Graduate Catalog 2012-2013

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Accounting Degree Requirements

Students in the Master’s degree program in Accounting are required to take 30 credit hours, or ten courses at three credits each, at the graduate level. Most students will have satisfied prerequisites in accounting, communications (through a communications course or through business classes with major presentation requirements such as upper-level courses in management and marketing), computer fundamentals (one course equivalent to BUS 150), economics (two courses equivalent to microeconomics and macroeconomics and quantitative methods (minimum of pre-calculus and statistics) as undergraduates. With prerequisites satisfied, all students are required to take four core courses:

These courses, as well as later courses, may involve case studies, computer simulations, formal presentations and projects, and exploring the Internet. Once these core courses have been completed, students are required to take five advanced courses:

The capstone course, Managerial Decision Making and Applications, involves a comprehensive and integrative approach to managing an organization over time through computer simulation. There is a significant quantitative and financial aspect to the course complemented by a qualitative analysis of business policy and strategy over time. While not a thesis per se, a significant written assignment is required at the culmination of the course in addition to smaller papers during the term. This capstone course is comparable to those offered at many business schools worldwide. It is a very rigorous experience designed to bolster the program’s intent of training decision makers.

In addition, students will select one course from the following:

The advanced courses in accounting and finance provide an in-depth understanding of investigative accounting. They blend knowledge of accounting information systems, accounting research, forensic accounting, and financial statement analysis to understand how to conduct detailed investigations of accounting activity and to strengthen the integrity of accounting systems.

The core courses provide students with a broader understanding of the other major business disciplines (management, marketing and finance), as well as the norms of ethics and social responsibility that influence accounting decisions and outcomes.

The degree will also enable students to meet the 150 credit requirement for CPA licensure while providing students with the broader perspective now

emphasized by the accounting profession.

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