Universities Offering Blockchain Courses

Blockchain is a digital ledger shared across computer networks. Its decentralized format makes records easy to check and difficult to change. The technology became more widely known and used across industries, including finance and tech, starting in the 2010s, with the growth of Bitcoin.

Though many associate blockchain solely with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, the technology has a strong place in other applications, particularly in finance. Through shared records, blockchain enables near-real-time trade settlements, improves audit trails, reduces fraud risk, and increases financial recordkeeping transparency.

The rapid adoption of blockchain across industries, including finance, has led some accountants to add blockchain technology to their knowledge base. Universities across the country offer free and paid online and in-person blockchain courses for accounting leaders to grow their skills, some of which we highlight below.

In the earliest days of blockchain, many colleges and universities had yet to implement formal blockchain education. Once they did, computer science programs usually dove into the topic, focusing more on the technology itself rather than its many applications. Finance degree programs came around the same time, although they often catered to blockchain’s role in cryptocurrencies.

Accounting-focused blockchain education is still relatively rare compared to courses and degrees in other fields. However, some universities now offer blockchain courses or specializations within their finance or accounting programs, allowing accounting leaders to understand how blockchain applies to auditing and financial reporting.

Blockchain education has also evolved with the rise of online learning. Many universities offer courses and degree programs online with asynchronous coursework. Some even partner with online platforms such as Coursera and edX to make blockchain education accessible to learners worldwide.

In addition to degrees, students can learn through standalone courses and certificates to build practical skills with a shortened time commitment. Some universities also extend blockchain education through research hubs and conferences.

Blockchain training isn’t mandatory for most accounting roles, but forward-thinking accounting professionals can choose to stay ahead of emerging technologies. In a 2024 QuickBooks survey, 90% of accountants and bookkeepers agreed that a willingness to adopt new technologies is equally as important as having traditional accounting skills.

Those working in general accounting likely won’t need to learn blockchain. However, having a surface-level understanding of blockchain’s role in accounting, such as automated auditing and smart contracts, can help accounting professionals meet a diverse set of client needs.

Some accounting roles increasingly expect a deeper understanding of blockchain. For example, senior auditors for crypto-heavy investment firms must know how to manage and identify risk with digital assets. Similarly, forensic accountants are skilled in tracing crypto transactions and data.

The following courses provide structured training for accounting professionals who want to build blockchain skills and move into specialized accounting roles.

Several universities offer blockchain courses as part of degrees, certificates, or minors, or as standalone courses. We’ve rounded up 10 schools where you can take blockchain courses below.

Note that this is not a ranking, but instead an alphabetical list to help you find universities that are keeping pace with emerging blockchain technologies.

Cornell’s blockchain essentials certificate is an online program with five courses:

Students will learn how blockchain works as a trusted digital ledger to redefine bookkeeping, financial data encryption, and the many applications of blockchain for businesses.

The only synchronous course is the leadership symposium, which includes three days of live web-based meetings with peers, Cornell experts, and other industry leaders. The certificate takes two months to complete and costs $3,750. Anyone with any level of blockchain knowledge can enroll.

The MIT online blockchain program is available through MIT Professional Education, a division of MIT established in 2002 and focused on professional and executive learning. The program explores blockchain as a disruptive technology in multiple industries, and students can discover how it might impact their own industry. Accounting leaders can build skills in blockchain fundamentals relevant to their everyday work, including distributed ledgers, data encryption, and digital signatures.

The program costs $2,900, lasts eight weeks, and requires 8-10 hours of work each week. After completing the program, learners receive 6.4 MIT continuing education units, which can be applied toward a professional credential, like a certified public accountant (CPA).

NYU Stern’s fintech MBA concentration examines emerging financial technologies relevant to accounting leaders, such as blockchain, digital currencies, robo-advising, and financial information systems. The university’s full-time MBA is an in-person program that includes 60 credits, takes about two years to complete, and costs $89,524 per academic year.

NYU Stern MBA students can pursue dual degrees and access experiential learning opportunities, like working with partnered companies or training with experienced investment and portfolio managers. The school also publishes faculty research, books, opinions, and other resources, with insight into financial regulation, markets, and trends.

Nexford University’s online MBA has an available fintech and blockchain specialization featuring courses in financial planning and analysis, machine learning technology for finance, and blockchain for finance. Learn through case studies, lectures, and hands-on exercises to understand how blockchain technologies work across the finance industry.

The MBA also includes accounting, financial reporting, and financial decision-making courses. The entire program is designed to take 9-18 months and has a tuition fee of $450 per month. Prospective students must have a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field from an accredited school to apply.

Princeton’s Bitcoin and cryptocurrency technologies course is an open-enrollment, online program accessible via Coursera since 2016. It’s free to enroll in and complete, and learners can start working on the 11 modules as soon as they sign up.

The lessons walk through how cryptocurrencies function, the mechanics of blockchain, and security considerations. This course can be an excellent way to understand blockchain fundamentals before jumping into a more advanced program.

This course does not offer a certificate, which is something to keep in mind for those who want to add a formal credential to their resume or meet continuing education requirements.

The Rutgers blockchain and smart contracts in accounting is a standalone program and a stackable concentration for an MBA in professional accounting. The four-course online program covers audit analytics, blockchain in accounting, and smart contract applications in accounting. Learners also complete an audit analytics capstone project requiring research and a real-world application of analytics in an auditing scenario.

Tuition is $1,313 per credit, or about $15,750 for the 12-credit certificate. Applicants must submit unofficial transcripts, a resume, and a 1-2 page essay explaining their interest in the program.

Accounting leaders can expand their blockchain expertise by completing the U of A’s blockchain enterprise systems minor. Students must be an undergraduate business major to qualify for the three-credit minor, which explores blockchain fundamentals, applications, and enterprise systems development. To complete the 15-credit minor, learners must also choose two electives, many of which are accounting and finance courses, like intermediate accounting and audit and assurance services.

The U of A Department of Accounting also publishes research papers on audit quality, financial reporting, and emerging technology within the industry, giving leaders insight into evolving industry trends and standards.

UT Austin’s Blockchain Initiative supports the school’s faculty and students in learning and researching blockchain technology and understanding its impacts on numerous financial functions. The McCombs School of Business also features a research hub where accounting leaders can explore the latest cryptocurrency and blockchain insights.

Students can complete a professional fintech certificate from UT Austin via edX. The four-month program includes four courses:

The program costs $2,880 and includes a digital certificate to share with employers.

Accountants seeking a master’s degree incorporating blockchain courses should consider UC’s master’s in global business with a blockchain technology concentration. The 31-credit degree explores multiple blockchain concepts, including development, cryptography, and legal frameworks — skills accountants can use for auditing, assurance, and advisory services.

Students also graduate with a blockchain certificate concurrently with their degree. Alternatively, the 12-credit blockchain certificate is a standalone credential to apply to a master’s degree. Either option comes with a tuition fee of $355 per credit.

UW’s blockchain minor is an in-person program ideal for undergraduates who want to develop blockchain knowledge. The 15-credit minor allows students to choose three electives, including blockchain ethics and blockchain’s role in data and business analytics. Students generally need a high school GPA of at least 3.0 for acceptance, although UW considers select applicants with a lower GPA.

Students can get hands-on experience with blockchain at UW’s on-campus bitcoin mining facility and the Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation (CBDI). CBDI sponsors the Wyoming Blockchain Stampede, an annual event where blockchain experts from across the country meet to discuss emerging technologies across industries.