Program Details
The WVU John Chambers School of Business and Economics offers a specialized
graduate certificate in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination to meet
the demand for forensic accountants who are needed to combat widespread growth
in white collar crime, fraud, and the illegal international movement of money.
There are multiple career opportunities in the public and private sectors
for those who earn this certificate. Federal agencies such as the Securities
and Exchange Commission and the F.B.I. are seeking specialized accountants
who possess this unique forensic knowledge. Private firms who must comply
with legislation such as the Dodd-Frank and Sarbanes-Oxley Acts also need
auditors who are skilled at detecting, preventing and deterring fraud. The
program includes two in-class/online case examinations and two examination
engagements that students must complete in a team format. Both require students
to present and defend their work in front of practicing professionals as
follows:
- Pitch to Prosecutor Exercise in Accounting 581
- Moot Court Exercise (Capstone Experience) in Accounting 584
This online certificate provides accountants with additional knowledge and
skills in these areas. WVU also offers a
master’s degree in Forensic and Fraud Examination.
Curriculum
Program Website
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with
a GPA of 2.9 or higher and GMAT score of 500 unless the applicant is a certified
public accountant, has a law degree, has been admitted to a law school, or
has two years of anti-fraud or fraud-related (auditing) experience. Given
that the undergraduate grade point average will be heavily relied upon to
evaluate academic ability, applicants may want to consider taking the GMAT
or GRE if the G.P.A. is under 3.0.
Admissions
Prerequisites
The following courses, or their equivalent in terms of course work or professional experience, are required for admission to the FAFE Certificate Program:
- ACCT 201 Principles of Accounting
- ACCT 311 Intermediate Accounting
- ACCT 322 Accounting Systems
- ACCT 451 Auditing Theory
The prerequisites may be taken at any accredited institution of higher education including online courses. Two years of related professional experience may be substituted for the prerequisite courses. An Admissions Committee for the Department of Accounting will assess prior experience.
Not all applicants may be admitted to the program. Because the program consists of intense hands-on cases and specialized assignments, enrollment in the program is limited. An Admissions Committee of three accounting faculty members will review applications and will accept individuals demonstrating the greatest potential for success.
Admissions
Any applicant with two or more years of professional work experience may request a waiver of the GMAT or GRE. To request a waiver, send your resume and waiver request to FAFE@mail.wvu.edu.
Applicants for the FAFE Graduate Certificate must be admitted to WVU as a non-degree graduate student, using 2199 as the major code.
- Enter the WVU Application portal.
- Create a username and password.
- Once an account has been created, applicants can edit the application at their discretion. Please complete all questions asked.
- Upload an up-to-date resume: Your resume should include enough information for the admissions committee to trace your entire professional work history and should indicate any relevant affiliations.
- Pay application fee.
- Submit application.
- Applicants will then need to send their transcripts to WVU's Office of Admissions. If the applicant's undergraduate school offers "e-script" (an official electronic copy of transcripts), email the transcripts to GraduateAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu. This will help expedite the admissions process. If they do not offer this service, please have your official transcripts mailed to:
West Virginia University Office of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment
PO Box 6510
Morgantown, WV 26506-6510
- For applicants submitting GMAT/GRE scores, the program GMAT code is C2S-6D-25 or 5904 for GRE.
- International Students are required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score. The WVU John Chambers School of Business and Economics TOEFL requirement is higher than the University’s - applicants must have a TOEFL score of either 580 (paper prior to July 27) or 68 (paper after July 27), 237 (computer), or 92 (Internet-based). If you have taken the IELTS instead of the TOEFL, the minimum score must be 6.5. English language exam scores should be sent to the Office of Admissions, West Virginia University, PO Box 6009, Morgantown, WV 26506-6009
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis once all parts of the application are received including transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation.