2023-2024 Academic Catalog 
    
    Nov 23, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Accounting, M.S.


This 30-hour Masters of Science (MS) in Accounting is designed for those interested in obtaining a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation. Aligned with Evolution CPA, which starts on January 1, 2024, students of this program will have a choice between the Business Analysis and Reporting track – typical for those who wish to go into audit – or the Information Systems and Controls track – for those who wish to consult, develop, or audit the technology used by companies for accounting purposes.

Coursework is available online. Students can select a flexible part-time or a full-time accelerated format. This program, as are all programs at Maryville University, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Additionally, this program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) for regular business programs and separate accounting accreditation.

Program Outcomes

 A graduate of Maryville University with a Master of Science in Accounting should be able to:

  1. Explain the concepts, processes, and regulations of the major areas of financial, managerial, and tax accounting.
  2. Validate the breadth and responsibility of the accounting profession in a global society and explain its interrelationship with other business functions.
  3. Using appropriate technology and resolve its vulnerabilities to develop decision-making models to resolve accounting issues in an ethically responsible manner.
  4. Professionally communicate complex financial information, accounting positions, and research to the correct stakeholders at a level appropriate to the recipient, both orally and in writing.
  5. Engage with appropriate resources to analyze emerging issues and new accounting technologies.
  6. Employ Data Analytics to explain, validate, justify accounting and business decisions in an ethically responsible method.

Track Options


Students must complete one track

Foundational Course Requirements


The following foundational courses must be completed at either the undergraduate or graduate level before beginning the required courses. If all foundational courses have been completed at the time of acceptance, then students are accepted directly into the Master of Science in Accounting program. However, if any one of the foundational courses has not been completed at the time of acceptance, then students are accepted into the Master of Science in Accounting Bridge program.

Once all foundational courses are completed, students may begin the required Master of Science in Accounting courses. Foundational course requirements may be waived if the applicant possesses an undergraduate degree in accounting. Students with an undergraduate degree outside of a business area must take BUS-501, Survey of Business. Credit hours earned for BUS 501 may be required for the program but do not count toward the 30 credit hours required for the degree.

Foundational Course Requirements (some prerequisite courses may be required, as noted below):

  • Financial Accounting
  • Managerial Accounting
  • Business Law
  • Principles of Finance
  • Macroeconomics or Microeconomics
  • Business Statistics or Elementary Statistics
  • Financial Reporting I (or Intermediate Accounting I)
  • Financial Reporting II (or Intermediate Accounting II)
  • Advanced Managerial Accounting (or Cost Accounting)
  • Auditing
  • Individual Income Tax
  • Accounting Information Systems
  • Financial Data Analytics