Graduate Certificate in Accountancy (GCAC)

Overview

The College of Idaho’s Graduate Certificate in Accountancy (GACC) is designed to enhance students’ understanding of financial reporting, auditing and accounting information systems.

The GACC is created for students who are seeking to advance their career and thrive in a financial and accounting role, but who cannot devote the time necessary to complete a full master’s degree. It will provide students with an advanced understanding of accounting practices to help them on the path to leading with confidence, making ethical financial decisions and driving positive change within any organization.

The Graduate Certificate in Accountancy originates from and emphasizes the liberal arts. Through its four core courses, students gain advanced understanding of accounting and how to be a dynamic and ethical financial leader in an ever-evolving organizational landscape.

• Accounting Information Systems
• Cost Accounting
• Data Analytics
• Auditing

Admission

The Admission Office is responsible for managing the admission process for prospective students. Admission is granted on a selective basis. The Admission Committee, consisting of College administrators, faculty, and staff, reviews policy set by the Admission Office to admit students who show promise of success at the College. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion, disability, national and ethnic origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity in administration of its admission and financial aid policies.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Applicants seeking a Graduate Certificate in Accountancy (GACC) must meet all application requirements listed below no later than July 15th to be considered for the next fall cohort.

1. Complete the online GCAC application.
2. Upload a current resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
   1. Complete a 500- to 1,000-word personal statement (similar to a letter of interest). This personal statement should reveal something about you as an applicant, the reason you want to pursue this graduate degree and how it will advance your future goals.
3. Hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 either (i) in accounting or (ii) in another discipline but with completion of two semesters of intermediate accounting.
   1. If your cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0, in order to be considered for the program, you must include: (i) an explanation of GPA statement; and (ii) an additional letter of recommendation.
4. Submit transcripts from qualifying degree institution(s).
5. Demonstrate the ability to meet The College of Idaho’s technology requirements for the duration of the graduate program.
6. Submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, instructor, employer or work colleague. This letter should highlight your academic or professional experiences relevant to admission to this graduate degree program and evaluate your leadership, interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and judgement as well as your ability and capability to complete an online graduate degree.
   1. If your cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0, in order to be considered for the program, you must submit a second letter of recommendation.
7. Graduate Entrance Exam (optional) – No graduate entrance exam is required for the GACC program. If you wish to include a score (GRE, MAT, LSAT or GMAT), it will be considered. It may be helpful to include a score if you have a GPA below a 3.0 or if you would otherwise like to bolster your application.

Enrollment Deposit

The College of Idaho requires a $300 deposit before enrolling. This one-time, non-refundable deposit reserves a student’s place in the graduate program and will be applied to their first term’s tuition.

Selection of Applicants

Applicants for the next start date are reviewed on an ongoing basis by the GCAC Admission Committee. The committee reserves the right to accept, reject, or defer an application. Applicants receiving a letter of acceptance are granted a specific time period to notify the program of their intention to enroll.

Tuition and Fees

The Graduate Certificate in Accountancy consists of 16 credit hours that are completed in two terms.

2026-2027 Tuition: $10,000
Graduate Program and Technology Fee:  $150 per term

Note: The College of Idaho’s tuition and fees for graduate certificates are due in full before or on the first day of the first semester of the program.

GCAC Academic Calendar

Registration and Enrollment

Upon receipt of a student’s enrollment deposit, the College will enroll the student in the courses for the GCAC program for the 2026-2027 academic year and any future academic year until program completion. To complete enrollment, the student must be registered full-time for the semester/term and must either be paid in full for the semester/term or on a payment plan (see Payment Options) on or before the first day of class.

Full-time enrollment for the GCAC program is 8 credits per semester. To remain eligible for financial assistance, students must be enrolled in at least five (5) credit hours each semester.

Failure to make satisfactory payment arrangements by the stated deadline will result in expulsion from classes and charges calculated according to the refund rate for withdrawal (see Institutional Refund Policy).

Grading

Students must achieve a minimum of 70 percent to pass each course with a grade of a C in accordance with the grading policy outlined in the syllabus for each course.

Students are permitted to repeat a course once in which they have earned a grade of C- or lower. Both attempts appear on the student’s transcript. Only the most recent grade will be used in calculation of the cumulative GPA, and only one attempt may be counted toward meeting degree requirements.

Students who wish to file an academic appeal concerning a course grade should review the Grade Change Policy.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a graduate certificate at The College of Idaho, all students must complete all prescribed courses and pass all courses with a grade of C or better. This in turn requires all students to graduate with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.