Accounting, MSA

Program Coordinator: John Reisch (334 Slay Hall; 252-328-6055; reischj@ecu.edu)
Admissions Contact: Paul Russell (3202 Bate Building; 252-328-6970; russellp@ecu.edu)

The master of science in accounting (MSA) degree is a flexible program that includes advanced study in accounting and business administration. In addition to a variety of classes in financial accounting, auditing, and taxation, students can also choose electives in other disciplines, including data analytics. The MSA prepares students for professional certification as a certified public accountant (CPA). Most students in the program sit for the CPA exam during their final semester. Students are actively recruited by public accounting firms (including the Big 4), governmental agencies, and private industry.

The MSA degree program requires between a minimum of 30 s.h. and a maximum of 45 s.h. and consists of three major components, the business core, the accounting evaluation, and the accounting breadth.

1. Business core component - 6 s.h.

Note:

One or both of the business core courses may be waived if equivalent recent work of sufficient depth has been completed at a high performance level.

2. Accounting evaluation component - 12 s.h.

Note:

Some or all of the accounting evaluation courses may be waived if equivalent recent course work of sufficient depth has been completed at a high performance level.

3. Accounting breadth component - 18 s.h.

4. Electives - 9-12 s.h.

ACCT electives numbered 6300 or higher
BUSI 6003 - Internship in Business
FINA 6604 - Financial Management II
FINA 6624 - Investment Management
FINA 6814 - Management of Financial Risk
FINA 6824 - Portfolio Theory, Construction and Management
FINA 6854 - Real Estate Investments and Analysis
FINA 6874 - Topics in Finance
FINA 6876 - International Financial Management
MIS 6873 - Data Management
MIS 6903 - Business Intelligence and Data Analytics
MIS 6913 - Statistics for Business Analytics
MIS 6933 - Data Mining
OMGT 6613 - Management Science
Any elective approved by the chair of the Department of Accounting

Note:

12 s.h. of electives are required for students for whom both of the business core courses and all three accounting evaluation components are waived.

Licensure/Certification Requirements in North Carolina

The curriculum for all ECU Certificates, Degrees, and other Graduate Programs have been designed to meet the licensure/certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for licensure/certification exams in North Carolina. The various licensure boards in each state are responsible for setting requirements for licensure/certification in their state. Other states have their own requirements, and you’ll want to make sure your program meets criteria in your home state (or state where you intend to work) before you apply. Search our state Licensure Dashboard to see if the program you’re interested in meets the educational requirements for licensing/certification in your home state (or state where you intend to work).