Program Overview

M.S. in Accounting Program

The M.S. in Accounting (MSA) program at Boston College is a rigorous, STEM-designated program that cultivates in-depth understanding of how accounting affects organizations and society. The program strengthens necessary analytical skills, with courses focusing on practical concepts. Students learn from accomplished faculty with valuable industry experience.

Program Overview

• The program requires 9-12 months of study.
• Students begin the program in September and complete it in May or August, depending on their course load.
• The program's curriculum is designed to prepare students for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, with graduates' first-time CPA exam pass rate more than 30% higher than the national average.

Curriculum

The MSA program consists of 11 core and foundational courses, including:

• Managerial Statistics (self-paced online course)
• Advanced Business Law (U.S. based)
• Accounting Information Systems
• Financial Accounting Practice I and II
• Financial Auditing
• Federal Taxation
• Internal Cost Management and Control
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Assurance and Consulting Services
• Forensic Accounting
• Total Credit Hours: 30

Course Schedule

• Students must complete a minimum of 11 courses to satisfy degree requirements.
• Students who were not undergraduate Accounting majors may be required to complete up to 13 courses to meet degree requirements.
• Students who have not completed Economics and basic Finance/Financial Management prior to beginning the MSA program will be required to complete these courses prior to graduating.

STEM Designation

• The MSA program is a STEM-designated program, allowing international graduates on an F-1 visa to potentially qualify for an additional 24 months of training in their field of study (Optional Practical Training or OPT) beyond the standard 12 months.
• To qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, an F-1 student must have completed a degree in an eligible STEM field, maintained lawful F-1 status, and have employment through an employer enrolled in USCIS's E-Verify employment eligibility verification program.

Admission Requirements

• Applicants must possess a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Transcripts from every institution where the applicant was enrolled in a degree-granting program are required.
• Graduates of non-U.S. institutions must possess a college or university degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree.
• Applicants must submit GMAT or GRE scores from within the past five years.
• International applicants must submit an English language proficiency exam score (TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE) unless they meet the waiver criteria.

Application Components

• Resume or CV
• Transcripts
• Standardized test scores (GMAT or GRE)
• English proficiency exam score (if required)
• Letter of recommendation
• Required essay (no more than 500 words)
• Optional essay

Tuition and Aid

• The MSA program offers merit-based scholarships and financial assistance to qualified applicants.
• Loan and work-study programs are also available.

Faculty

The MSA program faculty includes:

• Natalie Berfeld, Assistant Professor
• Mark Bradshaw, Joseph F. Cotter Professor and Chairperson
• Mary Ellen Carter, Professor and Joseph L. Sweeney, Esquire '23, LL.D. '63 (hon.) Chair in Accounting
• Ki-Soon Choi, Assistant Professor
• John Driscoll, Senior Lecturer
• Dianne Feldman, Senior Lecturer and Director of Carroll School Undergraduate Assurance of Learning
• Amy Hutton, Professor
• David Kim, Assistant Professor
• Lian Fen Lee, Associate Professor
• Miao Liu, Assistant Professor
• Alvis Lo, Associate Professor
• Gil Manzon, Associate Professor
• Liz Quinn, Senior Lecturer
• Susan Shu, Professor and Ernst & Young Faculty Fellow
• Billy Soo, Professor and Vice Provost for Faculties
• Douglas (DJ) Stockbridge, Assistant Professor
• Edward Taylor, Senior Lecturer, Assistant Chairperson, and Dixon Family Provost's Faculty Fellow for Teaching Excellence
• Benjamin Yost, Associate Professor and Clark Family Fellow for the Carroll School of Management

Class Profile

• Average GMAT score: 581 (current format) or 640 (previous format)
• Average GRE score: 326
• Average undergraduate GPA: 3.40
• Average full-time work experience: 1.3 years
• Women: 51%
• AHANA (African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American): 20%
• International: 37%
• Average age: 24
• Age range: 21-47

Alumni Experiences

The MSA program has a strong track record of placing graduates in top accounting firms, with alumni sharing their positive experiences and career successes.