南伊利诺斯大学艾德华兹维尔分校

The Master of Science in accountancy (MSA) in the School of Business provides an advanced professional plan of study designed to prepare individuals for careers as professional accountants in public accounting, industry, or nonprofit and governmental sectors. Through the Department of Accounting, students learn the skills and knowledge needed to enter the accounting field and to form a foundation for advancement to the highest levels of the profession.

The MSA is designed to be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time students with recent undergraduate degrees in accounting can complete the program courses and elective requirements in one year. Part-time students with a recent undergraduate degree in accounting can complete the program courses and elective requirements in two years. Depending on the number of courses taken each semester, students with undergraduate degrees in non-business fields can complete the program and elective requirements in two to four years. Courses in the MSA program are offered in an evening/hybrid format. Accelerated eight-week courses meet one evening per week. This flexible format combines traditional classroom instruction with online assignments. Beginning in spring 2019, courses will be offered in seven-week formats.

Program Format

The program can be completed through a mix of online courses and traditional courses offered on evenings/weekends.

Specializations

Business Analytics

Taxation

Career Opportunities

MSA graduates qualify to sit for the CPA exam in Illinois and have rewarding careers in public accounting as auditors, tax specialists or consultants. Graduates who work in corporate accounting may be employed as managerial accountants, internal auditors, income tax specialists, systems experts or management consultants. In the nonprofit sector, accountants play important roles in governmental entities, health care organizations and charitable agencies. Based on their wide range of business exposure and knowledge, many accountants ultimately move into high-level management positions.