Program of Study for the Master of Science in Accounting

Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; complete application to the Graduate School ; official GMAT exam scores, unless waived; undergraduate course work in Accounting Principles, Economics, Statistics, Behavioral Science, and Finance; undergraduate accounting courses in Intermediate Accounting, Cost Accounting, Accounting Systems, Individual Income Taxation, and Auditing. In extenuating circumstances, an applicant may obtain permission to remove deficiencies in course work after entering the graduate program.  Admission is competitive.

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the criteria for admission to the Graduate School . Meeting these criteria does not guarantee acceptance.

Minimum GPA to Qualify for Regular Admission: 3.0

Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility: The standardized exam requirement may be waived for applicants with:

• An undergraduate Accounting degree with a GPA of 3.3 or higher from a regionally accredited school and at least two of three recommendations letters from professors for upper-level courses in their discipline; OR 
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher AND five or more years of professional or military work experience; OR 
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher AND membership in Beta Gamma Sigma; OR 
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher AND professional certification with a quantitative focus (e.g., CPA, CFA, CMA).

The GMAT waiver is only available to candidates who have not taken the GMAT within the past five years.

Location: Boone Campus

Accelerated Master’s Program

This program offers an Accelerated Master’s  option for undergraduate students with a 3.2 or higher currently enrolled at Appalachian State University.

Course Requirements for the Master of Science in Accounting

Concentration Requirements (12 Hours)

• ACC 5310 - Advanced Auditing Topics (3)
• ACC 5390 - Contemporary Issues in Accounting (3)
• ACC 5590 - Advanced Accounting Topics (3)
• Three hours outside of the Department of Accounting approved by the Program Director (3)

Thesis Option (12 Hours)

Choose One:

Other Requirements for the MS in Accounting

• Thesis: Optional
• Proficiency: Not required
• Candidacy: Required for thesis option; awarded upon approval of thesis committee and prospectus
• Comprehensive: Not required
• Product of Learning: Not required