Master of Accounting

 

Objectives of the Master of Accounting MAcc Program

The primary objective of the MAcc degree program is to provide a graduate-level educational experience as a basis for a career in accounting. Students with or without undergraduate degrees in accounting can be admitted to this program. The program provides a broad-based preparation for individuals seeking careers in public, private or not-for-profit organizations. By choosing specific elective courses, however, individuals desiring a particular career path may pursue an area of specialization, such as Auditing, Information Systems, Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting or Taxation. For more information regarding these areas of specialization, please call 554-3650 or visit the website at http://cba.unomaha.edu/acct/MAcc/index.cfm.

The MAcc program is designed for dedicated students with career aspirations demanding a high level of accounting expertise. As such, the program involves both intensive and extensive professional preparation. Upon completion of the program, most students will have the educational prerequisites for the following professional examinations: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Financial Manager (CFM), and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). Students planning to sit for any certification examination should see their MAcc Advisor as soon as they begin their master's program.

Program of Study

The MAcc program has two alternative tracks. The first is a 152-hour undergraduate-graduate option that requires UNO undergraduate accounting majors to apply to the MAcc program before they achieve senior status. Application to the 152 MAcc track requires that the student successfully complete the GMAT. UNO undergraduate accounting majors should see the Director of the MAcc program in their junior year to determine how they can enroll in this joint program.

The second option is for graduates of accredited undergraduate institutions who wish to earn a Masters degree in accounting. The first stage of this track (the foundation courses) of the MAcc program contains sufficient undergraduate accounting preparation to pursue graduate education. These courses will be waived upon satisfactory evidence of prior preparation. In the second stage, students complete a core of required courses in accounting and supporting business disciplines. In consultation with an advisor, electives are selected to meet a student's specific career goals. Both MAcc tracks require a professional report based on independent research.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet the requirements of the Graduate College. All applicants must submit a completed application, a recent resume, two official copies of all transcripts, and results of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) prior to admission to the program. Although other factors are considered, the general admission formula is:

GMAT (minimum 550*) + (200 x Upper Division GPA) is greater than or equal to 1170
*(minimum verbal 26; minimum quantitative 35)

International students must provide letters of recommendation, statements of financial independence, and evidence of ability to speak and write the English language; i.e. a minimum of 600 on the paper-based TOEFL (250 if computer based; 100 if internet-based). The baccalaureate degree must have been received from a properly accredited institution.

There is no guarantee that admission will be granted simply because the indicated scores have been achieved. If granted provisional admission, the student must earn grades of "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or above in the first 12 hours of MAcc course work (in some cases the first 18 hours). Students not meeting this standard are subject to dismissal.

    Foundation Courses

  • ACCT 2010 Principles of Accounting I
  • ACCT 2020 Principles of Accounting II
  • ACCT 3020 Basic Federal Income Taxation
  • ACCT 3030 Intermediate Financial Accounting I
  • ACCT 3040 Intermediate Financial Accounting II
  • ACCT 3050 Intermediate Managerial Accounting
  • ACCT 3080 Accounting Information Systems OR
    Select one of the following:
    • BSAD 3100 Management Information Systems I
    • CIST 3100 Organizations, Application & Technology
  • ACCT 4080 Principles of Auditing
  • BSAD 3160 Managerial Statistics for Business
  • BSAD 8180 Analytical Foundations of Economics
    OR BOTH
    • ECON 2220 Principles of Macro Economics
    • ECON 2200 Principles of Micro Economics.

Courses successfully completed (i.e., earning a 2.0 grade, "C" , or higher on a 4.0 system) in the student's undergraduate program at a properly accredited four-year institution are considered as sufficient preparation. Otherwise, the student must complete the foundation requirements earning a "B" or better prior to enrolling in a graduate course. Students who consider themselves proficient through experience or self-study in any of these areas may complete a "Satisfaction by Exam" in lieu of course work. Those who will be sitting for the CPA exam also must take Managerial Communications (MGMT 3200) or an equivalent business communications course.

 
Academic Performance

In addition to the Quality of Work Standards, MAcc students may repeat only once any ACCT 8 - - 0 or 8 - - 6 level course in which they receive any grade, including "W" or "I".

Students earning a third grade of "C+" or lower; or any single grade below "C-" (1.67 on a 4.0 scale) will be automatically dismissed from the MAcc program. Dismissed students will be immediately administratively withdrawn from all courses in which they are enrolled for MAcc credit in any subsequent semester or summer session until reinstatement has been granted by the MAcc Graduate Program Committee (MAcc GPC).

Students who have been dismissed from the MAcc program may submit a written petition for reinstatement to the MAcc GPC. Students who have petitioned the MAcc GPC for reinstatement may not enroll in any courses for MAcc credit. Upon receiving a petition for reinstatement, the MAcc GPC will evaluate the student's petition. As part of the reinstatement petitioning process, the MAcc GPC reserves the right to examine the student's academic record and reserves the right to speak to any previous instructor who has taught the student, and this information may be used by the MAcc GPC in the reinstatement decision. Information provided by previous instructors will not be shared with the student. Reinstatement is a privilege, and not all students who are dismissed will be reinstated. Students who have been reinstated will serve a probationary period of the MAcc GPC's discretion and must satisfy the probationary conditions specified by the MAcc GPC. In addition to probationary conditions, reinstated students will be subject to additional reinstatement conditions as specified by the MAcc GPC. These reinstatement conditions will include retaking one or more courses in which the student must earn a grade of "B" (3.0) or higher (the exact grade requirement for retaken courses may in fact be higher than "B" [3.0]). Students not achieving the probationary or reinstatement conditions will be automatically dismissed.

Internships

    Students in the 152-hour MAcc program are encouraged to apply for full- or part-time internships. Internships for International students may be available, see the Director of the MAcc program for details. The MAcc program does not grant graduate credit for internships nor is an internship required for the program. Students seeking information about internships should see the Accounting Department's Director of Internships.

     

    Financial Assistance

    A limited number of graduate scholarships, assistantships and non-resident tuition waivers are available to full-time students. Those interested in receiving an application may call (402) 554-3650 or download an application from our website. Employed applicants should explore tuition reimbursement plans from their employers.