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Master of Science Degree in Accounting Online

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Program at a Glance
  • With stricter laws and regulations in the financial sector, many businesses are expected to seek accounting and auditing professionals to comply with new standards.*
  • Our accounting master's degree lets you focus your studies in one of three accounting concentration areas.
  • Build the fundamental knowledge for successful professional practice within the field of accounting.
  • Graduates may be eligible to sit for professional accounting certifications.
COURSE EFFORT 20 Hours per Week
COURSE LENGTH 6-Week Terms
Course Details
CREDITS REQUIRED 52
COST PER CREDIT $485
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How Do I Get Started?

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Master of Science in Accounting Overview

If you have successfully completed a bachelor's degree in business, Purdue Global’s Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) degree could be your next step in discovering mid-to-senior-level opportunities.

The master’s in accounting program is designed to enrich skills in auditing, taxation, cost accounting, and financial accounting. The curriculum focuses on:

  • Generating and analyzing accounting data
  • Creating quality improvement processes, compliance strategies, and reimbursement procedures
  • Conducting research
  • Addressing risk management and legal issues
  • Managing an accounting department

Degree Concentrations

Choose from three concentrations to meet your specific interests and goals:

  • Public Accounting—CPA Track: Develop financial accounting, audit, tax, and planning skills relevant to CPA candidates. Focus on governmental accounting, business advising, and building analytical skills.
  • Private/Corporate Accounting—CMA Track: Build private sector accounting skills and focus on planning, budgeting, analysis, internal control, and decision support.
  • Tax: Study the concepts and processes relevant to tax research, including the Internal Revenue Code, treasury regulations, and federal and state tax cases.

See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.

Admissions Requirements

To enroll in the Master of Science in Accounting, you must possess a bachelor’s degree in the field of business from an accredited college or university or 45 credit hours of undergraduate coursework across the ACBSP's Common Professional Components (CPC).


Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

Prepare for Accounting Certifications

As a graduate of our MS in Accounting program, you may be eligible to sit for professional certification exams including the Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA®), and Certified Management Accountant (CMA®) exams.†

Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

Purdue Global’s business programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Career Opportunities

The Master of Science in Accounting program is designed to prepare you to pursue mid- to senior-level management positions in both the public and private sectors. Employment opportunities for graduates with an accounting degree may exist within government, private, nonprofit, and public accounting. In addition, many entrepreneurial opportunities may exist for small business accounting and consulting services.‡

The dynamic accounting career path offers job opportunities in a variety of areas including accounting and bookkeeping, tax preparation, payroll services, government, finance and insurance, and management of companies and enterprises.

Top 5 Skills Employers Are Looking for:

  1. Active Listening
  2. Critical Thinking
  3. Mathematics
  4. Reading Comprehension
  5. Management of Personnel Resources

Top Jobs With This Degree

Labor market, salary, and projected growth information are supplied by Emsi. Average salary range is based on national data. Projected growth represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2018–2030) at the state level and is based on your geographic location. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

Coursework in this outcomes-based master’s degree program is designed to help you develop the skills and technical competencies to pursue greater career opportunities in the accounting field.

Sample Courses
  • Financial Accounting and Reporting
  • Regulation
  • Advanced Auditing
  • Advanced Managerial and Cost Accounting
See All Accounting Courses

In addition to developing a broad foundation in accounting principles, this master's in accounting program is designed to enhance your proficiency and knowledge in your desired area of concentration. Choose from three concentrations:

  • Public Accounting—CPA Track
  • Private/Corporate Accounting—CMA Track
  • Tax
Credit Breakdown
  • Core Credits36
  • Elective Credits16
  • Total Credits52

Ways to Save

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Maine residents will pay $420.00 per credit for all graduate programs, with the exception of the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Tuition does not include University fees and associated program fees. View tuition and fee information or contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

View Business Faculty Directory
grad hat icon 97% Faculty members who have advanced degrees
diploma icon 45% Faculty members who hold a doctorate
tablet icon 231 Faculty publications in 2018–2019
student at desk icon More Than 50,000 Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2018–2019

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2019. 2018–2019 academic year.

Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about the Master of Science in Accounting and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Accountants and Auditors, on the Internet at www.bls.gov/ooh/Business-and-Financial/Accountants-and-auditors.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth. Certain accounting positions may require further certification and/or licensing by individual states.

†To sit for the CPA Exam, students may need to take additional courses at the undergraduate or graduate level to meet individual state requirements. This program was not designed to meet any specific state’s requirements for licensure or certification, and Purdue Global makes no representations or warranties as to whether the degree or any individual courses meet such requirements. Refer to the University Catalog for additional information. The University cannot guarantee students will be eligible to sit for or pass exams. In some cases, work experience, additional coursework beyond the Purdue Global program, fieldwork, and/or background checks may be necessary to be eligible to take or to successfully pass the exams.

‡Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment or career advancement. Certain accounting and finance positions may require further certification and/or licensing by individual states.