A-State Renames Undergraduate Accounting Degree Following Earned STEM Designation

09/15/2025

JONESBORO - A degree program at Arkansas State University's Neil Griffin College of Business has been renamed to acknowledge an earned STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) designation.

The undergraduate degree, Accounting with Data Analytics and earned STEM designation, formally recognized the program's integration of data analytics across the curriculum.

"Renaming our undergraduate accounting program to 'Accounting with Data Analytics' and earning STEM designation' demonstrates our commitment to preparing graduates who are equipped to lead in a profession increasingly driven by technology," said Dr. James Doering, chair of the Department of Accounting.

"The integration of data analytics throughout our curriculum ensures that students are not only prepared for professional certification but are also ready to make an immediate impact in the workforce."

The update aligns the undergraduate program with the STEM-designated Master of Accountancy with Data Analytics, reinforcing A-State's leadership in innovative accounting education and its commitment to preparing students for the future of the profession.

Doering emphasized that this new designation better prepares graduates for the demands of modern accounting.

"The profession now requires analytical skills, technology integration, and data-driven decision-making. By embedding analytics into our curriculum, we align with the revised CPA Evolution Exam and equip students for the challenges ahead."

Doering, who is also HCJ CPAs and Advisors/Louis and Ann Schaff Distinguished Professor of Accounting, also noted that the change facilitates a smooth transition for students into the STEM-designated Master of Accountancy with Data Analytics program.

"Together, these enhancements ensure that our graduates are not only prepared for professional certification, but also for career advancement and leadership in an ever-evolving field," he continued.

Few undergraduate accounting programs nationwide have achieved a STEM designation. With this change, A-State joins a leading and innovative group of institutions recognized for integrating analytics and technology into the core of their accounting curriculum.