Ready for a rewarding career in public or private accounting? This rigorous 30-credit full-time or part-time (classes offered during the day) program will prepare you for the corner office. Develop rock-solid accounting expertise, plus the technical, analytical and communication skills needed to become the problem-solving candidate employers seek.
Please note that track offerings are subject to class enrollment. If track courses are unable to be offered in a given semester, students will need to pursue the Integrated Track.
Credit Hours: 30 | Program Length: 9 Months Full-Time; 33 Months Part-Time
Why get a master’s degree in accounting?
A master's degree in accounting will prepare you for fast-track advancement in the field. According to Monster.com the business field of accounting is one of the strongest sectors of the economy and Yahoo! Education notes that an M.S. in Accounting is one of the top options for those looking to fuel a career switch from their current position. Paul College's rigorous program will give you the competitive edge you need and prepare you for the corner office.
Why choose UNH's M.S. in accounting program?
No. 1 CPA Pass Rate: UNH ranks #1 in NE on CPA pass rates (first-time testing events for advanced degree candidates).
Outstanding Job Placement: Job placement rate is 100 percent for those eligible for U.S. employment, and students typically accept jobs prior to the end of their first semester.
Flexible: The program offers a full-time (2 semesters) option for those with undergraduate degrees in accounting or business. Other flexible options (that include pre-requisites) are available for non-accounting/non-business undergraduate degree students. An accelerated option is available for eligible UNH undergraduates to start the program during the last year of undergraduate studies.
Small Classes: This is a place where professors know your name and you'll build a network of professional and personal relationships with your peers.
Real-world Learning: Our faculty mixes theory with real-world experience to give students a more complete and relevant knowledge base they can apply in the workplace.
Professional Networks: We've got connections to partners and principals at top accounting firms to ensure our program provides the most up-to-date skills, knowledge, and career networks.
AACSB Accredited: Learn at a school that is among only 5% of business schools worldwide to meet the gold standard for the highest quality programs.
Potential careers
- Auditing
- Financial management
- Forensic and investigative accounting
- Government accounting
- Public accounting
- Real estate accounting
- Tax and financial advising
9-33
91.3%
(for first-time testing events
with advanced degree candidates)
100%
JOB PLACEMENT RATE SIX MONTHS POST-GRADUATION
Curriculum & Requirements
The Master of Science in Accounting, offered by the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, develops students’ advanced accounting knowledge, strong analytical and communication skills, as well as awareness of ethical issues for careers in public accounting firms, small businesses, non-profit organizations, and major corporations.
The AACSB-accredited MSA program satisfies the 150-hour course load required by most U.S. state licensing boards, including the state of New Hampshire. Students learn additional accounting knowledge in specialized courses that provide strong preparation for the CPA exam process.
Designed for students with undergraduate degrees in accounting, the graduate program can be completed in one year of full-time study or three years of part-time study, with classses offered during the day.
Applicants without an undergraduate degree in accounting or business will be required to complete additional foundation undergraduate courses prior to beginning the graduate program. If an applicant has not completed all of the foundation courses, the admissions committee may offer provisional admission and require that the applicant take certain foundation courses prior to beginning the standard course of study.
Students with Non-Accounting Business Degrees
Foundation courses that must be completed at the undergraduate level are:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
ACC 621 | Intermediate Financial Accounting I | 4 |
ACC 622 | Intermediate Financial Accounting II | 4 |
ACC 623 | Advanced Managerial Accounting | 4 |
ACC 626 | Introduction to Federal Taxation | 4 |
ACC 724 | Auditing | 4 |
ACC 747 | Business Law | 4 |
Total Credits | 24 |
Students with Non-Business Degrees
In addition to the accounting foundation courses listed above, students with non-business degrees are typically required to complete these courses at the undergraduate level:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
ADMN 502 | Financial Accounting | 4 |
ADMN 503 | Managerial Accounting | 4 |
ECON 401 | Principles of Economics (Macro) | 4 |
ADMN 510 | Business Statistics | 4 |
ADMN 570 | Introduction to Financial Management | 4 |
In addition, students must choose two of the following: | 8 | |
ADMN 575 | Behavior in Organizations | |
ADMN 585 | Marketing | |
ADMN 580 | Quantitative Decision Making | |
Total Credits | 28 |
Degree Requirements
Students complete seven required courses and three elective courses.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Core Courses | ||
ACFI 820 | Corporate Taxation | 3 |
ACFI 825 | Ethics and Non-Profit Accounting | 3 |
ACFI 835 | Governmental Accounting | 3 |
ACFI 844 | Topics in Advanced Accounting | 3 |
ACFI 860 | Advanced Business Law | 3 |
ACFI 890 | Accounting Information Systems | 3 |
ACFI 850 | Accounting Theory and Research (Capstone) | 3 |
Electives 1 | ||
Select three courses from the following: | 9 | |
ACFI 830 | Advanced Auditing | |
ACFI 840 | Forensic Acctg & Fraud Exam | |
ACFI 896 | Topics (International Accounting) | |
ACFI 896 | Topics (Applied Tax Research and Planning) | |
ACFI 896 | Topics (Advanced Topics in Tax) | |
ACFI 896 | Topics (Advanced Business Taxation) | |
Total Credits | 30 |
- 1
Electives are chosen to help develop specialization in a particular area. Please note that elective course offerings are subject to class enrollment and may not be offered each year.
Our Accelerated Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) option provides an opportunity for UNH undergraduate students to begin graduate study while completing a bachelor's degree—making you stand out among other job applicants with advanced skills and increasing your earning potential. Qualified students can begin earning graduate credit during their undergraduate programs, allowing them to maximize their time on campus and return on their educational investment.
Eligibility:
- Current UNH undergraduate student with a GPA of 3.2 or higher.
- Apply before completing 90 undergraduate credits.
- Acceptance into the Accelerated Master’s Program before taking 800-level courses.
Accelerated MSA Requirements:
- Qualified students may complete up to 12 credits at the 800-level during their undergraduate studies, earning dual credit toward their B.S. and M.S. degrees.
- Once a qualified student matriculates into the MSA program (after completing undergraduate degree), the student will take a minimum of 18 additional credits to complete the 30 credit MSA program requirement.
- Students are required to earn a B- or better in graduate courses to earn credits toward their degree.
To earn graduate credits, students need to enroll in the 800-level sections of approved dual credit courses. The 800-level sections require additional work beyond the requirements for the undergraduate course. The following is the list of approved dual credit courses for the accelerated path in the MSA program:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Approved Dual Credit Courses | ||
ACFI 820 | Corporate Taxation | 3 |
ACFI 825 | Ethics and Non-Profit Accounting | 3 |
ACFI 835 | Governmental Accounting | 3 |
ACFI 844 | Topics in Advanced Accounting | 3 |
ACFI 860 | Advanced Business Law | 3 |
ACFI 890 | Accounting Information Systems | 3 |
ACFI 830 | Advanced Auditing | 3 |
ACFI 840 | Forensic Acctg & Fraud Exam | 3 |
ACFI 896 | Topics (Approved Elective Topics) | 3 |
Within the accelerated option, high achieving students also have an opportunity to participate in the MSA financial leadership in accounting pathway. This provides an opportunity to complete an UG accounting degree + winter internship + MSA in 4.5 years. This expands on the benefits of the accelerated MSA option with a "busy season" winter internship and access to unique leadership events. Please seek more details from the MSA Director and/or Accounting Department Chair and apply for Accelerated Master’s admission before completing 90 undergraduate credits.
- Students will demonstrate core accounting knowledge.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to solve complex problems in accounting.
- Students will engage in effective teamwork behaviors.
- Students will communicate effectively in an accounting context.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the key differences between US and international accounting standards.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and professional dimensions of accounting practices.
Deadline
Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:
- Fall: October 15th (Early Decision, scholarship priority deadline); June 1 (regular admission).
- Spring: December 1st (Current UNH undergraduates only; for Accelerated Masters)
- Summer: N/A
- Special: Contact Program
Application fee: $65
Campus: Durham
New England Regional: Case by case for ME
Accelerated Masters: Yes (for more details see the accelerated masters information page)
New Hampshire Residents
Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.
Transcripts
If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC.
If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.
If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:
- Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
- Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.
Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Required
Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.
Test Scores: GMAT Required
The GMAT is required for admission to the M.S. Accounting program. Request official test scores to be sent directly to the Graduate School by the testing service. Our CEEB code is 3918. Test scores more than five years old are not acceptable. Student copies and photocopies of scores are not considered official. To register for the exam or for more tools to help you prepare for the exam, please visit the Graduate Management Admissions Council homepage.
If you are a current UNH undergraduate accounting options student, or an accounting undergraduate student from another AACSB-accredited English speaking business school, or you hold an undergraduate degree in accounting from an AACSB-accredited English speaking business school and meet one of the following conditions below, please e-mail Paulcollege.grad@unh.edu requesting a GMAT waiver: Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher or Accounting Option GPA of 3.5 or higher.
For general information about test scores required for admission into our programs please visit our Test Scores webpage.
Personal Statement
Applicants to the Accounting Program must provide answers to these specific questions: 1) Do you believe your college grades reflect your ability? Explain. 2) Describe a situation in which you have had to assume a significant responsibility. What effect did that situation have on your personal development? 3) What do you consider to be your major strengths and weaknesses and how do you expect graduate study to affect them? 4) Discuss your long range objectives and the ways in which your planning has been influenced by past academic or work experiences. Additionally, please discuss the anticipated benefits you hope to gain from graduate education. *Optional: Provide any additional information which you feel should be considered by the Admission Committee.
Resume
A current resume is required with your submitted application.
Important Notes
All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.
International Applicants
Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.
Explore Program Details
Full-Time Option:
- The 10-course curriculum is offered in a full-time mode over two semesters.
- Students complete 5 courses in the fall semester and 5 courses in the spring semester.
- This option is ideal if you want to focus on master-level accounting education prior to taking certification exams and/or entering the job market.
Accelerated Option:
- Eligible UNH undergraduate students can take up to 3-4 courses (out of the 10 courses) in the curriculum during their last year of undergraduate studies.
- This option is ideal for undergrads who have availability in their schedules and want to save time and money while earning credits towards a master's-level education.
Where are they now?
Paul College M.S. Accounting graduates have launched successful careers with organizations including:
- ALEXANDER ARONSON FINNING & CO.
- BAKER NEWMAN NOYES
- BERRYDUNN
- CARON & BLETZER
- DELOITTE
- EY
- FEELY & DRISCOLL
- HOWE, RILEY & HOWE
- JOHNSON AND JOHNSON, INC.
- KPMG
- LEONE, MCDONNELL & ROBERTS
- LIBERTY MUTUAL
- MELANSON HEATH & COMPANY
- NATHAN WECHSLER
- PWC
- TONNESON AND COMPANY
- WALTER & SHUFFAIN