SKIP navigation
Graduate Studies
Graduate Studies

This page's main content:

accounting graduate program.

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/.

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 150-hour undergraduate-graduate option that requires UNO undergraduate accounting majors to apply to the MAcc program before they achieve senior status. 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. An important benefit of the 150 hour program is it allows the student to earn their undergraduate degree (BSAD) and their MAcc degree in a combined total of 150 credit hours (six hours less than the standard requirements for non-articulated programs). By applying early the student will be able to take six hours of upper-division accounting courses as graduate courses and receive credit for both their BSAD and MAcc degrees. Given that most public accounting firms require 150 credit hours (so their new hires are CPA exam eligible) our dual program offers the most efficient way for students to prepare for licensure and have the courses they need to be competitive in today’s market.

The second track 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.

Admission Requirements

Regardless of which track is chosen, there are two paths to admission to the Masters of Accounting program. Students who have completed a minimum of nine credit hours of upper-division accounting from an AACSB-accredited College of Business with a GPA in the completed hours of 3.33, and who have either earned an undergraduate degree or are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program with an overall GPA of 3.33, may be admitted provisionally. Provisionally admitted students must earn a minimum grade of "B"(3.0 on a 4.0 scale) on all courses taken to satisfy their provisional requirements, and must maintain a 3.0 overall GPA. Students admitted on this path are exempt from the GMAT requirement.

The second path to admission requires the student to take the GMAT and earn a minimum score of 550. The student must score in at least the 26th percentile on the verbal section and the 35th percentile on the quantitative section of the GMAT. For students seeking admission on the basis of their GMAT score we also require a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their undergraduate program. If the applicant's undergraduate degree is in Accounting then we further require a 3.0 minimum overall upper-division Accounting GPA. Students with a GPA less than 3.0 may petition for admission after they have submitted a satisfactory GMAT score. Generally, we apply a formula (200 * undergraduate GPA) + GMAT (minimum score of 550) must be greater than or equal to 1,170.

  • The Application for Graduate Admission must be completed online and application fee should be paid.
  • Official copies of all transcripts must be submitted prior to admission to the program

International students must provide 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 in 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:
    • BSAD 3100 Management Information Systems [ I ]
    • CIST 3100 Organizations, Application & Technology [ I ]
  • 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.

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; 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.




last updated: 8/15/2011 at 5:16pm