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Master's Degree

Master's Degree in Accounting

Take Your Accounting Skills to the Next Level

Ready to take the next step in your career journey? Enhance your professional skills in accounting with our Master of Science in Accounting program here at DeVry University and our Keller Graduate School of Management. Taught from the practitioner’s perspective, this online program is designed for individuals with an undergraduate accounting degree or specialization in accounting or finance.

Get To Know Our Master's Degree in Accounting

Our Master’s in Accounting offers 3 emphases for you to choose from:

Classes Start Every 8 Weeks

Take the first step toward your goals. Request info to get connected to your designated Admissions Representative.

Accelerated Schedule
12 months
Average 10 credits per semester
OR
Normal
Schedule
1 year
8 months
Average 6 credits per semester

Accelerate at Your Pace

Choose the schedule that best fits your goals and commitments. You can earn your Master's Degree in Accounting in as few as 12 months with an accelerated schedule,1 or follow a normal schedule and complete your program in 1 year and 8 months.2

1Per 12-month period, assumes completion of 3 semesters, enrollment in an average of 10 credit hours per semester and continuous, full-time year-round enrollment with no breaks.
2Per 12-month period, assumes completion of 3 semesters, enrollment in an average of 6 credit hours per semester and continuous, year-round enrollment with no breaks.

Scholarship

Alumni Accounting Excellence Scholarship

The Alumni Accounting Excellence Scholarship is being introduced to qualifying new and readmit graduate students enrolling in the March 2024 and May 2024 sessions with a lifetime value of up to $8,500 for students in master’s programs and $5,500 for students in graduate certificate programs.

Knowledge & Skills

What You'll Learn

Our Master’s Degree in Accounting program covers the following:

  • Accounting Theory and Practices
    Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of accounting theory and apply that knowledge to specific accounting practices in a global economy.
  • Material Needed To Pursue Professional Licensure
    Gain a comprehensive understanding of advanced accounting theory and practice to pursue professional licensure.
  • Advanced Accounting Studies
    Grow beyond CPA licensure by gaining additional knowledge in areas such as financial accounting and reporting issues, federal taxes and management decisions, auditing, and managerial accounting issues.
  • Accounting Regulations and Standards
    Measure outcomes using existing measurement criteria such as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Other Common Basis of Accounting (OCBOA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or other non-authoritative measurement tools.
  • Accounting Research
    Learn to identify research problems and authoritative sources, develop search criteria, gather and evaluate data, and formulate conclusions to assist with managerial decision-making in the areas of financial accounting, tax and audit.

Pursue the Future You Want

Our Master’s in Accounting degree program integrates elements of Becker Professional Education’s industry-leading CPA exam prep into its curriculum.

For more than 50 years, Becker has been a leader in CPA review, preparing more than 1 million candidates for the CPA exam. Becker’s CPA Exam Review is infused into our Keller CPA exam preparation courses.3

Accreditation
Accreditation

Accreditation and Recognition Matters

Our Master’s in Accounting is accredited4 by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) www.acbsp.org.

Accreditation
Accreditation
Career

Career Opportunities

Graduates of our Master’s Degree in Accounting can consider careers such as:
  • Accountant3

  • Accounting Manager 

  • Auditor

  • Budget Analyst

  • Controller

  • Director of Financial Reporting 

  • Financial Analyst 

  • Financial Manager

  • Payroll Manager and Management Accountant

  • Public Accountant5

Learn more about
Careers in Accounting
Program Courses

Master's Degree in Accounting

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam Preparation Emphasis

The CPA Exam Preparation emphasis in out Master’s in Accounting program is designed for those seeking to prepare to sit for the CPA exam. This option features:

  • Coursework that enables you to earn academic credits that may help satisfy the sitting and/or licensing requirements in your state.3

  • Integrates Becker Professional Education's CPA Exam Review so you can prepare for the CPA Exam and earn your master's degree simultaneously.3

PROGRAM CORE
ACCT525
Current Issues in Accounting
ACCT540
Professional Research for Accountants
ACCT601
Accounting Capstone
FOCUS
Three of:
ACCT530
Accounting Ethics and Related Regulatory Issues
ACCT5556
External Auditing
ACCT556
Budgeting
ACCT559
Advanced Financial Accounting and Reporting Issues
ACCT560
Advanced Studies in Federal Taxes and Management Decisions
ACCT563
Advanced Managerial Accounting Issues
ACCT564
International Accounting and Multinational Enterprises
ACCT567
Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting
ACCT568
Analytics for Accountants
ACCT571
Accounting Information Systems
ACCT574
Forensic Accounting: Ethics and the Legal Environment
FIN516
Advanced Managerial Finance
FIN565
International Finance
FIN575
Advanced Financial Statement Analysis
MGMT520
Legal, Political and Ethical Dimensions of Business
MGMT550
Managerial Communication
ELECTIVE

Students choose one course for which they meet prerequisites. Review our Academic Catalog for course options.

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT EXAM PREPARATION
ACCT591C
CPA Exam Core Preparation: Auditing and Attestation
ACCT593C
CPA Exam Core Preparation: Financial Accounting and Reporting
ACCT594C
CPA Exam Core Preparation: Regulation and Taxation

One of:

 

ACCT597D
CPA Exam Discipline Preparation: Business Analytics and Reporting
ACCT598D
CPA Exam Discipline Preparation: Information Systems and Controls
ACCT599D
CPA Exam Discipline Preparation: Tax Compliance and Planning

6Students selecting the Certified Public Accountant Exam Preparation option must take ACCT555 to satisfy prerequisite requirements.

 

Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Exam Preparation Emphasis

Our CMA Exam Preparation emphasis in our Master’s in Accounting program is ideal for accounting professionals who are interested in developing relevant budgeting, financial planning and performance evaluation skills, and pursuing career opportunities in management accounting. Additionally, this program features exam review coursework designed to prepare you pursue the CMA certification.

PROGRAM CORE
ACCT525
Current Issues in Accounting
ACCT540
Professional Research for Accountants
ACCT601
Accounting Capstone
FOCUS
Three of:
ACCT530
Accounting Ethics and Related Regulatory Issues
ACCT555
External Auditing
ACCT556
Budgeting
ACCT559
Advanced Financial Accounting and Reporting Issues
ACCT560
Advanced Studies in Federal Taxes and Management Decisions
ACCT563
Advanced Managerial Accounting Issues
ACCT564
International Accounting and Multinational Enterprises
ACCT567
Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting
ACCT568
Analytics for Accountants
ACCT571
Accounting Information Systems
ACCT574
Forensic Accounting: Ethics and the Legal Environment
FIN516
Advanced Managerial Finance
FIN565
International Finance
FIN575
Advanced Financial Statement Analysis
MGMT520
Legal, Political and Ethical Dimensions of Business
MGMT550
Managerial Communication
ELECTIVE

Students choose one course for which they meet prerequisites. Review our Academic Catalog for course options.

CERTIFIED MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT EXAM PREPARATION
ACCT563
Advanced Managerial Accounting Issues
ACCT595
CMA Exam Preparation I
ACCT596
CMA Exam Preparation II

General Accounting Emphasis

Earning your Master’s in Accounting with an emphasis in General Accounting can help prepare you for a variety of professional opportunities. This program provides the flexibility to choose from a selection of accounting courses and topics.

PROGRAM CORE
ACCT525
Current Issues in Accounting
ACCT540
Professional Research for Accountants
ACCT601
Accounting Capstone
FOCUS
Three of:
ACCT530
Accounting Ethics and Related Regulatory Issues
ACCT552
Cost Accounting
ACCT555
External Auditing
ACCT556
Budgeting
ACCT559
Advanced Financial Accounting and Reporting Issues
ACCT560
Advanced Studies in Federal Taxes and Management Decisions
ACCT563
Advanced Managerial Accounting Issues
ACCT564
International Accounting and Multinational Enterprises
ACCT567
Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting
ACCT571
Accounting Information Systems
ACCT574
Forensic Accounting: Ethics and the Legal Environment
GENERAL ACCOUNTING
Three of:
ACCT530
Accounting Ethics and Related Regulatory Issues
ACCT552
Cost Accounting
ACCT555
External Auditing
ACCT556
Budgeting
ACCT559
Advanced Financial Accounting and Reporting Issues
ACCT560
Advanced Studies in Federal Taxes and Management Decisions
ACCT563
Advanced Managerial Accounting Issues
ACCT564
International Accounting and Multinational Enterprises
ACCT567
Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting
ACCT571
Accounting Information Systems
ACCT574
Forensic Accounting: Ethics and the Legal Environment
ELECTIVE

Students choose one course for which they meet prerequisites. Review our Academic Catalog for course options.

FAQs: Master’s Degree in Accounting Program

What is a Master's in Accounting?

A master's degree in accounting is a graduate-level degree that you can pursue after earning a bachelor's degree in accounting or a bachelor’s degree with a specialization in accounting or finance. This degree can help prepare you to sit for the CPA3 or CMA exam, and may also prepare you to pursue a variety of accounting positions.

What can you do with a Master's in Accounting?

A master’s degree in accounting can help you prepare to take the next step in your career journey by teaching you some of the enhanced skills needed to pursue more advanced roles.

Career opportunities can be found in financial services, public accounting, financial accounting, internal auditing and other areas of this broad industry, working in businesses, financial institutions, government agencies and nonprofit organizations. A few of the accounting careers you may pursue with industry experience and a master’s in accounting are itemized above. 

Can a Master’s in Accounting help me become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)?

Yes, here at DeVry, our Master’s in Accounting can help you on your path toward taking the CPA exam and becoming a CPA. When completed with a CPA Exam Preparation Emphasis, our Master’s in Accounting program includes exam prep courses that integrate with Becker’s CPA Exam Review. In addition, earning your master’s degree can be a great way to help you meet the minimum credit hour requirements that may be required for licensure in your state.3 We encourage you to learn all you can about becoming a CPA, including the educational requirements, how CPA licensure and renewal works and other aspects of this professional certification.   

Can a Master’s in Accounting help prepare me for Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification?

Yes. When completed with a CMA Exam Preparation Emphasis, our Master’s in Accounting can help you prepare to pursue the CMA certification. The 2-part CMA exam covers 12 competencies in financial planning, performance and analytics, and strategic financial management. The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) maintains specific education and experience criteria for the CMA Exam, and details them in its CMA Handbook.

By helping you gain the knowledge that fuels effective decision-making in financial accounting and reporting, auditing, managerial or management accounting and other areas of the discipline, the curriculum in our Master’s in Accounting program can help you prepare to earn your CMA credential.  

How long is a Master's Degree in Accounting program?

Here at DeVry, you can earn your Master's Degree in Accounting in as few as 12 months with an accelerated schedule,1 or follow a normal schedule and complete your program in 1 year and 8 months.2

1Per 12-month period, assumes completion of 3 semesters, enrollment in an average of 10 credit hours per semester and continuous, full-time year-round enrollment with no breaks.
2Per 12-month period, assumes completion of 3 semesters, enrollment in an average of 6 credit hours per semester and continuous, year-round enrollment with no breaks.

Can I earn a Master’s in Accounting online?

To earn your Master's Degree in Accounting, you can study 100% online or in a hybrid7 format that combines online learning with an on-campus experience. Either way, you choose the option that fits best with your schedule and lifestyle.

Admission Requirement

To be admitted to our Master’s in Accounting degree program, applicants must provide evidence of one of the following:

  • A Bachelor's Degree in Accounting

  • A Bachelor's Degree with a Specialization in Accounting or Finance

  • Successful completion of all parts of the CPA exam

  • A CPA license

For complete admissions requirements, please see our Academic Catalog.

Want to know more? Request information and a member of our team can help answer your questions.

Academic Catalog
2023 - 2024 Academic Catalog
Program Guides
Master's Degree in Accounting Program Overview
Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Exam Preparation Emphasis
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam Preparation Emphasis Program Overview
Capstone Project

1Per 12-month period, assumes completion of 3 semesters, enrollment in an average of 10 credit hours per semester and continuous, full-time year-round enrollment with no breaks.
2Per 12-month period, assumes completion of 3 semesters, enrollment in an average of 6 credit hours per semester and continuous, year-round enrollment with no breaks.
3Credits and degrees earned from this institution do not automatically qualify the holder to participate in professional licensing exams to practice certain professions. Persons interested in practicing a regulated profession must contact the appropriate state regulatory agency for their field of interest. For instance, typically 150 credit hours or education are required to meet state regulatory agency education requirements for CPA licensure. Coursework may qualify for credit towards the State Board of Accountancy requirements. However, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the state board of accountancy for the jurisdiction in which they are applying to determine whether they have completed the appropriate credit hours and coursework to qualify to take the CPA exam. Employees of DeVry University and its Keller Graduate School of Management are not in a position to determine an individual’s eligibility to take the CPA exam or satisfy licensing.
4Conferral and Assessment Data - Available for all of DeVry and Keller's ACBSP accredited programs. For a full list of DeVry University's business and accounting degree programs accredited by ACBSP, please see the Accreditation page.
5Employment in this occupation may require years of relevant experience.
6Students selecting the Certified Public Accountant Exam Preparation option must take ACCT555 to satisfy prerequisite requirements.
7Program, course and extended classroom availability vary by location. In site-based programs, students will be required to take a substantial amount of coursework online to complete their program.