Today, more than ever before, U.S. colleges and universities reflect real life versus classroom learning. A new degree program from SMU says there's proof to this increasing trend.

The degree is called 'Financial Consulting,' and combines various finance courses along with many traditional accounting classes. The make-up of the typical student in this specific degree program is more finance-oriented than accounting.

Case in point: when SMU Junior Jeremy Lemons interned as an energy company analyst in 1998, his boss told him he'd need plenty of accounting experience to go along with his finance major if he wanted to succeed.

'A lot of recruiters wish that finance majors would've gone on and taken more accounting,' says Lemons. 'I just wanted to be more well-rounded.'

According to Dr. Jody Magliolo, chairman of the Accounting Department, the new major is intended to assure companies that SMU students can decipher financial statements and understand world markets.

'We're trying to be good listeners, trying to keep our radar and antenna up,' she says. 'We want to make sure we're current with the changing times of business.'