Masters of Accounting (MAcc)
Masters of Accounting (MAcc)
Masters of Accounting (MAcc)
*NOTE: This program is only open to Smeal or DUS undergraduate students planning to select Accounting or Finance as their major. A one-year program for anyone who has already obtained a bachelor's degree at Penn State or elsewhere, will be available in the near future. Continue to check this website for updates.
Program Description
As a sophomore, you will have the opportunity to apply to the MAcc program early in the spring semester at the same time you select your major at Smeal. The traditional 120-hour bachelor's degree in accounting will also remain an option for students without interest in pursuing designation as a CPA immediately after graduation.
Being licensed as a CPA frequently opens doors to opportunities not only in accounting firms, but also across the business landscape. The MAcc program will prepare students to enter careers in public accounting, corporate accounting, management accounting, and governmental accounting, as well as corporate finance, financial analysis, and law enforcement.
As a student in the five-year MAcc program, your coursework will begin in your fall semester of your junior year and be completed according to a predetermined schedule. You will graduate after your fifth year with both your master's degree in accounting in addition to your bachelor's degree.
Admissions Process
Your opportunity to apply to the MAcc program will be during the major enrollment period. Students who want to be considered for the MAcc program will also select a major for the undergraduate program during that time period. Students who accept offers to enroll in the MAcc program will generally be accounting majors, although students may also enroll in the MAcc program while majoring in finance.
Enrollment in the program is limited. The Department of Accounting at Smeal will base acceptance decisions on your performance at Penn State, with particular emphasis on courses that are indicators of aptitude for a more rigorous accounting program, and your SAT score. In addition, the department may require you to successfully complete an exam, which will test your mastery of Accounting 211 material. Finally, the department may also request an interview.
Required Semester-by-Semester Schedule
Fall (1st semester in program)
ACCTG 471: Intermediate Accounting I
ACCTG 404: Managerial Accounting
ACCTG 405: Principles of Taxation I
Spring (2nd semester in program)
ACCTG 472: Intermediate Accounting II
ACCTG 432: Accounting Information Systems
Fall (3rd semester in program)
ACCTG 403W: Auditing
ACCTG 440: Advanced Managerial Accounting
B A 517: Leadership Communications
Spring (4th semester in program)
Internship, other coursework, or study abroad
Summer (5th semester in program)
FIN 531: Financial Management
ACCTG 881: Financial Statement Analysis
Fall (6th semester in program)
ACCTG 806: Taxes and Business Planning
ACCTG 873: Advanced Topics in Financial Reporting
B LAW 444: Advanced UCC and Commercial Transactions
Spring (7th semester in program)*
ACCTG 803: Forensic Accounting
Graduate Elective: 400 level or higher
*Students may also take a non-credit CPA exam review course during their last semester
Contact
Tammy Whitehill
Department of Accounting
354 Business Building
814-865-0041
