Master of Science in Accounting

The Master of Science in Accounting program is designed to provide students with the advanced study in accounting necessary to prepare for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination. This program focuses on the knowledge and skills needed in the profession of accounting.  Graduates of the MS in Accounting program are prepared for employment opportunities in a variety of accounting career paths including with public/industry/government/nonprofit firms.

The MS in Accounting requires thirty (30) graduate credit hours and can be completed in one year (12 months) by full time students who possess an appropriate undergraduate degree in accounting and who first enroll in MS in Accounting program in either fall or summer semesters.

The MS in Accounting program allows students possessing an undergraduate degree in accounting to meet the minimum legislatively mandated requirement of 150 semester hours of college credit to qualify to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination in Texas.  Students seeking additional information on the Uniform CPA Examination should check the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy homepage. 

All classes in the MS in Accounting program are taught only at the Huntsville campus.

Mission

The MS in Accounting is a professional program with the mission of providing students with the skills-based competencies necessary to enter the accounting profession and to enable students to meet the minimum educational requirements for taking the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination in Texas.

Vision

The MS in Accounting program provides students with a thorough grounding in the technical core competencies for entry into the accounting profession as identified by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The AICPA’s Core Competency Framework identifies six technical competencies as most aligned with the value contributed by accounting professionals:

• Risk Assessment, Analysis and Management
• Measurement Analysis and Interpretation
• Reporting
• Research
• Systems and Process Management
• Technology and Tools

Applicants seeking admission to the Master of Science in Accounting program must:

1. Complete the online graduate application form.
2. Pay the application fee.

Additionally, applicants must submit the following material directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

1. Official transcript(s) from all previous college work (except SHSU graduates).
2. An official GMAT score.
3. A current resume.

Graduate Application Deadlines

U.S. Citizens

• Fall - August 1
• Spring - December 1
• Summer - May 15

International Students

• Fall - June 25
• Spring - November 12
• Summer - April 9

Admission Criteria

1. Meet or exceed one of the following formulas:
   1. 200 (Undergraduate GPA) + GMAT Score >= 1100¹
   2. 200 (Advanced Hours Undergraduate GPA) + GMAT Score >= 1150²
2. Have a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0
3. Have a minimum advanced accounting coursework GPA of 3.0
4. Hold a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from a U.S. Institution
5. GMAT Waiver Requests: Undergraduate GPA¹ of 3.5 or higher allows for a comprehensive review of academic performance and consideration for the GMAT waiver

Stem Requirements for Non-Business Graduates and Non-Accounting Graduates

Students seeking admission to the Master of Science in Accounting Program who do not have a baccalaureate degree in accounting from an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) accredited university will be required to take substantial stem courses before being allowed in the MS in Accounting program. Baccalaureate degrees from foreign universities not accredited by AACSB International are treated as non-business degrees. Additionally, graduate stem courses (5300s) do not apply to the 30-hour graduate credit hour requirement of the ACCT degree. Contact the graduate advisor for details.

Stem Courses Required