Accredited accounting degree programs in Illinois attract people from all over the country and in some cases, even the world. Most people equate Illinois with the Chicago area, but there are schools throughout the entire state that offer world class educational opportunities to those who are seeking out a master’s degree in accounting. Though many go to Illinois to shop on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago, to see the Lincoln Home in Springfield, or to visit the David Davis Museum in Bloomington, others already know about coming to Illinois for the outstanding education they can receive, especially in accounting.
Eastern Illinois University
Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences
The Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences at Eastern Illinois University is a program that puts the focus on both classroom learning and learning that integrates real world situations and hands on experiences. Students at the Lumpkin College of Business have a number of opportunities available to them including high tech simulation labs, internships, and the ability to get out and serve the public with what they learn in the classroom. Professors are easy to access, are concerned about the welfare of students, and work hard to help students achieve their goal of entering into the world of accounting.
Master of Business Administration with Accountancy Concentration
The Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences offers students the opportunity to earn a Master of Business Administration with a concentration on accounting. This program has been designed for those who have already received an undergraduate degree in accounting from an accredited college or university. Students who complete the program successfully will be able to meet the requirements needed to take the CPA exam. Students will need to take a total of 34 credit hours in order to complete this degree, and they are made of a mixture of core courses and electives. Internships, alumni networking, and independent research are all available to students working towards their MBA and career counseling is available as graduation gets closer.
Accreditation
- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
- The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools of the Higher Learning Commission (NCA HLC)
Contact
MBA Program
School of Business
600 Lincoln Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
Phone: (217) 581-3028
Email: mba@eiu.edu
Website: http://www.eiu.edu/mba/index.php
Elmhurst College
School for Professional Studies
The focus of the Department of Business at Elmhurst College is to give their students a comprehensive education in business, offering cutting-edge and modern skills for the workplace. At the same time, the programs that are a part of the departments are designed to offer students imagination, depth, and flexibility; all things needed to be a success in the business world. Thanks to the location of the college, near the business center of Chicago, there are numerous opportunities for students to hone their craft in the real world, including their great access to top business professionals. Additionally, the department offers a mentoring program that partners students with some of Chicago’s finest business leaders.
Elmhurst MBA with a Specialization in Accounting
The Elmhurst MBA with a specialization in accounting is designed for the business professional who has been working full-time for at least three years. Most students have an undergraduate degree in a similar field and have been working in a business setting. This program offers an innovative teaching method that allows students to jump right in to solve real-world business issues from the start. Many will even bring examples from their own work experience into the classroom and discussions on what could have been done or should be done will take place. The program also has a focus on leadership in the business world. The Elmhurst MBA program is part-time only, and classes are held in the evening or online which makes it flexible for those who are working full-time. The first year of the program is the same for all MBA students and in the second year, specialization in accounting will occur.
Elmhurst MBA with a Specialization in Accounting/Information Systems (AIS)
For those who choose to earn the Elmhurst MBA with a specialization in accounting/information systems, the program is the same as mentioned above. The core MBA curriculum will be undertaken in the first year of study. These classes include courses in organizational management, analytics, marketing, financial management, and strategy. To earn a degree with a specialization in accounting/information systems, students will need to take electives like Information Systems for Management Decisions and Auditing. These classes, along with the core MBA curriculum, will prepare graduates for jobs in consulting firms, insurance companies, government agencies, and public accounting firms. Because these graduates have a background in both accounting and information systems, they will often work closely with IT professionals. The Elmhurst MBA with a specialization in accounting/information systems is a part-time program that can easily be done while working full-time. Classes can be taken online or in a classroom setting on campus.
Master in Professional Accountancy
The other option at Elmhurst College for those interested in accounting is the Master in Professional Accountancy program. This is a program that will build on an undergraduate accounting degree from an accredited university. It will prepare students for careers in a variety of disciplines including auditing, taxation, corporate accounting, management, and consulting. In this program, technical accounting is integrated into other disciplines such as communication skills, research, organization, and knowledge building. At the end of the two-year program, students will meet the requirements to sit for the CPA exam if they wish or seek out another certification such as the Certified Internal Auditor certification, CIA, or Certified Management Accountant certification, or CMA.
Accreditation
- Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association (NCA HLC)
Contact
School for Professional Studies
Elmhurst College
190 Prospect Avenue
Elmhurst, Illinois 60126-3296
Phone: (630) 617-3300
Email: sps@elmhurst.edu
Website: http://public.elmhurst.edu/admission/graduate
Governors State University
College of Business and Public Administration
The focus of the College of Business and Public Administration at Governors State University is to prepare students for the real world. The college has designed a program that prepares students for a global business environment and one that fosters the development of big ideas. Professors are highly accessible, bring real-world experiences to the classroom and give students the tools they need to succeed in business. Students will have access to a very large network of alumni, a variety of academic programs to look into and a number of special programs and services that allow them to work in the community.
Master of Science in Accounting
Students who pursue a Master of Science in Accounting degree from Governors State University will be trained in “business-speak” in order to ensure the nation’s businesses are able to operate as efficiently and accurately as possible both now and in the future. Students in this program are taught by accounting professionals and will be taught skills such as the ability to analyze complex business issues and how to communicate with all different types of people. Upon graduation students of the school will be able to prepare and analyze financial documents, perform budget analysis, verify financial documents, and work in financial planning. Students are not required to have an undergraduate degree in accounting, but might be required to take preparatory courses in order to meet other requirements of the program.
Accreditation
- The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association (NCA HLC)
Contact
Governors University
College of Business & Public Administration
1 University Parkway,
University Park, IL 60484-0975
Phone: (708) 534-4930
Email: efostercurtis@govst.edu
Website: http://www.govst.edu/Academics/Colleges_and_Programs/College_of_Business_and_Public_Administration/Programs/Accounting/Master_of_Science_in_Accounting/
Illinois State University
College of Business
The College of Business is serious about preparing students for a career in a global business community. With a focus on technology, international practices and the spirit of entrepreneurship, students who graduate from the College of Business from Illinois State University will be well prepared to enter into the business world as a leader. As one of the accredited accounting degree programs in Illinois, the school offers students personal connections with faculty, meaningful projects, and internships designed to give real world experience and a comprehensive curriculum that focuses on a number of disciplines to create a well-rounded business student. The College of Business does a very nice job of bringing together a small college experience with state of the art technology only found at the top universities in the world.
Master of Science in Accountancy
The Master of Science in Accountancy was designed to prepare students for a professional career in the accounting field. The degree builds upon the concepts and curriculum that are found in an undergraduate accounting program. The courses that are taught at the graduate level emphasize the study of accounting literature, looking at case studies, focusing on critical thinking, accounting theory, and different types of communication. Classes in the program are intentionally kept small as interaction between faculty and students is a priority. In order to apply to the program, students will need a background in accounting from an accredited school and will need to submit GMAT scores. There is the possibility of graduate assistantship programs for those who excel at the program and many students will find working in and around the community in an accounting role can further help with their coursework. Students will be well prepared to sit for the CPA exam following their graduation from the program.
Bachelor of Science/Master of Professional Accountancy Joint Degree Program
The Bachelor of Science/Master of Professional Accountancy program gives those looking for a career in accounting the option of getting their B.S. in Accounting as well as their M.P.A. at the same time. This is a program that is focused on meeting all of the requirements that students will need to take the CPA exam and is highly recommended for people who are interested in accounting studies that focus on integrating technology, information systems, and accounting principles into one program. Internships are recommended with this program and will give students the ability to encounter real world scenarios that they may encounter in their future careers. There are also a number of student organizations focused on this program.
Accreditation
- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International
- Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association (NCA HLC)
Contact
College of Business
Illinois State University
Campus Box 5500
Normal, Il 61790-5500
Phone: (309) 438-2251
Email: cmknuth@business.illinoisstate.edu
Website: http://business.illinoisstate.edu/academics/graduate.shtml
Lewis University
College of Business
The College of Business at Lewis University is focused on both business ethics and preparing students for a career in the business world. The programs available from the college work to provide critical thinking with things like financial understanding, communication skills, data analysis, technical knowledge and more in order to prepare students for a career. The college also teaches students the importance of global business practices, international relationships and technology in the business world. This gives students an outstanding foundation to move into the real world following their graduation. Small class sizes with one-on-one attention from faculty are also part of the Lewis University experience.
Master of Business Administration with Accountancy Concentration
The College of Business at Lewis University offers an MBA with a concentration in accountancy for interested students. The program is specifically designed to meet the needs of those who have the motivation and potential to excel. Students are able to customize their curriculum in order to learn what they want. The courses available are a mix of practical classes as well as those focused on theory that gives students a well rounded educational experience. All classes are lead by a faculty who are well researched, have gone through formal studies and who have executive, real world experience. Students will be prepared to sit for the CPA exam, and many will go on to successful careers as accountants in firms, private practice, and government.
Accreditation
- The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association (NCA HLC)
Contact
College of Business
Lewis University
One University Parkway
Romeoville, IL 60446-2200
Phone: (815) 836-5384
Email: ryanml@lewisu.edu
Website: http://www.lewisu.edu/academics/mba/
Loyola University Chicago
Quinlan School of Business
The Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University Chicago has an outstanding reputation for their accredited accounting degree programs in Illinois. The focus of the school is to educate and build future business leaders who will bring something to their communities and strengthen the global economy. Students are prepared to lead their peers upon graduation and often find work in government, private, and nonprofit sectors. The school is highly focused on research, including technology into the curriculum and teaching students about the importance of seeing the business world as a global entity. Faculty members are experienced in both business and academics. They often bring real world experiences into the classroom for teaching opportunities.
Master of Science in Accountancy
With a focus on leadership in accounting, a Master of Science in Accountancy from Loyola University Chicago gives the business professional the foundation needed to excel in the ever changing business environment. Most of the students that come into the program have come from graduate programs either in business or accounting, but there are also working professionals who are seeking out ways to advance their careers. Students who earn their M.S.A. will have a very broad understanding of business and accounting. They will be prepared to sit for the CPA exam, will have an understanding of business values and ethics, and will have top-notch problem solving and decision making skills. Being in Chicago, students will also have unique access to some of the top accounting firms in the world, and are encouraged to reach out to these firms in order to further their education in the form of internships and other opportunities.
MBA/MSA – Accounting
Students also have the choice to join the MBA/MSA degree program offered by the Quinlan School of Business. This program will give students the ability to not only get knowledge about accounting and finance, but also business knowledge and experience. Students in this program will work with their faculty adviser to plan a curriculum that will foster their future plans, and that gives them the ability to have control of their educational experience. Upon completion, students will have earned an MSA degree and an MBA degree with a specialization in accounting.
Accreditation
- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)International
- Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association (NCA HLC)
Contact
Loyola University Chicago
Graduate Admissions
820 N. Michigan Ave.
Lewis Towers, Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 915-8908
Email: bstanko@LUC.edu
Website: http://luc.edu/quinlan/mba/academicprograms/
As you can see, there are a number of outstanding accredited accounting degree programs in Illinois. If you are considering one of these programs the first step is to start researching and contacting these universities for admission information. Accounting is a well respected field and to be a respected member of the accounting industry; it is important to have the right education.
For more information about the time commitment a Master’s degree in the accounting field requires, please see “How Long Does it Take to Get a Master’s in Accounting?“
