can learn to prevent, detect and resolve fraud and white-collar crime, a field with an increasing need for specialists, in Carlow’s forensic accounting degree program.
Forensic accounting merges skills in accounting, auditing and investigation. Forensic accountants are involved with litigation support and investigative accounting. They help determine the amount of economic damages caused by theft, and deal with securities and insurance fraud, asset misappropriations, fraudulent statements and professional negligence.
Bachelor of Science
On campus, some online
Oakland
Up to 90 credits
The Forensic Accounting major curriculum includes specialized courses in such areas as fraud prevention and ethics, the law and fraud, fraud investigation techniques, fraud examination and information security. You will also complete an internship.
Finish your bachelor’s degree in three years by following a 3-year academic plan. Courses are taken across fall, spring and summer terms with summer courses completely online. When applying, indicate your interest in the 3-Year Degree option.
Fast track your way to a master’s by taking graduate courses as an undergraduate student. Course credits count toward both degrees. Apply for the accelerated option after your sophomore year.
The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners reports the demand for forensic accountants is rapidly increasing because of heightened awareness and growing intolerance of fraudulent activity. Forensic accountants work in public accounting firms’ forensic accounting divisions; consult for firms specializing in risk consulting and forensic accounting services; and with lawyers, law enforcement agencies, insurance companies, government organizations and financial institutions.
Graduates of the forensic accounting degree program are qualified to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam and the Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE) exam. (Please see the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs website and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners for current licensure requirements.) These credentials are recognized globally and are regarded as an indicator of excellence in the accounting and anti-fraud professions.
The College of Arts and Sciences Department of Business Management, Accounting, and Ethics at Carlow University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11374 Strang Line Road in Lenexa, Kansas, USA.
For a list of accredited programs and retention information, see Accreditations.
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
Lexie Young ’20 was drawn to Carlow because of its Forensic Accounting program, one of the few in the state. “The professors in the forensic program were very helpful in providing real life experiences to show what we could do with our degree and gave us opportunities for internships and more. Carlow was there for my best interest and is still there for me today.”
If you are interested in this major, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.
A minor in Economics complements a variety of majors in related fields. If you are preparing for an MBA program or foreign service, or are interested in quantitative data analysis in the social sciences, then minoring in Economics is an attractive choice.
You will study economic theories and methods of analyzing data pertaining to the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. A minimum of 18 credits is required.
Learn to lead in the dynamic and evolving area of fraud management with a MBA degree in Fraud and Forensics. The urgency of fraud prevention and management has led to a growing need for business leaders who understand how to protect their organizations as well as their organizations’ customers and partners.
In the MBA fraud management degree program, you will learn the latest ways to prevent, investigate and solve fraud in the workplace, and how to use your knowledge and skills in ethical leadership and forensics to become an in-demand anti-fraud professional.
36 credits
$957/credit
As few as 24 months
On campus or online
The White Collar Crime core course offers a deep dive into understanding white-collar crime and its impact on organizations and the economy, while Fraud Prevention and Ethics discusses the ethical processes that influence individual and organizational fraud issues. In the Legal Elements of Fraud course, students study the constitutional laws and federal rules of civil and criminal procedure as they relate to fraudulent activity.
Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online degree option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.
The growth of consumer technology like smartphones, coupled with that of e-commerce, has made fraud detection and prevention a pressing issue for businesses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 10% growth from 2016 to 2026 for financial examiners who ensure legal compliance and consumer protection.
Potential job titles include fraud examiner, financial investigator, forensic audit expert, fraud manager and fraud detection/prevention analyst.
The College of Arts and Sciences Department of Business Management, Accounting, and Ethics at Carlow University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11374 Strang Line Road in Lenexa, Kansas, USA.
For a list of accredited programs and retention information, see Accreditations.
The graduate program admissions process happens on a rolling basis. Applicants are asked to apply for free online, and submit the following materials:
anytime
Fall, Spring & Summer
An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred; however, provisional admission is also possible for students who do not meet all of the admission criteria, but who exhibit a strong possibility of academic success.
If you are interested in this graduate program, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.
