Program Overview

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Business: Accounting and Business Analysis: Tax, MS

The Master of Science in Business: Accounting and Business Analysis with a named option in Tax is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in public accounting firms' individual and corporate tax practices or opportunities in wealth management and financial planning.

Admissions

Graduate Admissions Requirements are as follows:

• Fall Deadline: See program webpage
• Spring Deadline: This program does not admit in the spring
• Summer Deadline: This program does not admit in the summer
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): May be required in certain cases; consult program
• English Proficiency Test: All applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Pearson Test of English (PTE), or the Intensive English as a Second Language (IELTS)
• Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT): GMAT may be required in certain cases; consult program
• Letters of Recommendation Required: 0 (submission of up to two letters of recommendation is optional)

The Master of Science in Business: Accounting and Business Analysis program is open to any student who has earned a four-year undergraduate degree, or the equivalent, in accounting, from an accredited institution. The following are required for admission to the MSABA program:

1. Undergraduate degree in accounting or equivalent
2. Resume
3. Response to essay question(s)
4. Completed application and payment of application fee
5. Official transcripts
6. Interview (by invitation only)
7. The GMAT and GRE are optional for candidates who earned an accredited US undergraduate degree
8. TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS test scores, only for applicants whose native language is not English

Funding

Department-sponsored funding is available on a competitive basis to all Master of Science in Business: Accounting and Business Analysis students. In addition, teaching assistantships may be available.

Requirements

Mode of Instruction

• Face to Face: Yes
• Evening/Weekend: No
• Online: No
• Hybrid: No
• Accelerated: No

Curricular Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 30 credits
• Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 24 credits
• Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 15 credits must be graduate-level coursework
• Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required
• Other Grade Requirement: Grades of Incomplete are considered to be unsatisfactory if they are not removed during the first four weeks of the following semester
• Assessments and Examinations: No required assessments or examinations beyond course requirements
• Language Requirements: No language graduation requirement

Required Courses

The Master of Science in Business: Accounting and Business Analysis requires all students to complete:

• 3 foundational courses
• 4 named option courses
• 1 of 5 offered specializations
  • Specializations include:
    • Risk Management
    • Emerging Technologies
    • Sustainability
    • Wealth Management
    • M&A Deal Advisory

Course List:

• Core Courses:
  • ACCT I S 406: Accounting and Analysis for Reporting Entities (3 credits)
  • ACCT I S 640: Foundation in Accounting Analytics (3 credits)
  • ACCT I S 740: Information Risk, Control, & Forensics (3 credits)
• Named Option Courses:
  • ACCT I S 722: Analysis of Taxation for Pass-Through Entities (3 credits)
  • ACCT I S 724: Tax Research, Procedure & Analysis (3 credits)
  • ACCT I S 725: Analysis of International Taxation (3 credits)
  • ACCT I S 772: Analysis of Taxes & Business Decisions (3 credits)
• Specialization Courses:
  • Students must complete 1 of the 5 specializations (9 credits)

Policies

Prior Coursework

• Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions: With program approval, up to 6 credits of coursework at the graduate level may transfer toward the degree
• Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison: Up to 6 credits from courses numbered 300 or above may transfer towards fulfillment of the minimum degree credit requirement
• Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison: Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy
• Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UWMadison: With program approval, students are allowed to transfer no more than 9 credits of coursework numbered 700 or above

Probation

Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.

Advisor/Committee

Every graduate student is required to have an advisor.

Credits Per Term Allowed

15 credits

Time Limits

Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.

Grievances and Appeals

The grievance procedures are used in the School of Business. Any student who feels that they have been mistreated by a faculty or staff member has the right to lodge a complaint. Complaints may concern course grades, classroom treatment, program admission, or other issues.

Professional Development

Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.