Program Overview
Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business
Site: Greeley
Mode: In-person
Start terms: Summer, Fall, Spring
The Master of Accounting degree (MAcc) is designed to enhance the student’s applied accounting research skills, communication skills, problem-solving capability, and other skills and knowledge required to be a successful professional accountant in public accounting, business, or government. The program is designed for students who desire to enter public or private accounting with plans to sit for the CPA exam with greater skills in applying accounting knowledge to various accounting and business situations. Students will be better qualified for higher level management positions as a result of the extra value of a graduate degree. Additionally, completion of this program will satisfy Colorado’s and most other state’s 150-hour requirement for licensing as a CPA.
The MAcc degree requires that students sit for a minimum of two out four parts of the CPA exam with a qualifying score of at least 50. This fulfills the comprehensive exam requirement for the program. The MAcc degree requires that students complete the following courses and 30 credit hours.
The overall objectives for the program are:
- Expand the students’ knowledge base and understanding of business in order to better prepare them for an entry-level position in accounting and industry,
- Prepare students for a successful career in accounting including more career opportunities and quicker advancement,
- Adequately prepare students to write the CPA Exam,
- Grant students the advanced graduate degree upon completing the program, and
- Give students the opportunity to become substantially equivalent in educational requirements with other states in order to make them more mobile with transferring their CPA licensure and practice capabilities.
The MAcc degree requires that students pass a minimum of two out of four sections of the CPA exam with a qualifying score.
As part of the Monfort College of Business’ continuous improvement efforts, it has developed the following learning goals and objectives. The outcomes related to these learning goals and objectives are measured and the results are reviewed by faculty. Corrective actions are taken as needed to ensure a superior learning experience for our students.
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Graduate Accounting Program Learning Goals and Objectives
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Master’s Program Learning Goals
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Learning Objectives
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On completion of the accounting master's program, graduates will be able to
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To attain the Program Learning Goals, accounting master students will
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Demonstrate conceptual and analytical skills.
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Students will analyze accounting data/information to identify key accounting issues, generate and evaluate appropriate alternatives, and propose feasible accounting alternatives at a proficient level.
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Plan and conduct practice-oriented research to answer/solve accounting issues.
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Students will demonstrate proficiency in conducting practice-oriented research.
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Communicate complex accounting issues orally and in writing.
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Students will demonstrate proficiency in preparing and delivering professional quality presentations on various accounting topics.
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Students will demonstrate proficiency in preparing professional accounting documents.
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Appropriately use technology to gain knowledge of complex accounting information and apply that knowledge to new contexts and situations.
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Students will appropriately use the correct technology to solve complex accounting issues.
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Recognize and analyze ethical issues in accounting and business practice, and develop a defensible solution based on applicable codes of conduct.
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Students will proficiently identify the ethical issues or problems in an accounting case based on codes of professional conduct, analyze the consequences for various stakeholders and develop a justifiable resolution.
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Admission
General Master's Degree Admission Requirements
Admissions to MAcc Program
The MAcc program is mainly designed for individuals with an undergraduate degree in accounting. The MAcc program may also be useful to other business majors who have completed the required undergraduate courses or who are willing to complete these leveling courses. Students admitted to the program who have not completed a baccalaureate degree in accounting as described above can expect prerequisite deficiency courses to be added to their plan of study. Deficiency course requirements will be determined by the program coordinator.
A minimum GMAT or an equivalent converted GRE score of 500 and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 are required for admission to the program.
As well as meeting minimum admissions criteria, the admission process into the MAcc program in the Monfort College of Business at the University of Northern Colorado is subject to the approval of the MAcc program coordinator in consultation with the Chair of the Department of Accounting and Computer Information Systems and the Dean of the Monfort College of Business and the Dean of the Graduate School. Our program allows for up to nine hours of 500-level graduate work to be completed by a senior undergraduate accounting student before they are admitted into the MAcc program provided the student has a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Criteria for Admissions into the MAcc Program:
The primary criteria in determining eligibility for admission the Monfort College of Business MAcc Program are previous academic achievement and performance on the Graduate Management Admission Test or the Graduate Record Examination. Other factors such as work experience and career progression may be taken into account.
Applicants must submit a completed application form and request one official transcript from any regionally accredited college or university where a bachelor’s degree or higher was earned or is in progress (if you have earned multiple degrees, bachelor’s level or higher, an official transcript is required from each college or university where a degree was conferred) to the UNC Graduate School office. Each applicant is considered on an individual basis.
For students with a non-accounting Bachelor's degree, additional undergraduate course work completion (called "leveling courses") will be required before applying to the program. They must complete all of the required undergraduate coursework listed below to fulfill the course prerequisites for the graduate program.
Principles of Accounting I & II
Intermediate Accounting I & II
Cost & Managerial Accounting
Income Tax
Accounting Information Systems
Auditing
Information Systems
Legal Environment of Business
Business Finance
Management of Organizations
Marketing
Additional Admission Requirements for International Students
International applicants must meet the English proficiency requirements established by the Graduate School and International Admissions.