The Master of Accountancy is a specialized graduate degree that prepares students for careers in public accounting. It also integrates accounting knowledge within the broader context of the other functional areas of business. The MAcc program develops its students’ critical thinking and problem-solving, oral and written communications, and technology skills.
Students graduate from the MAcc program having fulfilled the educational requirements to become Certified Public Accountants (CPA).
Admission Requirements for the MAcc Program
Admission requirements include a minimum GMAT score of 400, a minimum GPA of 2.50, and a minimum composite score of 950 points using the formula: GMAT score + (200 x GPA). Automatic acceptance is granted to applicants with a composite score of 1100 or more. NOTE: GMAT scores may be waived for applicants with a bachelor's degree in accounting (minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA) awarded by an AACSB-accredited institution. For applicants whose first language is not English, a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score is required and considered.
Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track
Contingent upon acceptance in to the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track, students wishing to pursue a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) or a Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) at Valdosta State University may take up to 9 semester hours of graduate-level coursework (courses numbered 5000 or above) that will count toward Business electives for their major (Accounting, Economics, Finance, Healthcare Administration, International Business, Management, and/or Marketing) or toward general electives for the undergraduate degree.
Acceptance in to the Accelerated track requires:
1. written notification by an LCOBA professional advisor from the Student Engagement Center to the LCOBA Director of Graduate Programs of her/his willingness to serve as the student's Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track advisor.
2. completion of 75 credit hours of undergraduate coursework:
a. at least 15 hours must be LCOBA courses, with at least a 3.0 GPA for those LCOBA credits; and
b. a grade of “C” or better must be earned in each of those LCOBA courses.
3. an overall GPA in undergraduate course work of at least 3.0.
Once accepted, a specific course of study will be developed with the student's advisor.
Students interested in continuing their graduate education may apply for admission to the graduate program in LCOBA in their senior year or upon completion of their undergraduate degree. Full admission to the Graduate School requires completion of the bachelor's degree. Students in the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track will not be required to take admission tests but must meet all other graduate admission requirements. See the Graduate School website for admission requirements. Students who have completed 9 hours of graduate level course work to complete their bachelor's degree will be required to complete the remaining requirements of the graduate degree they choose to pursue.
Educational Outcomes
Upon completion of this degree, students should be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of the theory and application of financial accounting
- use critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- effectively communicate accounting information orally and in writing
- apply computer technologies as they relate to the accounting profession
Examples of Outcome Assessments
These outcomes will be assessed by:
- course-embedded assessment questions
- case studies to evaluate critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- oral presentations in class and required written reports
- application-based testing of spreadsheets, accounting databases research skills, and other accounting software.
Admission Deadlines
- Fall Deadline: July 15
- Spring Deadline: November 15
- Summer Deadline: April 15
Go to the Graduate School website and click on Our Programs, then click on the MAcc Program for information on:
- Specific MAcc Program Admission Requirements
- MAcc Program Retention, Dismissal, and Readmission Policies
- MAcc Program Graduation Requirements
To Apply online, click here.
MAcc Prerequisites
Applicants must have completed the following prerequisite courses or their equivalents before being admitted to the MAcc program:
| Required Course | VSU Course Number |
|---|---|
| Intermediate Accounting I | ACCT 3201 |
| Intermediate Accounting II | ACCT 3202 |
| External Reporting | ACCT 3203 |
| Accounting Information Systems | ACCT 4410 |
| Individual Income Tax | ACCT 4500 |
| Auditing | ACCT 4800 |
MAcc Dismissal Policy
Policy provides for automatic dismissal if a student accumulates more than three (3) deficiency points based on the following scale:
| Grade | Deficiency Points |
| A | 0 |
| B | 0 |
| C | 1 |
| D | 2 |
| WF or F | 3 |
| U | 2 |
A student may appeal the dismissal decision within 30 business days of grades being posted on the VSU Banner system. The form for appeals is available on the VSU Graduate School website. Graduate students who wish to appeal a dismissal must first discuss the issue with their professor. Further appeals are then directed, in order, to their professor’s department head, the director of the MAcc program, the dean of the Langdale College, the dean of the Graduate School, the Associate Provost for Graduate Studies and Research, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost.
MAcc Course Requirements
The MAcc graduate curriculum consists of the following courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 18 | |
| MACC 7100 | Financial Accounting Theory | 3 |
| MACC 7220 | Advanced Accounting | 3 |
| MACC 7390 | Governmental and Not-For-Profit Accounting | 3 |
| MACC 7410 | Advanced Accounting Information Systems | 3 |
| MACC 7510 | Corporate and Partnership Taxation | 3 |
| MACC 7800 | Advanced Auditing | 3 |
| Electives | 12 | |
| Any MACC 7xxx or MBA 7xxx courses (MBA 7030 may not be taken for credit in the MAcc program) | ||
| Total Hours Required for the Degree | 30 | |
