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.

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 program may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. The full-time program typically begins in the Fall semester and is completed at the end of the following Spring semester (9 months). Completing the program in 9 months requires a minimum of 15 semester hours in the Fall and Spring semesters. Part-time students must complete the MSA program within five years of their first registration date. All academic requirements must be completed in residence. Baccalaureate degree holders with insufficient accounting coursework 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 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 15 semester hours of core MSA graduate accounting courses.
2. Students must have either completed a course in accounting ethics 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 elected from graduate-level College of Business Administration courses beyond core classes.

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