According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Maryland ranks as the fourth highest in salaries for accountants, which is why many schools are now offering accredited accounting degree programs in Maryland. The average salary for an accounting in Maryland is $78,300, only $10,000 less than in the state paying the highest salaries for the profession, Washington DC. In addition, two Maryland non-metropolitan areas rank as the second and third highest average wage for accountants – St. Mary’s and Garrett Counties – with salaries of $75,770 and $74,900 respectively.  Overall, accounting positions are expected to increase by 13 percent over the next decade throughout the nation.

DeVry University, Bethesda Center

College of Business and Management

The DeVry University Bethesda Center is located near the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue, East West Highway, and Old Georgetown Road in the heart of downtown Bethesda. The school has easy access to many corporations, contractors, healthcare providers, and other industries, offering students many opportunities for internships and work experience. The campus is part of the DeVry University system, which began in 1931 when Dr. Herman DeVry established the DeForest Training School, which focused on electronics, motion pictures, radio, and television education. During World War II, DeVry educated the Army Air Corps on electronic devices, and after the war, was one of the first schools to be approved under the original G.I. Bill. In 1967, Bell and Howell Education Group acquired DeVry and in 1968, it became DeVry Institute of Technology. In 2002, DeVry Institute of Technology and the Keller Graduate School of Management became DeVry Universrity after receiving approval of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The College of Business and Management at DeVry prepares students for challenges in a marketplace that is becoming increasingly global. Each business program was created with input from industry leaders and includes up-to-date information technology. Students learn through classroom learning, research projects and networking with business professionals to develop the business acumen necessary to succeed in today’s business world.

Master of Accounting & Financial Management (MAFM)

The Master of Accounting & Financial Management program at DeVry is taught from the perspective of the practitioner. It is designed to help students master the skills necessary to succeed in the area of accounting and finance. Students may also concentrate their studies in specific areas that include finance, Certified Public Accountant, and Certified Fraud Examiner.

For those who choose a concentration in Certified Public Accounting, the Becker Professional Education CPA Exam Review is available. Those who have taken the course pass the examination at twice the rate of non-Becker candidates.

MBA: Accounting Concentration

For those who have already begun and accounting profession, the MBA with an Accounting concentration from Keller and DeVry prepares students with the tools for greater success. The program focuses on budgeting, auditing and taxes in the business environment. Students also gain additional training in communication and presentation skills as well as participate in team-building exercises.

Accreditation

  • Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA HLC)
  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

Contact

DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management
Administrative Offices
Highland Landmark V
3005 Highland Parkway
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Phone: (888) 653-5537
Website: http://www.devry.edu/degree-programs/college-business-management.html

Hood College

Economics and Business Administration

Hood College was founded in 1893 as The Women’s College of Frederick. The classes originally met at the parsonage of the Reformed Church, which is now the Evangelical Reformed Church, United Church of Christ. The founders hoped to establish a college that prepared women for roles in both the home and the workplace. Not long after they were established, the school leased buildings and equipment that had once been owned by the Frederick Female Seminary, the alma mater of Margaret Scholl Hood, who graduated from the school in 1849. Mrs. Hood was very interested in the management and development of the new school, and, in January 1897, she donated $20,000 to what eventually became the James Mifflin Hood Endowment Fund, and the following year contributed an additional $5,000. Mrs. Hood raised funds to purchase new lands and additional buildings, also contributing an additional $10,000 with the stipulation that the community match her contribution. In 1912, the school’s name was changed to Hood College in honor of her generosity. Mrs. Hood died in 1913 and her will provided an additional $30,000 for the college.

The Department of Economics and Business Administration offers courses that are concerned with the aspects of social and organizational business needs. Students take required courses in undergraduate majors, but there is some flexibility related to electives. Students are able to concentrate their studies on specific education and career interests.

Business Administration, M.B.A.

The goal of the MBA curriculum provides students with a broad professional education that prepares them to be responsible leaders in management positions. Students develop solutions to complex problems in an industry that is increasingly global. The program is designed for part-time students with classes scheduled in the evening. Students who majored in business administration can complete the program in as few as 36-credit hours. Students may choose to concentrate their studies in accounting by taking Accounting Information Systems, Strategic Cost Management, and Financial Statement Analysis.

 

Accreditation

  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

Contact

Hood College
401 Rosemont Avenue
Frederick, MD 21701
Phone: (301) 663-3131
Email: fulco@hood.edu
Website: https://www.hood.edu/MBA/

Loyola University Maryland

Sellinger School of Business

Loyola University Maryland is a Jesuit Catholic university that is committed to the educational and spiritual growth of students. The school was founded in 1852 by John Early and other members of the Society of Jesus. It was the first college to bear the name of St. Ignatius of Loyola and is the ninth-oldest of the 28 Jesuit colleges and university in the country. It was originally located on Holliday Street in downtown Baltimore, moving to historic Mount Vernon in 1855 and to its present location in north Baltimore in 1922. In 1949, the school added a graduate division in education and one in business management in 1968. The school joined with Mount Saint Agnes College in 1971, becoming co-educational. The school gained university status in 2009.

The Sellinger School of Business was founded in 1980, although business courses in accounting and business administration have been offered at Loyola since 1937. Originally, the school was established as the School of Business and Management. In 1984, the school was named in honor of the late Reverend Joseph A. Sellinger. Reverend Sellinger became the president of Loyola University Maryland in 1964, and became one of Baltimore’s favorite and most forceful citizens. Reverend Sellinger passed away in 1993 of pancreatic cancer.

Master of Accounting (MAcc)

The Master of Accounting program at Loyola is for students with an undergraduate degree in accounting and for those seeking the 30-credit hours required to sit for the Certified Public Accounting examination. It is a full-time, 12-month lockstep cohort program. The accounting profession today requires more than an undergraduate degree as almost every state has adopted the 150-hour education requirement for the CPA examination. The program includes high-quality coursework relevant today’s accounting world. According to the National Association of Boards of Accountancy, Loyola was the eighth best in performance nationally in 2012. Students must complete an essay or personal statement based on an essay prompt found on the application and official GMAT scores.

Accreditation

  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Contact

Office of Graduate Business Programs
Timonium Graduate Center
2034 Greenspring Drive
Timonium, MD 21093
Telephone: (410) 617-5067
Email: aattanasio@loyola.edu
Website: http://www.loyola.edu/sellinger/academics/graduate/macc/admission.aspx

Stevenson University

School of the Sciences

In 1947, Villa Julie College was founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur on an 880-acre estate known as Seven Oaks in Greenspring Valley. The college held classes in a home that was formerly owned by the George Carrell Jenkins family and the courses specialized in medical-secretarial training. In 1954, the school gained approval as a two-year school and opened Founder’s Hall, a new classroom facility. The college separated from the Catholic Church in 1967 and a Board of Trustees took over leadership of the school. The school became co-educational in 1972 and four-year degree programs were added in 1984. In 2008, the school was renamed Stevenson University iin order to maintain a geographical connection to the founding location of the college, Stevenson, Maryland. The College of Arts and Sciences was renamed Villa Julie College of Arts and Sciences to keep the original name of the school connected to the university.

The School of the Sciences students learn in a hands-on, inquiry-based curriculum. Learning is enhanced by creating synergy between faculty and students. The school promotes curiosity, creativity and self-motivation, as well as ethics and the importance of thinking independently. Faculty offers personalized guidance to students as they complete their education and work with them to develop engaging relationships as well as steady support to help them achieve their career goals after graduation.

Master of Science in Forensic Studies, Accounting Concentration

Stevenson University offers a forensic studies master’s degree that is innovative and accelerated. The program is designed for working adults who want to expand their career horizons and complete their master’s degree quickly. The program offers an Accounting track that is designed to prepare students to use investigative skills in the field of accounting and auditing that includes computer-based skills as well. Students learn to investigate and analyze financial evidence and to interpret their findings. In addition, they are provided the skills to communicate those findings in a courtroom setting. The curriculum includes information on the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that has led to significant changes in the accounting profession. Courses in the Accounting track include:

  • Forensic Information Technology
  • Advanced Accounting Information Systems
  • Fraud: Accounting
  • Investigation and Analysis: Auditing
  • Investigation and Analysis: Tax
  • White Collar Crimes
  • A Forensic Studies Elective

Related Resource: How Much Does a Forensic Accountant Make?

Accreditation

  • Commission on Higher Education, Middle States Association of Colleges and Universities (MSCHE)

Contact

School of Graduate & Professional Studies
1525 Greenspring Valley Road
Stevenson, MD 21153-0641
Phone: (877) 468-6852
Email: Admissions@stevenson.edu
Website: http://www.stevenson.edu/graduate-professional-studies/graduate-programs/forensic-studies/

University of Baltimore

School of Law

The University of Baltimore was founded as a private institution in 1925. Its founders were a group of Baltimore civic leaders who hoped to offer low-cost evening study for working adults. It was located at the corner of St. Paul and Mt. Vernon Place. UB became a state university in 1975 and joined the University of Maryland system in 1988. The former Baltimore Athletic Club, now known as Charles Hall, is part of the university. The college acquired the club in 1947 due to increasing enrollment. The former home of Kelly Buick became the Academic Center.

The School of Law at the University of Baltimore was founded in 1925 and in 1970, merged with Eastern College and its Mount Vernon School of Law. The School of Law at UB places an emphasis on practical learning, preparing students for the challenges of legal professions in the 21st century. Students are provided practical experience and personalized attention. The school is housed in the new John and Frances Angelos Law Center which has become a Baltimore landmark. The school is named for the parents of Peter Angelos, the principal owner of the Baltimore Orioles who graduated from the law school. Mr. Angelos donated $15 million of the $22 million in private funding that built the new facility.

Graduate Tax Program

The Graduate Tax Program was established in 1987, providing tax training to professionals. It is the first and only program of its type in Maryland. Students learn to respond the increasingly complex field of taxatioin and the impact it has on effective management of many different industries. Students develop a solid knowledge base in tax law that includes tax policies and principles; the skills to understand and analyze tax statutes, regulations as well as the rulings or cases that affect them; effective techniques to analyze and resolve issues involving taxation, including problem identification, researching and locating laws that are relevant to the problem and applying legal rules to the facts to arrive at the most beneficial conclusion; and effective verbal and written communication.

Accreditation

  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

University of Baltimore
1420 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Telephone: (410) 837-6565
Email: lawadmissions@ubalt.edu
Website: http://law.ubalt.edu/academics/post_jd_graduate_programs/gradtax/

University of Maryland

Robert H. Smith School of Business

The University of Maryland began as the Maryland Agricultural College in 1856, located on 428-acres of Charles Benedict Calvert’s Riversdale plantation that was purchased for $20,000. In 1864, the college accepted the Morrill Land Grant and became a land grant institution. In 1864, General Ambrose E. Burnside and the men of the Union’s North Army Corps camped on the college grounds on the way to joining with General Ulysses S. Grant in Virginia. In July of the same year, as part of Jubal Early’s Confederate raid on Washington, General Bradley T. Johnson and 400 of his men spent the night on the college grounds, prompting the resignation of college President Henry Onderdonk due to the welcome afforded the Confederate troops. From 1864 to 1866, the school was a preparatory school as it no longer had funding. The legislature appropriated money to open the school, making it a partial state institution in 1866, and in 1867, George Washington Custis Lee, the son of Robert E. Lee and a former major general who spent the war years as part of Jefferson Davis personal staff was appointed president, but he refused to accept the position for personal and political reasons. In 1867, the school reopened with only 11 students.

The Robert H. Smith School of Business has become one of the world’s leading business schools with a curriculum that reflects the changing needs of the marketplace. The school focuses on globalization, entrepreneurship and technology. The programs use an integrative system that incorporates key functional aspects of companies. The school is named after Robert H. Smith, an alumni of the college, who donated $15 million in support of the business school.

Master of Science in Business: Accounting

The Master of Science in Business in Accounting is designed for accounting professionals looking to enhance their career and advance in an organization. The program focuses on the growing demand for highly-trained accounting professionals by creating graduates who are able to understand new rules, understand control processes and design internal controls. The program prepares students for the expanded role of accountants and was developed by world-class Smith faculty. Students may take the program on a full- or part-time basis.

Accreditation

  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

University of Maryland
Mitchell Building
College Park, MD 20742
Phone: (301) 314-8385
Email: um-admit@umd.edu
Website: http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/programs/ms-programs/accounting

University of Maryland University College

Online Programs

The mission of the University of Maryland University College is to offer exceptional education to adult students globally, not just in the state of Maryland. By offering academic programs that are respected, affordable, and accessible, career opportunities are expanded for students who graduate from their programs. UMUC had over 261,000 online students in 2013 and offers 100 bachelor and master’s degree programs completely online.

Master of Science in Accounting and Financial Management

The Master of Science in Accounting and Financial Management is a 36-credit hour program that includes five accounting courses, six financial management courses, and one program capstone. The program may satisfy the credit-hour requirement to sit for the Certified Public Accountant Examination in order to practice as a CPA in most states. Students must have completed 15-credit hours of undergraduate courses, and students who do not have recent coursework in accounting or economics are encouraged to complete Financial Accounting, Economics, and Financial Decision Making for Managers.

Master of Science Accounting and Information Systems

The Accounting and Information Systems graduate degree provides a strong understanding of business processes as well as an integrated knowledge of accounting and information technology. Graduates qualify for one year of work experience required for the Certified Information Systems Auditor designation. The program is a 36-credit hour program that consists of six accounting, five information systems and one capstone course. Students may be qualified to sit for the Certified Public Accountant examination upon graduation.

Accreditation

  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs

Contact

University of Maryland University College
3501 University Boulevard East
Adelphi, MD 20783
Telephone: (800) 888-8682
Websites:

As rules and regulations change in the accounting field, and more accountability is required from businesses, the need for professionals who hold high-level accounting degrees will grow.  Attending one of the accredited accounting degree programs in Maryland listed above will place you on-track for a promising career in a high-demand field.