Since the accounting field continues to grow just as quickly in Virginia as it is throughout the rest of the United States, there are several universities offering master’s in accounting degree programs in Virginia to prepare graduates for the large number of available CPA positions. While Virginia may be historically known for being the first permanent colony in the New World and producing many of our nation’s presidents, the Commonwealth is also an education hub with many of the highest ranked universities in America.
As a result, Virginia has the most counties in the top 100 wealthiest and boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates nationwide! In fact, Richmond is ranked second for the total number of Fortune 100 companies within its city limits, including Altria Group, Genworth Financial, CarMax, Dominion Resources, and Brink’s. Below we have included details about the accredited master’s degree programs in accounting that will unlock advanced career opportunities across Virginia’s thriving economy.
College of William and Mary
Raymond A. Mason School of Business
First founded by King William III and Queen Mary II of England in 1693, the College of William and Mary is the nation’s second oldest higher learning institution with a distinguished history of public liberal arts education on its massive 1,200-acre suburban campus in historic downtown Williamsburg on the banks of the James River. As one of the country’s prestigious “Public Ivies” with around 8,300 students, the College of William and Mary is ranked as the 33rd best university and 6th top public school in America by the U.S. News and World Report. Also named the 82nd best business school, the Mason School of Business is acclaimed for having the 5th best master’s program nationwide by the Public Accounting Report.
Master of Accounting (MAcc)
Focused on training graduate students in the language of business, the Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree is a full-time program that provides the preparation needed to excel in the dynamic, in-demand accounting profession. Over the course of just two semesters, students will obtain the credits needed for CPA licensure while benefitting from a nationally recognized faculty and small class sizes. To take a deeper dive into a particular sub-field, students can choose from three specialized tracks in Auditing, Taxation, or Valuation. All students will be required to participate in a Winter Field Experience, which is a half-semester immersion into the life of an accountant at a mid-sized to large accounting firm during the busiest season.
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187
(757) 221-2879
macc@mason.wm.edu
http://mason.wm.edu/programs/macc/index.php
George Mason University
School of Business
Boasting the largest enrollment in the Commonwealth with over 33,900 students, George Mason University is a comprehensive four-year public research institution based on a beautiful 677-acre suburban campus in Fairfax with nearby locations in Arlington, Manassas, and Broadlands. Named the 4th most diverse university in America by the Princeton Review, GMU is currently ranked as the 138th best university, 70th top public school, and 10th best up-and-coming college in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. With AACSB accreditation, the School of Business is also distinguished for having the country’s 75th best online graduate business degree programs.
Masters in Accounting
Designed to prepare tomorrow’s global accounting professionals, the Masters in Accounting program at GMU is devoted to delivering leaders who can overcome challenges in the competitive business marketplace and provide solid financial solutions for accountability. Along with meeting the 150-credit licensing requirement for CPAs, the program educates students in the key areas of business ethics and corporate governance from a global perspective. In fact, students have the option to participate in the Global Residency Program to gain accounting skills in the international arena in London, Prague, Frankfurt, and more. Interested students can also capitalize their career opportunities and maximize their future potential by combining the master’s degree with a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting.
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 993-1880
msa@gmu.edu
http://business.gmu.edu/masters-in-accounting/
James Madison University
College of Business
Situated on a 721-acre urban campus in the small city of Harrisonburg in the Shenandoah Valley within just two hours from both Washington, DC and Richmond, James Madison University is a selective four-year public research institution offering over 115 degree programs to more than 20,100 students. Ranked fifth in the nation for best value among in-state students within Money magazine, JMU is currently named the 6th best college, 2nd top public school, and 6th best up-and-coming university in the South by the U.S. News and World Report. With the 9th best online graduate business programs, the College of Business has maintained a great job placement rate over 90% throughout the past decade.
Master of Science in Accounting (MSA)
Serving as the fifth year in preparing students for the 150 hours of post-secondary education required to become a CPA in most jurisdictions, the Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program has been designed to offer an advanced professional education for both business and non-business undergraduate majors to enter the exciting public accounting arena. In the 30-credit curriculum, students have the freedom to select a concentration in Accounting Information Systems or Taxation. Regardless of the path chosen, students will strengthen their technical expertise, enhance their understanding of professional responsibility, and improve their business strategies for competing in the ever-changing global market. In an on-campus format, the curriculum is tailored for individuals who prefer a traditional full-time residential experience.
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
800 South Main Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
(540) 568-3250
reedyaj@jmu.edu
http://www.jmu.edu/cob/accounting/masters/index.shtml
Old Dominion University
Strome College of Business
First established in 1930 as a division of the College of William and Mary, Old Dominion University is now an independent public research institution of over 24,400 students on a 251-acre urban campus in Norfolk within the center of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. As one of the nation’s largest providers of online distance learning, ODU is currently ranked as the 182nd best master’s level university in America by Washington Monthly magazine. Maintaining full AACSB accreditation, the Strome College of Business is dedicated to developing globally and ethically savvy graduates for entering successful careers in business and government.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Accounting
Structured to accommodate both full-time and part-time students with evening course offerings, the Master of Science (M.S.) in Accounting program will provide a specialized professional accounting education to fulfill the 150-hour requirement to obtain CPA licensure in Virginia for individuals with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Within the 30-credit program, students are required to complete courses in global accounting, financial statement analysis, financial auditing, strategic costing management, taxation, information technology assurance, fraud examination, and business decision making. Upon completion of the degree, students will be qualified to sit for the examinations to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and/or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
5115 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23529
(757) 683-3554
yxu@odu.edu
https://www.odu.edu/academics/programs/masters/acct-ms
Stratford University
School of Business Administration
As a privately held Virginia corporation located on a main campus in Fairfax with locations in Alexandria, Falls Church, Woodbridge, Newport News, Virginia Beach, Baltimore, and Richmond, Stratford University is a comprehensive for-profit higher learning institution focused on delivering quality adult education since 1976. Recently recognized as one of the “Top 100 Graduate Degree Producers” for minority students by Diverse Education, Stratford is accredited by the ACICS to serve more F-1 Visa international students than any other U.S. college. The School of Business Administration is specifically devoted to building effective business-minded professionals with the leadership and critical thinking abilities to succeed.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Accounting
Ideal for students pursuing career paths as accountants, auditors, budget analysts, credit analysts, financial examiners, tax examiners, or post-secondary business teachers, the Master of Science (M.S.) in Accounting program at Stratford is focused on expanding specialized knowledge in accounting to increase marketability in the business, government, and non-profit sectors. Through an integration of theoretical and practical accounting principles, the 40-credit program will update students on the latest developments of the quickly evolving field and re-introduce them to accounting from a distinctly global perspective. Featuring the same faculty group of seasoned accounting practitioners, the M.S. degree can be pursued on-campus in Virginia, online from anywhere, or in a hybrid combination of the two.
Accreditations
Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
Contact
7777 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22043
(703) 821-8570
grice-holland@stratford.edu
http://www.stratford.edu/accounting-ms
University of Virginia
McIntire School of Commerce
Standing proudly on a historic 1,682-acre suburban campus in the vibrant college town of Charlottesville, the University of Virginia is a comprehensive senior public institution with very high research activity and more than 21,200 students. Well-known for producing more Rhodes Scholars than any other state-supported university in the United States, UVA is currently ranked as the 23rd best college, 2nd top public school, and 27th best value university in the country by the U.S. News and World Report. Also distinguished as the 11th best business grad school, the McIntire School of Commerce has a strong national reputation for innovative master’s degree programs that significantly influence the development of business leaders.
M.S. in Accounting
As a one-year program of 30 credit hours, the M.S. in Accounting degree has been created to help graduate students sharpen their analytical, technical, and communication skills in preparing for professional accounting practice as a CPA in Virginia. Students in this innovative program benefit from receiving superb teaching from field experts, joining a diverse team-based learning environment, and building close connections with the profession’s top recruiters. While tackling real-world accounting problems, students can choose to focus their studies in the areas of Financial Reporting and Assurance or Tax Consulting. All graduates will be well-equipped with the accounting knowledge and executive abilities needed to make ethical judgments as professional accountants.
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
125 Ruppel Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22903
(434) 243-4992
ecandelier@virginia.edu
http://www.commerce.virginia.edu/msaccounting/Pages/default.aspx
Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Business
Designated as a major senior public research institution with very high research activity by the premier Carnegie Foundation, Virginia Commonwealth University is home to more than 31,700 students on its 143-acre urban campus in the heart of the capital city in Richmond within just 98 miles from Washington, DC. Named among the top 200 universities in the world by the Academic Ranking of World Universities, VCU is currently ranked as the 156th best college, 84th top public school, and 47th best university for veterans in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. As home to one of the 12 Federal Reserve Banks, the School of Business is included among the Princeton Review’s “Best 296 Business Schools.”
Master of Accountancy (MAcc)
Boasting full accreditation by the AACSB, the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program offers flexible evening courses to full-time and part-time graduate students seeking advanced professional accounting education. Many graduates work as CPAs in Big Four firms, regional firms, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and industry corporations. While the 30-credit program is only available to students who hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting, there is an option for students with an accredited bachelor’s degree in another field to pursue a Post-Baccalaureate Undergraduate Certificate in Accounting prior to admissions. From there, the graduate curriculum includes courses in advanced auditing, international auditing, forensic accounting, tax planning, accounting information systems, and business electives.
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
301 West Main Street
Richmond, VA 23284
(804) 828-4622
gouldmana@vcu.edu
http://business.vcu.edu/graduate/macc.html
Virginia Tech University
Pamplin College of Business
Renowned for being the Commonwealth’s third largest university and a national leading public land-grant research institution, Virginia Tech serves the academic needs of over 31,000 students on a massive 2,600-acre rural campus in the sylvan mountain setting of Blacksburg away from city life. Recognized for having one of the top 14 co-operative education and internship programs in America, Virginia Tech is currently ranked as the 71st best college and 27th top public school in the country by the U.S. News and World Report. Noted for having the best job placement record on campus, the Pamplin College of Business is also acclaimed for having the 25th best master’s program in accounting by the Public Accounting Report.
Master of Accounting and Information Systems (MACIS)
Open to all graduate students with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline, the Master of Accounting and Information Systems (MACIS) program at Virginia Tech is dedicated to preparing students to effectively practice as professional accountants in the future business environment after passing the CPA examination. While the 30-credit program can normally be completed within just 12 months, students without prior collegiate studies in accounting and business administration can expect to spend at least two years in their studies. Graduates will have the opportunity to develop specialized knowledge in one of four concentration areas, which include Information Systems, Auditing, Financial Services, or Taxation.
Accreditations
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
880 West Campus Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
(540) 231-6591
acis@vt.edu
http://www.acis.pamplin.vt.edu/pos/masters/mastprograms.htm
By taking courses that delve into learning how policies set by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) impact the ever-changing accounting field, master’s accounting programs help students rack up the knowledge and credits needed to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Virginia. If you wish to study at one of the top universities in the “Old Dominion,” be sure you contact some of these accredited master’s in accounting degree programs in Virginia for more information and to apply for your spot in the next class.
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