Master of Science in Accounting (M.S.A.)

(30 credits)

The Master of Science in Accounting, under the Tagliatela School of Business and Leadership, is a graduate professional degree designed to provide students with a strong knowledge of accounting principles and to prepare them for a variety of careers in the accounting field. The M.S.A. is a 30-credit program and provides students with the 150 credit hours required by most states for Certified Public Accounting (CPA) certification.

Upon completing the program of study in Accounting, students will:

• Demonstrate advanced critical thinking and communication skills.
• Demonstrate advanced understanding of accounting concepts.
• Be able to apply accounting principles and theory to real world situations.
• Demonstrate the capacity for informed moral decision making in the accounting field.
• Complete the credit hours and content areas required to meet the educational requirements for Certified Public Accounting (CPA) certification.
• Demonstrate preparedness to pursue a career in the accounting field.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a nationally or regionally accredited institution approved by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.*
• Proficiency in the business application of personal computers.
• For non-native English-speakers, a minimum score of 550 paper-based, 80 internet-based, or 213 computer-based on the Test of English as a Foreign Language .
• Proof of immunization in accordance with Connecticut state requirements.
• For fully online students, a driver’s license or DMV photo identification is required.
• Applicants intending to use VA benefits submit a copy of their certificate of eligibility to a school certifying official.
• Completion of at least 24 credits in accounting and 22 undergraduate credits in business.

The applicant must submit:

• • Official transcripts from all nationally and regionally accredited degree-granting institutions, approved by the USDE or CHEA, attended.
  • An essay (of 500-600 words, double-spaced) on their professional career interests, reasons for entering the program and expectations of the program.
  • Two letters of recommendation from former professors or professional associates.

* Applicants who do not meet the above G.P.A. requirement may be admitted to the program on a provisional basis. You may be required to complete preparatory courses or to earn a 3.0 cumulative grade point average before being fully admitted to the program.

Transfer Credits

Albertus Magnus College will accept a maximum of 6 graduate hours from nationally or regionally accredited institutions approved by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) toward satisfying the program requirements. Such credits must have been completed prior to entrance into the program and must satisfy degree requirements. Transfer credits must have been completed with a minimum grade of 3.0 within the last five years. Transfer credits will be considered on an individual basis. Students must submit an official transcript showing proof of completion of the course(s) to be transferred. All requests to transfer credits must be completed prior to starting the program. Internal transfer students from other Albertus graduate programs must complete at least 50% of their requirements (15 credits) in the Albertus M.S.A. program.

Tuition and Fees

Costs vary by graduate program; please consult https://www.albertus.edu/admission-aid/business-office/accelerated-degree-program/graduate-tuition-fees.php.

• Application Fee: $50.00
• Tutorial Surcharge: $500.00 (for student requested tutorial)

• Thesis Continuation Fee: $250.00 per registration period (within seven years of matriculation) until completion of the thesis.

Fees and rates are subject to change.

Accreditation

Albertus Magnus College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

The Tagliatela School of Business and Leadership at Albertus Magnus College has received specialized accreditation for the Master of Science in Accounting through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA. The IACBE grants accreditation for business management, public administration, accounting and finance programs only. Locations for program offerings are at the sole discretion of the Member.

The Master of Science in Accounting is accredited by the State of Connecticut Office of Higher Education.

Program Format

Classes are offered in an accelerated degree format, which consists of five, eight-week modules during the calendar year. As a FLEX program, students have the flexibility of enrolling full-time or part-time and may choose between blended or fully online options on a course-by-course basis.

Academic Advisement

Admitted students are assigned a faculty advisor, typically the program director. Together the student and advisor will develop a program of study. Throughout the program the advisor will assist students with course planning, registration and regular academic review.

Course Load

Students may register for no more than 6 credits per mod.

Graduation Requirements

• Completion of all requirements within seven years of matriculation, including completion of the capstone course.
•  Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
•  Minimum grade in each course of 2.0.
• Payment of all tuition and fees.

Graduation with Honors

Master’s degree candidates who have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.90 are awarded honors and will have the notation included on their transcript and diploma.

PROGRAM OF STUDY

Accounting, M.S. 

REQUIRED CORE (6 credits)

AC 658 - Taxation of Business Entities
AC 661 - Accounting Research Project

FLEXIBLE CORE (24 credits)

Select eight (24 credits):

MB 516 - Organizational Behavior
FIN 612 - Financial Theory
FIN 649 - Essentials of Personal Financial Planning
AC 520 - Accounting Concepts
AC 638 - Financial Statement Analysis
AC 650 - Advanced Federal Income Taxation
AC 651 - Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting
AC 653 - Accounting Information Systems
AC 655 - Ethics for Accounting Professionals
AC 657 - Fraud Investigation
AC 659 - Global Financial Reporting

Accounting, M.S. - Finance

REQUIRED CORE (6 credits)

AC 658 - Taxation of Business Entities
AC 661 - Accounting Research Project

FLEXIBLE CORE (15 credits)

Select five (15 credits):

MB 516 - Organizational Behavior
AC 638 - Financial Statement Analysis
AC 650 - Advanced Federal Income Taxation
AC 651 - Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting
AC 653 - Accounting Information Systems
AC 655 - Ethics for Accounting Professionals
AC 657 - Fraud Investigation
AC 659 - Global Financial Reporting

FLEXIBLE CONCENTRATION  (9 credits)

Select three (9 credits):

FIN 629 - Advanced Corporate Financial Management
FIN 631 - Banking & Financial Markets
FIN 633 - Derivatives Markets & Risk Management
FIN 649 - Essentials of Personal Financial Planning

Master of Science in Accounting: Five-Year B.S./M.S.A. (Traditional Undergraduate Students Only)

This program is designed for traditional undergraduate students who have demonstrated an ability to excel and a desire to obtain a Master of Science in Accounting degree in a minimal amount of time. A total of 150 credits are required to receive both the Bachelor of Science in  Accounting and Master of Science in Accounting degrees. Of these, 120 credits are completed in the undergraduate program and 30 credits in the graduate program. During senior year, students take 2 graduate courses in addition to their regular undergraduate schedule. 

Students with 30 credits remaining entering their senior year take a total of 18 credits each semester (15 undergraduate and 3 graduate credits). There is no extra cost to the student for these credits during their undergraduate study if they have been accepted into the five-year program. A preferred approach is that students accelerate their undergraduate studies prior to their senior year and enter their senior year with 24 credits remaining in the undergraduate program. This approach would allow seniors to complete 12 undergraduate credits and 3 graduate credits, 15 total credits, in each semester of their final year. 

Students should apply to the Master of Science in Accounting program during the spring of their junior year and must have an overall G.P.A. of 3.5 to be accepted into the five-year program. At the time of acceptance, students will be assigned a graduate faculty advisor in addition to their undergraduate faculty advisor.