Accountancy

Overview

The Master of Science in accountancy (MSA) provides an advanced professional plan of study designed to prepare individuals for careers as professional accountants. Students learn the skills and knowledge needed to enter the accounting field and to form a foundation for advancement to the highest levels of the profession.

Upon completion of the MSA, candidates should have acquired the technical knowledge that will serve as a basis for preparation for the relevant professional examination required for certification as a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, or Certified Internal Auditor.

This program is offered through the Department of Accounting in the School of Business.

Program Format

The MSA may be earned in as little as 12 months. Classes can be taken fully online, or as a combination of online and hybrid courses.

Fully Online: All coursework is completed online. Students will use a consistent online learning platform for both synchronous and asynchronous courses. MSA students initially planning to take fully online courses may subsequently choose to register for hybrid sections in any term without restriction.

Hybrid: The hybrid option includes online and blended courses. Students utilize online learning tools and some sections or courses may include classroom experiences to complete the program. Some sections and course offerings may only be available in a fully online format.

Full-time students with recent undergraduate degrees in accounting can complete the program courses and elective requirements in one year. Part-time students with a recent undergraduate degree in accounting can complete the program courses and elective requirements in two years. Depending on the number of courses taken each semester, students with undergraduate degrees in non-business fields can complete the program and elective requirements in two to four years. The MSA program features seven-week courses in both one evening per week hybrid format and online format without planned meeting times.

What can I do with a master's degree in accounting?

MSA graduates qualify to sit for the CPA exam in Illinois and have rewarding careers in public accounting as auditors, tax specialists or consultants. Corporate accounting career opportunities include:

Managerial accountants
Internal auditors
Income tax specialists
Systems experts
Management consultants.

In the nonprofit sector, accountants play important roles in:

Governmental entities
Healthcare organizations
Charitable agencies

Based on their wide range of business exposure and knowledge, many accountants ultimately move into high-level management positions.

Hands-on Learning

Students in the MSA program earn internships with local corporations and public accounting firms through the SIUE Career Development Center. Through study abroad opportunities, students can earn academic credit to satisfy some of the required elective hours.

Accreditation

The Department of Accounting holds separate accounting accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. There are fewer than 180 accounting programs in the world to hold separate accreditation from the AACSB.

Faculty

Faculty members in the MSA program have earned either PhDs or LLM degrees in taxation. Our faculty members also hold the following professional certifications: