Mar 28, 2024  
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2018-2019 
    
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2018-2019 [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.

Learning Outcomes


Specific learning objectives include:

  • Graduates will possess the knowledge and skills to apply key accounting concepts in a relevant setting.
  • Graduates will be able to incorporate ethical reasoning, social responsibility, and sustainability in making business and personal decisions.
  • Graduates will possess critical thinking skills and the ability to integrate relevant concepts.
  • Graduates will have the ability to communicate effectively.
  • Graduates will demonstrate effective research skills to appropriately resolve complex accounting, auditing, and taxation issues.

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. Students may also choose to take a General track. Substitutions in any track may be 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.

Note


All MSA students who have not completed a 3-semester-hour course in accounting ethics or professional responsibilities must complete ACCT 6150 Accounting Ethics, Professionalism, and the Public Interest  as an elective class. All students who have not completed a 3-semester-hour course in advanced accounting must complete ACCT 5110 Advanced Accounting Topics  as an elective course.

MSA Tracks


Taxation Track (9-15 semester hours)


The following courses may be used toward completing the Taxation Track: ACCT 6122 Income Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders , ACCT 6124 Taxation of Flow-Through Entities , ACCT 6126 International Taxation , ACCT 6197 Internship Experience , and any additional ACCT courses approved by the MSA Director.

Financial Reporting/Audit Track (9-15 semester hours)


The following courses may be used toward completing the Financial Reporting/Audit Track: ACCT 6114 The CFO Perspective , ACCT 6180 Fraud Examination , ACCT 6197 Internship Experience , and any additional ACCT courses approved by the MSA Director.

General Track (9-15 semester hours)


Students may select any combination of ACCT courses for the General Track.

Elective Courses


Accounting Electives (0-6 semester hours)
Students may select electives from an ACCT courses that do not count toward the Taxation Track or Financial Reporting/Audit Track.

Business Electives (0-6 semester hours)
Students may select any College of Business Administration graduate-level courses beyond the MBA 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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