Are you interested in becoming an accountant or an auditor? If you are like many students who have changed their occupation of interest as they approach graduation, you may be wondering if you will need to complete core curriculum courses with an emphasis in accounting to meet prerequisites of the average MAcc. Many prospective graduate students wonder if they must have a Bachelor’s in Accounting to pursue a graduate level degree in Accounting, and this is not always the case. In fact, most schools will only require that students have a business-related degree where students must complete basic courses in the field. Read this guide to understanding the common MAcc admissions requirements so that you can see if you have more undergraduate study to complete.

Undergraduate Requirements to Enter a Master’s in Accounting Program

The undergraduate requirements for Master’s degree programs with a major in Accounting can vary from school to school, but most schools have similar requirements in terms of previous undergraduate study. Some schools, with very competitive accounting programs where admissions applications are extremely high, may only accept accounting majors with a Bachelor’s degree in this specific discipline. A majority of schools, however, will accept non-accounting majors with a business-related Bachelor’s degree as long as the prospective student has completed the prerequisite classes in the discipline. Most business-related Bachelor’s programs will cover introductory accounting and principles of accounting, which may satisfy the minimum requirements to be a MAcc student.

What Classes Do You Typically Have to Have Completed Before Applying?

A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting may not be required, but having the appropriate coursework completed is a must. The coursework in accounting that you must have completed can vary, but most schools want graduate program applicants for a MAcc program to have a minimum of 21 hours of accounting prerequisites completed. Some of the classes you may need to have completed before becoming an accounting major in graduate school may include:

* Principles of Accounting I and II
* Managerial Accounting
* Cost Accounting
* Intermediate Accounting I and II
* Auditing
* Business Taxation

What if You Have Not Completed the Proper Courses?

If you have not fulfilled the accounting focused prerequisites, you do not necessarily have to attain a second Bachelor’s degree. Instead, you can complete the coursework at a local school or an online school with accredited classes as long as the credits are transferable. By taking these discipline-focused courses you can also build on your foundation of knowledge and lower the number of credit hours you must complete to take your uniform CPA test. Most states require that test takers have 150 credit hours total and a minimum of 24 accounting hours. By fulfilling the MAcc requirements, you can also guarantee you will also fulfill the CPA exam requirements.

If your ultimate goal is to earn your Master’s in Accounting, be sure that you know the requirements before you attain your Bachelor’s degree. If you changed career paths, compare your undergraduate study to the prerequisites, and get the credit hours completed. The need for advanced accountants and auditors is on the rise, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that employment will grow by 22 percent within the next 5 years. Make an advancement with an investment in your education.

Related article: How Much More Can I Earn With a Master’s in Accounting Versus a Bachelor’s in Accounting?