Frequently Asked Questions

Jump to questions about:

• The accountancy degree
• Applying to the M.Acc. program
• Program experience
• Career outcomes
• Preparation for the CPA exam

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About the accountancy degree

What is a Master of Accountancy?

A Master of Accountancy provides students with an advanced knowledge of accounting principles, practices, and applications. The curriculum typically includes coursework in areas such as auditing, taxation, financial reporting, business law, and management accounting.

Comprehensive programs like MTSU’s Master of Accountancy not only hone technical accounting skills but also feature coursework that cultivates strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, stakeholder communication skills, and client relationship management.

Is a Master of Accountancy the same as a Master of Business Administration? Should I get an M.B.A. or M.Acc. degree?

We recommend a M.Acc. degree if you are pursuing a professional accounting career. A specialized master’s program offers focused training that far exceeds the accounting instruction in a general M.B.A. curriculum, which is often limited to a few courses or a specialty track. This targeted knowledge can boost your appeal to employers that specifically want accounting expertise, especially for roles requiring understanding of complex financial techniques or sophisticated tools.

If you’re considering becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), the M.Acc. often satisfies the additional educational requirements for CPA certification, making it a more direct path to this credential than an M.B.A. Programs like MTSU’s M.Acc. even offer course credit for CPA exam prep.

Are the Jones College of Business and the MTSU Accountancy program accredited?

Yes, both the Jones College of Business and the Accountancy program are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is the premier accrediting body for colleges of business and AACSB accreditation is the gold standard of accreditation. The accreditation process includes a rigorous review of the school’s mission, faculty qualifications, curricula, and ability to provide the highest-quality programs.

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Applying to the M.Acc. program

What are the admission requirements?

We accept applications from students who have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. However, we have additional requirements around GPA and/or GMAT scores based on your previous degree area. Please visit our admissions page for full information, plus an application checklist.

Does my undergraduate degree need to be in accounting to apply?

No, an accounting degree is not required; your degree can be in any subject area. However, incoming students who did not take accounting courses in their undergraduate program will need to take prerequisite courses to fulfill the M.Acc. requirements. See our curriculum page for additional details about these prerequisite courses.

Do I need to complete the prerequisites before applying for the M.Acc. program?

You can submit an application and enter the M.Acc. program even if you have not completed any prerequisite courses.

If you are admitted to the program, you will receive a welcome letter that identifies any prerequisite deficiencies. You will need to take these courses early on in your master’s degree.

Please also note that, once you are admitted to the M.Acc. program, you will be charged graduate tuition rates for all courses, including any prerequisite courses.

I am currently an undergraduate who is finishing up my degree. When should I apply to the M.Acc. program?

Undergraduates who are in the final semester of their degree can apply for the MTSU Master of Accountancy, and we encourage you to do so. We suggest you apply within the first month of your last semester.

Are GMAT scores required for admission?

It depends on your previous academic experience. The GMAT requirement is waived if you meet the following requirements:

• You have an accounting degree from an AACSB-accredited college and your cumulative GPA was at least 3.0.
  or
• You are in your last semester of your undergraduate accounting degree at an AACSB-accredited college and it is clear that you will have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA when you graduate.

If you do not meet these requirements for GMAT waiver, you must submit GMAT scores.

What is the GMAT code for the Master of Accountancy?

The program code for the MTSU Master of Accountancy is 6ZR-KJ-63.

Is it possible to substitute the GRE for the GMAT?

While we prefer that students take the GMAT exam, it may be possible to substitute GRE scores in some circumstances. If you have not yet taken an exam, you should take the GMAT. If you have already taken the GRE, it may be possible to use your GRE scores for admission purposes. Please contact an enrollment representative at macc@mtsu.edu or call 888-891-6780 (toll-free) if you need to use GRE scores in place of the GMAT.

When are admissions decisions made?

Once you submit all of the required materials, your application will be forwarded to the program director to make an admissions decision. Typically, a decision is made quickly once your application is received by the director—within a few weeks.

Do you offer conditional admission?

No, you must meet the program requirements at the time of admission to be admitted.

Can I transfer any credit?

In some circumstances, students who have previous graduate credit from an AACSB-accredited college may be able to apply up to 6 credit hours of such work toward M.Acc. program requirements. Permission is required from the M.Acc. program director and the dean of the College of Graduate Studies to use transfer credit.

Please contact an enrollment representative by calling 888-891-6780 (toll-free) if you have transfer credit questions.

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Program experience

In which semesters can I begin the M.Acc. program? When is the next start date?

There are three starts each year: fall, spring, and summer. The next start date is May 20, 2024.

Is the program full-time or part-time?

Both options are available—it is up to the student to choose how many courses they would like to take each semester. Some students take as few as 3 credit hours (about one course) per semester, while others take up to 12 credit hours (about four courses) per semester.

Will I need to attend classes at a set time every day?

It depends on the course. Some may be fully synchronous or have synchronous components, which require students to meet at a certain time during the week. Others are fully asynchronous, meaning that all content can be accessed at the students’ convenience, though they will still have deadlines for assignments and projects.

If my course is synchronous or has a synchronous component, when will the classes take place?

Both day and evening meeting times are offered. Students who prefer to take classes in the evening can complete the M.Acc. entirely as an evening program. The Department of Accounting also offers some classes during the day, if there is sufficient demand.

Evening classes usually meet once a week from 6 to 9 p.m. Day classes either meet twice weekly for 85-minute sessions or in a focused three-hour block once per week.

Can I complete the MTSU Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) program online?

The majority of the graduate accounting courses are available online or can be taken in person at MTSU’s campus in Murfreesboro. Please note that course offerings are subject to change and may vary by semester.

How long does it take to complete the M.Acc.?

Students must take 30 credit hours in order to complete the M.Acc. program. (If you need to complete prerequisite courses, those credit hours will be in addition to the 30 total credit hours.)

Full-time students can usually complete the program in one year, if they do not need to take any prerequisite courses. Part-time students usually take two to three years to complete the program.

Is financial aid available?

Many students in the M.Acc. program receive financial aid, and there are a limited number of graduate assistantships available. Please see our financial aid page for more information.

What is the FAFSA school code for MTSU?

The MTSU school code is 003510.

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Career outcomes

What careers are available to someone with a master’s degree in accountancy?

Graduates with a master’s in accountancy have strong employment opportunities due to the constant demand for accounting expertise in nearly all sectors.

Here are some possible career paths:

• Public accounting
• Industry
• Auditing
• Tax planning
• Consulting
• Accounting information systems
• Education
• Banking/Investments
• Entertainment
• Sports
• Technology
• Nonprofit organizations
• Criminal investigation

M.Acc. alumni are highly sought after by Big Four accounting firms, multinational corporations, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and more. The degree can also serve as a stepping stone to a doctorate for those interested in academic or research roles.

Where do MTSU’s accounting alumni work?

Here are companies who have recruited MTSU accounting students. These are just some of the many, many organizations around the world that employ our graduates.

• Country Music Foundation
• Deloitte
• EY
• FORVIS
• Hospital Corporation of America
• Nissan Americas
• National Healthcare Corporation
• State of Tennessee
• Tractor Supply Company
• Other local, regional, and national CPA firms
• Other industry leaders

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Preparation for the CPA exam

How does the M.Acc. support me if I want to take the CPA exam?

The program includes an optional series of four courses (1 credit hour per course), each of which align with a section of the CPA exam. We use Becker CPA Review as the provider for the review content.

Plus, completing the degree will give you 30 credit hours towards the 150 education hours required by the AICPA for licensure.

In addition to the study resources and educational hours, you will have the ongoing support of our faculty, staff, and your classmates, many of whom will also be studying for the test. They will motivate you and keep you accountable as you prepare.

Is there an additional cost for the CPA review portion?

Yes. The cost of the Becker program is approximately $1,700, which is a savings of more than 30% off Becker’s normal fee.

Becker can often direct-bill companies if a student has accepted a job offer from a CPA firm or company that pays for their CPA review class. Please talk to your future employer about this possibility. In addition, Becker will allow students to finance the cost of their program over the course of 18 months, if necessary. This works out to about $100 per month. Finally, you should be aware that there are fees that must be paid to take the exam. These fees are the responsibility of the student.

Will I be qualified to sit for the CPA exam after getting the M.Acc. degree?

CPA exam requirements can vary by state. Here is information for Tennessee:

• If you have an undergraduate degree in any field of business and complete the MTSU M.Acc. program, you will meet the educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam.
• If your undergraduate degree is not in accounting, you can meet the educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam by completing the M.Acc. program.
• You can visit the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy website if you have additional questions about whether you meet the requirements to sit for the CPA exam in the state.

If you plan to sit for the CPA exam outside of Tennessee, you should check the requirements for that state; you can find a listing of this information on the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy website.

What is the CPA exam pass rate for MTSU M.Acc. students?

The first-time pass rate for MTSU M.Acc. students is among the highest for universities in the Middle Tennessee area. In 2019, the pass rate for this group was 66.5 percent, compared to 52.8 percent overall.

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