What is the Best Online Accounting Master’s Degree School?
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A graduate level program or master’s in accounting degree has become commonplace in the accounting industry because of state boards’ increasingly stringent certification requirements in recent years. The current trend of educational qualifications only requires CPA candidates to complete 150 credit hours of coursework, but some states are moving to a graduate level degree requirement. Thus, undergraduate students in these states have to continue their education with a master’s degree in accounting or MAcc in order to become a CPA or CMA.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the time and money to quit their professional job and pursue a graduate degree. Some family and professional obligations can’t simply be put on hold for a year or two. That’s why internet-based programs have become so popular. Unlike a decade ago, online accounting degrees have become well respected and endorsed by many top accredited universities and colleges of business. Most colleges don’t even differential their online diplomas from their main campus ones. Once you graduate from their online accounting school, you receive the same diploma as the rest of their graduating students.
An online master’s in accountancy degree gives you all of the benefits of distance learning with the reputation and credentials of an accredited university. These programs give you the flexibility to schedule classes and coursework around your professional and personal life. There’s no need to quit your job or put your family on hold. You can earn an accredited online master’s in accounting degree while keeping your life intact.
Since you don’t have to physically travel to a campus for lectures, you can attend a university anywhere in the country, but what one should you choose? Just like traditional accounting schools, not all online graduate schools are equal. Some have more respected programs that will open more doors in your career. I’ve made a list of the top 10 best online master’s in accounting degree program rankings in 2015 and 2016, so you can decided which one is right for you. I complied information from some of the most respected sources on online education, accounting schools, and degree programs like Forbes, USNews, and Business Insider to create my super rankings list. Each online accounting degree program and online accounting school on my list is accredited by either a regional or national accreditation system.
Let’s take a look at the best online masters in accountancy degree granting accredited schools.
University of Connecticut
Graduate School of Business
The University of Connecticut, commonly referred to as UConn, is the largest public research university in Connecticut. It was founding in 1881 in Storrs, CT and now has six different campuses educating more than 8,000 postgraduate students. With over 10 percent of these graduate students choosing to attend the College of Business, UCONN’s MSA program is strong and well respected by employers and other universities. The University of Connecticut has grown its online MSA degree into one of the most valued distance learning programs in the country. The US News and World Report and United States Learning Association have recognized UConn’s excellence in recent reports.
Online Degree Program Overview and Requirements
The online master of science in accounting degree at UConn has two different scheduling options. Students who take the part-time option can either take 10 courses over two or three semesters. This means students can finish their online postgraduate degree in as little as eight months. Obviously, cramming an entire MSA in accounting program into eight months isn’t easy, so UConn also offers a part-time option for students who can’t commit to the time restraints of a full-time program. Both options cover the same amount of course work and thoroughly prepare their graduates to start or continue a career in accounting with real world knowledge of current accounting issues and business practices. Graduates will earn at least 150 credit hours upon completing the accounting masters program and will qualify to sit for the CPA exam in almost any state.
Here’s more information about the UConn MSA in Accounting requirements.
UConn College of Business Online Statistics
Current students Enrolled:
75 full time
889 part time
Tuition: $65,000 per year
Accreditation
The University of Connecticut’s online MSA program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International.
http://msaccounting.business.uconn.edu/
Southern New Hampshire University
College of Accounting and Commerce Online
The Southern New Hampshire University was founded in 1932 by Harry Shapiro. This name might sound familiar. BlumShapiro is one of the top 50 accounting firms in the US. Shapiro originally established the college to teach accounting and named it the New Hampshire School of Accounting and Secretarial Science. Today it is home to more than 2,900 on campus undergraduates, 10,300 alumni, and over 18,000 online students. Shapiro’s standard of excellence and success are still held strong in SNHU’s students and curriculum. Students learn from courses that are designed to help students pursue a career in accounting, pass the CPA exam, and achieve the pinnacle of the accounting profession. This fact is true in the over 10,000 SNHU graduates who have started successful careers and the many thousands who are continuing their education with online distance learning. Plus, the SNHU online MS in accounting program is affordable and convenient for professionals without requiring students to take the GMAT or GRE for admission.
Online Degree Program Overview and Requirements
Southern New Hampshire University offers three different concentrations of MS accounting degrees. Students can choose to focus on auditing, forensic accounting or, taxation. These three different options allow graduate students to sculpt their career direction rather than simply earning a generic graduate certificate. Students are able to focus on developing and expertise in a specific topic, field, or industry that they can carry on in their career. All of the online MS accounting degrees require a basic core of accounting coursework that stringently tests students’ knowledge of GAAP, financial accounting, auditing, and business skills. In addition, students must take qualitative analysis courses to improve critical thinking skills in a real world environment. All three concentrations fulfill the educational requirements for the CPA exam and prepare students for the test itself with courses focusing on taxation, auditing, information systems, and accounting controls.
You can find more information about the SNHU Masters in Accounting curriculum here.
Southern NH University Online College of Business Statistics
Current students Enrolled:
237 full-time
359 part-time
Tuition:
$627 per credit – full-time
$470 per credit – Active Duty Military
Accreditation
The SNHU’s MA in Accounting program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
http://www.snhu.edu/campus-majors/graduate/ms-accounting
Northeastern University
D’Amore McKim School of Business
Northeastern University was founded in 1898 as a research institute. Today it educates about 8,000 postgraduate students in a variety of different programs. The college of business has almost 650 students enrolled in its masters programs. The MS in accounting at Northeastern is so distinguished that 99 percent of all graduates receive at least one job offer before graduation. In other words, employers know the students who graduate from NEU are hard working and prepared for a challenging career in public accounting or industry. The DM School of Business offers an online MBA program, masters degree in accounting, and online masters in taxation. These programs allow students to earn a world-class education with the flexibility of online distance learning.
Online Degree Program Overview and Requirements
The accounting master’s degree program consists of 72 credit hours of coursework. This includes 36 credit hours of accounting classes and 36 credit hours of online MBA courses. This structure gives students an education in business administration and fulfills the 150 credit hour CPA exam educational requirements. The entire program is completed in 15 months with classes starting in May and graduation in August. The curriculum is a rigorous mix of accounting, auditing, and management courses designed to prepare students for the corporate world of business. Judging by the job placement rate, Northeastern graduates are well prepared and ready to work upon graduation.
Here’s some additional information about the Northeastern University online MS in Accounting requirements.
D’Amore McKim School of Business Online Statistics
Current students Enrolled:
235 full time
390 part time
Tuition: $ 94,500
Accreditation
The Northeastern’s online MS degree programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International.
http://onlinebusiness.northeastern.edu/neu-mst
Rutgers University
Business School
Rutgers University was established in 1766 and is the eighth oldest university in the US. It’s the largest research college in New Jersey with over 65,000 students currently enrolled in various programs. In recent years, Rutgers has developed its online accounting degree curriculum and created the distance learning equivalent of its highly prestigious on-campus graduate program. The Business School at Rutgers enrolls just over 1,200 students, much of who are studying for their master’s degree in accounting online. The online master of accountancy in governmental accounting program is interesting because it is 100 percent online and doesn’t require its applicants to take the GMAT. US News ranks this program in the top 15 Masters programs.
Online Degree Program Overview and Requirements
The fully online Master of Accountancy degree program at Rutgers is available to in state and out of state students and consists of 30 credit hours designed to fulfill the 150 credit hour CPA education requirement. The specialized coursework can be applied toward an online MBA or MPA degree program with several different certificate options. Students take in depth accounting and auditing courses about business in the public sector. They also develop detailed understanding of governmental and non-profit accounting. Undergraduates who want to pursue a career in a governmental agency or a large not for profit should consider attending Rutgers online accounting masters degree. This program will prepare you for the unique accounting and financial reporting requirements for both of these special organizations.
You can find more information about the Rutgers University online MS in Accounting curriculum here.
Rutgers University Business School Online Statistics
Current students Enrolled:
201 full-time
998 part-time
Tuition:
In State
$27,385 per year – full-time
$1,034 per credit – part-time
Out of State
$45,232 per year – full-time
$1,778 per credit – part-time
Accreditation
The Rutgers online masters in accounting degree programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International.
http://www.business.rutgers.edu/govmaccy
Florida Atlantic University
College of Business
Florida Atlantic University formed the first pubic college in southeast Florida in 1964. Since then more than 105,000 students have graduated with over 110,000 degrees. Today FAU offers 180 different undergraduate and graduate degree programs across its 10 college campuses. Part of FAU’s explosive growth in the past few decades can be attributed to its willingness to embrace change and pursue innovation in education. This tradition continues in its online and distance education courses. The College of Business at Florida Atlantic offers advanced degrees to students who are unable to attend traditional classroom schedules. These programs combine of the flexibility of online learning and the academic requirements to become an Macc or MBA. Their courses prepare graduates for challenging positions in some of the most in demand accounting fields.
Online Degree Program Overview and Requirements
Florida Atlantic offers a masters degree in accounting with a concentration in forensic accounting. This field has been increasing in demand and popularity with the rise of governmental audits, SEC filing requirements, and accounting scandals that took place in the prior decade. Students study topics like financial valuation, fraud prevention, and white-collar crime investigation throughout the two year program. These courses are designed to challenge students’ critical think skills and force them to adapt to new environments. Graduates from FAU place jobs at the big 4 accounting firms and fortune 500 companies managing assets, overseeing complex financial business structures, and even investigating fraud and testifying in court cases. This is the right field for you if you enjoy detective work and want to be as close to James Bond as an accountant can be. I’m not saying you will get into action packed car chases, but it is a more adventurous career path than a tax accountant.
You can find more information about the FAU Accounting MS online curriculum here.
Florida Atlantic University Business School Online Statistics
Current students Enrolled:
237 full-time
359 part-time
Tuition:
In State:
$304 per credit – full-time
$304 per credit – part-time
$965 per credit – executive degree
Out of State:
$928 per credit full-time
$928 per credit part-time
$965 per credit executive degree
Accreditation
The FAU MAcc program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
