The state of Illinois is home to several accredited accounting degree programs that have received great praise and admiration. The bustling center of Chicago is not a bad place to get an understanding of business, and there are a number of top-notch programs in other areas of the state as well. So whether you are seeking your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree we have a list of programs you should check out.

University of Chicago

Booth School of Business

As evidence of Booth’s quality of student, seven graduates of this business school have gone on to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The focus of this department is to help its students to understand the market, and to encourage them to push boundaries to create innovation in the field. Chicago Booth has been accredited since 1916 and has consistently ranked among the best business schools in magazines like Fortune, Bloomberg Businessweek, and The Economist. This means that businesses across the nation view a graduate from Chicago Booth as an asset to their company.

Master of Business Administration (MBA), Accounting Concentration

This program requires nine courses in business administration as well as the university’s LEAD course, which is required for all Booth students. The degree also requires 11 elective courses which can be all or mostly in the concentration area of accounting. Should you finish all of these and graduate, the university offers alum the opportunity to take three more courses tuition free to promote life-long professional development.

Classes at University of Chicago’s business school are steeped in “Booth culture.” Students will learn to “Challenge assumptions, analyze everything, think critically, act decisively, and lead with confidence.” Chicago Booth boasts over 48,000 successful alumni in different fields around the world.

Accreditation

  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC NCA)

Contact:

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business
5807 South Woodlawn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637
Phone: (773) 702-7743
Email: admissions@chicagobooth.edu
Website: http://www.chicagobooth.edu/programs/full-time/

University of Illinois

College of Business

The University of Illinois is highly ranked, currently sitting at 25th in the world and 16th in the United States. It is also a large campus, which lends the opportunity to meet and make connections with new people in many fields. The average class has a small professor-to-student ratio, which allows for more student-to-student and student-to-professor discussion and insight into the accounting field. The over 400 study abroad programs allow you to make connections all over the world. This school has lots of promise, and it’s among the top accounting schools in the world.

Master of Accounting Science

The Master of Accounting Science at U of I is a one-year program. Students are expected to improve their knowledge of accountancy, finance, taxation, and information systems over the duration of this program. This university boasts more alumni in the big-four CPA firms than any other university in the country and this program has been around since 1922. The MAS program also has the opportunity to intern for class credit; a great opportunity that allows for experiential learning. Students are also encouraged form time to time to take a business related concentration on as well in order to present themselves as more well rounded.

Master of Science in Accountancy

The Master of Science in Accountancy program is geared toward individuals with limited experience in accountancy. However graduates of this program have experienced marked success on their CPAs. This course is a 32 credit hour course and students are invited to enroll in a CPA prep course at no additional charge. Students must be able to communicate effectively and may be asked to take a Business English course upon enrolling in the program. The minimum GPA in order to graduate is a 3.0.

Master of Science in Taxation

This program is number one in the country according to tax hiring authorities. This program allows you to become a tax professional with all the knowledge required to do your job effectively. With the increased job demand for tax specialists, an MS Tax degree is an asset. This is a 12-month class designed for professionals that are already working, with classes held on Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Accreditation

  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC NCA)

Contact

MSA Degree Program
320 Wohlers Hall
1206 South 6th Street
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 244-9201
Email: accy@illinois.edu
Website: http://www1.business.illinois.edu/accountancy/programs/msa

MAS Degree Program
Pricewaterhouse Coopers Accountancy Student Center
University of Illinois
1045 Business Instructional Facility
515 East Gregory Drive
Champaign, Illinois 61820
Phone: (217) 333-5030
Email: accy-mas@illinois.edu
Website: http://www1.business.illinois.edu/accountancy/programs/mas

MS Tax Degree Program
200 South Wacker Dr
4th Floor, Illini Center
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 575.0909 phone
Email: mstax@illinois.edu
Website: http://business.illinois.edu/mst/

University of Illinois at Chicago

Liautaud Graduate School of Business

University of Illinois at chicago is ranked by U.S. News & World Report, The New York Times, and The Washington Monthly and is quite popular with Chicagoans. The graduate program at UIC caters to students who attended UIC for their Bachelor’s degree, but students from other universities are also welcome to apply.

Master of Science in Accounting

This program is tailored for students with no accounting experience, but entails rigorous curriculum with a graduation requirement of an overall GPA of 3.25. Despite this difficult requirement, this program is a great preparation for an accounting career. Graduates can expect a comprehensive understanding our the accounting world, tax law, and basic business practices. Admission to the program requires letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement, and each student who applies is considered on an individual basis. Students who speak English as a secondary language will need to take the TOEFL.

MBA/MS in Accounting

This program requires the completion of 68 credit hours and all of the criteria for the MS in accounting must be met as well as those for MBA, as well as a culminating thesis project. This program will take longer than the others offered at UIC, but results in an intensive dual graduate degree. Completion of the program fulfills the requirements to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination.

MBA Accounting Concentration

The MBA program requires 54 course hours with the option of a concentration in accounting. The credits from the MBA program can be applied to the dual degree program should a student choose to pursue the dual degree program after graduation. The program focuses on accounting from business and administrative focus. This program is great for those pursuing a MBA that wish to delve into the accounting world as well since it prepares students for administrative and financial challenges.

Accreditation

  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC NCA)

Contact

UIC Liautaud Graduate School of Business
110 Douglas Hall, MC 077
705 South Morgan Street
Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: (312) 996-4573
Email: lgsb@uic.edu
Websites:

University of Illinois at Springfield

Department of Accountancy

UIS is a small school with an accredited accountancy degree program. With less than 8,000 students (Graduate and Undergrad), UIS ensures small class sizes of 15 students or so, allowing intimate settings for deep learning. This school is dedicated to scholarship, and expects its students to be as well.

Master of Arts in Accountancy

UIS’s MAcc program requires 15 hours of accounting courses, nine to 12 hours of related electives, and three to six hours of business and administrative topics. Students may use their electives to delve into specialized areas of accountancy of interest. Student learning outcomes include understanding accounting laws and processes, as well as career-readiness.

Accreditation

  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC NCA)

Contact

Department of Accountancy
College of Business and Management
University Hall Building 4093
University of Illinois Springfield
One University Plaza
Springfield, Illinois 62703-5407
Phone: 217-206-6541
Email: acc@uis.edu
Website: http://www.uis.edu/accountancy/curriculum/masters/

Western Illinois University

College of Business and Technology

Ranked as a “Best Midwestern College” by The Princeton Review, Western Illinois University is a great place to make connections all around the state of Illinois. WIU offers 42 degree programs, which are taught by 95% full-time professors. WIU was also ranked by students as among the best public and private colleges and universities in Forbes magazine. The university values academic excellence, educational opportunity, personal growth, and social opportunity.

Bachelor of Business in Accountancy/Master of Business Administration

WIU offeres a unique joint programin which students can earn a bachelor’s degree in accountancy with a master’s in business administration in five years. This program requires 150 hours of credit, including practical experience in the field. At the end of this program students should be well-prepared for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination. A program like this stands out from the rest and is a good option for undergraduate students focused on a career in accountancy.

Master of Accountancy (MACC)

The purpose of this program is to produce competent, skilled, and knowledgeable students that are ready to enter the accounting field. At the end of this program you will be qualified to sit the CPA. This program’s greatest assets are the professors, which provide students with lots of support and encouragement. Currently the accounting program only has about 20 students. This is actually a good thing, your professors will be able to help you one on one more often than not. The learning outcomes of this program are fairly extensive as you must be able to pass the CPA, and understand the world of business. The internship offered through this program almost always results in a job offer. With only 20 students and the promising nature of this program, you are nearly guaranteed to end up gainfully employed after attending this highly accredited institution.

Accreditation

  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC NCA)

Contact
School of Graduate Studies
Sherman Hall 116
Macomb, IL 61455
Phone: (309)298-1806
Email: Grad-Office@wiu.edu
Website: http://www.wiu.edu/graduate_studies/programs_of_study/acct_profile.php

Regardless of which Illinois university you choose, attending one of these accounting programs will add merit to your resume. Many students of these universities walk out the doors on graduation day already employed. Each of these schools is part of the less than 15% in the world that receives an AACSB accreditation. Choose one of these highly accredited accounting degree programs in Illinois and watch the future unfold before your eyes.