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.
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.
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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.
Required Courses:ACC 507: Advanced Topics in TaxationACC 516: Advanced Topics in Financial ReportingACC 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 601: Research in Accounting Theory
Information Systems & Controls Discipline (ISC):ACC 605: Internal & 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 624: Accounting Analytics and Data Visualization
*Candidates have the option to take two or three graduate electives during the fall semester.
Business Analysis & Reporting Discipline (BAR):ACC 610: Not for Profit AccountingACC 659: Analytical Modeling in Accounting Auditing & Taxation
Information Systems & Controls Discipline (ISC):ACC 659: Analytical Modeling in Accounting Auditing & Taxation
Tax Compliance & Planning Discipline (TCP):ACC 617: Selected Topics in TaxationACC 659: Analytical Modeling in Accounting Auditing & Taxation
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.
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.
Financial Accounting (ACC 201)
Intermediate Accounting I (ACC 301)
Intermediate Accounting II (ACC 302)
Accounting Information Systems (ACC 424) or Business Analytics
Auditing (ACC 403)
Concepts of Income Taxation (ACC 407)
Candidates who majored in Finance as an undergrad and completed ACC 301 & 302 have the following options:
Complete ACC 424 & 407 during the summer semester, and complete ACC 403 during the fall semester while enrolled in the MSACC program.
Complete ACC 424, 403 & 407 during the fall semester, and start the MSACC program during the spring semester.
Candidates who have yet to complete any accounting courses have the following options:
Complete ACC 201, 301, 302, 424 & 407 during the summer semester, and complete ACC 403 during the fall semester, while enrolled in the MSACC program.
Complete ACC 201 during the summer semester, and complete ACC 301, 302, 424, 403 & 407 during the fall semester. Begin the MSACC program during the spring semester.
Candidates who already completed ACC 201 have the following options:
Complete ACC 301, 302, 424, & 407 during the summer semester, and complete ACC 403 during the fall semester while enrolled in the MSACC program.
Complete ACC 301, 302, 424, & 403 during the fall semester, and start the MSACC program during the spring semester. Complete ACC 407 and ACC 625 during the summer semester while enrolled in the program.
The Graduate Center (GC) 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.
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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.
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* Round 3 is the Final Deadline for International Students
** Round 4 is the Final Deadline for Domestic Students
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.
Disclaimer: Applicants for fall 2025 who apply prior to March 1, 2025 will only need to submit their Personal Statement, transcripts, and three letters of recommendation (non UK students only). Fall 2025 applicants who apply after March 1, 2025 will have the option to submit the additional materials listed below.
Undergraduate accounting GPA of 3.2 (out of 4.0) or greater
GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0) or greater (non-accounting majors / Bridge Program)
Transcript(s)
Upload digital copies of your unofficial test scores and transcripts from all universities attended using the online application. Once admitted, official transcripts are required.
Two letters of recommendation
Personal Statement
In 800 to 900 words, discuss the reasons you wish to pursue a MSACC degree at the University of Kentucky's Von Allmen School of Accountancy. Please address the following in your essay:
Academic preparation and accomplishments for graduate study
Leadership qualities and motivation
Previous accounting and/or relevant work experience
Expectations for the MSACC program
Your short-term and long-term goals and how a MSACC degree will help achieve these goals
Any additional information you feel is relevant
Resume
Kira Video Interview
International candidates: Learn more about additional requirements:
At least one official English proficiency exam score*:
TOEFL IBT: 90 or above
IELTS: 7 or above
Duolingo English Test: 120 or above
Verbal Section of GMAT exam: 30 or above
*This requirement is waived for students with U.S. degrees.
For more information, consult our International FAQs.
Now that you know the admission and application requirements, you are ready to start your application to the Master of Science in Accounting 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?
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We look forward to answering any questions and guiding you through this process.
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.
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.
Cost of Attendance
Tuition and Fees
Many UK students utilize the comprehensive resources available from the UK Office of Student Financial Aid, including federal student loan programs.
The University of Kentucky’s Tuition Assistance Programs offer a valuable benefit for eligible employees pursuing graduate business degrees. These programs significantly reduce or eliminate tuition costs, making advanced education more accessible and financially sustainable.
Students can find tuition refund policies, deadlines, amounts, and other important information on the Student Account Services website.
Individual appointments are available for assistance with our team of financial aid counselors
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The University of Kentucky Graduate School provides various funding opportunities for graduate students through fellowships, assistantships, and support funding.
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