Accounting M.S
Program Rationale
The Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) will provide students with in-depth, working knowledge of advanced accounting issues and emerging technologies that are most relevant in today's business environment. Graduates will be equipped to succeed in a wide range of professional accounting careers in public accounting, industry, and government in today's highly competitive, global, and regulated environment. In addition, this program will prepare students to meet the educational requirements of most states for CPA licensure.
MSA Admission Requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education (or the international equivalent) with an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00 or higher and a minimum GPA of 3.00 in any post-baccalaureate coursework. Applicants with a GPA of 2.70 to 2.99 may be considered for conditional admission depending on GMAT scores as specified.
Pre-Requisite Foundational Course Requirements
An undergraduate degree in accounting is not required for admission to the MSA, however applicants with a bachelor's degree other than in Accounting must complete pre-requisite foundational CCSU courses or their equivalents:
- Introductory Financial Accounting (AC 211)
- Introductory Managerial Accounting (AC 212)
- Intermediate Financial Accounting I (AC 300)
- Intermediate Financial Accounting II (AC 312)
- Intermediate Financial Accounting III (AC 313) or Advanced Financial Accounting
- Cost Accounting (AC 301)
- U.S. Federal Income Taxation (AC 302)
- Accounting Information Systems (AC 340)
- Auditing (AC 445)
It is advised to apply early for admission to this program. Decisions regarding applicants with equivalent coursework taken at CCSU will be made as if the applicant holds a CCSU BS in Accounting; others will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
GMAT Requirements
Applicants with Bachelor of Science in Accounting from AACSB accredited institutions of higher learning:
- Applicants with GPA of 3.00 or higher will have the GMAT score waived
- Applicants with GPA of 2.70 to 2.99 are required to provide scores for the GMAT taken within the prior five (5) years. Those with a formula score of 1100 (see Admission Formula below) will be considered for full time admission; those with a formula score of less than 1100 but greater than 1040 will be considered for conditional admission (see Conditional Admission below).
Applicants with bachelor's degrees in Accounting from regionally accredited institutions of higher learning that are not AACSB accredited:
- Applicants are required to provide scores for the GMAT taken within the prior five (5) years. Those with a formula score of 1100 (see Admission Formula below) will be considered for full time admission; those with a formula score of less than 1100 but greater than 1040 will be considered for conditional admission (see Conditional Admission below).
Applicants with bachelor's degrees in Accounting and significant work experience, advanced credentials, or have passed all four parts of the CPA exam, etc.:
- GMAT waived for those with significant work experience in the profession/practice of accounting
- GMAT waived for those who have passed all parts of the CPA or state Bar Exam
- GMAT waived for applicants holding a professional license, i.e. CPA, CMA, CFA, JD, Master's or Doctoral degree
GMAT waiver may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Admission Formula
The School generally admits graduate students to the MS in Accounting program who meet the minimum criteria of a formula score of 1100. The formula score is the result of multiplying an applicant's grade point average (GPA) by 200 and adding the product to his or her GMAT score. In most cases, this requires an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 accompanied by a GMAT score of at least 500. A comparable score for the GRE exam taken within the prior five (5) years may be substituted for the GMAT.
Items to submit to the Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Office:
- Online Graduate Application
- Official transcripts from each institution attended (except CCSU)
- GMAT or GRE scores (if required)
- Current Resume
- Proof of CPA, CMA, CFA professional licenses; state CPA or Bar Exam scores (if applicable)
Instructions for uploading a resume and proof of licenses or exam scores will be found within the online graduate application.
International Students
In addition to the above, international applicants must meet University standards for international admission including submission of:
- TOEFL or IELTS scores
- Course-by-Course evaluation of foreign credentials from a NACES member evaluation service
- Original translations of foreign academic records
Conditional Admission
If conditionally admitted, students may take a maximum of six (6) credits in the MSA program and must maintain a minimum GPA in the program of 3.00. Based on review after six (6) credits in the MSA program, the student will be fully admitted to the program.
Degree Requirements
The program is designed for part-time or full-time study.
Core Courses
A common core of 18 credits:
| AC 507 | Advanced Accounting | 3 |
| AC 524 | Accounting for Non-Profit Institutions | 3 |
| AC 544/FIN 540 | Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation | 3 |
| AC 545 | Advanced Assurance Services | 3 |
| AC 550 | Financial Accounting Standards | 3 |
| AC 552 | Taxation of Business Entities | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Electives
12 credits of approved graduate course work selected from the following approved courses:
| AC 520 | Managerial Analysis & Cost Control | 3 |
| AC 521 | Accounting for Lean Enterprises | 3 |
| AC 531 | Accounting Information for Decision Making | 3 |
| AC 540 | Global Financial Reporting and Analysis | 3 |
| AC 542 | Tax Issues in Business Decisions | 3 |
| AC 546 | Advanced Forensic Accounting | 3 |
| AC 548 | Contemporary Accounting Topics | 3 |
| BUS 540 | Business Intelligence and Analytics | 3 |
| FIN 531 | Corporate Finance | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Total Credit Hours: 30