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Recruiter: Craig Gomolka
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School of Management

Overview

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

FOCUS:
  • Completing the required 150 semester hours will help you become a certified public accountant (CPA).
  • This program will help improve your knowledge and understanding of accounting and your ability to think analytically and critically.
  • Like all University of Michigan faculty, UM-Flint’s MSA instructors are true “leaders and best” – experienced, tested, and respected experts in their field.
FLEXIBILITY:
  • The UM-Flint MSA program is primarily offered in the NetPlus! mixed-mode format, a 15-to-18-month program that blends online coursework with on-campus sessions every six weeks.

  • Dual MBA and Master of Science in Accounting degree available

RESOURCES:
  • As part of the world renowned University of Michigan system, UM-Flint can tap additional resources, expertise, and contacts at our sister campuses in Ann Arbor and Dearborn to assist our students, their research, and other initiatives.
  • UM-Flint’s Innovative Incubator [IN] and "Michigan Family Business Center" (MFBC) are designed to serve as cooperative efforts among commercial enterprises, non-profit organizations and academic institutions to create robust networks and resources that enhance entrepreneurial leadership skills.
RESULTS:
  • UM-Flint's Master of Science in Accounting graduates will be prepared to complete the CPA Exam and other professional certifications in accounting.
  • UM-Flint's MSA graduates are ready to compete for various challenging and rewarding accounting positions and careers.
In-Depth: MSA Program Options
 

The School of Management’s MSA program is designed to build on your undergraduate education by preparing you for careers in accounting. It enables you to complete the 150 semester hours required to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). The program is open to students with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, another business discipline, as well as non-business disciplines.

The MSA program is taught in the NetPlus! format. NetPlus! is an innovative, mixed-mode program that blends the personal interaction of traditional classroom activities with the anytime, anywhere convenience of modern online learning. It is designed to make the UM-Flint MSA program conveniently accessible to busy professionals from a wide range of geographic areas. Electives in the program are available in the Traditional and/or NetPlus! formats.

Weekend classroom sessions (Friday and Saturday), held every six weeks on campus, enhance the quality of the learning experience. Students typically enroll in two courses in the fall, winter, spring and summer terms (12-week terms) for program completion in under two years.

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 AASCB. 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.

Admission

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 an accredited college or university.

Admission is based on criteria that have been shown to predict success in graduate business programs, including prior academic performance, Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) results, and work experience.

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 sent directly to the University of Michigan-Flint
  • 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?”
  • Resume, including work experience and extra-curricular activities
  • Two letters of recommendation (professional and/or academic)
  • International students must submit additional documentation. Visit the International Students page for details.

Application Deadlines:

  • Fall Semester Early Deadline: May 1*
  • Fall Semester Final Deadline: August 1
  • Winter Semester: November 1
  • Spring Semester: February 1
  • Summer Semester: May 1

* You must apply 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.

Please note: International students on a student visa (F-1 or J-1) may begin the  MSA NetPlus 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.

Courses

Accounting (Master of Science in Accounting)

The MSA program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing Certified Public Accountancy or another advanced accounting degree.  The MSA requires a minimum of 30 credit hours beyond foundation courses.  The 30 credit hours must include at least seven courses (21 credits) from the listed required and elective courses and at least two courses (six credits) of non-accounting management (MGT) courses.  Students with an undergraduate accounting background may be able to waive one or both foundation courses.

Requirements.

  1. Foundation courses (6 credits - may be waived).
    ACC 521 - Accounting for Managers. 
    ACC 530 - Intermediate Financial Reporting. 
  2. Additional accounting courses (15 credits).
    ACC 535 - Financial Reporting Special Topics. 
    ACC 545 - Seminar in Management Accounting. 
    ACC 562 - Forensic Accounting. 
    ACC 565 - Seminar in Contemporary Accounting Systems and Control. 
    ACC 575 - Auditing and Assurance Services.   
  3. Electives (at least 6 credits).
    Two from:
    ACC 538 - Advanced Financial Reporting. 
    ACC 550 - Individual Federal Income Taxation. 
    ACC 555 - Advanced Federal Income Taxation Theory and Research. *
    ACC 580 - Advanced Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting and Financial Reporting. *
  4. Additional required courses (at least 6 credits)
    500-level non-accounting MGT courses (available in both Traditional and/or NetPlus! format).

 *Recommended for students who plan to take the CPA exam.

Read More

Brad Mikus, MSA

Hometown: Lapeer, MI

UM-Flint's MSA program is set apart by the ability to choose your own pace. The courses are rigorous, and one will have a basic understanding of the concepts. However, one is encouraged to use the university's resources to go beyond the coursework. This greatly enhances one’s understanding. The program also prepares students for the CPA exam. After taking this program, one should get a top score on each of the four CPA sections without any trouble.

View the MSA Brochure