Master of Science in Accounting
The Master of Science in Accounting degree is a 30 credit hour program designed to provide the opportunity for concerned, enlightened, globally and socially aware students to achieve the professional competencies required for entrance to the accounting profession, and to provide candidates the opportunity to obtain the credentials required by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy to sit for the national CPA licensing examination. The program offers tracks in Taxation and Assurance and Financial reporting, and a track is available for students not interested in the Tax or Assurance and Financial Reporting track.
The Tax track focuses on contemporary aspects of taxation for use in individual tax practices and business entities. This track is designed to enable students to become proficient in tax research, analysis, and problem solving relevant to the current regulatory environment.
The Assurance and Financial Reporting track provides a practical and theoretical exposure to current audit and assurance service topics. Students analyze and evaluate financial statements and related disclosures while gaining an understanding of the relationship between the responsibilities of entities and the public accounting profession.
All students have opportunities to participate in accounting internships.
Admission Requirements
The Master of Science in Accounting program offers applicants two routes for admission:
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Baccalaureate degree with an accounting major or concentration, with a 3.0 GPA in the undergraduate prerequisite accounting courses.
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Baccalaureate degree not in business, or otherwise not presenting the minimum undergraduate prerequisite accounting and business courses.
Applicants with the baccalaureate degree and without the minimum undergraduate prerequisite accounting and business courses may be admitted on probationary status. Applicants admitted on probationary status are required to complete the undergraduate accounting and business course deficiencies prior to enrollment in the last full semester of study.
All applicants for admission must present an acceptable statement detailing the applicant’s reasons for pursuing the Master of Science in Accounting degree. Grade point averages, transcripts, prior work experience (if any), and the applicant’s statement will be considered in the admission decision.
Applicants must also satisfy the General Requirements and Application Procedures for graduate admissions at UIW.
Master of Science in Accounting Degree Plan
Candidates may complete the Master of Science in Accounting program in two possible concentrations, Taxation or Assurance/Financial reporting. A non-concentration plan is available for students not interested in the Tax or Assurance/Financial Reporting concentrations.
Elective courses in the Tax concentration and in the Assurance/Financial Reporting concentration must include one course designated ACCT. Acceptable electives include all graduate level courses offered by the H-E-B School of Business and Administration. Students must meet existing prerequisites for entrance to elective classes. The ACCT 6388 Accounting Internship course may be substituted for ACCT 6333 in the Tax concentration if the internship work is in taxation.
The State of Texas requires 30 credit hours of approved upper division accounting courses, plus 24 credit hours of approved upper division business courses, an approved 3 credit hour course in ethics, and approved credits in accounting or tax research and business communications, included within a total of not less than 150 credit hours, and a degree, as qualifications to sit for the CPA examination. Not less than half of the 30 accounting credit hours must be from traditional on the ground classroom courses.
Note that some courses designated as ACCT are not accepted by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy as part of the 30 credit hours of accounting courses required for qualification, but may be accepted for other purposes, such as the ethics requirement or as business courses. The ethics course must be taught in a traditional classroom environment. The approved 3 credit hour course in ethics is required in addition to the 30 credit hour requirement. State Board of Public Accountancy rules change from time to time. While it is UIW's intention that our courses meet State Board rules, there can be no assurance that any particular course is acceptable at any particular time. It is each student's responsibility to see that they meet Texas State Board of Public Accountancy requirements.
Accounting Core Coursework
All Master of Science in Accounting tracks require these four Accounting courses.
Tax Track Coursework
The tax track is for those students who wish to specialize in taxation. These additional courses are required for this track.
The ACCT 6388 Accounting Internship course may be substituted for ACCT 6333 in the Tax track if the internship work is in taxation.
Assurance and Financial Reporting Track Coursework
The assurance/financial reporting track is for those students who wish to specialize in audit, financial reporting, or related fields. These additional courses are required for this track.
Traditional Track Coursework
A track plan is available for students not interested in the Tax or Assurance/Financial Reporting tracks. These additional courses are required for this track.
Accounting Elective Coursework
All tracks require an additional 9 credit hours of elective coursework to meet the 30-credit-hour minimum requirement for this degree. Elective courses in the Tax Track and in the Assurance and Financial Reporting Track must include at least one ACCT course at the 6000 level. Acceptable electives include all graduate level courses offered by the H-E-B School of Business and Administration. Students must meet existing prerequisites for entrance to elective classes. Various ACCT courses are offered throughout the academic year that qualify as electives.
CPA Exam Coursework
*NOTE: ACCT 6318 and ACCT 6339 are required only to qualify for the CPA exam. If the student has already satisfied the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy Ethics for Accounting/Business and/or the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy Business Communications requirement for the CPA exam, then that student can take additional electives (3 or 6 credit hours) for the degree program.