Program Overview
The Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program is designed for individuals who are looking to obtain a CPA license or increase their professional growth opportunities. The objective of the program is to provide students with the technical knowledge as well as the analytical thinking and communication skills required for leadership positions in public and corporate accounting, management consulting, government, and not-for-profit organizations. The MSA core curriculum covers accounting research and communication, financial accounting theory, advanced auditing topics, tax strategies, and accounting data analytics. Students may choose to take elective courses that develop additional depth and expertise in taxation or data analytics.
When combined with program prerequisites, the MSA program complies with the 150-hour California requirement for CPA licensure. The program has made no determination as to whether meeting California’s licensure requirements is sufficient for licensure in other states.
Graduate Program Policies
For a complete listing of the College of Business Administration’s Graduate Program Policies, please click here.
Program Prerequisites
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a foreign institution.
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- A minimum of 18 semester hours of accounting subjects which must include:
- Financial accounting
- Cost or managerial accounting
- Accounting or management information systems1
- Intermediate accounting1
- Taxation1
- Auditing1
- A minimum of 24 semester hours in business related subjects as specified in the Educational Requirements for CPA Licensure by the California Board of Accountancy
- A minimum of seven semester hours of ethics study as specified in the Educational Requirements for CPA Licensure by the California Board of Accountancy1
4+1 Master of Science in Accounting Program for LMU Students
Background
The 4+1 Master of Science in Accounting (4+1 MSA) program is designed for LMU undergraduate students who wish to complete the M.S.A. degree immediately after completing their bachelor’s degree. This will allow students to meet the 150-hour California requirement for CPA licensure while earning a bachelor’s degree and an M.S.A. in Accounting. Students admitted to the 4+1 MSA program may take two MSA courses (6 semester hours) in their senior year (included in undergraduate tuition) that will count toward both the bachelor’s degree and the MSA in Accounting.
Accepted students should contact the academic director for advice for scheduling classes in their senior year and beyond. All majors are eligible for the 4+1 MSA program and should consult with the academic director to determine undergraduate courses needed for application.
Admission Criteria for the 4+1 Master of Science in Accounting Program for LMU Students
LMU undergraduate students with the appropriate prerequisite coursework may apply to the 4+1 M.S.A. program after they reach junior standing and have completed 75 semester hours or more of undergraduate coursework. An undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher is strongly preferred.
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. Students may start the program in the Fall or Spring semester. The program may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. The full-time program can be completed in nine months, which begins in the Fall semester and is completed at the end of the following Spring semester. Completing the program in nine months requires a minimum of 15 semester hours in each semester. Part-time students must complete the MSA program within five years of their first registration date. All academic requirements must be completed in residence.
The specific degree requirements for the MSA program include:
- Students must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate coursework approved by the academic director of the MSA program. This includes 15 semester hours of required MSA core courses and 15 semester hours of elective courses.
- Students who have not completed seven semester hours of ethics study must complete elective courses in ethics education to fulfill the Educational Requirements for CPA Licensure by the California Board of Accountancy.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Semester Hours |
| ACCT 6110 | Financial Reporting - Standard Setting Process and Financial Accounting Theory | 3 |
| ACCT 6120 | Taxes Research and Strategy | 3 |
| ACCT 6130 | Accounting Analytics for Decision Making | 3 |
| ACCT 6160 | Advanced Auditing | 3 |
| ACCT 6170 | Accounting Research and Communication | 3 |
| 15 |
| 9-15 |
| Advanced Accounting Topics 1 | |
| Federal Income Taxation 1 | |
| Accounting Ethics, Professionalism, and the Public Interest 1 | |
| Auditing 1 | |
| Fraud Examination 1 | |
| The CFO Perspective | |
| Income Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders | |
| Taxation of Individuals and Family Wealth | |
| Taxation of Flow-Through Entities | |
| State and Local Taxation | |
| International Taxation | |
| Accounting for Income Taxes | |
| Income Taxation of Property Transactions | |
| Tax Practice and Procedures | |
| Internship Experience | |
| Special Studies | |
| Independent Studies | |
| 0-6 |
| 9-21 |
| Total Semester Hours | 24-36 |
