Accountancy M.Acc.

All students must meet the Requirements for the Master's Degree

Overview

The 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
  • 2.75 (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, St. Michael's College, or an accredited U.S. institution with a major or concentration in accounting, finance, business analytics, or marketing should consult the M.Acc. Program webpage for additional specific information.

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:

  • at least 6 graded credit hours at the 6000- or 7000 level;
     
  • 18 credit hours of accounting, auditing and tax knowledge;
  • 3 credit hours of CPA law;
  • 3 credit hours of Professional Communications; and
  • 6 credit hours of graduate-level business electives. Students with an undergraduate business degree can substitute additional accounting courses for business courses.
  • 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.  Students who plan to take Corporate Financial Reporting 1 and 2 during the first year of the program will likely require a minimum of 3 semesters and a maximum of 2 years to complete the program. 

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.