Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Graduate Catalogue 
    
2019-2020 Graduate Catalogue Archived Catalogue

Accountancy - M.S.A.C.


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Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Lorraine Lee
Graduate Coordinator:  Ms. Sarah Smith

The Cameron School of Business offers a program of study leading to a Master of Science in Accountancy to qualified holders of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university regardless of undergraduate field of study. Students may concentrate in functional areas such as tax services or assurance and systems advisory. The purpose of the program is to prepare graduates to assume responsible accounting and managerial positions in public accounting, private industry, management consulting, government, and not-for-profit organizations.

Specific Objectives Include


  • Develop the skills necessary for critical thinking, professional research, and continuous learning
  • Develop a global perspective of business and accounting practices
  • Provide a framework for developing leadership and team building skills
  • Provide a framework for recognizing the importance of social responsibility and making ethical business decisions
  • Develop effective communication skills and strong interpersonal skills

Admission Requirements


Applicants seeking admission to the graduate program in accountancy are required to submit the following to the Graduate School:

  1. An application for graduate admission
  2. Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate)
  3. Official scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). The GMAT is not required for applicants meeting ONE of these criteria: 1) an overall cumulative bachelor’s GPA of 3.4 or higher from a regionally accredited institution. The GPA applies to the last attended institution where the undergraduate degree was conferred, OR 2) the successful completion of the UNCW MSA Internship program.*   
  4. Three recommendations by individuals who can comment on the applicant’s potential for successful completion of a master’s program.
  5. Applicant’s resume
  6. Application and supplemental documents must be submitted by the published deadline.

Applicants should have a strong overall undergraduate academic record and have earned satisfactory scores on the GMAT. However, admission decisions are based on several factors and other indicators of success may be considered for admission.

*Test score waiver instructions: List the waiver criteria on the Test Score Waiver Request form. Forms should be submitted directly to the program coordinator by email. For option one, applicant should submit a copy of their unofficial transcript, along with the completed form. For option two, Internship students will be reviewed by Dr. Allison Evans for confirmation and signed by program coordinator or Dr. Evans.

Admission into the graduate program is conditional upon successful completion of a basic core of accounting coursework. This coursework may be completed at any regionally accredited four year college or university or may be completed in residence at UNCW. The basic core of accounting coursework includes External Financial Reporting (six credit hours), Accounting Information Systems (three credit hours), Survey of Tax (three credit hours), Finance (one credit hour), Advanced Managerial Accounting (three credit hours) and Auditing (three credit hours). External Financial Reporting, Accounting Information Systems, Finance, and Survey of Tax may be completed in residence at UNCW in the summer before beginning the graduate program. Advanced Managerial Accounting and Auditing may be completed during the first semester in residence in the MSA program. Grades of “C” or “C+” will count towards the student’s maximum number of two “C” grades allowed in the MSA program. Students with a grade below a “C” will not be permitted to continue in the MSA program.

Degree Requirements (32 total credit hours)


  1. A minimum of 32 credit hours of graduate coursework approved by the MSA director is required for the Master of Science in Accountancy. This must include a required core of 23 credit hours of MSA graduate accounting and business courses.
  2. Each student must complete seven credit hours of MSA graduate coursework in a specialization of either tax services or assurance and systems advisory approved by the MSA director.
  3. Each student must complete two credit hours of MSA graduate electives approved by the MSA director.
  4. Up to six credit hours of graduate study may be accepted as transfer credit from a regionally accredited college or university. Requests for transfer credit must be approved by the MSA director and the Graduate School. A minimum of 26 credit hours of graduate study must be completed in residence.
  5. Each student must successfully complete a written and oral comprehensive case analysis in the final semester of enrollment in coursework.
  6. Each student must complete the approved course of study within five years of the date of first registration for graduate study.

Required Courses


All Master of Science in Accountancy majors will be required to complete the following core courses and choose one of the concentration paths.

Concentration: Tax Services


Concentration: Assurance, Analytics and Systems Advisory


Elective courses


Students will strengthen and broaden their skills in particular areas by taking two (2) credit hours of elective MSA graduate courses from either business law (MSA 562 ), non-profit accounting (MSA 503 , accounting analytics (MSA 523 ), international business experience (MBA 533 ), special topics in accounting when offered (MSA 592 ), or an elective approved by the MSA director.

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