Master of Science (MS)

Accounting

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Program
Accounting

Admissions criteria for the Master of Science in Accounting (MS) Program

Graduate Admissions - Masters level

Prospective students are required to submit the following: 

  • Completion of application for admission
  • Official transcripts for bachelor or graduate degree within 5 weeks of the class start date (refer to Conditional Acceptance).  (All credentials earned outside the United States must be evaluated by a NACES or AICE-member credential evaluation service).  Please speak with an admissions representative for more information.

Note: See program notes and specific requirements below for each graduate - masters level degree program

Admissions criteria for the Master of Science in Accounting (MS) Program: 

  • Completion of application for admission,
  • An earned undergraduate degree from an acceptable accredited institution with a CGPA of 2.7 or better on a 4.0 scale

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here. 

Provisional Admission:

Applicants with an undergraduate degree CGPA of less than a 2.7, but not lower than a 2.3, or a graduate degree CGPA of less than 3.0, but not lower than a 2.7, will be considered for provisional admission. Students who do not attain a 3.0 GPA in the first quarter will be dismissed. Students cannot appeal the dismissal from the university as a result of failure to meet the conditions of provisional admission.

Offered at Online Programs

Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.

Master of Science in Accounting

The Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) degree program at South University is designed to prepare students with an undergraduate accounting degree for careers in professional accounting, including corporate and/or public accounting. The accounting coursework contained in the MSA program, may allow a student to qualify to take the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) Examination. Students should familiarize themselves with the specific candidacy requirements of the State Board of Accountancy in the particular state in which they wish to take the CPA examination.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to: 

  1. Apply critical analysis skills to apply contemporary accounting principles and practices to the decisions faced by evolving business organizations.
  2. Integrate principles of accounting, economics, finance, law, risk, and management to articulate innovative solutions to organizational challenges.
  3. Integrate the auditing process, including the synthesis of information systems and communications, internal controls, and corporate governance.
  4. Critique and apply the concepts, principles, and methods gleaned from professional and academic accounting research to challenges in the accounting profession.
  5. Assess ethical, legal, and professional responsibilities required in the accounting profession.

Master of Science in Accounting: 48 credits

Course Code
Title
Credits
This course is designed to evaluate issues related to ethical reasoning, integrity, objectivity, independence, and other core values as defined by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Credits : 4

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This course continues the exploration of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) associated with complex financial transactions that are fundamental to modern corporations. Topics may include asset and/or utility acquisition through leases, accounting for employee pensions and post-retirement benefits, accounting for federal income taxes, and financial instruments. Students may also prepare more sophisticated financial statements to report the effect of complex financial transactions. Emphasis is placed on current professional research in financial accounting and reporting and analyzing and solving problems within the accounting profession.

Credits : 4

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This course explores accounting principles applicable to governmental (state and local), health care, educational, and other not-for-profit organizations. Topics may include the regulatory environment (which includes standard setting bodies such as the Governmental Accounting Standards Board [GASB]), fund accounting, reporting requirements, financial management, and budgets. Emphasis is placed on current professional research in governmental and not-for-profit accounting and analyzing and solving problems within the accounting profession.

Credits : 4

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This course explores Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) associated with a corporation's merger, acquisition, and foreign transactions and operations. Topics may include partnership transactions, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and advanced tools and techniques for governmental and not-for-profit entities.

Credits : 4

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This course explores assurance concepts associated with external auditing. Topics include the regulatory environment applicable to external auditing, generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS), audit reporting, professional conduct and ethics, audit responsibilities and objectives, audit evidence, audit planning and analytical procedures, and information systems auditing. Emphasis is placed on current professional research in external auditing and assurance and analyzing and solving problems within the accounting profession.

Credits : 4

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This course explores the U.S. Internal Revenue Code applicable to corporate income taxes. Topics include taxable income, expenses, equity transactions, filings, and corporate tax planning. Emphasis is placed on current professional research in corporate taxation and analyzing and solving problems within the accounting profession.

Credits : 4

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This course continues the exploration of accounting information systems by examining the impact industry models and paradigms have on accounting information systems. Industries may include healthcare, financial services, information technology and software, manufacturing, and hospitality services.

Credits : 4

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This course explores reporting as specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under a variety of business and corporate circumstances. Topics may include the regulatory environment applicable to corporate entities (which includes reporting requirements under Sarbanes-Oxley), accounting restatements, forecasts, and projections.

Credits : 4

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This course continues the exploration of cost management techniques and approaches used in manufacturing, service, and information organizations. Topics may include performance measurement and reporting systems, total quality management (TQM), cost allocations, decision support for managerial decision making, theory of constraints, and economic valued added. Emphasis is placed on current professional research in cost management and analyzing and solving problems within the accounting profession.

Credits : 4

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This course explores the U.S. Internal Revenue Code applicable to estates, trusts, gifts, partnerships, and other corporate entities. Topics include advanced tax planning, tax research, and tax implications of management decisions.

Credits : 4

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This comprehensive overview course integrates graduate accounting and taxation concepts and skills acquired from previous courses. The course prepares students to take the uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination for Certification in Accountancy. This course will review the Financial Accounting and Reporting, Auditing and Attestation, Regulation, and Business Environment and Concepts sections of the CPA Exam. The simulation question requirements of the CPA Exam will also be reviewed.

Credits : 4

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Sub-Total Credits
48
Total Credits
48