Accounting MSA
Major: Accounting
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 45.0
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 30.7104
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-3031
About the Program
The Master of Science in Accounting is a market-driven degree designed to prepare students to become leaders in the field. The program deepens students’ understanding of accounting concepts, sharpens business acumen, and provides the analytical and communication skills needed to become a successful accounting professional. The Master of Science in Accounting degree prepares students for the CPA Exam and beyond. The program combines theory with practice, encouraging Master of Science in Accounting students to become well-connected to the dynamic accounting industry and share their expertise with the community through programs such as VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance).
The selective, 45.0-credit Master of Science in Accounting is a full-time program delivered on campus and is designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in the area of accounting from an AACSB-accredited (or equivalent) institution. Applicants must have earned a minimum grade of 3.0 on a 4-point scale in their junior- and senior-level accounting classes and an overall GPA of 3.0 (B) or above.
Prerequisite Requirements
- ACCT 321 Financial Reporting I 4.0
- ACCT 322 Financial Reporting II 4.0
- ACCT 323 Financial Reporting III 4.0
- ACCT 331 Cost Accounting 4.0
- ACCT 341 Principles of Auditing 4.0
- TAX 341 Federal Income Taxes 4.0
- BLAW 201 Business Law 1 4.0
- ECON 201 Principles of Microeconomics 4.0
- ECON 202 Principles of Macroeconomics 4.0
- FIN 301 Introduction to Finance 4.0
- MIS 200 Management Information Systems 4.0
- STAT 201 Introduction to Business Statistics 4.0
- STAT 202 Business Statistics II 4.0
Students with undergraduate degrees in accounting from non-U.S. schools are eligible for admission to the program. These students will be responsible for assessing whether their academic backgrounds make them eligible to sit for the CPA Exam.
Students with undergraduate degrees in areas outside of accounting can be considered for admission to the program only after they acquire the prerequisite undergraduate accounting and business courses. These students should contact LeBow Graduate Student Services to determine what courses are needed to gain admission to the Master of Science in Accounting program.
Accounting Licensure
Students enrolling in the Master of Science in Accounting degree may be interested in becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
There are three broad elements required to become a licensed CPA — educational requirements; prerequisite requirements, including work experience; and the CPA Exam. Each state/jurisdiction has unique educational and prerequisite requirements that candidates must meet. For more information, please review the chosen state’s public accountancy licensure requirements from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy.
Licensing for the CMA certification is administered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and is not dependent on state/jurisdiction. Certification eligibility criteria consist of prerequisite requirements, including work experience, educational requirements and the CMA Exam. For more information, please review the IMA’s CMA certification requirements.
Additional Information
For more information, please contact LeBow’s Graduate Student Services office at lebowgradenroll@drexel.edu.
Admission Requirements
Graduate admission is based on a holistic review process, which takes into consideration prior academic history, demonstration of professional experience and adequate preparation for graduate study. Please review the admission requirements for both domestic and international applicants on our Graduate Application Requirements web page before submitting your application.
Degree Requirements
| Accountancy Core Courses | ||
| ACCT 600 | Accounting Analysis & Theory | 3.0 |
| ACCT 605 | Advanced Auditing | 3.0 |
| ACCT 606 | Current Issues in the Accounting Profession | 3.0 |
| TAX 630 | Corporate Taxation | 3.0 |
| Analytics & Technology Core Courses | ||
| ACCT 655 | Data Analytics & Technology in Accounting | 3.0 |
| BSAN 601 | Business Analytics for Managers | 3.0 |
| MIS 642 | Emerging Information Technologies in Business | 3.0 |
| Select one (1) of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Data Visualization for Managers | ||
| Inter-Active Decision Support Systems | ||
| Datamining for Managers | ||
| Business Acumen Core Courses | ||
| BUSN 610 | Strategic Career Management & Professional Development | 3.0 |
| or BUSN 611 | Strategic Career Advancement for Professionals | |
| ORGB 511 | Leading in Dynamic Environments: A Personal, Relational, and Strategic Approach | 3.0 |
| ORGB 640 | Negotiations for Leaders | 3.0 |
| Select one (1) of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Special Topics in Accounting | ||
| Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Business | ||
| Special Topics in STEM Interdisciplinary Subject | ||
| Business Consulting | ||
| Tax Experiential Learning | ||
| Concentration | ||
| Select one of the options below: | 9.0 | |
| Business Analysis, Reporting & Planning Concentration | ||
| Select three (3) of the following courses: | ||
| Government and Not-for-Profit Accounting | ||
| Advanced Financial Accounting | ||
| Strategy & the Master Budgeting Process | ||
| Financial Statement Analysis | ||
| Tax Analysis & Planning Concentration | ||
| Select all three of the following: | ||
| Tax Research | ||
| Flow Through Entity Taxation | ||
| Tax and Business Strategy | ||
| Accounting Information Systems & Controls Concentration | ||
| Select three (3) of the following | ||
| Database Analysis and Design for Business | ||
| Security, Policy and Governance | ||
| Special Topics in Accounting | ||
| Total Credits | 45.0 | |
Students should contact the Accounting Department for additional information.
Sample Plan of Study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ACCT 600 | Accounting Analysis & Theory | 3.0 |
| ACCT 606 | Current Issues in the Accounting Profession | 3.0 |
| BSAN 601 | Business Analytics for Managers | 3.0 |
| BUSN 610 or BUSN 611 | Strategic Career Management & Professional Development or Strategic Career Advancement for Professionals | 3.0 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Winter | ||
| MIS 642 | Emerging Information Technologies in Business | 3.0 |
| Business Acumen Elective | 3.0 | |
| Analytics & Technology Elective | 3.0 | |
| Concentration Class | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| TAX 630 | Corporate Taxation | 3.0 |
| ACCT 655 | Data Analytics & Technology in Accounting | 3.0 |
| ORGB 640 | Negotiations for Leaders | 3.0 |
| Concentration Class | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| ACCT 605 | Advanced Auditing | 3.0 |
| ORGB 511 | Leading in Dynamic Environments: A Personal, Relational, and Strategic Approach | 3.0 |
| Concentration Course | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 45 | |
Program Level Outcomes
- Will have a comprehensive knowledge of financial, managerial, tax, auditing, and international accounting principles. (Accounting Principles)
- Will engage in critical thinking. (Critical Thinking)
- Will be able to technically evaluate business problems. (Technical Evaluation)
- Will communicate effectively in writing. (Writing)