MS Accounting

The Master of Science in Accounting is designed to prepare students to move into authority positions in manufacturing companies, governmental units, not-for-profit entities, public accounting firms, and other professional or service organizations. The unique combination of human skills, knowledge, and technology embedded in the curriculum will prepare graduates for these opportunities. Specifically, students should leave the program knowing how to anticipate and meet the changing needs of their customers; utilize and leverage technology in ways that add value to these customers; interpret and provide a broader context to financial and non-financial information; link data, knowledge, and insight together to provide quality advice for strategic decision-making; and, give and exchange information within a meaningful context and with the appropriate delivery and interpersonal skills.

The Program curriculum has been specifically designed to provide an educational experience which will prepare students to successfully complete all portions of the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam while earning an advanced degree. The Program will also qualify graduates to sit for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exams.

MSA Prerequisites (pdf)

MSA Proposed Rotation (pdf)
 

2016-2017    2017-2018    2018-2019    2019-2020    2020-2021    2021-2022

Degree checksheets are in PDF format and will open in a new browser window.  Select the appropriate checksheet beginning the year of continuous enrollment.

Admission to the Master of Science in Accounting Degree

Applicants will be evaluated on academic ability, as evidenced by a strong undergraduate record, performance on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), maturity, motivation, leadership, and communication skills.

Unconditional Admission 
Unconditional admission may be granted to applicants meet the following criteria:

1. Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution;
    
2. Have successfully completed the undergraduate prerequisites;
    
3. Meet one of the following conditions:
    
   • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on all undergraduate work with five (5) years work experience;
   • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on at least nine (9) hours of graduate coursework;
   • Have a minimum score of 450 on the GMAT.
   • Have a minimum GPA of 3.25 on all undergraduate coursework to date with no work experience;
      
4. Non-native English speaking students must have a minimum 79 Internet-based, 213 computer-based, or 550 paper-based TOEFL score or a minimum 6.5 IELTS score.
    
5. Have acceptable program application documents (references, resume, essay questions, etc.)

Conditional Admission
Conditional admission may be granted to an applicant who has netted the GPA and TOEFL/IELTS requirements for unconditional admission, but has not submitted all other required documentation and/or completed the GMAT (if required). The documentation and satisfactory completion of the GMAT (if required) must be completed and processed before the student may enroll in the second semester.

Provisional Admission
Applicants not meeting the GPA or GMAT requirements for unconditional admission may be considered for provisional admission by the program. Students must submit all program documents before admission to the university. No more than nine (9) hours of graduate credit earned while on provisional admission status will count toward a degree. To gain unconditional status, the student must complete a minimum of nine (9) hours approved graduate work with a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all courses taken, meet all other admission criteria, and meet all provisions set by the program.

Students who meet the GPA requirements, but have not completed some or all of the undergraduate prerequisites, should meet with their advisor to complete a degree plan. All undergraduate pre-requisites must be completed with a B or better.

Concurrent Admission 
A senior student who lacks less than a full normal study load, has completed a minimum of one hundred (100) credit hours, meets the GPA requirements, and has successfully completed ACCT 2103 and ACCT 2203 may be permitted to enroll in graduate courses, subject to the study load provisions and semester hour provisions of the school of Graduate Studies.

Admission Process
The applicant must:

1. Complete an East Central University Application for Admission/Readmission.
    
2. Submit the Department of Accounting Admissions forms.
    
   • Provide transcripts of all work completed (baccalaureate and graduate).
   • Provide a name, mailing address, and e-mail of two (2) references.
   • Submit resume.
   • Provide responses to the posed questions.
      
3. Take the GMAT if applicable.

Credit Requirements
The program leading to the Master of Science degree in Accounting requires completion of at least thirty (30) hours of applicable work above the bachelor’s degree. Courses which may apply to the master’s degree program are those 5000 level courses and appropriate graduate level courses transferred from accredited institutions.

Planning the Program
The student's study program leading to the master’s degree is developed in consultation with his or her faculty advisor and is carefully related to the student’s individual needs. Needs are identified through consideration of undergraduate preparation and immediate and prospective career goals.

Thesis 
No thesis is required in the Master of Science in Accounting degree program

Transfer Work 
A maximum of nine (9) semester hours of graduate credit earned at other accredited colleges or universities may be accepted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the master’s degree in accounting. No more than three (3) of these hours can be accounting courses. The transfer of all graduate hours must receive prior approval of the Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business Graduate Committee. To be applicable, the graduate credit must meet the following three (3) requirements:

1. The college or university at which the credit was obtained must offer a graduate degree in Business;

2. The content of the course involved must be consistent with the career goals of the student as determined by the student’s advisor; and

3. The student must have received an “A” or “B” (or the equivalent) in the course involved.

The student who plans to transfer credit is responsible for assembling sufficient supporting material to allow the department chair and graduate dean to make an adequate evaluation of the transfer credit request.

Grade Regulations 
The grades of A, B, C, D, P, F, N, W, AW, WF and I may be assigned to graduate students. The grade mark “P” indicates pass without an exact grade; the grade mark “W” indicates withdrawn; the grade mark “AW” indicates administrative withdrawal; the temporary grade mark “N” indicates the semester grade was not submitted by the instructor by the appropriate deadline. Grade marks have grade point values per semester hour as follows: A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1, F-0, and WF- 0. Grade marks of “P” and “W” are disregarded with respect to grade points and hours attempted in computing grade average.

An incomplete grade (“I”) may be used at the instructor's discretion to indicate that additional work is necessary to complete a course. It is not a substitute for an “F” and no student may be failing a course at the time an “I” grade is awarded. To receive an “I” grade, the student should have satisfactorily completed a substantial portion of the required coursework for the semester. “I” grades must be changed by the instructor within one (1) year from the end of the semester in which the “I” was assigned or they will remain as a permanent “I” and not contribute to the student’s GPA.

Students can earn no more than two (2) C's in graduate courses and must maintain an overall minimum graduate GPA of 3.00 to remain academically in good standing with the School of Graduate Studies. Students earning more than two (2) C's or a grade of D or F in a course may not count that course toward their graduate degree requirements. See the School of Graduate Studies Academic Probation and Suspension sections in this catalog for more information.

Ethics and Professional Standards
The student admitted to the Master of Science in Accounting program needs to familiarize himself or herself with and act in accordance with the ethical standards required by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Code of Professional Conduct. Any behavior on the part of the student which may conflict with the standards in the above document will be reviewed by a committee from the Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business faculty consisting of the advisor, an accounting faculty member chosen by the chair, and a Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business faculty member chosen by the student. The committee will have the authority to take any of the following actions: exonerate the student; notify the student and plan appropriate ameliorative action; notify appropriate boards and law enforcement agencies; or dismiss the student from the program.

Financial Aid Regulations for Graduate Students

Students, please be advised that the courses you choose to enroll in MUST be a required course or an elective course in your degree program. Financial Aid regulations dictate that any graduate student who is seeking financial aid must be enrolled in AT LEAST five (5) credit hours during the fall, spring, or summer semester and the courses MUST be in the degree program.

*Certificate Programs do not qualify for financial aid.