Program Description

Taught by world-class faculty, the Master of Science in Accounting degree program provides a tailored educational experience that encourages:

• A globally oriented, interdisciplinary focus.
• A balanced conceptual and pragmatic approach.
• Development of written and oral communication skills.
• Refinement of research and analytical skills that results in enhanced decision-making abilities.
• A commitment to lifelong learning.

The Accounting program prepares leaders to develop the professional skills identified by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants deemed essential for providing the core accounting services across various fields, including corporate accounting, assurance services, taxation, internal audit, government/nonprofit, and ERP/SAP systems. Upon completion of the program, students may be eligible to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam, provided they meet the requirements of each state’s board of public accountancy.

The Account master’s program has two options that are designed to meet the needs of all students:

• MS Accounting Flex: This option allows students the flexibility to complete the program at their own pace and tailor their degree according to their career goals by selecting among the following tracks: professional accounting, tax, internal audit, accounting analytics, and research. Courses are offered in the daytime, evenings and online. Admission to the program occurs in fall, spring and summer semesters. Visit the MS Accounting Flex webpage for more information.
• MS Accounting Cohort: This option is a two-year program in which students take all courses together as a cohort. Admission to the program occurs only in the fall semester. This option allows students to choose a second Master’s of Science degree in Business Analytics. Students pursuing this unique double degree program can capitalize on competitive advantages, including potential time and tuition benefits. Visit the MS Accounting Cohort webpage for more information.

Benefits

The Accounting master’s program ensures that students gain a broad understanding of their discipline, apply their knowledge and analytical skills to create effective and novel solutions to practical problems and communicate and work effectively in collaborative environments.

Other benefits include:

• World-Class Faculty: The program is led by faculty of the Naveen Jindal School of Management who are widely cited experts in their respective fields, many of whom also have professional industry experience.
• Degree Customization and Flexibility: With more than 30 accounting electives—as well as information systems, finance and other business electives—the Accounting Flex program prepares students for careers all kinds of exciting fields. Student can take advantage of the flexible program length and the evening and online course offerings.
• Predetermined Course Sequence and Lock-Step Cohort: Unlike the Accounting Flex program, the Accounting Cohort program pre-selects the courses that students need most to pass the U.S. CPA exam and allows students to develop long-term professional connections with their cohort peers.
• Consulting Opportunities: Whatever program option students choose, the Accounting program’s curriculum makes it possible for students to gain professional and technical skills and accounting experience with local business partners.
• Exam Preparation: The program’s rigorous curriculum prepares students for important certification exams, including the CPA, the CMA and the CIA.
• Double Degree Pathways: The double degree option allows students to share coursework between two degrees and take advantage of potential time and tuition benefits.
• Facilities: The School of Management building and Jindal School Addition provide students with more than 300,000 square feet of classroom, computer labs and study areas including specialized labs for financial trading, business communications, accounting and sales.
• Location: Situated in the greater Dallas region—recently rated by Forbes magazine as the #1 “Best City for Jobs”—UT Dallas provides students with easy access to employers and internship opportunities, not to mention a large and supportive alumni population.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Accounting master’s program have found a wide range of professional career opportunities:

• Public and private accounting
• Corporate accounting
• Assurance services
• Management accounting in public and private sectors
• Business and financial analysis
• Tax accounting
• External and internal auditing services
• Financial services
• Risk advisory services

Marketable Skills

Review the marketable skills for this academic program.

Application Deadlines and Requirements

Please take note of all application deadlines and visit the Apply Now webpage to begin the application process. See the Accounting program’s website for additional information.

Applicants to the Accounting master’s program should have:

• A bachelor’s degree from an institution in the United States, or its equivalent (all majors are considered).
• A GPA (grade point average) of 3.0 in both core courses and in aggregate courses.
• Test Scores: A GRE/GMAT test score is not required, and students have the option to submit a test score if desired. A GRE/GMAT test score will only be used for admission purposes if one is provided by the applicant.
• A minimum of one academic or professional letter of recommendation for the flex program, two for cohort program.
• A resume.
• An admissions essay that outlines academic interests and goals.
• International applicants must submit a TOEFL score of at least 80 on the internet-based test. Scores must be less than two years old. See the Graduate Catalog for additional information regarding English proficiency requirements for international applicants.