Mar 28, 2024  
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2015-2016 
    
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2015-2016 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Accounting, M.S.A.


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Objectives


The overall objective of the Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) is to provide an opportunity for students with an undergraduate degree in accounting, or its equivalent, to complete their accounting education in a high quality program that will enhance their future professional growth opportunities. The program will equip students with the necessary advanced knowledge and skills to be productive and ethical accounting professionals and leaders. The Master of Science in Accounting is a 30-semester-hour program that is designed for:

  • Students who are enrolled in, or have completed, an undergraduate degree in accounting and wish to enter a Master’s program that will comply with the 150-hour California requirement for CPA licensure
  • Students who have not completed an undergraduate degree in accounting but have met the prerequisites for accounting and business courses

The purpose of the MSA program is to prepare graduates for accounting and managerial positions in public accounting, private industry, management consulting, and government and not-for-profit organizations.

Students must complete the MSA program within five years of their registration date. All academic requirements must be completed in residence.

Learning Outcomes


Specific learning objectives include:

  • Develop the skills necessary for critical thinking, professional research and continuous learning
  • Develop a global perspective of business and accounting practices
  • Provide a framework for developing leadership and team-building skills
  • Provide a framework for recognizing the importance of social responsibility and making ethical business decisions
  • Develop effective communication skills and strong interpersonal skills

Major Requirements


The MSA program requires a minimum of 30 semester hours. The full-time program typically begins in the Fall semester and is completed at the end of the following Summer session (10 months). All full-time students take a minimum of 12 semester hours in the Fall and Spring semesters and 6 semester hours in the Summer. Non-accounting undergraduates must complete prerequisite courses before entering the program (which may be completed at LMU). Admission into the MSA program is conditional upon successful completion of prerequisite core accounting coursework. This coursework may be completed at any regionally accredited four-year college or university or may be completed in residence at LMU. The basic core of accounting coursework includes:

  • A minimum of 24 semester hours of accounting subjects, including intermediate accounting, advanced accounting, auditing, accounting information systems, cost accounting, and taxation
  • A minimum of 24 semester hours in business-related subjects, including 6 semester hours of business law
  • A minimum of 7 semester hours of ethics study (may be completed at LMU)

The specific degree requirements for the MSA program include:

  1. A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate coursework approved by the MSA director. This includes 12 semester hours of core MSA graduate accounting courses.
  2. Students must have either completed or take as an elective course Accounting Ethics, Professionalism and the Public Interest (ACCT 6150 ).
  3. Each student must complete 9 semester hours of graduate coursework in a specialization of either Tax or Financial Reporting/Audit approved by the MSA director.
  4. Up to 6 semester hours of graduate study may be satisfied by completing graduate-level College of Business Administration courses beyond core classes.
  5. Each student must successfully complete a written and oral comprehensive case analysis in their final semester.

All MSA students are required to complete the following core courses and select a concentration path in Tax or Financial Reporting/Audit.

Note


All MSA students who have not completed a 3-semester-hour course in Accounting Ethics and Professionalism must register for ACCT 6150 Accounting Ethics, Professionalism, and the Public Interest  as an elective class.

Elective Courses


Accounting and Taxation Electives (9 semester hours)
Electives may include: Advanced Auditing, Fraud Examination, Financial Statement Analysis, Valuation, Advanced Accounting Information Systems, Current Issues in Accounting, Accounting Internship, Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders, Taxation of Flow-Through Entities, State and Local Taxation, International Taxation, Estate and Gift Taxation and Planning, and Tax Internship.

Business Electives (6 semester hours)
Students may select any College of Business Administration graduate-level courses beyond the core. Courses must be approved by the MSA director. Students may register for a maximum of 3 semester hours of internship experience (ACCT 6197 ) and a maximum of 3 semester hours of Directed Studies with the consent of the faculty as approved by the MSA director.

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