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SUMMER START APPLICATION DEADLINES EXTENDED TO 3/31 AdmissionsMore Information on Admissions

Prepare yourself for a successful career in accounting.

The MS in Accounting Transitions Track curriculum begins with foundational courses designed to prepare students from non-accounting backgrounds for advanced accounting concepts introduced later in the program.

The program requires 33-45 credits of graduate coursework, which begins with the four foundational courses that are taken entirely online. These prepare you for more advanced core and elective coursework that can be taken on-campus or online. We developed our curriculum in close consultation with our Accounting Advisory Council and with feedback from our students. The Advisory Council is made up of alumni partners and executives who are strongly committed to our program. The knowledge you gain in the program will be applicable to the CPA exam and your future career. 

IMPORTANT! Please talk with your advisor regarding your choice of electives early on. If you plan to get your CPA license, and you do not have an undergraduate business degree, you may need to take business electives.

Format

We built the program for maximum flexibility. Students can choose to take all their classes online or take some classes on the UMass Amherst campus. Online classes are offered fall, spring and summer. On-campus classes are offered in the fall and spring semesters in Amherst.

Our online format allows you to take classes from any place at any time since classes are asynchronous. This means that you can complete your assignments at a time that works for you.

View Curriculum and Course Descriptions
MS in Accounting Transitions Track Curriculum

Optional Focus Areas

Optional Focus Areas
Data Analytics

There is strong demand for accounting professionals who are trained in data analytics. In the data analytics focus, students will develop the skillset and approaches needed to be an analytically-minded accounting professional. Students will learn how to assess and communicate business problems, to evaluate and analyze data and to develop and effectively present data-driven recommendations. (9 credits)

MSA Professional Track Data Analytics Focus Check SheetData Analytics Focus Course Check Sheet
Forensic Accounting

Forensic accounting considerations are frequently intertwined with other fundamental areas of accounting including taxation, financial reporting, transaction advisory, internal audit and information systems. Accountants can bolster their client service capabilities with a fundamental understanding of forensic accounting, including fraud examination, fraud risk management, investigation skills, damages analysis and other forensic services. No matter where your career path takes you, your forensic knowledge will broaden and deepen your accounting skills. (9 credits)

Professional Track MSA Forensic Focus Degree ChecklistForensic Focus Course Check Sheet
Taxation

Our focus in taxation provides students with the depth, knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in public accounting. Students will take three tax courses alongside the traditional MS in Accounting curriculum -- Taxation of Partnerships and Limited Liability Company (LLC), Tax Research, and State and Local Taxation. Career benefits include hands on experience with software used by public accounting firms, and a strong foundation in regulation should students go on to take the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) exam. (9 credits)

Taxation Focus Course Check SheetTaxation Focus Course Check Sheet
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4+1 Master's Degrees

4+1 Master's Degrees

Undergraduate students at UMass Amherst and other colleges in the Five College Consortium can pursue a 4+1 option, completing their undergraduate degree and their master's degree in 5 years. 

The 4+1 option can also be accelerated, allowing students to complete both their undergraduate and master's degrees in fewer than 5 years. Isenberg's Master of Finance, Master of Science in Accounting, and Master of Science in Business Analytics all offer this accelerated option.

Interested students should apply to a master's degree program in their junior year or early in their senior year.

 

4+1 ProgramsLearn More
MS in Accounting Faculty

MS in Accounting Faculty

Bradley Bennett
Bradley Bennett
Department Chair & Ronald C. Mannino Faculty Fellow
Bradley Bennett View Profile
Kerri Bohonowicz
Kerri Bohonowicz
Senior Lecturer
Kerri Bohonowicz View Profile
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William D. Brown Jr.
Senior Associate Dean, Clinical Professor of Accounting
William D. Brown Jr. View Profile
Catherine Lowry
Catherine West Lowry
Senior Lecturer II
Catherine West Lowry View Profile
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Jennifer Roy
Associate Chair, Department of Accounting | Graduate Faculty Director, MS Accounting | Lecturer
Jennifer Roy View Profile
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Lynda Schwartz
Professor of Practice, Director of Forensic Accounting and Data Analytics Curriculum
Lynda Schwartz View Profile
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Matthew G. Sherwood
Assistant Professor
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Pamela Trafford
Pamela Trafford
Senior Lecturer II
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Sean Wandrei
Sean Wandrei
Senior Lecturer
Sean Wandrei View Profile
Yao Yu
Yao Yu
Assistant Professor
Yao Yu View Profile
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Apply Now

Apply Now

Follow our step-by-step process to complete your online application.

  1. Review the program specific admissions requirements.
  2. Click Apply Now to go to the University's Graduate School site where you can find a link to the secure online application.
  3. First-time users will need to create an account to start a new application. Note: You can submit your application before you have all your materials ready, simply save and resume your application as you gather required materials.
  4. After submitting, track your application at the Graduate School Status of Application page.
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