Accounting: Master of Science (MS)

About

The educational objective of Appalachian’s Master of Science degree in Accounting is to provide advanced education to meet the needs of persons planning careers in accounting at the professional level. The MS in Accounting program offers courses of study which greatly enhance success in completing certifying examinations needed for designation as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and other professional designations.

Additionally, the program broadens the general business knowledge and intensifies accounting knowledge of its graduates to improve their performance beyond the entry/certification stage in their professional careers.

For students without adequate preparation in accounting and business, some prerequisites are required.

More Information

Professional Licensure

This is a program that can lead to licensure or certification. Appalachian State University cannot confirm whether this program will meet the requirements for professional licensure in other states or territories.

If this applies to you, check the U.S. Department of Education for information on licensure requirements and licensing agencies in other states. Or, you may address questions to State Authorization at Appalachian at stateauthorization@appstate.edu or 828-262-7559.

Courses

Course titles and information can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.

Graduate Bulletin and Course Catalog

Application Essentials

Required Entrance Exam: GMAT (score must be no more than 5 years old)

Required number of references to specify in the online form: 3

Supplemental Information: Resume (Required upload for application submission)

Basic Conditions for Consideration of Admission: Meeting or exceeding the conditions below does NOT guarantee admission. All applications for a given entry term will be weighed based upon the number of seats available and the quality of the complete application packages. With special permission from the Graduate School, a program may admit a limited number of students with exceptional circumstances who do not meet the graduate school minimums.

Graduate School: 3.0 GPA in the last earned degree and official scores from the appropriate admission test(s), OR 2.5 GPA in the last earned degree and official scores at the 25th percentile level from the appropriate admission test(s).

Admission to Accounting: The foundation for the admission decision is the GMAT score and undergraduate academic performance, including the trend of grades during undergraduate schooling and the GPA in the undergraduate major. Relevant work experience may also be considered in the admission process. Admission is competitive.

Employers

BDO
Bernard Robinson & Company
BGW CPA
Cherry Bekaert
CohnReznick
Davidson, Holland, Whitesell & Company
Deloitte
Dixon Hughes Goodman
Elliott Davis Decosimo
Ernst & Young
Grant Thornton
Johnson Price Sprinkle PA
KPMG
PwC
RSM
Smith Leonard PLLC
Wells Fargo Audit Services

Apply

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Info

Degrees

Application Deadlines

Spring: 11/1 (only general concentrators are admitted in Spring)
Summer Session 1: x
Summer Session 2: 4/1 (priority - 3/15)
Fall: 4/1 (priority - 3/15)

*See full deadline information below under Application Essentials.

Why Appalachian?

Our graduates consistently receive high scores on the CPA exam, surpassing the national and state averages.
The program has a stellar reputation among employers and alumni, who often return to campus as recruiters.
Faculty members are dedicated to student success.
Many undergraduate alumni choose to stay at or return to Appalachian for the Accounting MS program. They are often hired by the same company where they interned during their undergraduate senior year.
Full-time students can complete the program’s 30 credit hours in two semesters and one summer, if they don’t need prerequisite coursework. Part-time students are also admitted into the program.
A thesis is optional.
All graduate programs at Appalachian have small class sizes, providing intimate classroom interaction.
The School of Graduate Studies offers scholarships, fellowships and assistantships to support eligible, full-time, degree-seeking students.

Method of Delivery

On campus

Careers

Accountant
Assurance Associate
Audit Associate
Auditor
CPA
Tax Associate
Tax Preparer

Contacts

Dr. Bill Pollard
Program Director
pollardwb@appstate.edu
828-262-6206

Department of Accounting

Walker College of Business

Department of Accounting
The Department of Accounting has built a strong reputation for excellence in accounting education, and is highly regarded by accounting employers in North Carolina and throughout the Southeast.

Walker College of Business
Accredited and well ranked
- Accredited by AACSB International – the premier global accrediting body for schools of business – since 1976. It is among only one-third of U.S. business schools and 15 percent of business programs worldwide that hold this accreditation.
- Consistently named one of “The Best Business Schools” by The Princeton Review.
Global Emphasis
- An international requirement of all business majors, which can include study abroad in traditional and emerging markets.
- Opportunities to participate in a variety of short-term international programs in locations throughout the world which are open to all business majors and designed to develop international business skills and intercultural knowledge – including the Holland Fellows Program for Business Study in Asia, which provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for selected students to collaborate with students from Fudan University in Shanghai, China.
- The annual Global Opportunities Conference each spring, which highlights innovative and entrepreneurial ways of addressing global challenges.
Highlighting Sustainability
- Leaders in creating a world where environmental, societal and economic qualities exist in balance to meet the resource needs of today and of future generations.
Outstanding Academics
- Small classes and easy access to faculty, who are focused on teaching and learning and engaged in research.
- An emphasis on practical experience and interaction with professionals through the Boyles Lecture Series, McLeod Entrepeneur Summit, Global Opportunities Conference and other annual events.
- Accelerated Admission for select MBA programs
Student Support Services
- Student Support Services that include academic advising, scholarships, the BB&T Student Leadership Center, which provides opportunities for business students to build job and life skills through professional and leadership development training, and the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship, which aims to help students and recent alumni launch successful businesses and enhance Western North Carolina’s economy.