All students must meet the Requirements for the Master's Degree
Overview
The STEM-designated Master of Accountancy program provides a means of entry into the public accounting profession and for positions in corporate, government and not-for-profit organizations.
Specific Requirements
Requirements for Admission to Graduate Studies for the Degree of Master of Accountancy
To be considered by the Program Director and the Graduate Studies Committee, applicants to the Master of Accountancy must meet the following minimum requirements:
- 4-year Bachelor's degree
- 3.00 (4.00 scale) overall GPA
Students graduating from academic institutions in non-English speaking countries must demonstrate their abilities in English. A minimum TOEFL score of 90 or IELTS score of 7.0 is required for admission.
Although the GMAT (or the GRE equivalent) is not required, students with lower overall GPAs and/or students who graduated from foreign universities may submit their GMAT scores to enhance their academic credentials.
Students graduating from the University of Vermont or St. Michael's College with a major or concentration in accounting, finance, or economics should consult the M.Acc. Director for additional admissions opportunities.
Prerequisite Courses include:
- Microeconomics
- Principles of Financial Accounting
- Principles of Managerial Accounting
- Corporate Financial Reporting 1 (also titled Intermediate Accounting 1)
- Corporate Financial Reporting 2 (also titled Intermediate Accounting 2)
Minimum Degree Requirements
The program requires 30 graduate credit hours made up of:
| Requirement Description | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Required Courses (18 credits): | ||
| BUS 5615 | Advanced Accounting (See note 1 below) | 3 |
| BUS 5630 | Auditing (See note 1 below) | 3 |
| BUS 5641 | Corporation Taxation (See note 1 below) | 3 |
| or BUS 6641 | Tax & Entrepreneurial Ventures | |
| BUS 6601 | Professional Communications | 3 |
| BUS 6602 | CPA Law (See note 1 below) | 3 |
| BUS 6690 | Accounting Rsch, Reg & Ethics | 3 |
| 2 Accounting Electives (6 credits). Choose from the following: | 6 | |
| Adv Topics in Management Acctg | ||
| Fraud Examination | ||
| Taxation of Social Enterprises | ||
| Governmental Accounting | ||
| Gr Accounting Information Syst | ||
| Adv Topics in Corp Acct.&Rept | ||
| Tax & Entrepreneurial Ventures | ||
| Accounting & Reporting for ESG | ||
| Special Topics | ||
or BUS 6990 | Special Topics | |
| Internship | ||
| Independent Study | ||
Other graduate courses may be approved by the program | ||
| 2 graduate-level business electives (Students can substitute additional accounting courses for business courses). | 6 | |
NOTE 1: If completed as part of undergraduate coursework and approved by the M.Acc. Director, accounting electives may be substituted for this course.
NOTE 2: 1 undergraduate 3000- or 4000-level course may be taken for graduate credit if preapproved by the Graduate College.
The states and commonwealths have different requirements to sit for the CPA exam and subsequently become certified as CPAs. We encourage M.Acc. students to check the specific state or commonwealth Board of Accountancy requirements for the state or commonwealth in which they plan to work so that they meet the minimum requirements to sit for the CPA exam and become certified as CPAs.
The program emphasizes appropriate research strategies and techniques, effective business writing, and professional presentation skills. Optional tracks in Financial Reporting & Auditing, Federal Taxation, and Sustainability Reporting & Assurance are available. Students work closely with their academic advisor to design a course of study that best suits their prior course work.
Students who meet the prerequisite requirements can complete the M.Acc. program in less than 1 year.
Comprehensive Examination
M.Acc. students complete the comprehensive examination through successful completion of the capstone course, BUS 6690.
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Master of Accountancy
Successful completion of any prerequisite courses, and at least 15 graded graduate credits with a 3.00 GPA or better, including all required (3) courses.