Media Release

For Immediate Release

July 14, 2008

Sobey School of Business granted full CMA accreditation

On May 23, 2008, the Saint Mary’s University Bachelor of Commerce program was approved for accreditation by the CMA Canada national board of directors to become the first CMA-accredited program in Nova Scotia.

CMA Canada’s accredited-program policy has been in place since 2000 and includes top-tier business programs at institutions such as the University of Toronto, the University of Alberta, Ottawa University, Memorial University, among others ... and now Saint Mary's University as well.

“This accreditation is a testament to the comprehensive, high-quality programming of the School,” said Dr. David Wicks, Dean, Sobey School of Business.

From a student’s point of view, the accredited-program course stream allows for full coverage of the CMA Entrance Exam syllabus by the time of graduation, and, for those with an overall average of 75 per cent or higher, the opportunity to bypass this exam and immediately begin a CMA professional program, such as the CMA Strategic Leadership Program or the combined MBA-CMA Program at Saint Mary's University.

From an employer’s point of view, the CMA-accredited program allows access to high-performing students that have essentially started the CMA program long before they’ve even graduated. By way of CMA Canada’s rigid standards, employers can rest assured that graduate of the CMA-accredited programs are equal in their preparation and testing as the commonly used combination of the CMA Accelerated Program and the CMA Entrance Exam.

Graduates of the accredited program have three years from the date of graduation to take advantage of their opportunity for an exemption and that in every case, they will still have to pass either of our two professional programs (CMA Strategic Leadership Program or combined MBA-CMA Program), which include the CMA case exam and the CMA board report.

The CMA-accredited program benefits students who have obtained their Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in accounting at Saint Mary’s University in May 2008 or any later date, and have obtained all the courses required by CMA for entry into our program as well as an overall average of 75 per cent or higher.

To determine eligibility for a CMA professional program, former students can mail an official copy of your university transcripts to your local CMA office for a free official evaluation.

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For more information:

Blake Patterson
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: blake.patterson@smu.ca
www.smu.ca