Navigating Graduate School Choices: The Impact of School Prestige in Public Accounting
As I approach graduation with my bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Western Governors University (WGU), I’m faced with an important decision: how to fulfill the 150 credit hours required for the CPA certification. I’ve come across discussions suggesting that the prestige of one’s school holds little weight after obtaining the CPA, yet I find myself questioning this notion.
Currently, I am considering two distinct paths for my master’s education:
- Continuing at WGU, which offers a cost-effective and familiar environment.
- Transferring to a more traditional state or local university program that may boost my credentials.
My hesitation stems from the lingering stigma surrounding online education, especially for competency-based programs like WGU that utilize pass/fail grading systems and often assign a standardized GPA of 3.0. I can’t help but worry that this may impact my prospects of securing positions in public Accounting or landing desirable entry-level roles.
I’m reaching out to those with firsthand experience in the hiring process, either as applicants or employers, to tackle a few key questions:
- Do recruiters truly overlook the name of the institution once a candidate has their CPA?
- Has anyone successfully navigated their way into Big 4 firms or mid-tier companies with a degree from WGU?
- Is the additional investment of time and money for a degree from a traditional program justified?
While it’s widely accepted that obtaining a CPA outweighs the school’s reputation, I still have reservations about potentially limiting my opportunities by remaining at WGU for my graduate studies. I would greatly appreciate insights from anyone who has faced a similar crossroads.
Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts and experiences!
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