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The objective of the Master of Science in Accounting program is to prepare accounting students for management positions in accounting. The program will build on the knowledge and tools from the students’ undergraduate education, allowing them to achieve a greater degree of sophistication in accounting and auditing. This will provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to have successful careers in public and private accounting.
The program fulfills the 150-hour educational requirement for professional certification as a public accountant in Massachusetts and several other states. Students will also be better prepared for examinations required for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA), the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), or the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)designations. Classes are hybrid models, combination of online and in-person courses and meet weekdays during the evenings, making the program accommodating and flexible.
Students who hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting or concentration in accounting can apply for our advanced track, which can be completed in one year!
We offer affordable programs. Please visit our Tuition and Fees page with up to date costs.
Successful completion of the program will build on and enhance the following skills:
The Master of Science in Accounting curriculum is divided into two components: The Foundation Curriculum and the Advanced Curriculum.
All students must complete a comprehensive examination near the end of their program of study.
The Foundation Curriculum is applicable for students who have not fulfilled all necessary prerequisite courses. Students complete the Foundation Curriculum prior to beginning the Advanced Curriculum. Foundation Curriculum courses may be waived based on prior coursework. Students who have already completed all prerequisite accounting courses can apply for advanced standing and begin the Advanced Curriculum upon acceptance into the Master of Science in Accounting Program. Students are required to have a minimum 3.0 GPA in the Foundation Curriculum in order to proceed with the Advanced Curriculum. The Academic Standing Policy which states that students earning three grades of B- or lower are immediately dismissed from the program does not apply to students in the Foundation Curriculum. This policy becomes applicable once students enter the Advanced Curriculum. Students may invoke the Course Repeat Policy once in the Foundation Curriculum and once in the Advanced Curriculum. Students who participate in the Foundation Curriculum are given an increase to seven (7) years to complete the M.S. Accounting degree requirements.
Requirements include completion of the Core Curriculum (15 credits) and elective courses (15 credits). Students may choose an internship experience as one elective. The curriculum is designed to substantially advance students in their knowledge and skill level beyond the Foundation Curriculum/existing baccalaureate program. Class/team participation is included in each course and the curriculum demands group work and fosters leadership skills. Particularly, one elective area (Social Sciences) has been designed to provide awareness and professional development in interpersonal skills, management skills, and understanding organizational culture. This aspect of training is highly coveted by employers.
Students in the Master of Science in Accounting program will have to successfully complete a comprehensive examination in their last semester. The comprehensive examination in the Master of Science in Accounting Program is designed to help prepare students for the Certified Public Accountancy (“CPA”) Examination.
The comprehensive examination will test the candidate’s knowledge of the four subject areas of the CPA Examination including Financial Accounting and Reporting, Auditing and Attestation, Business Environment and Concepts, and Regulation. Given the nature of the comprehensive examination, students who have already successfully passed the CPA Examination will not be required to take the comprehensive examination.
We understand that it can be intimidating going back to school, and you may be balancing work, family and education, so we’ve put a few things in place to make your transition easier.
Our experts in the Center for Instructional Technology (CIT) are here to help.
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wsucgce@westfield.ma.edu
(413) 572-8020
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