Master of Science in Accounting
The Kenneth G. Dixon School of Accounting offers a Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) degree with a choice of specialization in either Assurance, Management, or Taxation. These programs prepare individuals for careers as professional accountants and consultants in public accounting industry, financial institutions, government, and nonprofit organizations.
Faculty members in the Kenneth G. Dixon School of Accounting emphasize independent learning in various ways throughout the MSA program. Cases and research projects that involve independent work outside the classroom are incorporated into all coursework. The cases and projects are both individual and team prepared. Students are asked to do research that requires they utilize the library, internet, and resources other than the material provided by the professor. The results of independent research activity are presented in either a written report or case analysis or oral presentation. Students work to develop and enhance skills and competencies that will support them professionally throughout their careers. The approaches used in our courses encourage students toward life-long learning.
The MSA degree, along with the appropriate undergraduate prerequisite work, satisfies the education requirements to become a licensed CPA in the state of Florida.
If your career plans include pursuing state-regulated professional licensure or certification in your chosen field, it is important to know the credentialing requirements of the state in which you hope to practice. Learn more.
Foundation Prerequisite Courses
All business and accounting foundation core requirements can be completed after a student has gained admission to the program, but must be satisfied before graduate MSA coursework can be undertaken. Applicants with a recent undergraduate accounting degree will likely have completed most, if not all, of the foundation prerequisite courses. Before taking any foundation courses, please have your undergraduate transcripts reviewed by the MSA Program Advisor.
The business foundation core is designed primarily to prepare students who hold a non-business undergraduate degree (e.g., psychology, education, or engineering) for the accounting foundation core and graduate MSA coursework.
| NUMBER | TITLE |
|---|---|
| ACG 2021 | Principles of Financial Accounting |
| ACG 2071 | Principles of Managerial Accounting |
| ECO 2013 | Macroeconomics |
| ECO 2023 | Microeconomics |
| FIN 3403 | Business Finance |
| QMB 3003 | Quantitative Tools I |
| QMB 3200 | Quantitative Tools II |
The accounting foundation core is designed primarily to prepare students who hold either a nonbusiness undergraduate degree (e.g., psychology, education, or engineering) or an undergraduate business degree in a field other than accounting (e.g., finance, marketing, or management) for graduate MSA coursework.
| NUMBER | TITLE |
|---|---|
| ACG 3131 | Intermediate Financial Accounting I |
| ACG 3361 | Cost Accounting I |
| ACG 3141 | Intermediate Financial Accounting II |
| ACG 4401 | Accounting Information Systems |
| ACG 4651 | Auditing |
| ACG 4803 | Advanced Issues in Financial Accounting |
| BUL 3130 | Legal & Ethical Environment of Business |
| TAX 4001 | Taxation of Business Entities and Transactions |
Curriculum
The Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) degree is awarded upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours, and a final written exit exam. In the total program of study, a minimum of 21 credit hours of the coursework must be completed in accounting, tax, or business law courses. Students, with the assistance and approval of the program adviser, may select other courses that reflect their interests and career objectives.
Total Credit Hours Required: 30 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor’s Degree
MS IN ACCOUNTING TRACKS
Applicants to the MSA must select a track, which will determine the specific coursework required.
Assurance Track
The MSA Assurance Track will prepare a student for an auditing career in public accounting, internal audit or other attestation roles.
10 courses/30 credit hours
Learn More
Taxation Track
The MSA Taxation Track will prepare a student for a career as a tax professional and tax consultation in a wide variety of organizations.
10 courses/30 credit hours
Learn More
Management Track
The MSA Management Track will prepare a student for accounting careers in industry using accounting data for decision making, evaluating internal controls and designing compensation systems.
10 courses/30 credit hour
Learn More
| Satisfactory completion of an end-of-program comprehensive written examination is required. The MSA program does not require a thesis. |
Additional Program Requirements
| Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in the accounting foundation core. Students must earn a grade of “B-” (2.75) or higher in any undergraduate course taken after completion of the Bachelor’s degree in order for that course to count as a prerequisite in or to fulfill an admission requirements for the MSA degree.
5000-level courses taken in the undergraduate career that are used to earn the undergraduate accounting degree cannot be transferred into the MSA degree program. |
Application Process
Application
Application, application fee and all supporting documents, including official transcripts, and resume (international transcripts evaluation, TOEFL scores), must be submitted by the established application deadline.
This form must be completed online at graduate.ucf.edu. Your application will not be processed until the fee is submitted, so please be sure to pay your application fee. This fee is required of all applicants, for each application submitted.
Transcripts
If you are not a UCF graduate, OFFICIAL transcripts from EACH college or university attended must be sent directly to the UCF College of Graduate Studies. The minimum requirement for acceptance is a 3.0 GPA in your undergraduate course work. If your degree was not received in the U.S., you must also send one copy of each transcript to an accredited evaluation service for a course-by-course evaluation showing the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree and a GPA calculation. We require either World Education Services (WES) wes.org or Josef Silny jsilny.com.
Resume & 1 Recommendation Letter
Upload your current resume and one recommendation letterto your application after submitting your application.
TOEFL
The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required of all applicants whose native language is not English and who do not have a degree from a U.S. institution or English instruction institution. A minimum score of 577 paper-based; 233 computer-based; or 90-91 Internet-based. The IELTS may also be used with a minimum score of 7.0. required. UCF Institution Code 5233
| FALL PRIORITY |
FALL | SPRING | SUMMER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Applicants | Jan 15 | Jul. 1 | Dec. 1 | Apr. 1 |
| International Applicants | Jan 15 | Jan. 1 | Jul. 1 | Nov. 1 |
*Applicants who plan to enroll full-time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowship or assistanships should apply by the fall priority application deadline.
Ready to Get Your Master’s Degree?
Applying to the University of Central Florida is easy and straightforward.