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 the current 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 or all states for CPA licensure.
MSA Admission Requirements
An undergraduate degree in accounting is not required for admission to the MSA.
Applicants with a bachelor's degree in accounting must have received their degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education (or the international equivalent). Applicants with an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher and a GPA of 3.00 or higher in any post-baccalaureate coursework, may apply for full-time enrollment status (up to 3 or 4 courses per semester) or part-time (1 or 2 courses per semester). Applicants with an overall undergraduate GPA of 2.70 to 2.99 may apply for conditional (part-time) admission. Conditionally admitted students may request full-time status after successful completion of six (6) credits into the program with a GPA of 3.00 or higher.
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree other than in accounting must have received their degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education (or the international equivalent). This group of applicants has the following option prior to beginning class in the MSA:
Note: Successful completion of the following foundational courses is required before moving on to the MSA.
Completion of pre-requisite foundational CCSU courses or their equivalent:
- Introduction to Financial Accounting (AC 211)
- Introduction to Managerial Accounting (AC 212)
- Intermediate Financial Accounting I (AC 300)
- Accounting Analytics & Professional Competencies (AC 335)
- Intermediate Financial Accounting II (AC 350)
- Intermediate Financial Accounting III (AC 400) or Advanced Accounting
- Cost Accounting (AC 301)
- U.S. Federal Income Taxation (AC 302)
- Accounting Information Systems (AC 340)
- Auditing (AC 445)
GPA admission requirements for this option are 2.70 or greater; however, a GPA of 3.0 or greater is required in the pre-requisite foundational CCSU coursework (or their equivalent) prior to moving on with coursework in the MSA program.
To All Applicants
It is highly recommended to apply early for admission to these programs. 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.
Items to submit to the Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Office:
- Online graduate application
- Official transcripts from each institution attended (except CCSU)
- Current resume
- Proof of professional license/designation (e.g., CPA, CMA, CIA, CISA, CFE, CFA) or advanced degree (e.g., JD, Master's, or Doctoral) or state CPA or Bar exam scores, if applicable.
Instructions for uploading a resume and proof of licenses/designations or exam scores (if applicable) can be found in 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 per semester and must maintain a minimum GPA in the program of 3.00. Based on review after six (6) credits in the MSA program and a GPA of 3.00, students may be considered for a change in status from conditional admission to full admission.
Degree Requirements
The program is designed for part-time or full-time study.
Core Courses
A common core of 15 credits, including the required 0 credit core course AC 582 Capstone Seminar, which students complete toward the end of the degree.
| AC 507 | Advanced Accounting | 3 |
| AC 520 | Managerial Analysis & Cost Control | 3 |
| AC 524 | Accounting for Government and Non-Profit Institutions | 3 |
| AC 543 | Advanced Accounting Analytics | 3 |
| AC 544/FIN 540 | Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation | 3 |
| AC 582 | Capstone Seminar | 0 |
Electives
15 credits of approved graduate course work selected from the following approved courses:
| AC 545 | Advanced Assurance Services | 3 |
| AC 546 | Advanced Forensic Accounting | 3 |
| AC 548 | Contemporary Accounting Topics | 3 |
| AC 551 | Evolution of Modern Accounting | 3 |
| AC 552 | Taxation of Business Entities | 3 |
| AC 560 | Taxes and Business Strategy | 3 |
| BUS 538 | Business Quantitative Analytics | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 30