A handful of community colleges and technical schools in Nebraska offer associate degree programs in the field of accounting. These two-year degree programs provide students with a basic overview of the definitions, concepts and methods of accounting. They can prepare students to transfer over to a baccalaureate degree or gain an entry-level position as an accounting technician upon graduation.
Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska, offers both an Associate of Science and an Associate of Art degree program in accounting. Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff offers an associate's degree in business administration with an option in accounting.
Many public accountants have at least a bachelor's degree in the field, particularly if they plan to sit for the CPA exam. Some Nebraska schools offering four-year degree programs in accounting include the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Creighton College in Omaha.
Such degree programs are open to high school graduates and typically take about 120 credit hours to complete. In addition to providing students with an overview of the accounting field, they also provide them with an understanding of business principles and a general education background.
A graduate degree in accounting or business administration can help CPAs and aspiring accountants move ahead in their field. The University of Nebraska offers master's degree programs in accounting at both its Lincoln and its Omaha branches.
The graduate programs are designed to help students hone their analytical skills in respect to accounting. They study advanced managerial accounting tactics, as well as advanced auditing while enrolled in a master's degree program in accounting.
Doctor of Philosophy degree programs in accounting are not as common in Nebraska as other undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln does offer a Ph.D. in business administration with a specialization in accounting.
This degree program is designed to prepare doctoral students to become future accounting professors. Doctoral students research the theories and practices related to accounting and are required to complete an original dissertation before graduation.