Prospective graduate students searching for accredited accounting degree programs in Michigan will be happy to discover that there are numerous top-notch options to choose from. Although the ninth largest state may be most associated with recreational boating on the world’s longest freshwater coastline with 64,980 lakes, Michigan actually has a highly diversified economy beyond tourism. In addition to serving as the home to the nation’s three major automobile companies in Detroit, Michigan is also a booming center for manufacturing, financial, and technology services in the Midwest. In fact, the “Great Lakes State” has experienced the sixth fastest economic expansion in the nation following the recent recession. If you want to take advantage of this resurging economy, any of the following accounting programs leading to a master’s degree within Michigan would be a fine choice.

University of Michigan–Dearborn

College of Business

As a comprehensive four-year regional public institution first established in 1956 with a commitment to diversity, the University of Michigan–Dearborn is situated on a 196-acre suburban campus in a small town outside of Detroit with a total headcount of around 9,000 students. Consistently rated as the most safe public university in the state, UM Dearborn is currently ranked overall as the 36th best college and 7th top public school in the Midwest by the U.S. News and World Report. With its strategic position in the greater metropolitan Detroit area within blocks from Ford Motor Company’s world headquarters, the College of Business is also recognized for the 58th best online graduate business programs and the 105th best part-time MBA program in the United States.

Master of Science (M.S.) in Accounting

Designed to provide the advanced knowledge base and number of credits needed to become eligible for the Uniform CPA Examination in most states, the Master of Science (M.S.) in Accounting program provides specialized graduate training geared towards students seeking advancement in the challenging career paths of corporate accounting, taxation, public accounting, and controllership. While most of the courses in the 30-credit program are offered in a traditional on-campus format, a few are occasionally delivered online. Regardless of whether students choose a full-time or part-time schedule, the curriculum provides the option to concentrate their studies in the Financial Accounting or Taxation track based on career goals.

Master of Business Administration (MBA): Accounting Concentration

As an accredited graduate program that requires between 36 and 48 credit hours depending on students’ prior undergraduate coursework, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is focused on building an applied integrative perspective for qualified graduate students seeking management positions to solve the complex problems of today’s changing business climate. As one of the nine concentration options available to MBA students, the Accounting Concentration is available only on-campus with courses in accounting information systems, controllership, auditing, forensic accounting examination, international accounting, and financial statement analysis. Students will benefit from experiential learning opportunities for networking by expert faculty members in a highly ranked program with a flexible evening format.

Accreditations

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

Contact
19000 Hubbard Drive
Dearborn, MI 48128
Phone: (313) 593-5460
Email: umd-gradbusiness@umich.edu
Website: http://umdearborn.edu/cob/grad-programs/

University of Michigan–Flint

School of Management

As a comprehensive four-year public institution of more than 7,200 students in the world-famous university system, the University of Michigan–Flint is located on a 73-acre urban campus in a thriving industrial city known for being the birthplace of the United Auto Workers (UAW) and General Motors. Consistently named one of the “Best in the Midwest” by the prestigious Princeton Review, UM Flint is currently ranked as the 92nd best college, 32nd top public university, and 27th best school for vets in the Midwest by the U.S. News and World Report. With full accreditation through the respected AASCB International, the School of Management offers the 114th best part-time MBA degree program in the nation.

Master of Science in Accounting (MSA)

Available for qualified graduate students with a bachelor’s degree in accounting as well as other business and non-business disciplines, the Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program has been established to build on an undergraduate education in preparation for meeting the 150-hour requirement for becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Michigan. With the goal of making the program conveniently accessible to working professionals regardless of geographic location, courses are delivered in the new NetPlus! format. As an innovative hybrid program, the curriculum blends the face-to-face interaction of classroom learning with the anytime convenience of modern online activities to prepare graduates for careers in accounting.

Dual MBA and Master of Science in Accounting (MSA)

Designed to allow students to pursue both degrees simultaneously for receiving two separate diplomas upon completion, the Dual MBA and Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program allows graduate students to take on complementary coursework through a streamlined and accelerated curriculum. Through a cross-recognition of the courses between the two programs, the dual degree requires the completion of between 45 and 60 credits depending on students’ previous undergraduate background, which is 15 less than if the degrees were pursued independently. Students can choose to participate in the dual program through the innovative NetPlus! mixed delivery mode as well as through traditional on-campus or fully online formats.

Accreditations

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

Contact

303 East Kearsley Street
Flint Township, MI 48502
Phone: (810) 762-3160
Email: schoolofmanagement@umflint.edu
Website: http://www.umflint.edu/som/graduate-business-programs

Walsh College

Graduate School of Business Administration

As the only upper-division all-business private non-profit institution in southeast Michigan with one of the largest business graduate schools in the state, Walsh College is based on a main 30-acre suburban campus in Troy with satellite locations in Novi, Clinton Township, Harper Woods, and Macomb County. Recently named as “Best for Vets Business School” by Military Times magazine, the Graduate School of Business Administration offers accredited master’s degree programs in taxation, accountancy, finance, business administration, information systems, information assure, and management.

Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA)

With a strong reputation for placing accounting professionals with firms throughout Michigan for more than 90 years, the Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) program is designed to provide graduate students with experience in government, industry, and public practice in route to developing a career path as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). While students with a bachelor’s degree in accounting can complete the degree with just 36 credits, those with a liberal arts or business background will need at least 45 credit hours to enter the field of accounting with a master’s degree. Regardless of program track, students with complete core courses in financial accounting, accounting information systems, auditing, communications, government accounting, managerial accounting, and business taxation.

Master of Business Administration (MBA): Accounting Concentration

Focused on building the decision-making and communication skills in demand by employers from a systematic approach to today’s complex business problems, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is designed to prepare graduate students for obtaining mid to upper-level management roles through a well-rounded comprehensive education in all major aspects of the business world. Within the 42-credit program, students have the option of selecting an Accounting Concentration to build the skills needed to find employment in public accounting firms. Depending on previous college courses, students may need to take foundational courses in financial accounting, economics, human resources management, operations management, statistics, and business decision-making before admissions.

Accreditations

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

Contact
3838 Livernois Road
Troy, MI 48083
Phone: (248) 689-8282
Email: admissions@walshcollege.edu
Website: http://www.walshcollege.edu/masters

Wayne State University

School of Business Administration

As one of the country’s 50 largest comprehensive public research institutions with Michigan’s most diverse campus population of over 29,000 students, Wayne State University is situated on a 191-acre urban campus in Midtown Detroit with six satellite locations throughout Southeast Michigan. Despite being among only 2.3% of universities nationwide to receive the classification for very high research activity by the prestigious Carnegie Foundation, WSU still has the lowest resident tuition rates of the state’s three research universities. According to the U.S. News and World Report, the School of Business Administration is also acclaimed for having the 110th best online graduate business programs and 196th top part-time MBA in the nation.

Master of Science in Accounting (MSA)

As a rapidly growing and highly selective program for the advanced study of accounting, the Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) degree is specifically designed to prepare graduate students for a professional career in public accounting rather than entry-level positions. In order to meet the 150-hour academic requirements for taking the CPA examination in Michigan, the curriculum requires the completion of at least 30 credits beyond the baccalaureate level in auditing, international accounting, taxation, business law, and more. With multiple campuses and online courses available in a flexible format, students have the opportunity to complete the entire MSA degree without ever leaving their home county in southeastern Michigan.

Master of Business Administration (MBA): Accounting Systems/Financial Accounting Concentrations

Available with flexible full- and part-time options at the Midtown Detroit or Farmington Hills campus locations as well as online from the comfort of home, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is designed to provide a well-rounded academic foundation for successful entry into the competitive business world with open professional doors. With a concentration in Accounting Systems, students will develop the analytical skills that are needed for possessing strong professional judgment in financial decision making processes. In addition, the Financial Accounting Concentration is available to provide graduate students with practical experience in synthesizing financial information into concise reports for business stakeholders.

Accreditations

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

Contact
42 West Warren Avenue
Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: (313) 577-4501
Email: ac8360@wayne.edu
Website: http://business.wayne.edu/accounting/department.php

Western Michigan University

Haworth College of Business

Situated on a vast 1,200-acre urban campus in the mid-sized city of Kalamazoo at the strategic halfway point between the metropolitan opportunities of Detroit and Chicago, Western Michigan University is a dynamic national public research institution with nearly 25,000 students. With the most affordable tuition rate among Michigan’s 15 public universities, WMU is currently ranked as the 181st best college and 101st top public school in the country by the U.S. News and World Report. Also nationally recognized for having the 184th best part-time MBA program, the Haworth College of Business is one of the largest business schools in the United States with a total headcount of over 4,500 students.

Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA)

Ideal for graduate students interested in public accounting careers who need to meet the 150-hour educational requirements for obtaining a CPA license through the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) program is structured to provide more breadth and depth in accounting knowledge beyond an undergraduate degree. In preparation for entry-level accounting positions as well as future career advancement, the program develops both students’ technical expertise and interpersonal communication skills for success. Students who have already earned an undergraduate degree related to accounting can complete the 30-credit MSA degree in just three semesters full-time.

Accreditations

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

Contact
1903 West Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Phone: (269) 387-5050
Email: barb.caras-tomczak@wmich.edu
Website: http://wmich.edu/accountancy/academics/graduate

Not only is pursuing a master’s degree in accounting a sound investment for fine-tuning leadership skills and technical expertise the increasingly complex field, but it is also a requirement for any students wishing to become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in Michigan. When enrolling in a graduate accounting program that has been properly accredited, students benefit from building a more in-depth understanding of the competitive global business climate. In fact, accounting was recently listed as one of the top master’s degree options with the best return on investment and biggest bang for your buck by the U.S. News and World Report. Therefore, it is highly recommended that students with a desire to start a rewarding professional career in the “Wolverine State” check out these accredited accounting degree programs in Michigan.

Related Resource: How Long Does it Take to Get a Master’s in Accounting?