1. Kansas State University
  2. »Division of Communications and Marketing
  3. »K-State Today
  4. »Student's request results in Texas-size approval for University's Professional...

K-State Today

December 3, 2012

Student's request results in Texas-size approval for University's Professional Ethics course

Submitted by Communications and Marketing

The College of Business Administration's Professional Ethics class at Kansas State University, also known as MANGT 897, has been recognized and approved by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy to meet all ethics requirements of the board to sit in its CPA -- Certified Public Accountant -- examination.

The course was developed and is taught by Diane Swanson, Edgerley family chair in business administration and professor of management, mainly for graduate students.

"I developed a robust course which is so strong in accounting ethics that it just happens to meet the criteria set forth by the Texas board," Swanson said.

It was one of Swanson's students who sought to have the class approved by the board.

"I enrolled in Professional Ethics with Dr. Diane Swanson with the hope of getting the class approved by the Texas Board of CPAs by the end of the semester. Dr. Swanson and I put together a packet containing information on the class, university and awards won by the ethics program," said Bret Eisenbarth, master's candidate in accountancy from Topeka. "This will allow future students to be eligible to sit for the CPA in Texas without having to seek out an approved ethics course out-of-state."

Students who pass the course in fall 2012 and beyond will have the ethics requirement fulfilled. The class meets the requirements for three years.

"I am pleased that we could serve Bret in this way," Swanson said. "This is also a great opportunity for his fellow students who may wish to continue their careers in Texas."

In addition to its undergraduate majors and minors, the College of Business Administration offers Master of Accountancy and Master of Business Administration programs, three graduate certificates and a Professional Education seminar series in Olathe. The college has been recognized by the Aspen Institute for the inclusion of ethics and social responsibility into its curriculum.