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School of Management

Why UM-Flint

What Sets UM-Flint's Accounting (MSA) Program Apart?

PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION

You’ll emerge from the program prepared to complete the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam as well as other professional certificates in accounting. You’ll also be ready to compete for challenging and rewarding accounting positions as well as career advancement.

Course Format

The MSA is offered in two different formats: our blended online/on-campus Net+ structure as well as the 100% online option.

Weekend Net+

This structure blends online education with two weekend (Friday & Saturday) on-campus sessions per semester. Students have the flexibility desired in a graduate program while still being engaged in a traditional classroom setting. The majority of course work is done online while integrating two campus sessions per semester. This gives students networking opportunities not found in most online programs.

This very interactive classroom experiences including professor lectures, group discussion/debates, in-class negotiations, group presentations, simulations, guest speakers, and much more. Additional advantages include:

  • Opportunities to collaborate with other graduate students while on-campus
  • Campus residency sessions that supplement online coursework and allow for face-to-face interactions
  • This format makes it convenient for students from a wide geographic area to pursue the MSA
  • Campus sessions planned out two years in advance to allow scheduling ease
100% Online Option

The Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) is also offered 100% online program.  This approach provides flexible interactions many students and professionals require in their busy lives. Online learning is done through many techniques including discussion boards, online chats, audio and video casts, and other methods.  The University of Michigan-Flint utilizes the Blackboard learning platform for its online education. 

The MSA is designed to be accessible to both students and busy working professionals from a wide geographic area. MSA online tuition is extremely affordable for both in-state and out-of-state students.  Students without an AACSB accounting bachelor degree may have to complete two Foundation courses. The first MSA Foundation course is offered online in the spring semester and in our Net+ format in the fall semester.

EXPERT FACULTY

Experienced, tested, and respected experts in their field, MSA faculty bring practical working knowledge into the online and traditional classroom. Highly accessible both online and in person, MSA faculty are committed to your success as a student and as a professional. All full-time MSA faculty are also CPAs.

DUAL ADVANCED DEGREES

UM-Flint’s School of Management offers students the opportunity to also earn their MBA by double counting up to 15 credits from the MSA. The advantage to the student is an MBA degree takes less credits to complete, saving time and money.

STRONG KNOWLEDGE FOUNDATION

The MSA is open to students with diverse undergraduate backgrounds including those with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, other business discipline, or non-business field. The program is designed to build on your specific knowledge base and deepen your understanding of accounting at an advanced level.

U-M RESOURCES

As part of the world-renowned University of Michigan system, UM-Flint MSA students have access to additional library and educational resources, expertise, and business databases at our campuses in Ann Arbor and Dearborn.

CAMPUS LEARNING LABS

You'll want to check out these. We bring the business world to campus.

Accreditation

The UM-Flint MSA program is accredited by AACSB-International. AACSB is the highest accrediting body for business schools worldwide. Only 12% of business schools are accredited by AACSB. In accordance with AACSB, we subscribe to the highest standards in management education. We prepare students to contribute to their organizations, the larger society and to grow personally and professionally throughout their careers. For more information, visit www.aacsb.edu.

Courses

Requirements

A. Foundation Courses (0-6 credits) Up to 6 credits, dependent on waivers:

  • ACC 521 - Accounting for Managers (3)
  • ACC 530 - Intermediate Financial Reporting (3)

B. Core Courses (18 credits)

  • ACC 535 - Financial Reporting Special Topics (3)
  • ACC 545 - Seminar in Management Accounting (3)
  • ACC 550 - Individual Federal Income Taxation (3)
  • ACC 565 - Seminar in Contemporary Accounting Systems and Control (3)
  • ACC 575 - Auditing and Assurance Services (3)
  • ACC 580 - Advanced Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting and Financial Reporting (3)

C. Electives (12 credits) One MSA elective from:

  • ACC 538 - Advanced Financial Reporting (3)
  • ACC 555 - Advanced Federal Income Taxation Theory and Research (3)
  • ACC 562 - Forensic Accounting (3)
  • FIN 567 - Financial Statement Analysis (3)

At least 9 additional credits from: MSA electives above or other MBA non-accounting courses

Note:

Transfer credit is limited to no more than nine credits and must have been completed in the last five years with a grade of B or better in graduate courses while enrolled as a graduate student at an AACSB accredited program, and must not be part of another degree. Exceptions to this rule are accepted only in unusual circumstances and then only by approval of the SOM Graduate Programs Committee.

Course waivers are considered only at the time of admission to the MSA Program and limited to foundation courses only.  Equivalency is determined by AACSB-International accreditation status of the institution, or by the School of Management Graduate Programs Committee. Grades in equivalent courses are also considered.  Waivers reduce the number of credits required to complete the MSA degree. However, completion of a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours at the University of Michigan-Flint is required to graduate.

Additional information on the Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) including course descriptions can be found in the catalog. 

Admission

Requirements

Admission to the MSA program is open to qualified graduates with a bachelor’s degree in the arts, sciences, engineering, or business administration from a regionally accredited college or university.

Applying

To be considered for admission, submit the following to the Office of Graduate Programs, 251 Thompson Library:

  • Application for Graduate Admission
  • $55 application fee (non-refundable)
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
  • Official GMAT or GRE scores or GMAT waiver*
  • Statement of Purpose: a one-page, typed response to the question, “What are your career objectives and how will an MSA contribute to accomplishing these objectives?”
  • Résumé, including all professional and educational experience
  • Two letters of recommendation (professional and/or academic)
  • International students must submit additional documentation. Visit the International Students page for details.

*GMAT waivers available. Learn more here. 

Application Deadlines:

  • Fall Early Deadline - May 1*
  • Fall Final Deadline - August 1
  • Winter - November 15
  • Spring - March 15 (U.S. citizens and permanent residents only)
  • Summer - May 15 (U.S. citizens and permanent residents only)

* You must apply for admission by the early deadline to be eligible for scholarships, grants, and research assistantships.

International students are required to apply earlier than the deadlines posted here. The final deadlines for international students are May 1 for the fall semester and September 1 for the winter semester.

International students on a student visa (F-1 or J-1) may begin the MSA program in the Fall or Winter semesters only (Spring and Summer admission is not permitted). In addition, international students on a student visa must enroll in at least one traditional, “on campus” 3-credit  course in each Fall and Winter semester to maintain visa requirements.

School of Management Scholarships

Find more info on our MSA ($3,000), Dean's GMAT ($2,500), and GMAT Prep ($1,000) scholarships here. 

View the MSA Brochure

Elizabeth Ray, MBA, MSA

Hometown: Davison, MI

The MBA/MSA programs basically re-wired my brain. I have learned how to think outside of the box, and also how to think about problems or situations from many different perspectives. Throughout my graduate studies, I have gained a great deal of confidence, which has served me well in securing my current position, and which will continue to serve me well as I continue the ascent in my career. Having a graduate degree from UM-Flint means more than the same graduate degree from some of the other educational institutions. I am proud to have the University of Michigan-Flint listed on my resume for three degrees.