LEWISTON, Idaho – Lewis-Clark State College has received approval from the Idaho State Board of Education and the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, its accrediting body, to begin offering a Master of Science in CyberAccounting degree in spring 2025, college administrators have announced.
The fully online degree combines a focus on information technology, fraud detection, and accounting into a 30-credit program not offered by any other Idaho public institution.
“There are very few programs like this in the nation,” said Luther Maddy, dean of LC State’s School of Professional & Graduate Studies. “It will be perfect for graduates of an accounting program who want to pursue the 150 credits needed to sit for the CPA exam.”
The cyber accountant is a blend of interdisciplinary skillsets that span traditional accounting, cybersecurity management, forensic accounting, digital analytics, information security analysis, management analysis and fraud examination. The program’s curriculum will also cover artificial intelligence and how the accounting world will need to adapt to utilize this technology.
LC State’s accounting program has consistently achieved some of the highest pass rates on the Certified Public Accountant exams among four-year public institutions in Idaho, according to data released by the Idaho State Board of Accountancy (ISBA). Additionally, the college’s recently developed cybersecurity management degree is quickly growing in popularity.
“The combination of cybersecurity and accounting not only addresses a high-demand industry need, but it also plays to the strengths of LC State’s existing programs and areas of expertise,” Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs Fred Chilson said. “This innovative program will make a big impact on students, industry and Idaho.”
The application deadline for spring is Nov. 1. Applicants will need to have completed a bachelor’s in business and have at least 15 credits in accounting. Students can apply online at www.lcsc.edu/apply.
This is the second full master’s degree at LC State. In July, LC State announced an online leadership-focused Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, the only one of its kind among Idaho public institutions. Both degrees are possible thanks to a 2020 bill that officially amended Idaho Code to allow LC State to offer graduate-level coursework. Spearheaded by LC State President Cynthia Pemberton, the bill was sponsored by former senator, and now Lewiston mayor, Dan Johnson, and former representative Paul Amador, and was signed by Gov. Brad Little.
For more information about the program visit www.lcsc.edu/program-finder/accounting.