Master of Accountancy

Unlock Your Future with the M.Acc.

Accountancy

Transform Your Career

Are you ready to elevate your career in accountancy and unlock a world of opportunities? East Tennessee State University's Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) program is designed to propel you to new heights in the accounting profession and allows students to explore future areas of specialization while engaging with top-ranked faculty who are personally invested in students’ long-term career success. Once a student has completed the M.Acc program, they will have the skills necessary to succeed in an accounting career and excel on the CPA or CMA exams.

Why The M.Acc. Program?

Exceptional Accreditation: ETSU's M.Acc. program is accredited by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a mark of excellence held by less than 5% of accounting and business programs worldwide. This dual accreditation ensures that you receive top-tier education recognized globally, setting you apart in the competitive job market.

Tailored to Your Career Goals: Our flexible curriculum allows you to specialize in areas that align with your professional aspirations. Whether you're aiming to become a CPA, CMA, or CIA, ETSU offers the courses and concentrations to help you succeed. Choose from Audit, Controllership, Generalist, or Tax concentrations to hone your skills and expertise.

Curriculum
By understanding the structure and offerings of the curriculum, prospective students can see how the ETSU M.Acc. program not only meets educational requirements but also provides a well-rounded, comprehensive education that prepares them for various career paths in accounting.

Core Curriculum

The M.Acc. program at ETSU provides a strong foundation in technical accounting skills through its core courses, which cover the major areas of accounting practice. These courses are designed to ensure that all graduates have a comprehensive understanding of the essential aspects of accounting.
- ACCT 5010 Seminar in Financial Accounting
- ACCT 5110 Seminar in ESG and Contemporary Management Accounting Topics
- ACCT 5320 Seminar in Accounting Analytics
- ACCT 5420 Seminar in Business Taxation
- ACCT 5510 Seminar in Accounting Regulation and Ethics
- ACCT 5610 Seminar in Auditing
Available Concentrations

Students can tailor their education to their career goals by choosing from one of four concentrations. Each concentration includes specialized courses that delve deeper into specific areas of accounting, providing advanced knowledge and skills.

Audit Concentration: Courses focus on auditing standards, internal control, and financial regulations. Prepares students for careers in assurance services, forensic auditing, and financial services.
Controllership Concentration: Emphasizes financial reporting, managerial accounting, and financial leadership. Equips students for senior management roles, including CFO positions.
Generalist Concentration: Offers a broad array of courses across different accounting disciplines. Ideal for students who want flexibility and exposure to various accounting fields.
Tax Concentration: In-depth tax courses combined with foundational accounting principles. Prepares students for careers in CPA firms, corporate tax offices, and estate planning.

Capstone Course

All M.Acc. students are required to complete a capstone course, ACCT 5890 Professional Accounting Experience, which is designed to integrate their learning and prepare them for professional certification exams, such as the CPA exam. This course provides opportunities to apply knowledge and skills in practical settings.

Additional Highlights

Hands-on Learning: The program includes opportunities for internships, allowing students to gain real-world experience and apply their classroom knowledge in professional environments.
Ethics and Professionalism: A strong emphasis on ethical practices and professional conduct is integrated throughout the curriculum, preparing students to act with integrity in their careers.
Career Preparation: The curriculum is designed not only to provide technical accounting skills but also to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills essential for career success.

REAL SUCCESS STORIES

What Our Students Say

Our graduates consistently praise the program for its rigorous academic preparation, supportive faculty, and excellent career placement. Here’s what some of them have to say:

"The value combined with the effort and commitment level of the faculty made the program well worth the time and resources”
"This is a high-level program that outstrips that of many other programs at the school plus it more than prepared me for the mentality and focus necessary to succeed in public accounting.”
“I think it is a very robust program. The courses are engaging and develop an understanding of the history of our profession while still exploring contemporary issues. The material is hands-on and, because of the smaller class sizes, group discussions facilitate a greater understanding of topics.”

Student Spotlight: Meet Julie Ngendo

Statistics

The following are based on graduates of the M.Acc. program from Fall 2023, Spring and Summer 2024:

Internships: 81% completed internships while in the M.Acc. program, 7% already working
Jobs: 81% job placement prior to graduation, 7% returned home internationally
CPA exam: 94% plan to take the exam, 38% passed at least one part before graduation
The following are based on Fall 2023/Spring 2024 enrollment:
Average entrance GPA: 3.59
Average GMAT score: 533
Gender ratio male to female: 16:19

Pathway to Professional Success

Your Pathway to Professional Success

High Job Placement Rates: Our graduates boast an impressive job placement rate prior to graduation, thanks to our strong industry connections and comprehensive career services. With tailored career support, resume reviews, mock interviews, and networking events, we ensure you are job-ready from day one(mac-handbook_2024-2025).

Graduate Assistantships and Scholarships: ETSU offers competitive graduate assistantships and tuition scholarships, providing financial support while gaining valuable work experience. This not only makes our program affordable but also enriches your learning experience by integrating real-world skills with academic knowledge. For further information about GA and TS positions, please contact Tracie Gamble, Graduate Business Programs Academic Advisor at (423) 439-5314 or e-mail at gamblet@etsu.edu.

Virtual Information Sessions

These 30-minute info sessions offer prospective domestic and international students an opportunity to join others and speak with a program representative to learn about our competitive doctoral, master's, and graduate certificates delivered on-ground and online.

Begin Your Journey Today

Are you ready to take the next step in your accounting career? Join a community of driven professionals at ETSU’s Master of Accountancy program. Our combination of world-class education, supportive faculty, and exceptional career services is designed to help you achieve your professional dreams.

Admissions Made Easy

Streamlined Admission Process: Applying to ETSU’s M.Acc. program is straightforward. We offer rolling admissions with clear deadlines for domestic and international students. Our dedicated admissions team is here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring a smooth application process.

Generous GMAT Waivers: We recognize the diverse backgrounds of our applicants. That’s why we offer GMAT waivers for candidates with strong academic records or relevant professional certifications, making it easier for you to embark on this transformative journey.

In addition to requirements of the Graduate School, the Department of Accountancy requirement for admission to the M.Acc. program is:

Satisfactory score on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)

This includes the GMAT available prior to February 1, 2024, the GMAT Focus between November 7, 2023 – July 1, 2024, and the GMAT available after July 1, 2024 The GMAT must be taken in person at a GMAT designated testing facility for the score to be accepted. GMAT tests taken online will not be considered for acceptance. Students must separately submit verification that the test was taken at a GMAT designated testing facility.
The GMAT requirement may be waived under the following conditions
- The applicant has a Bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting from either ETSU or any other Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredited university within five years prior to applying to the program and has a cumulative GPA from the Bachelor’s degree-granting AACSB-accredited university of 3.5/4.0 or higher.
or
- The applicant has a Bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting from either ETSU or any other AACSB-accredited university within five years prior to applying to the program and a combined cumulative GPA from all undergraduate institutions attended of 3.5/4.0 or higher.
or
- The candidate has passed either the United States Certified Public Accounting exam or the United States Certified Management Accounting exam.

Apply Now

Experience the difference at ETSU, where your success is our priority.

More Information

Michelle S. Freeman, EdD, CPA