The University of Kentucky’s Master of Science in Accounting prepares students for one of the world’s leading professions. Accounting careers ranked 1, 6, and 15 in Glassdoor’s 25 Jobs with the Best Career Opportunities in the U.S.
The accounting profession includes a variety of career opportunities. Whether you decide to go into public or private accounting, your options are practically unlimited. Choose a career in companies of all sizes, where you can work in numerous areas, including auditing, taxation, financial accounting and reporting, management accounting, financial analysis, and governmental accounting.
Ready to Apply?
Apply Now
Fill out this quick form, and our team will be in touch!
Request More information
The Master of Science in Accounting (MSACC) program is a 30-credit hour program that guides students through a modular sequence of courses that coincides with the CPA exam schedule beginning in January 2024. Six courses are required, and four courses are graduate electives.
Our program now offers three Specialty Disciplines: Business Analysis & Reporting (BAR), Information Systems & Controls (ISC), and Tax Compliance & Planning (TCP) where candidates can specialize in certain areas consistent with the new 2024 CPA exam.
Most classes are scheduled during the day with no classes on Fridays.
Accounting Majors can complete the program in 10 months while having the opportunity to study and sit for the CPA exam.
Non-Accounting Majors can complete the program in 14 months while having the opportunity to study and sit for the CPA exam. NON-Accounting Majors who apply will follow the Bridge Program sequence before applying to the program.
Download Course Descriptions
Professional Licensure Disclosure: “States may have additional requirements for programs that lead to professional licensure or certification. If you plan to use the degree to seek licensure, you should also determine if the degree meets the educational requirements for licensure in your state. Visit the UK Out-of-State Educational Activities website to learn more about your program.”
Required Courses:ACC 507: Advanced Topics in TaxationACC 624: Intro to Accounting Analytics & Data VisualizationACC 634: Accounting & Auditing Data Management & Mining
*Candidates have the option to take one or two graduate electives during the fall semester.
Business Analysis & Reporting Discipline (BAR):ACC 610: Not for Profit Accounting
Information Systems & Controls Discipline (ISC):ACC 590: IT Audit
Tax Compliance & Planning Discipline (TCP):ACC 637: Flow Through Entities
Sit for Regulation (REG) section of CPA exam in January.
*Students are not required to select a specialty discipline and can take any combination of electives where two of the four graduate electives must be at the 600 level.
Required CoursesACC 603: Attest FunctionACC 516: Advanced Topics in Financial Reporting
*Candidates have the option to take two or three graduate electives during the fall semester.
Business Analysis & Reporting Discipline (BAR):ACC 601: Research in Accounting Theory
Information Systems & Controls Discipline (ISC):ACC 659: Analytical Modeling in Accounting Auditing & TaxationORACC 605: Internal Audit
Tax Compliance & Planning Discipline (TCP):ACC 659: Analytical Modeling in Accounting Auditing & TaxationORACC 520: Financial Planning for Accounting Professionals
Sit for (AUD) Core section of CPA exam in March.
Sit for (FAR) Core section of CPA exam in May.
ACC 625: Advanced Financial Statement Analysis & Valuation (6-week capstone course)
Sit for Specialty Discipline section of CPA exam during July.
Candidates also have the option of starting the program during the spring semester.
The Von Allmen School of Accountancy Bridge Program allows the opportunity for NON-Accounting Majors to complete the program in 14 months or longer.
Download Bridge Program Information
Students must have earned an A or B in the following courses or their equivalent. These courses must be based upon U.S. accounting, auditing, and tax law.
Candidates who majored in Finance as an undergrad and completed ACC 301 & 302 have the following options:
Candidates who have yet to complete any accounting courses have the following options:
Candidates who already completed ACC 201 have the following options:
All majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants will be evaluated for admission based upon their undergraduate and/or accounting coursework grade point averages (GPA), essay responses, reference evaluations, and their TOEFL score (if applicable).
NON-Accounting Majors who apply will need to complete the Bridge Program.
For a more detailed understanding of our specific admissions requirements, schedule a 1:1 session with our team. We look forward to answering any questions you may have while guiding you through this process.
Domestic Students
International Students
APPLY NOW
1. Application
Complete an online application and submit the application fee. An application is considered complete/ready for review once all supporting documents have been received by the University of Kentucky Graduate School.
This program starts in late August for Fall semester and early January for Spring semester. Applicants must complete the program specific application requirements to be considered for admission into the degree program. Incomplete files will not be reviewed.
Once the application is complete, it will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee within 3-4 weeks of admission.
2. Documentation
Writing samples and statements of purpose are not required. Recommendations and personal statements are supplementary documents and not mandatory for your application. We do require a personal statement (essay) covering reasons you wish to pursue a MSACC degree.
International candidates: Learn more about additional requirements:
At least one official English proficiency exam score*:
*This requirement is waived for students with U.S. degrees.
For more information, consult our International FAQs.
Ready to start your application?
Now that you know the admission and application requirements, you are ready to start your application to the Graduate Certificate in Accounting Analytics Program. You can save your progress and return to your application as needed until you are ready to submit it.
Not quite ready and need more detailed understanding of our requirements?
Schedule an info session today!
We look forward to answering any questions and guiding you through this process.
Cost of Attendance
Tuition and Fees
Tuition will be billed equally over three semesters, and the University program fee is billed over the fall and spring semesters. The Becker CPA Review course is optional, and students will pay Becker directly. The Becker fee for the 2023/24 academic year is estimated to be $3,000.
Financial Assistance
The Von Allmen School of Accountancy has limited funds available for outstanding students in the MSACC program. These partial scholarship awards are competitively based on GPA overall and in accounting. Candidates are automatically considered when accepted into the MSACC program and no separate application is necessary to be eligible for an award. Candidates can also apply for University of Kentucky sponsored scholarships.
Refunds
Students can find tuition refund policies, deadlines, amounts, and other important information on the Student Account Services website.
University Level Funding Opportunities
The University of Kentucky Graduate School provides various funding opportunities for graduate students through fellowships, assistantships, and support funding.
More Information
The Professional Resource Center (PRC) offers comprehensive career support services to all Gatton College of Business and Economics MBA and MS students. Students receive assistance in everything needed to launch a successful career during and after graduation, from resume development and job searches to LinkedIn profile buildout and interview preparation.
Director, MS in Accounting
International Affairs International Recruiter
Professional Resource Center Director, MS Recruitment
Request More Information
