Follow the Trail

Our four-course graduate certificate in auditing and forensic accounting provides in-depth training in financial investigation, fraud detection and risk management, and is designed to prepare you for advanced roles in public accounting, corporate finance, law enforcement and government agencies. Our program offers a strong foundation in forensic accounting, internal auditing and financial forensics, focusing on compliance, regulatory standards and ethical practices. Upon completion, you should be well-equipped to pursue certifications from the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), enhancing your credibility and marketability in the field.

What Are My Job Opportunities?

With an Auditing and Forensic Accounting Graduate Certificate, you can prepare for roles such as forensic accountant, internal auditor, fraud investigator and compliance officer.

Careers Possibilities

Accountants and Auditors
$ 79,880
Financial Examiners
$ 84,300
Compliance Officers
$ 75,670

Current Median Salaries from US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023

Program Details

Our program offers specialized fraud detection, financial investigation and compliance training to tackle modern accounting challenges.

What Might I Learn?

You will have the opportunity to gain experience in a number of key areas.

Fraud Detection and Prevention

Gain expertise in identifying and investigating financial fraud, applying advanced techniques to prevent fraudulent activity in various sectors.

Financial Forensics

Learn to analyze complex financial data, detect discrepancies and reconstruct financial records to uncover fraudulent behavior.

Forensic Accounting Tools and Technology

Acquire practical skills using specialized software and analytical tools to conduct forensic investigations and detect financial irregularities.

Regulatory and Compliance Standards

Develop a deep understanding of key accounting regulations, including GAAP, SOX and international compliance standards, ensuring ethical and legal financial practices.

Taking Classes

Online and In-Person

Designed for working professionals and accounting specialists, our program is offered fully online and in-person at the Commerce campus, allowing you to choose the learning mode that best fits your schedule.

Please check the schedule of classes for locations and meeting times, as they may change.

Curriculum

An Auditing and Forensic Accounting Graduate Certificate at East Texas A&M University provides a robust curriculum that blends theory with practical skills in financial investigation, fraud detection and compliance. Our program is designed to enhance your expertise as you navigate complex financial challenges and excel in various accounting and forensic roles.

Operational Excellence Graduate Certificate

The purpose of this certificate is to develop a graduate-level working knowledge of important tools (e.g., Six Sigma and project management software) for successful application in supply chain and project management. By successfully completing the certificate, you will be awarded an Operational Excellence Certificate from East Texas A&M, and Green Belt Six Sigma certificate. All the courses in the Operational Excellence Certificate Program may be applied toward a Master of Science (MS) in our Management degree program and some of the courses may be applied to other graduate business degrees.

Finding My Community

We believe that education thrives in an environment where collaboration, support and mutual respect flourish. Our community of students and professors embodies these values, creating an enriching and dynamic atmosphere for learning and growth. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wide range of experiences and perspectives to the table. Our professors are not only experts in their respective fields but also dedicated mentors who are committed to guiding and nurturing the next generation of scholars.

Daniel Hsiao, Ph.D., CPA, CISA

Associate Professor of Accounting

Shiyou Li Ph.D., CPA

Associate Professor of Accounting

Hongmei Jia, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Accounting
Group of students siting at table outside smiling at the camera.

Student Organizations

Our campus has many ways to engage and get involved.

The Department of Accounting and Forensic Studies Student Chapter

The Department of Accounting and Forensic Studies Student Chapter promotes the academic programs of auditing and forensic accounting, supporting you through both on-campus and online academic, social and professional events. This organization collaborates closely with Career Services to provide you with internship opportunities and professional development in the fields of forensic accounting, auditing and financial investigation.

I’m Looking For Something Different

Is this program close, but still not right for you? Check out our related degrees!

Two students in graduation cap and gown smile holding their diploma

Financing My Future

Financial Aid

Financial aid includes a variety of programs, like scholarships, federal and state grants, and federal and state work-study programs. Find out how you may be eligible for scholarships, grants, loans and/or a graduate assistantship. Financial Aid and Scholarships

On-Campus Employment Opportunities

Enhance your expertise through on-campus employment opportunities.

Graduate Assistant/Research/Teaching

Graduate assistant teaching (GAT), graduate assistant research (GAR), and graduate assistant non-teaching (GANT) assistantships at East Texas A&M offer financial support and professional development for graduate students. Assistantships are available in academic and non-academic departments.

Cost Before Financial Aid

East Texas A&M is one of the most affordable colleges around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Our tuition rates are some of the most competitive in Texas.

for Texas residents

/

For non-residents

Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents. But don’t worry: there are

TUITION AND FEES
0
Per Semester

Additional Fees May Apply

  • Online Courses ($50 per hour)
  • Remote Locations ($20 per hour)
  • Lab Fees ($5 – $30 per course)

How Do I Get Started?

If you have not already done so, complete the Request Information form. You will be connected with your enrollment specialist, who can answer your questions. When you’re ready, go ahead and follow the steps below to apply.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission, you must first meet the following criteria.

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution

Admission Process

Once admitted, you must:

Submit Application

  • Create an ApplyTexas account or login if you already have one
  • Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
  • Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
  • Choose the semester you wish to begin
  • Select “Auditing & Forensic Accounting, Graduate Certificate” as your “Program.”
  • Pay the $50 application fee.

Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.

  • Within two business days of your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.

Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.

Your Graduate Coordinator

Domestic Transcripts

Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your Graduate Student Services Coordinator. We accept transcripts officially via email (directly from the institution), through Parchment, and any other official transcript providing agency. If your university does not offer an electronic transcript service, you may request them to be sent via regular mail to:

East Texas A&M University

Attn: Graduate School

2600 S. Neal St.

Commerce, Texas 75428

If your degree is from East Texas A&M University, you do not have to order a transcript. We will access your transcript.

If we already have your transcript, we will reuse it for a new application as long as it is still on file.

International transcripts

WES ICAP evaluations will be required for certain countries; those are listed below:

  • Transcripts/Degrees from universities in Nigeria
  • Transcripts/Degrees from universities in China that do not come from CSSD (formerly CHESICC)
  • Any country where the official transcript is not in English

For all other countries, an evaluation is not initially required. Original official transcripts are required for admission consideration.
Please know that upon receipt of your official transcript, the Graduate School reserves the right to require an external evaluation at that time.

Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce, Texas 75428

We will need official/original documents.

If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.

Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status

  • Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.

  • Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
  • Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
  • Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.

Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.

View Degree Plan

DegreeWorks is where you track your progress through your program and make sure you are meeting all your requirements for graduation.

  • Sing in to myLEO
  • Navigate to “Student Resources”
  • Select “Grad School DegreeWorks”

Register for Classes

  • To register for classes, go to myLEO > Student Resources > Registration Menu.

Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.

Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist

Note: International students interested in graduate certificates must do so in conjunction with a graduate degree.

Submit Application

  • Create an ApplyTexas account or login if you already have one
  • Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
  • Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
  • Choose the semester you wish to begin
  • Select “Auditing & Forensic Accounting, Graduate Certificate” as your “Program.”
  • Pay the $75 application fee

Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.

  • After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.

Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.

Your Graduate Coordinator

Domestic Transcripts

Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your Graduate Student Services Coordinator. We accept transcripts officially via email (directly from the institution), through Parchment, and any other official transcript providing agency. If your university does not offer an electronic transcript service, you may request them to be sent via regular mail to:

East Texas A&M University

Attn: Graduate School

2600 S. Neal St.

Commerce, Texas 75428

If your degree is from East Texas A&M University, you do not have to order a transcript. We will access your transcript.

If we already have your transcript, we will reuse it for a new application as long as it is still on file.

International transcripts

WES ICAP evaluations will be required for certain countries; those are listed below:

  • Transcripts/Degrees from universities in Nigeria
  • Transcripts/Degrees from universities in China that do not come from CSSD (formerly CHESICC)
  • Any country where the official transcript is not in English

For all other countries, an evaluation is not initially required. Original official transcripts are required for admission consideration.
Please know that upon receipt of your official transcript, the Graduate School reserves the right to require an external evaluation at that time.

Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce, Texas 75428

We will need official/original documents.

If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.

Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status

  • Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.

  • Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
  • Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
  • Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.

Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.

View Degree Plan

DegreeWorks is where you track your progress through your program and make sure you are meeting all your requirements for graduation.

  • Sing in to myLEO
  • Navigate to “Student Resources”
  • Select “Grad School DegreeWorks”

Register for Classes

  • To register for classes, go to myLEO > Student Resources > Registration Menu.

Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.

Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist

I Still Have Questions

We are here to help! Send us an email. We can answer your questions and assist you in the application process.

Contact the Department

  • P.O. Box 3011
  • Commerce, TX 75429-3011
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