Accounting (MS)

Program Description

This MSA program is designed to prepare tomorrow’s global accounting professionals, helping you meet the 150-credit licensing requirement.

What it costs

See the Cost tab below for a breakdown of tuition and fees.

Application Deadline

This program accepts applications for enrollment beginning in the Fall only. The priority deadline is February 1, the standard deadline is May 1, and the space available deadline is August 1. Please see the Costello College of Business website for more information about application deadlines.

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Who should apply?

Mason’s online accounting degree is designed for students seeking flexibility in their schedule and working professionals looking to continue their career while attending graduate school.

Why choose George Mason?

Students enrolled in the program can complete their graduate degree in as little as 11 months. Part-time, the program is two years.
Online accounting courses are offered in a module format, allowing students to enroll in one or two courses every eight weeks.
The average starting salary of a Mason MSA graduate is $10,738 more than those with only a BS in Accounting.
64% of Mason MS in Accounting graduates had secured a job by the time of their graduation.
71% of Mason MS in Accounting graduates secured a position related to their academic or career during their time in the MS in Accounting program.
Designed to assist you in gaining professional accounting skills in the competitive global arena, the MSA program incorporates a one-week international study tour, or global residency, led by an MSA professor. Previous residencies have taken place in Prague, London, and Frankfurt.
This program is accredited by AACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Program requirements are subject to change; please refer to the Mason Course Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements.

Requirements: 30 total

15 credits required courses
15 credits elective courses

The online format gives you the flexibility to complete the program in your own time.

All courses are delivered asynchronously and elective offerings may vary slightly due to faculty availability.

Required Courses

ACCT 690 Professional Accounting Colloquium | 3 credits
ACCT 651 Advanced Issues in Taxation | 3 credits
ACCT 633 Advanced Issues in Financial Accounting | 3 credits
ACCT 636 Fraud Examination | 3 credits
ACCT 795 Global Accounting Environment | 3 credits*

*All students participating in the online program will be required to complete ACCT 795, which includes a one-week global residency abroad.

Elective Courses

Electives may be chosen from any 600- or 700-level ACCT course that does not duplicate coursework taken as an undergraduate.

ACCT 611 Advanced Managerial Accounting | 3 credits
ACCT 672 Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting | 3 credits
ACCT 695 Graduate Field Experience | 1-3 credits
ACCT 701 Business Valuation | 3 credits
ACCT 737 Fraud and the Law | 3 credits
ACCT 738 Advanced Topics in Fraud | 3 credits
ACCT 742 Governance and Ethics | 3 credits
ACCT 772 Federal Financial Reporting | 3 credits

Please note that students are responsible for airfare to and from the country during the required week-long global residency. These costs are not covered by tuition or fees.

Tuition and Fee Structure

Tuition: Tuition is billed per credit hour with additional fees as appropriate. If a student is a resident of Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, D.C., in-state rates will apply. For all other students, out-of-state rates will apply. Rates and fees are subject to change.
Fees:
- Mandatory Student Fee: This is a mandatory fee based on credit enrollment. The Mandatory Student Fee supports the maintenance of facilities and buildings, auxiliary services, intercollegiate athletics, campus shuttle, academic services, student activities, and health services.
- Enrollment Deposit: All new masters and certificate students must pay a $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit, which is used to reserve your seat for the term to which you applied and is applied toward your tuition. All applicants under the following categories will automatically have their enrollment deposits waived: Bachelor’s/Accelerated Masters (BAM), George Mason Employees, Refugees, Student/Athletes, and US Military Active Duty & Veterans.
- Graduate New Student Fee: This is a mandatory, non-refundable, one-time $60 fee. The fee is charged to the account of every newly admitted, degree-seeking student at the time of registration, regardless of orientation attendance or enrollment status.
Potential Additional Costs:
- Books: average is $150 per course
- Airfare to and from the country of your global residency (depends on graduate program)
Health Insurance: George Mason University makes health insurance available to eligible students through Aetna Student Health. George Mason University requires J-1 and F-1 visa status students to have health insurance coverage under University Policy. The Insurance Office will automatically enroll F-1 and J-1 visa students into the school selected health plan. Visit the Student Health Services webpage for more information.
- Domestic student premiums can be found here.
- International student premiums can be found here.

For more information on current tuition rates and fees, visit the Student Accounts website.

FAFSA

To apply for need-based federal assistance, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. Learn more about applying for FAFSA.

Career Opportunities

Visit the Costello College of Business website to see the Impact of the Mason MS in Accounting on Your Career.

Those who earn a graduate degree in accounting and pass the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam have greater accounting career opportunities and earning potential. In addition to the opportunities that exist within accounting firms, CPAs can advance to positions including, but not limited to, the following:

Chief Financial Officer
Controller
Chief Operating Officer

Top employers for graduates of this program include Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Grant Thornton, KPMG, and many more.

As an accounting student, you may contact the School of Business Career Services center for career information and counseling related to your major.

USEFUL RESOURCES
Program Office	Phone: 703-239-2670 Email: gradbus@gmu.edu
Program Website	http://business.gmu.edu/masters-in-accounting/
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All applicants should review Costello College of Business Application Requirements. For international applicants, see additional requirements for International Students.

Eligibility

Applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting or equivalent from a US institution that is accredited by one of the organizations found here
Applicants who have completed 27 college credits in accounting.

Application Materials

Graduate application (must select part-time option)
Application fee
Current resume
One official copy of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
Official GMAT/GRE score (click here for GMAT/GRE waiver information)
Two letters of recommendation (professional or academic)
One goal statement (no more than 750 words) – As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy?

If you have any questions during the application process, please contact the School of Business at 703-239-2670 or gradbus@gmu.edu.