Accounting
Online MS

Advance your career with Charlton’s Master of Science in Accounting (MSA). The MSA offers the professional development that will position you as a leader in the accounting field while maximizing your earnings potential.

If you have your bachelor’s degree in accounting, pursuing the MSA offers the academic preparation and practical skills that will lead to career success.

For non-accounting graduates, the MSA provides the opportunity to transition to rewarding careers in accounting and related professions.

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Accounting certifications

If you are pursuing the CPA designation, the MSA Program will help you meet the 150-credit rule that has been adopted by all states. The Program offers courses that are consistent with the content specifications of the CPA and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exams and topics, meeting course-specific educational requirements by NASBA for exam eligibility.

Our program meets the 150 credit hour requirement in any state
All our MSA courses meet the educational requirements of NASBA, regardless of the State, to be ELIGIBLE to sit for the UNIFORM CPA Exam
The actual issuance requirements to obtain a CPA license actually varies State to State and it is important to contact the State Board of Accountancy where you plan on practicing in.

Actual Licensure requirements beyond the CPA exam may vary State to State, and can be found at each respective States’ Board of Accountancy.

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)

Program requirements

Program requirements vary, depending on whether you begin the MSA with a bachelor's degree in accounting, a business degree, or a degree in another field.

With a bachelor's in accounting:

7 required courses
3 elective courses

With a bachelor's in business:

9 required courses
2 elective courses

With a bachelor's in another field:

15 required courses

Sample MS Accounting Courses

ACT 650 Accounting for Decision Making
ACT 670 Financial Statement Analysis and Firm Valuation
ACT 671 Strategic Cost Management
ACT 672 International Accounting
ACT 673 Government and Non-profit Accounting
ACT 680 Forensic Accounting
ACT 681 Advanced Managerial Accounting
MGT 600 Corporate Social Responsibility and Law
MIS 650 Information Technology Management
FIN 650 Finance for Decision Making

UMass Dartmouth Advantages

Customize your education and receive the help and guidance to finish as planned:

AACSB-accredited Charlton College of Business education
Value and affordability of a UMass education
Networking opportunities with other working professionals and faculty
One-on-one personal advising from enrollment through graduation
Limited class size ensures individualized interaction with professors

Candidates must submit the required application materials and application fee. Applications are reviewed and judged on the following criteria:

Undergraduate degree: Official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended
Official GMAT (or equivalent) test score or GMAT can be waived
2 letters of recommendation: preferably from a faculty member or an employer
A personal statement (minimum 300 words) explaining the applicant's career goals and motivation for the degree
Current Resume
Candidates whose Bachelor’s degree was not earned in an approved English language country must submit either the TOEFL exam (minimum score of 80 internet-based or 550 paper-based) or IELTS exam (minimum band score of 6.5)

* Applicants whose GMAT requirement is waived may still be required to take Foundation courses prior to beginning the graduate coursework. Exceptions and waivers will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Graduate admissions requirements

Admissions requirements

To apply please create an account in our Applicant Portal. You will need to submit:

Application form
$60 application fee (non-refundable)
Statement of Purpose (minimum 300 words)
Resume
Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (regardless of whether a credential is earned or not)
English Proficiency test scores:TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE Academic (if applicable)
Letter(s) of Recommendation (see program requirements for more information)
GRE/GMAT (not required for most programs, see program requirements for more information)

Unofficial transcripts and test scores are accepted for application review but official documents are required for enrollment, please have documents (ie. test scores) sent prior to the expiration.

Application dates

Learning style: online

Online courses are taught by UMass Dartmouth faculty to provide high quality instruction and personal attention. Students have the flexibility to accommodate work and home responsibilities within the structure of defined assignment due dates. The majority of our online courses are taught asynchronously.