Master of Science in Accounting

BARBARA E. TARASOVICH, DPS, CPA, CGMA

Director of Master of Science in Accounting Program and Assistant Professor of Accounting

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The Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program at the Jack Welch College of Business is designed to respond to a growing industry demand for professionally trained accountants. Graduates will learn and develop the fundamental concepts of accounting, effective accounting methods, and gain the knowledge and skills essential to pass the CPA exam.

Concentrations

The one-year Master of Science in Accounting program offered through the AACSB-accredited Jack Welch College of Business has two concentrations: forensic accounting and international accounting. The forensic accounting concentration will teach students how to apply forensic accounting principles in complex financial transactions such as mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcies, and contract disputes. The international accounting concentration is offered in response to the growing demand for international rules as a result of the globalization of business. Students will learn about the latest activities of the International Accounting Standards Board.

Program Benefits

The MSA program can be completed in one year with hybrid courses taken in a trimester format. Courses will be offered online with monthly Saturday seminars. Saturday classes will meet at our main Fairfield campus from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Our faculty members are established scholars in the accounting field and the program content is essential as students prepare for the CPA exam.

Admissions Requirements

The following must be submitted and will be considered when applying:

• Online application and non-refundable application fee
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• GMAT*
• One-page personal statement, résumé, and two letters of recommendation

*Students who complete the undergraduate program in Accounting at Sacred Heart University with a 3.0 GPA will be waived from the GMAT requirement.

This program is designed for students with business-related undergraduate degrees. The following conditions must be met to earn a master’s in accounting from Sacred Heart University’s Jack Welch College of Business:

• Students with a baccalaureate degree in accounting are required to complete 30 credits for the program.
• Undergraduates enrolled in the five-year program are required to achieve an overall “B” average in all accounting courses and an overall GPA of 3.0 or better to remain in the program.

Students with a baccalaureate degree in other business areas but have completed 6 accounting credits (3 credits of financial accounting and 3 credits of managerial accounting) must take the following 12 credits as prerequisites for the program:

• Two intermediate accounting courses (3 credits each)
• Auditing (3 credits)
• Advanced accounting (3 credits)

Students with a baccalaureate degree in a field other than accounting or other business area are required to complete 15 credits of accounting and 15 credits of business prerequisites before an application to the MSA program will be considered.

Accounting Course Requirements

The Master of Science in Accounting is a 30-credit degree program with two concentrations to choose from:

• International Accounting
• Forensic Accounting

Required Courses (21 credits)

MSA 600	Financial Accounting Theory & Practice	3
MSA 610	Advanced Issues in Managerial Accounting	3
MSA 621	Federal Taxation	3
MSA 630	Advanced Issues in Financial Accounting	3
MSA 631	Contemporary Issues in Auditing	3
MSA 641	Accounting & Information Systems	3
MSA 690	Financial Statement Analysis	3

Students will select one of the following concentrations:

International Accounting Concentration (9 credits)

MSA 625	International Accounting & Reporting	3
MSA 626	Global Financial Reporting & Analysis	3
MSA 699I	Master's Capstone	3

Forensic Accounting Concentration (9 credits)

MSA 670	Forensic & Investigative Accounting	3
MSA 671	Understanding Business Valuation	3
MSA 699F	Master's Capstone	3

Program Total: 30 credits