Academic Catalog 2026-27

Accounting (MS)

The Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) degree offered by the Barowsky School of Business (BSB) is a one-year intensive program targeting recent college graduates and working professionals who are interested in a career change or acquiring new skills in accounting with a focus on accounting analytics. The goal of this program is to equip graduates to prepare for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam and equip them with the skills to apply analytics in developing accounting solutions for business needs.. BSB’s graduate business degree programs adhere to the highest standards for business education as evidenced by the School’s accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB), the organization that accredits the best business schools in the world.

Students enrolled in this one-year program will learn financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and other subjects with an emphasis in analytics. At the end of the program, students will complete a practicum where they will apply these tools and concepts to real-world business problems. Program graduates are qualified for professional roles such as accountant, auditor, tax, and financial analyst within public accounting, financial services, corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors.

The MSA is suited for graduates and business professionals who want to change careers or  who are interested in developing their skills in accounting and accounting analytics.

The MSA is a 12-month program that consists of twelve 3- unit courses including a practicum for a total of 36 units. Students will take two courses per term, which is over a seven-week (two-month) period.

Degree candidates must maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 ('B') or higher in the program to graduate.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a deep understanding of core accounting principles, standards, and regulatory requirements and apply them to support professional judgment and decision-making.
  2. Interpret and apply accounting regulations and authoritative guidance to develop appropriate accounting solutions for organizations.
  3. Use data visualization and professional communication to clearly explain accounting information, assumptions, and conclusions to internal and external stakeholders.
  4. Identify and assess accounting risks, fraud, internal control weaknesses, and ethical issues and recommend strategies aligned with professional standards and regulatory expectations.
  5. Demonstrate the technical knowledge and competencies needed to prepare for professional certification, including the CPA exam.

Required Courses

MSA 5601HY: Intermediate Financial Accounting I

3.00 units

MSA 5602HY: Intermediate Financial Accounting II

3.00 units

MSA 5603HY: Business Law, Ethics, and CSR Financial Reporting

3.00 units

MSA 5604HY: Accounting Analytics & Visualization

3.00 units

MSA 5605HY: Advanced Managerial Accounting

3.00 units

MSA 5606HY: Financial Statement Analysis

3.00 units

MSA 5607HY: Federal Taxation of Business Entities

3.00 units

MSA 5608HY: Auditing Analytics and Risk Management

3.00 units

MSA 5609HY: Forensic Accounting and Analytics for Fraud Detection

3.00 units

MSA 5610HY: Advanced International Accounting

3.00 units

MSA 5611HY: Government and Not-for-Profit Accounting

3.00 units

MSA 5620HY: Accounting Practicum

3.00 units

Total Credit Hours: 36