Master of Science in Accountancy

About the Program

A stem-designated Master of Science in Accountancy from Marshall University’s Brad D. Smith Graduate School of Business will prepare you for a lucrative position in top accounting firms, investment banking, private equity, corporate accounting, or government.  Your critical thinking and analytical abilities will be intensified to provide you with the skills today’s employers seek.

What You Receive

We Are… Marshall! A degree from Marshall University is recognized nationally.

Distinction! As one of only about 190 schools worldwide with accreditation by AACSB International, Marshall University’s Master of Science in Accountancy sets you apart from the others.

A fully STEM-designated degree! If you are an international student considering study in the United States, Marshall University’s Master of Science in Accountancy is STEM designated.  Your graduate degree from Marshall University may allow you to obtain up to 36 months of Optional Practice Training in the United States upon graduation.  If you are a U.S. student, your STEM-designated Master of Science in Accountancy degree from Marshall University may offer substantially higher salaries when compared to other programs.  Our 30-hour program of study goes beyond a strong accounting foundation to include system controls, analytic modeling, data mining, and quantitative business methods.

Flexible format! With our in-person/virtual classroom instructional format from our state-of-the-art Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation, you receive the choice of virtual or in-person classes, or both.  Your opportunity to network with and learn from your classmates and instructors through our live format is second to none.

Award winning student organizations! Marshall University’s student organizations will enrich your overall experience.

• Beta Alpha Psi is an honorary organization for financial information students and professionals whose primary objective is to encourage and give recognition to scholastic and professional excellence.
• Delta Sigma Pi is the largest co-ed business fraternity in the world with 296 chapters providing opportunities for networking and building ethical, leadership, and social skills.
• Student Center for the Public Trust is Marshall University’s Gold Star rated chapter of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy sponsored student organization promoting networking opportunities and ethical business leadership in accounting and all business decisions.

Eligible to sit for the CPA Examination! As a holder of a master’s degree in accountancy, you meet the education requirements to sit for the CPA examination and be licensed* as a CPA in West Virginia and most other states (check your state’s specific requirements).

*150 total college credits are required as well.

What You Will Study

You will gain expert-level knowledge in six core courses covering audit practice and analytics, analytic modeling, AIS controls, quantitative business methods, government and business relationships, and ethics in accounting.  You also choose one of three areas of emphasis in either business analysis and reporting, tax compliance and planning, or information systems and controls.  Each area of emphasis consists of your choice of three classes.

Business analysis and reporting offerings include governmental and not-for profit accounting, corporate and partnership accounting, advanced controllership, accounting research, and forensic accounting.  Consulting for CPAs, taxation of entities, advanced income tax procedure, and tax research are your choices for tax compliance and planning.  For the information systems and controls area of emphasis you may choose from any graduate MIS course in areas such as system analysis and design, business intelligence/analytics, technology management, and quality assurance.

To round out your 30 hours, the final graduate business course is of your choosing; however, should you choose either the information systems and controls or tax compliance and planning areas, you will receive guidance on your final class from an academic advisor.

Plan of Study

Admission Requirements

Applicants should follow the admissions process described in the Graduate Catalog, or at the Graduate Admissions website at www.marshall.edu/graduate/admissions/how-to-apply-for-admission.

In addition to the requirements for admission to Marshall University as a graduate student, applicants must either have:

1. An undergraduate degree in business from an accepted, accredited institution with an undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all previously completed coursework.

or

2. Completed the following or equivalent with a 3.0 GPA or higher: ACC 311 Intermediate Accounting I, ACC 312 Intermediate Accounting II, ACC 318 Cost Accounting I, ACC 341 Acc Information Systems, ACC 348 Federal Taxation, and ACC 429 Auditing I.

or

3. A score of 500 or better on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or an index of 1,100 computed by multiplying the undergraduate Grade Point Average by 200 and adding the GMAT score. The minimum acceptable GMAT score is 400 and 15th percentile verbal.

All students admitted to the program will complete the following undergraduate courses with a C or better. Students who have completed equivalent courses as a part of their undergraduate degree will receive credit for this requirement. Those who have not completed the courses will complete them as a part of the degree requirements.

Conditional Admission can be granted for one term if the applicant meets all program requirements for admission except, they have not officially graduated with their bachelor’s degree. Once the degree is granted, the applicant would need to resubmit his or her official transcripts for full admission.

3 + 2 Program

The 3+2 program allows students to start their master’s degree while still completing their bachelor’s degree.  The 3+2 program is available to Marshall University undergraduate business students or students at other partner universities holding an articulation agreement with Marshall University.

Students that meet the requirements can enroll in up to nine hours of graduate coursework while still a senior. With some restrictions, Marshall University students can double-count up to nine hours of graduate level courses from their graduate degree toward their bachelor’s degree requirements. Students at partner universities should contact their schools for applicability of graduate hours to your undergraduate degree.  When you are ready to apply, please go to the 3+2 Application webpage to complete the application.

Related Links

• Current and Former Students Admission
• New Graduate Admission
• Bursars
• Tuition Rates
• Financial Aid
• Graduate College Website
• Graduate Catalog
• Graduate Forms
• Registrar
• Schedule of Courses
• Graduate Assistantship Information
• Graduate Assistantship in College of Business Positions