Master of Science in Accountancy

• 30 credits
• Flexible face-to-face format with online options designed for working adults
• Finish in 1 year on full-time schedule or in 2-3 years part-time
• Fall, Spring or Summer semester start dates
• Build expertise for a career in the private, public, or not-for-profit sector
• Taught by accessible faculty with exceptional practitioner experience
• Learn skills that you can take back to workplace immediately
• Receive superior student advising and career counseling from staff committed to your success
• Interact with the local community through participation in the annual accounting dinner, annual career fair, tours of area accounting firms, attendance at Accounting Club events, and through opportunities in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program
• Receive a discount to the leading CPA review program in the country (Becker CPA Review) through our business partnership

MS Accountancy coursework is divided into two categories: Business and Accounting Courses. Integrated throughout the courses are topics related to change, innovation, international business, and social responsibility. A total of 30 credits are required for completion of the degree. For students without undergraduate courses in business functional areas from a 4 year regionally accredited institution, it is recommended that they complete courses in the following areas: finance, marketing, management and IT Management.

Accounting Courses
A minimum of 15 credits of Accounting Courses:

Required Courses

• BUS 714 - Advanced Cost Management & Control 3 Credit(s) *
• BUS 726 - Advanced Accounting I 3 Credit(s)
• BUS 727 - Governmental & Not-For-Profit Accounting 3 Credit(s) **
• BUS 756 - Fraud & Forensic Accounting 3 Credit(s) *
• BUS 798 - Strategic Management Accounting 3 Credit(s)

*Students who have not completed a course in accounting systems, will be required to take BUS 725 - Accounting Systems instead of BUS 714 - Advanced Cost Management & Control **Students who have not completed a course in auditing will be required to take BUS 706 - Auditing instead of BUS 756 - Fraud and Forensic Accounting

Electives
Students may take up to one of the following electives:

• BUS 709 - Income Tax Accounting II 3 Credit(s)
• BUS 717 - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance I 1 Credit(s) And BUS 718 - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance II Variable 2-3 Credit(s)

Business Courses
12 credits of Business Courses

Required Courses

• BUS 601 - Executive Communication 3 Credit(s)
• BUS 616 - Business Ethics 3 Credit(s) OR PHIL 604 - Professional Ethics 3 Credit(s)
• BUS 723 - Business Law II 3 Credit(s)

Electives
At least one of the following electives:

• BUS 603 - Organizational Development/Behavior 3 Credit(s)
• BUS 604 - Operations Management 3 Credit(s)
• BUS 605 - Statistics for Managers 3 Credit(s)
• BUS 606 - Strategic Marketing 3 Credit(s)
• BUS 607 - Corporate Finance 3 Credit(s)
• BUS 618 - Managing Information and Technology 3 Credit(s)
• BUS 679 - Business Internship Variable 3-6 Credit(s)
• BUS 712 - Investments 3 Credit(s)
• BUS 719 - Personal Financial Planning 3 Credit(s)
• BUS 761 - Quality Improvement Methods 3 Credit(s)
• BUS 792A - International Study Tour A-China 1 Credit(s) And BUS 792B - International Study Tour B-China 2 Credit(s)
• BUS 795A - International Study Tour A-Germany 1 Credit(s) And BUS 795B - International Study Tour B-Germany 2 Credit(s)

Attending graduate school is one of the best investments you will ever make in yourself and your future.  While the benefits to personal growth are priceless, our program can expand your career options and enhance your earning power in the marketplace.  When considering the total cost of your education, be sure to consider the lasting positive impact it will have on your personal and professional future.

Tuition and Financial Aid information for license and master’s programs.

The following links provide helpful information about the career outlook for accountants:

• Accounting Jobs Today
• AICPA Sponsored Site
• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Robert Half Salary Guide

We encourage students to submit their application and admissions materials by the priority deadlines.  However, we will continue to accept applications on a continuous basis until the start of the semester.  Applications considered complete after the priority deadline can be considered for admission for the next session.

New students may start their program at six entry points throughout the year. Please note our priority deadlines:

• Fall Session I – August 21, 2023
• Fall Session II – October 16, 2023
• Spring Session I – January 16, 2024

To be considered for admission, applicants must provide the following:

1. Completed graduate application. This application is for students who want to pursue a Master’s degree, certificate, or take courses as a non-degree seeking student.
2. Official transcripts reflecting completion of a baccalaureate or more advanced degree from a United States regionally accredited or equivalent post-secondary institution with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 GPA in the last 60 credits.
3. Students who do not meet the 2.5 GPA requirement may still be considered for conditional admission. Please contact your admissions counselor for more information on how to apply for conditional admission.

Transcripts must provide evidence of completion of the following 10 prerequisite courses or equivalent courses.  Students may complete foundation courses through the Edgewood College post-bacc in accountancy program prior to the start of the MSA program.

• Micro-Economics or Macro-Economics
• Business Law I
• Cost Accounting
• Statistics
• Finance
• Financial Accounting
• Finite Math¹
• Intermediate Accounting I²
• Intermediate Accounting II²
• Tax I²
  

¹Business calculus is also recommended and is a prerequisite for some of the electives in the MSA Program.
²Prerequisites must be taken at an accredited 4-year college or university.

International Students
International students are eligible to apply for the program.  To learn more about international student requirements, please click here.

Transfer Credits
You may submit up to 9 semester hours of graduate credit for consideration of transfer to Edgewood College for application to a degree program. Approval of the respective department is required. To be considered for application to a degree program, a course must have been taken within the past three years. For more information about transfer credits, please contact your admissions counselor.

Whether you’re pursuing a career in the public, private, or not-for-profit sector, you’ll have the educational training, the work experiences and the networking opportunities to succeed.  Our curriculum provides a deep understanding of the complex and dynamic world of accounting, preparing you for careers in public accounting in audit and tax, private accounting, governmental and not-for-profit accounting. 

In addition to academic preparation, accounting faculty will encourage you to obtain valuable work experiences while you complete your accounting degree program.  Work experiences range from volunteer work such as in our Edgewood sponsored VITA program--to full or part-time internships in public or private accounting  -- to part-time corporate or not-for-profit work experiences.

Students and graduates of the MSA program lead positive growth in a variety of fields throughout Wisconsin and in some of the top companies in Madison.  Sample careers include:

Victoria M. Palmisano, MA, MBA, MLS, PhD, Associate Dean & Assistant Professor
BA, Tulane University
MA, University of New Orleans
MBA, Louisiana State University – Shreveport
Masters of Legal Studies, The University of Arizona
PhD, University of New Orleans

Jacob Gill, MS, Accounting Program Coordinator & Lecturer
BBA, Edgewood College
MS, Edgewood College

Fazel Hayati, MBA, PhD, Professor of Management
MBA, Louisiana State University – Shreveport
PhD, Auburn University

Ken Kavajecz, MS, PhD, Professor of Finance
BS, University of Wisconsin–Madison
MS, Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management
PhD, Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management

Leigh Maxwell, MA, PhD, Associate Professor of Communications Studies
MA, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
PhD, The Ohio State University

Xiaodong Kuang, PhD, Associate Professor of Communications Studies
PhD, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Dan Schroeder, PhD, Associate Professor in Organizational Behavior and Leadership 
BS, University of Wisconsin – Whitewater 
MA, Western Michigan University 
PhD, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Kayla Stajković CPA, PhD, Assistant Professor of Management 
BS, St. Cloud State University 
PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Raj Kamal, MS, MBA, Senior Lecturer 
BA, Delhi University – St Stephen’s College
MBA, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
MS, Purdue University – Krannert School of Management

Annette Mondry, MEd, PhD, Senior Lecturer 
MEd, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee 
PhD, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Edgewood College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  The MSA program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Higher Learning Commission
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602-2504
Phone: 312-263-0456  or 800-621-7440
www.hlcommission.org