Auburn University
Auburn University
Prospective Students Students Faculty and Staff Employers and Recruiters Alumni and Friends
Auburn University
 
AU Home > College of Business > Academic Departments > The School of Accountancy > MAc

Welcome to the Master of Accountancy Program

The Master of Accountancy (MAc) Program is designed to provide students with a broad-based business education. Students may pursue the MAc degree either on-campus or via distance learning. Auburn's MAc Program gives students a competitive edge to compete in today's dynamic and challenging business environment.

The curriculum focuses on enhancing a student's analytical and critical thinking skills, written and oral communication skills, and understanding of the global nature of the accounting profession. Auburn's MAc Program is a professional non-thesis degree program requiring 30 semester hours of coursework. Students enrolled in a non-thesis degree program must pass a comprehensive examination. The MAc Program Capstone Project/On-Campus Residency Requirement serves as the comprehensive examination and is a requirement for graduation. Students complete the Capstone Project/On-Campus Residency Requirement while enrolled in ACCT 7980/ACCT 7986 Integrated Accounting Concepts for Decision Making. This course is offered spring semester only and is open only to MAc students graduating during the spring term or following summer term. All students (both on-campus and distance learning) are required to be on-campus during the residency period which spans a four and one-half period near the end of the course, beginning on a Thursday evening and concluding on the following Monday.


According to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, "the additional academic work needed to acquire the technical competence and develop the skills required by today's CPA is best obtained at the graduate level. Graduate-level programs are an excellent way to more fully develop skills such as communication, presentation, and interpersonal relations, and to integrate them with the technical knowledge being acquired."


In addition, studies show that students with a graduate education have substantially higher success rates on the Uniform CPA Examination. Further, master's degree holders receive starting salaries that are approximately 10 to 20 percent higher than the starting salaries of those with only bachelor's degrees. Finally, evidence shows that promotions to manager and partner and to corporate managerial positions are increasingly going to individuals with master's degrees.

To request more information about the Auburn MAc Program, click here and complete the online form.