The 150-Hour Requirement and the Supply of Graduate Accounting Programs

Abstract

During the past 10 years, many states and U.S. jurisdictions have established 150-hour CPA licensing requirements. Simultaneously, the supply of graduate accounting programs in the United States has increased dramatically. This article (a) describes that recent increase in graduate programs, (b) provides evidence of an association between the proportion of universities offering graduate accounting degrees and implementation of the 150-hour requirement, and (c) projects the expected growth in graduate accounting programs over the next 10 years. Our results suggest that higher education is responding to state-mandated 150-hour requirements by increasing the supply of graduate accounting programs. Moreover, there is likely to be a growth of approximately 17% in graduate accounting programs over the next 10 years.