Accounting
Master of Science
Quick Facts
The Online Master of Science in Accounting program provides a path for working professionals and students to complete advanced coursework and prepare for or further a career in professional accounting while earning credit toward a CPA license. Students will take a total of 30 units of graduate-level coursework. This consists of 18 units of accounting courses and 12 units of selected online MBA and accounting electives, with courses starting six times each year. Both the Eller College of Management and the School of Accountancy are AACSB accredited, adding to the value of this degree.
To be eligible for the Online Master of Science in Accounting, students must possess a four-year bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA and have completed accounting prerequisite courses.
If you have not completed the necessary prerequisites, apply to our Online Accounting Graduate Certificate program, in which you can complete these courses. Once you have completed the prerequisites, you may apply to the online MSA program to complete your graduate degree. The Certificate program is also a great place to start if your GPA is under 3.0. The minimum GPA requirement for the Certificate program is 2.75.
For additional information, contact the master's program coordinator at GradAcctPrograms@arizona.edu.
This program leads to professional licensure. Licensure requirements vary by state. To see if our program meets, does not meet or if we are unable to make a determination on requirements, please review the program state licensure information via the Eligibility & State Authorization page.
*Residents of some U.S. Territories may not be eligible. Please see our Eligibility & State Authorization page for more information.
The curriculum for this program includes:
Cover advanced financial accounting topics included on FAR section of the CPA exam including consolidated financial statements, mergers and acquisitions, and foreign currency.
Cover governmental and not-for-profit accounting topics included on FAR section of the CPA exam.
Enhance awareness of ethical dilemmas that arise in the accounting profession and meet ethics course requirement of certain state boards of accountancy such as California.
Cover topics included on REG section of the CPA exam including US contract law, creditors' rights, agency and employment law, business organizations, and securities regulation.
Cover topics included on the REG section of the CPA exam including taxation of C-corporations, S-corporations, Partnerships, Estates, and Gifts.
Critique the underlying concepts and theories of existing accounting rules and hypothesize how changes in the regulatory and business environment will reshape accounting standards.
Cover the theory of auditing and internal controls over financial reporting to assist with AUD section of the CPA exam.
Build skills related to understanding accounting disclosures and financial statements, including profitability measurement, credit analysis, footnote analysis, forecasting, and valuation.
Cover topics related to healthcare accounting including financial statements, budgets, revenue streams, expansion decisions, and revenue generators versus cost centers.
Outcomes
Skills
Earning your Master of Science in Accounting will build core skills, including:
- Accounting
- Accounting software
- Accounts payable and recievable
- Auditing
- Bookkeeping
- Communication
- Customer service
- Financial statements analysis
- Invoicing
- Management
- Payroll systems
- Principles & practices of finance
Potential Career Paths
Graduates of the the Online Master of Science in Accounting program will be prepared to pursue the following careers:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a master's degree to be a CPA? No, you do not necessarily need an accounting master's degree to earn the CPA license. All jurisdictions require at least 150 hours of higher education to earn a CPA license. Each state has its specific requirements, including the number of accounting hours. Our master's degree can satisfy most states' educational requirements for CPA licensing. See state-specific disclosures: https://online.arizona.edu/about/eligibility-state-authorization
Standard programs generally require a commitment of 12 to 24 months, while accelerated options may be completed in one year or less. Programs with concentrations or dual-degree pathways may take longer than two years. Our online master's degree program requires 30 credits plus any remaining prerequisite courses that need to be completed.
In general, an accounting background is not required of those who wish to enter a master's program in accounting. Most programs will admit candidates as long as they have a bachelor's degree in any area of study. However, additional foundational courses may be required as part of the program.
