Master's of Accounting
If you're highly-motivated, intelligent, career-oriented, dedicated and ambitious, the Master's of Accounting (MAcc) program is designed for you.
The MAcc program serves professionals entering public practice, business, non-profit organizations, and government. It is designed to provide the skills needed to build a successful career in the multifaceted, changing practice of accounting, including new approaches and technologies in the profession.
If you do not have an undergraduate degree in accounting, you can complete a series of introductory and intermediate courses to qualify for continued study toward the MAcc. You may choose to complete these undergraduate pre-requisites as additional courses in the program or study accelerated courses through the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting (GCPA) program. GCPA students may also pursue a combined Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting and Master's of Accounting.
- Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting
- Combined Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting and Master's of Accounting
The MAcc degree requires 30 credits (10 courses) of which at least 18 credits (six courses) must be at the 600-level. Suggested concentrations within the degree include information systems, audit, taxation, financial planning, communications, law and government, marketing and management.
Typically, if you plan to be a full-time student, and have finished all undergraduate pre-requisites, the program takes 18 months to complete. Classes are taught weekdays in the late afternoon and evening. Classes are taught in the evening, allowing you to work or do an internship during the day. You may choose to attend on a part-time (3-6 credits) or full-time (9-12 credits) basis.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the Shidler College of Business graduate admission requirements, students without an undergraduate degree in accounting are required to complete the following undergraduate deficiencies in accounting: ACC 201 and 202 prior to admission to the MAcc program, and ACC 321, 323, 401, 409, and 418 prior to graduation.
Admission to the MAcc program is competitive. The school seeks individuals who have the potential for outstanding achievement in accounting, auditing, or taxation. The admissions committee primarily considers the candidate’s academic record and GMAT score and places emphasis on strong communication skills.
Generally, students admitted to the MAcc program have a GPA exceeding 3.3, GMAT scores in the mid-500s, and above average verbal scores on the GMAT.
HOW TO APPLY
The MAcc program admits students during the fall and spring semesters. The fall application deadline is March 1 for international students and students interested in scholarships and May 1 for all other students. The spring application deadline for the MAcc program is November 1. The deadline for the Waseda MAcc program is January 1.
- Download and submit graduate application checklist cover sheet
- Submit graduate programs application
- Submit statement of objectives and resume
- Submit transcripts
- Submit GMAT, TOEFL, and IELTS standardized tests official scores
More information can be found at the Shidler Graduate Admissions website.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits to earn the Master of Accounting degree. If a course is waived, another course in the same area of study and of the same or higher level must be substituted.
- Required accounting courses (15 credits):
- Accounting Electives: Suggested Concentration (9 credit):
- ACC 619 Advanced Auditing
- ACC 620 Global Accounting
- ACC 635 Advanced Public Sector Accounting
- ACC 640 International Auditing and Assurance
- Courses from the Tax or Financial Reporting tracks provided that they are not fulfilling ACC Elective requirements
- ACC 690 Current Topics in Accounting
- ACC 695 Internship (only one Internship course can be taken for MAcc credit)
- 400- to 600- level courses from the Shidler College of Business (BLW, FIN, ITM, MGT, MKT, RE), Law, or Speech (Business course are not to include MBA core classes BUS 610-629, 660, 695, and 696B/C or HRM 668 or MGT 650
- Thesis Option
Students can take any 400-600 level Accounting course except those used to fulfill deficiency or core requirements. No more than two elective courses may be from the 400-level. The following tracks are recommended:
Additional Electives (6 credit hours)Tax concentration (any three of the following)
Financial Reporting concentration (any three of the following)
Students may take any two of the following:
In consultation with their advisor, a student may opt to do a research thesis in place of ACC 660 and three elective credits. Thesis students enroll in ACC 700 Thesis Research.
If you have questions about the program and its requirements, contact the Graduate Business Programs by e-mail at busgrad@hawaii.edu or by phone at [1] (808) 956 8266 or by fax at [1] (808) 956 9890.