Accounting, MSA

The Master of Science in Accountancy is a federally approved STEM degree program offering students the opportunity to develop substantive knowledge, skills, and abilities in accounting. It allows students without undergraduate degrees in accounting to combine their diverse backgrounds with a graduate degree in accounting. 

Program Learning Goals

Consistent with the School’s mission, students in the program will:

• Develop advanced knowledge and understanding of accounting concepts, the regulatory environment, and professional practice issues and challenges;
• Enhance their critical thinking skills and develop the ability to apply advanced knowledge of accounting concepts, principles and practices in innovative ways;
• Develop the ability to research accounting issues and write research reports that incorporate qualitative and quantitative data analysis and integrate information from multiple sources;
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills;
• Understand and appreciate the role of information technology in contemporary accounting, research, and decision-making; and
• Understand and appreciate the significance of ethics, professionalism, and social responsibility in accounting.

Admission Requirements

• Graduate School application 
• Official transcripts from each institution attended
• Letter of Intent
• Resume

Application Deadline

• August 1 for Fall enrollment
• December 1 for Spring enrollment
• May 1 for Summer enrollment

International Student Applications

I-20 forms used for visa approval are processed by UA student immigration services in the International Center: https://www.uakron.edu/international/. Proof of English Language Proficiency is required by producing an acceptable TOEFL or IELTS score.

The MSA  is an approved Federal STEM Degree Program. Graduates from this program residing on student visas are eligible for a 24-month optional practical training (OPT) extension beyond the standard 12-month period for this STEM-certified degree.

Degree Offered: MS Accountancy

Program Contact: gradbusiness@uakron.edu

The Program

Individuals with a non-business undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution or international equivalent must take the Pre-MSA Foundation Courses and the Pre-MSA Financial Reporting Courses. Individuals with a non-accounting business undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution or international equivalent must take the Pre-MSA Financial Reporting Courses. Students who have completed similar courses at the undergraduate or graduate level may apply for waivers. 

Pre-MSA Foundation Courses

All foundation courses must be taken prior to courses in the MSA program. An exception to this policy may be made for students who have received waivers from foundation courses.

Pre-MSA Financial Reporting Courses

All Pre-MSA Financial Reporting Courses with the exception of ACCT 540 Assurance Services and Professional Responsibilities must be completed prior to taking courses in the MSA program.

Students in the MSA must complete a total of 30 credits from the groups of courses listed below. At least 21 credits must be at the 600-level; a minimum of 15 credits must be graduate accounting courses, and at least 12 credits must be 600-level accounting courses.

Students must take two STEM elective courses and take an additional two elective courses. These two additional courses can be from the STEM or non-STEM lists. At least 6 elective credits must be prefixed ACCT.

¹

All courses in this group are required except for ACCT 520. Students who have completed a similar advanced accounting course at the undergraduate level must take a different course.

²

Students who have completed similar courses to ACCT 531, ACCT 550, ACCT 554, or ACCT 570 at the undergraduate level must take a different course(s).