Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs in Michigan (A-O)

People desiring a career in accounting should only consider accreditedchools such as the ones on this list of accredited accounting degree programs in Michigan. Although there are entry-level positions open for those holding an undergraduate degree, anyone who wants to sit for the CPA exam must have more credits than a bachelor’s degree gives. The added credit hours are equal, or nearly equal, to acquiring a master’s in accounting. In addition, most states require 150 credit hours to be licensed. Some schools prefer people with undergraduate degrees to have two years of experience before entering these programs.

Adrian College

Accounting and Business Department

Adrian College is a small, private, not-for-profit school affiliated with the Methodist church. Founded in 1859, the school is on the semester system. The school operates on a novel integrated system in which all departments collaborate on research and other projects. The institutes within the college are the Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, the Institute for Health Studies, the Institute for Study Abroad, The Institute for Ethics and the George Romney Institute for Law and Public Policy. This school was named as a US News and World Reports Best Regional College.

Master of Science in Accounting

This 30-credit degree program is designed for those wanting to pursue a career as a public accountant, but it is also beneficial for anyone wanting to take the CMA (Certified Managerial Accountant) exam. Graduates will have the requisite number of credit hours to sit for the CPA. (Students should note that licensing in Michigan requires 150 credit hours). No course in the curriculum is more than three credits and students can usually finish the program in two semesters (or nine months). The degree must be completed within five years. This program is rigid so it cannot be tailored to fit individual career goals; all students complete the same courses.

Accreditation

Higher Education Commission, North Central Association

Contact
Adrian College
110 South Madison Street
Adrian, MI, 49221
Phone: 517-265-5161
Email: dcoy@adrian.edu
Website: http://adrian.edu/academics/academic-departments/accounting-business/accounting-ms/

Central Michigan University

College of Business Administration

This school is rated as the 6th best online MBA program by US news and World Reports. It boasts that more than 90 percent of its graduates are employed six months after matriculation. The college arranges internships for students with national businesses and industries to give them broad perspectives. An average of 60 business students engage in the study-abroad program annually. There are 72 regular faculty members and the student-to-faculty ratio is 21:1. The school has a CPA fast track program which allows students to complete a bachelor’s and earn a master’s degree in five years, while becoming qualified to sit for the CPA exam.

Master of Business Administration Accounting Concentration

This degree stresses a hands-on learning experience. SAP Enterprise Software for Management, which is one of the most widely-used business software systems, is integrated into the program. Students may complete the degree program traditionally, at the brick-and-mortar campus, or online. The school requires all students to complete foundation courses in the major, or to demonstrate a working knowledge of the material contained in these fundamental courses. Students who hold a degree from an AACSB–accredited college may waive some or all of the foundation courses. The classes include advanced applications in spreadsheets, data bases and presentation. Students must complete at least 36 credits to graduate, but may have as many as 43, depending upon their backgrounds. There are 27 required core credits and nine in accounting.

Accreditation

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

Contact
College of Business Administration
Grawn Hall 105
Central Michigan University
150 East Bellows
Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
Phone: 989-774-3124
Email: cba@cmich.edu
Website: https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/cba/academic_programs/departments/Pages/default.aspx

Davenport University

Donald W. Maine School of Business

Davenport University has an enrollment of 11,835 students. The business school says it appeals to those with a global perspective. The school is a private, not-for-profit institution that operates on the semester system. Community involvement is one thing that sets the business school apart and affords the students experiential learning opportunities. There are also programs for study abroad, business and academic learning projects and internships. Tuition at the school is $653 per credit hour or $663 per credit hour if the degree is earned online.

Master of Business Administration Accounting Concentration

This 39-credit program begins with required foundation courses which contain advanced material in several areas. Foundation classes must be completed before students can take any of the 600-level master’s degree courses, but those students who can demonstrate a working knowledge of the foundation material may be able to waive some of the courses. There are 18 required core credits and 18 credits in the concentration, plus three capstone credits. The program may be designed so that students complete the requirements for the CPA examination as a part of their curriculum. Students must select one of two emphasis areas: CPA or Forensic Accounting. The capstone consists of study abroad, an internship or the MBA Capstone Experience.

Accreditation

International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)
Higher learning Commission North Central Association (NCA HLC)

Contact
Donald W. Maine School of Business
45 Ottawa NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616-698-7111
Email: frank.novakolasky@davenport.edu
Website: http://www.davenport.edu/college-business

Eastern Michigan University

College of Business

This school boasts many programs for interaction with the community, giving students “practical experience with current business issues.” Princeton Review has listed the university as one of its best schools for ten consecutive years. All classrooms at Eastern Michigan University are technology-rich, with LCD projectors and screens, speakers, computers, and docks for laptops. The business school stresses leadership skills and many of the programs have an international component. Tuition for in-state students is $465.85 per credit hour. Students from out-of-state will pay $918.30 per credit hour.

Master of Science in Accounting

This degree requires completion of a series of foundation classes (18 credits) before master’s level classes may be begun. The program consists of 30 credits of which 12 are core requisites and 12 are restricted electives. There is also a required six-credit hour College of Business Elective. Courses are selected from the following areas: Accounting Information Systems, Internal Auditing, Tax and Financial Planning, Financial and professional Services and Other Accounting Courses. Upon admission, the graduate student prepares a program of study, and then meets with a faculty advisor who goes over the courses and helps the student to select appropriate classes. When they both sign the program of study, the courses they have selected become the degree requirements for the student.

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Contact
College of Business
406 Owen Building
Eastern Michigan University
300 W Michigan Ave
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Phone: 734-487-3320
Email: cob.grad@emich.edu
Website: http://catalog.emich.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=15&poid=7104

Grand Valley State University

Seidman School of Business

In 1960, the university was formed by state charter. Nearly all (83 %) of the 92-member faculty at the business school hold doctor’s degrees. There are 317 graduate students enrolled, with an average age of 31. More than half of the graduate students attend the school part-time. Classes are small; the average class size is 27. That allows students to get personal attention and to interact with other students and with teachers. Tuition is $567 per credit hour for in-state students and $757 per credit hour out-of-state.

Master of Science in Accounting

Students can complete this degree program in 1w months if they attend full-time; two years if they attend part-time. The program includes 33 credits at the 600 level or higher, including 18 in accounting. There are two campuses: the Robert C. Pew campus in Grand rapids or the Meijer campus in Holland. An undergraduate degree in accounting is not require to be admitted to this degree program, but students who cannot demonstrate requisite skills and knowledge may be required to take some foundational courses before beginning the master’s degree. The stated learning outcome of the program is that students would be technically competent, effective in practice and research as well as in communication. Graduates will be internationally literate and prepared to respond ethically to accounting issues.

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association (HCL NCA)
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Contact
Seidman School of Business
1031 L Seidman Center
Grand Valley State University
50 Front Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Phone: 616-331-7400
Email: Go2gvmba@gvsu.edu
Website: http://gvsu.edu/business/msa/

Michigan State University

Eli Broad College of Business

The business college was named after Eli Broad, who donated $20 million to the university. Even though this school is one of the largest business schools in the country, class sizes are kept small to facilitate student interaction with the faculty and enable students to get personal attention. There is an accelerated degree path available and the program can be designed to meet personal career goals, interests and current business trends. The college houses six business disciplines including an independent hospitality industry school. Complete cost of a master’s degree is calculated at $36,000 for in-state students.

Master of Science in Accounting

This degree is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 programs in the country. It is a comprehensive, 30-credit degree path that can be tailored, using electives, to fit a student’s career goals. The program contains the necessary credits to sit for the CPA exam. There are three concentrations within the accounting degree: taxation, informational systems and public and corporate accounting. Students take 12-15 required credits from those concentrations, and then choose another 15 credits, nine of which must be from a discipline outside of accounting. At least 24 of the 30 credits must be taken from 800-level classes, and students must earn at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Most students complete the program within 12 to 18 months, and it must be completed within five years. IN-state tuition is $29,000 all-inclusive.

Accreditation

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

Contact
Eli Broad College of Business
Michigan State University
632 Bogue St. N 270
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517-355-7486
Email: acct@broad.msu.edu
Website: http://accounting.broad.msu.edu/welcome/ms/curriculum/

Oakland University

School of Business Administration

This large school has an enrollment of 20,169. U.S. News and World Reports has consistently ranked it in the “best colleges.” The school has spent an impressive $35 million on research and 93% of the faculty members hold doctor’s degrees. The school boasts a world-class facility in the Center for Integrated Business and Research Education, but it also houses the Oakland University –Macomb Business Incubator and the Oakland University Smart Zone Business Incubator. They also have an innovative program called Ideas2Business that helps students start new enterprises. The business school is one of only 178 (from 2010 figures) to be accredited by the AACSB in both business and accounting.

Master of Accounting (MAcc)

This is one of Oakland University’s fastest growing programs. The degree path is customizable using specialized electives in specific accounting tracks. (These are: Assurance, Taxation and Regulation and Treasury). Graduates completing this degree will be qualified to sit for the CPA exam and apply for licensure. The school stresses communication skills and equips students to make decisions based on critical thinking skills and ethics. The program consists of twenty-four hours foundation courses, nine core, and 10 to 12 electives, and can be completed in one year by full-time students. Those students who demonstrate knowledge in foundational classes, and waive some of them, may use electives to make up the other credits. All of the courses are three credits.

Master of Business Administration Accounting Concentration

The emphasis of this program is on IT and global business. The school prefers that students who have undergraduate business degrees have two years of work experience before beginning the master’s program. The classes are held Monday through Thursday evenings for the convenience of working adults. The program consists of 36 to 48 credits, not including prerequisites. Full-time students take 12 credits during the fall and spring semesters and three credits during the summer sessions. Most finish the 48 credits within two years. The program contains foundation courses, required core classes and electives, plus concentrations. Students may not take more than two concentrations. There is an optional master’s project which is not a thesis, and a required exit course, “Integrative Business Policy.”

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission North Central Association (HLC NCA)
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Contact
School of Business Administration
427 Elliot Hall
Oakland University
2200 N Squirrel Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4407
Phone: 248-370-3287
Email: jwancour@oakland.edu
Website: http://www.oakland.edu/business/master-of-accounting

The websites of the schools in this article offer a wealth of information about the degree programs, the campuses, the cost of attending, where to get financial aid and more. Prospective students can decide which schools to investigate from this list of accredited accounting degree programs in Michigan.