Accounting, MS

The 30-credit program consists of seven required courses and three electives. It includes core coursework in accounting principles, auditing, financial reporting, and taxation, with integrated analytics through a business analytics course and advanced applications in audit and tax. Elective options allow you to further specialize in areas such as AI fundamentals, Python programming, and information technology auditing.

Program Curriculum
10 courses (30 credit hours)

Core Courses
7 courses (21 credit hours)

ACC 505 - Developing and Interpreting Financial Information 
ACC 514 - Financial Reporting 
ACC 516 - Intermediate Financial Accounting III 
ACC 555 - Cost Management 
ACC 557 - Auditing 
ACC 560 - Introduction to Federal Income Taxation 
BA 510 - Introduction to Business Analytics OR ACC 580 - Accounting Information Systems 

Elective Courses
3 courses (9 credit hours) from:

ACC 539 - Not-For-Profit and Advanced Accounting 
ACC 580 - Accounting Information Systems (if not taken in the core)
ACC 601 - Information Technology Auditing 
ACC 603 - Management Control Systems 
ACC 608 - Financial Statement Analysis 
ACC 657 - Advanced Auditing and Assurance Services
ACC 660 - Advanced Federal Income Taxation 
BA 510 -  Introduction to Business Analytics (if not taken in the core)
BA 520 - AI Fundamentals for Business 
BA 530 - Programming and Data Structures with Python
LE 510 - Commercial Transactions 
BI 500 - Business Internship (with Department Chair approval)
BA 690 - Graduate research (with Department Chair approval)
BA 691 - Graduate seminar (with Department Chair approval)
BA 682 - Experiential Project (with Department Chair approval)

 

Through coursework and experiential learning opportunities, you’ll develop:

• Expertise in analyzing and interpreting financial statements.
• Proficiency in applying business analytics to accounting practices, including data visualization and predictive modeling.
• Advanced knowledge in areas like auditing, taxation, and cost management.
• The ability to leverage technology, such as Python programming and AI fundamentals, to enhance decision-making processes.
• Strong skills in evaluating organizational controls, risk, and compliance.

To enhance your likelihood of success on the CPA exams, the College of Business partners with UWorld to provide access to online CPA preparation courses at a significant discount -- up to 50% off the prices offered to others.

Students must meet specific accounting and general business course requirements in order to qualify for the CPA examination in Michigan. See the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy for the official policies.

Previous undergraduate or graduate coursework deemed substantially similar to the MSA core courses may qualify to exempt students from those courses. Exempted courses must be replaced with elective courses within the degree program; however, taking a course exemption is optional, and the total required credit-hours in the program remains the same.

Students who have completed 6 MSA elective courses (18 credits) may elect up to 3 College of Business graduate courses (9 credits) to replace other exempted or elective MSA courses. 

In addition, up to 9 transfer credits for previous equivalent graduate coursework can be applied to the degree if those credits have not been counted toward a degree.

Exemptions and transfer credit are granted at the discretion of the program faculty.

This program welcomes students from all undergraduate majors and levels of work experience. We conduct a holistic review of each application, focusing on strong academic performance, quantitative skills, and a clear statement of purpose. Admission is selective. View our Class Profile for details.

To be considered, you must have:

• A four-year U.S. bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution.
• A grade of C or better in college algebra, trigonometry, pre-calculus, or higher. If you haven't met this requirement, we'll help you complete an appropriate course before or shortly after admission.