Masters

Accountancy

Overview

The Master of Science in Accountancy gives the advanced knowledge and the additional 30 hours needed for certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Illinois and nationally. The degree provides the flexibility for expanded exposure to accounting or business information systems and is highly valuable for advancing any accounting career. This program is a STEM designated degree program, which offers additional benefits for students, including potential grant funded opportunities and, for international students, extended OPT study options.

Point of Pride

This is a STEM-designated program.

Dr. Brent Lao
(309) 438-7651
State Farm Hall of Business 304

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How to Apply

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to a master's program must:

have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so within one academic year
present unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term. If accepted, official transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 209 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Office of Admissions.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

A student applying to this program must:

have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework
submit an official GMAT score (preferred) or a GRE score if the last 60 hours of undergraduate GPA is below a 3.4 on a 4.0 scale

A typical admitted student has a GMAT of at least 500 and GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 hours.

International students must submit an official TOEFL score of at least 100 iBT, 250 computer-based, or 600 paper-based or an IELTS score of at least 7.0 band.

Before entering the program, students will normally have had a Bachelor of Science in accountancy degree based upon the study of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's pronouncements, the AICPA’s Statements on Auditing Standards, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s (PCAOB) auditing standards, and the Internal Revenue Code. Otherwise, there may be deficiencies as determined by the department.

Application Deadlines

Fall Term — March 1
Spring Term — October 1
Summer Term — March 1

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Graduate Assistantships

The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development. Graduate assistantships are competitive. Applicants will be evaluated on academic achievement and leadership skills. The GA application is a separate application from the program application. You must be admitted into an accounting graduate program to be considered for a graduate assistantship.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally,

be admitted unconditionally as a degree-seeking student into a graduate academic program, or have a minimum of 120 undergraduate hours if in an integrated degree program
be in good-standing
be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 credit hours during the fall or spring semesters, or at least 6 hours during the summer session).

Benefits

Graduate assistants receive

monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
a waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment

Costs & Funding

See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.

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