http://www.business.appstate.edu/accounting/

The Walker College of Business, through the Department of Accounting, offers the Master of Science (M.S.) in Accounting and course work at the graduate level in support of the Walker College of Business degree programs.

Prerequisite to enrollment in a graduate course offered by the Department of Accounting is admission to a graduate program of study, or permission of the instructor and the departmental chair. In addition, enrollment in MBA courses requires permission of the MBA Program Director. A non-degree student must obtain permission from the Graduate School to enroll in 5000-level courses.

The basic educational objective of the M.S. in Accounting is to provide advanced education to meet the needs of persons planning careers in accounting at the professional level. The M.S. in Accounting program offers courses of study which greatly enhance success in completing certifying examinations needed for designation as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and other professional designations. Additionally, the program broadens the general business knowledge and intensifies accounting knowledge of its graduates so as to improve their performance beyond the entry/certification stage in their professional careers.

Application for admission to the M.S. program will be open to any graduate of an accredited four-year baccalaureate program. Admission is competitive, with admission granted only to students showing high promise of success in graduate business study. Admission to the M.S. program is based on a balanced appraisal of the applicant’s total record and overall excellence. The foundation for the admission decision is the GMAT score and undergraduate academic performance. The trend of grades during undergraduate schooling, the GPA in the undergraduate major, and relevant work experience may also be considered in the admission process.

For students without adequate preparation in accounting and business, the following undergraduate equivalent courses that are prerequisite to graduate study must be completed: Accounting Principles, Economics, Statistics, Behavioral Science, and Finance.

In addition, the undergraduate preparation must include the following accounting courses: Intermediate Accounting sequence; Cost Accounting; Accounting Systems; Individual Income Taxation; Auditing

Any or all of these courses may be waived if the student has taken equivalent work. Prerequisite courses may also be waived through written examination or, if the student feels academically prepared, through appropriate business experience. There is a fee for such examinations. Students lacking some or all of the prerequisites, if otherwise qualified, may be admitted to the graduate program with the understanding that the prerequisites will be completed as part of the program.

The program requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate study and allows the student to follow a general concentration or a tax concentration. A student needing no prerequisites will usually complete the program in two semesters and a summer. For students with majors in other academic disciplines, it will take longer, depending on the required prerequisites.

PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING (Major code: 302*/52.0301)

Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; complete application to the Cratis Williams Graduate School (http://www.graduate.appstate.edu), including resume, three letters of recommendation, official GMAT exam scores, and official transcripts from all colleges attended; undergraduate course work in Accounting Principles, Economics, Statistics, Behavioral Science, and Finance; undergraduate accounting courses in Intermediate Accounting, Cost Accounting, Accounting Systems, Individual Income Taxation, and Auditing. In extenuating circumstances, an applicant may obtain permission to remove deficiencies in course work after entering the graduate program.

Basic Criteria for Unconditional Admission: (Undergraduate GPA x 200) + GMAT = 1100; Minimum GMAT of 450 is recommended.

Location: On Campus

Other Requirements for the MS in Accounting:

Thesis: Optional
Proficiency: None required
Comprehensive: None required
Product of Learning: None required

Related Course Listings

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• Economics (ECO)
• Management (MGT) and Health Care Management (HCM)
• Marketing (MKT)