SUCCESSFUL ACCOUNTING STARTS WITH
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Credit hours: 30+ (possible prerequisites)
Full-time, part-time
Online and evening class options
Start terms: fall, spring
GMAT/GRE Optional
Accounting excellence looks like YOU!
Step into the world of accounting, where your options are endless. As an aspiring leader in the field, this degree prepares you to sit for the CPA exam in Colorado and excel in any field, whether it be public accounting, industry, government or nonprofits. Less than 2% of programs worldwide have CU Denver’s AACSB accounting accreditation.
Network with top Denver accounting firms
Specific courses targeting the CPA exam
No course prerequisites for admission
“Employers are noticing CU Denver, because we are right in the middle of everything. I think that gives us an advantage, because they do know where we went to school.”
– Amanda Pajonk '18
Audit Senior, Haynie & Company
The Masters in Accounting program is supported by an advisory council of top Denver accounting professionals. This suit of industry leaders comes together to offer you indispensable networking experiences and to ensure our curriculum remains relevant. Take the opportunity to develop valuable relationships with professors who are invested in your success.
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Get CPA exam ready by taking courses designed to cover material on the exam.
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CU Denver’s downtown Denver location puts you in the heart of the action keeping a pulse on local business with a global mindset.
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Active advisory council organizes events hosted by Denver-local companies every year to give you access to business leaders in the field.
Looking to change careers? CU Denver offers additional coursework to help you hone the accounting and business fundamentals necessary to pursue your passion.
You'll have full access to our Business Career Center team for life. With over 10 years of recruiting and advising experience, they'll help you navigate your way through the corporate recruiting process. Our connections to over 300 business partners provide exclusive opportunities to network with industry leaders. Their services include:
- Career workshops – perfect your resume, LinkedIn profile, and job search process
- Individual appointments – explore what your personal career path looks like, review your resume, or schedule a mock interview
- Career events – hone your networking skills and meet hiring managers from top companies
- Job announcements – monthly emails with the latest job and internship opportunities specific to your degree
Our curriculum consists of 30 credit hours and is aligned with the US GAAP and international financial reporting standards and practices. We offer courses targeting topics covered on the CPA exam, so you’ll be well-prepared when you sit for the exam.
Accounting prerequisite coursework (9 hours)
If you have not had a formal accounting education, you will need to complete an additional three courses or 9 hours of prerequisite coursework to ensure you have a strong accounting foundation. This coursework does not need to be completed at the time of admission and can be waived based on previous academic coursework.
Core classes (21 hours)
Core classes give you a strong foundation in all areas of accounting. Course topics include:
- Auditing theory
- Accounting information systems
- Taxation of business entities
- Seminar: Financial Accounting
- Seminar: Managerial Accounting
- Accounting ethics
- Seminar: Auditing and other assurance services
Accounting electives (9 hours)
Electives allow you to dive deeper into the areas of accounting that are most relevant for your future career. Course topics include:
- Accounting for government and nonprofits
- International accounting
- Accounting for finance and sustainability
- Fraud auditing
Take classes in a hybrid format (classroom and online) or complete your degree in a fully online curriculum. Your online courses are taught by the same professors and lecturers that teach on campus. We also offer hybrid courses in the evening for those working full-time.
Online is defined as an asynchronous course, meaning that there is no specific meeting day/time. Hybrid is defined as a blend of in-person and online learning. The in-person experience will typically be once a week, from 6:30-9:15 p.m., one evening within Monday-Thursday. There will be at least six in-person meetings during the 8-week session. The in-person experience is complemented with asynchronous content.
Most graduate courses are offered as an 8-week session within the 16-week fall and spring semesters. Graduate courses in the summer semester extend for the entire semester, which is an 8-week session as well.
National research shows increased graduation rates among students taking courses in an 8-week session. The data on 8-week courses shows increased student success and course completion rates. The course material is condensed into eight weeks. So, while the weekly workload is greater, you can complete the course in half the time! It is recommended to take one course per each 8-week session, particularly if you work full-time, which allows you to place your focus on just that course.
Additionally, offering courses in 8-week sessions every semester enables you to balance and manage life responsibilities while still prioritizing your education. For instance, if you have a vacation, family commitment or business trip occurring in the first 8-week session, you can choose to enroll only in a course offered in the second eight-week session.
Accounting students have many career options to consider after graduation. Those who aspire to pursue careers in public accounting are encouraged to become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). The CPA designation is not as critical for other career paths in accounting, but becoming a CPA can be advantageous in any accounting career.
The CPA credential is the most prestigious and well-recognized credential in accounting. CPAs are always in high demand, and they earn more and have more opportunities than their peers without CPA licenses. The first step to becoming a CPA is passing the Uniform CPA Examination. However, the CPA exam is just one of the four E’s to CPA licensure – Education, Examination, Ethics and Experience.
Navigating the rules for CPA licensure can be daunting. While the CPA exam itself is uniform, the requirements for taking the CPA exam and for licensure are determined by each state individually. CPA requirements are set state by state, but all states require a minimum of 150 credit hours for licensure. Thus, a bachelor’s degree (120 credit hours) with an accounting major will not, by itself, meet the CPA licensure education requirements of any state.
Because CPA educational requirements differ greatly, can be extremely complex and detailed, and can change frequently, it is imperative that students investigate the requirements of the state(s) from which they seek a CPA license while completing their education. Each state has a board of accountancy detailing their CPA licensure requirements.
MS Accounting
Value 1: Analyze Critically
Outcome: Identify key issues, think critically, and derive appropriate solutions for advanced, complex, uncertain or unstructured accounting problems and issues, at a level appropriate for senior-level professional accountants.
Value 2: Behave Ethically
Outcome: Apply appropriate ethical standards in evaluating and choosing among alternative solutions to ethical dilemmas commonly faced by senior-level professional accountants.
Value 3: Communicate Effectively
Outcome: Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills appropriate for senior-level professional accountants.
Value 4: Leverage Technology
Outcome: Demonstrate familiarity with information systems and business processes, competency in data analysis and agility in utilizing an array of information technology tools.
These objectives are assessed in relevant courses across the curriculum using projects, presentations, assignments and exam questions.
Accounting careers
Accounting jobs are found in nearly all corporate, public sector, and non-profit organizations. There are over 46,000 US public accounting firms. Key areas include audit, tax, and corporate accounting. A CPA designation is required for most public accounting firm jobs and will also help you maximize a career in corporate accounting. Accounting and auditing jobs in the Denver metro area average $85,980 in 2019 (bls.gov).
Accounting Job Titles
- Audit/Assurance Associate
- Tax Associate
- Advisory Associate
- Staff Accountant
- Cost Accountant
- Forensic Accountant
- Compliance Accountant
- Budget Analyst
- Treasury Analyst
- Internal Auditor
- Bank Auditor
- IRS Agent
- Cost Estimator
- Wealth and Trust Advisor
Visit our Careers page for more detailed information on the resources available.
Tuition
The cost of tuition for the MS Accounting degree is different for in-state and out-of-state students.
Residents of western states may qualify for in-state tuition. The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) requires that students maintain current residency of WRGP state until degree completion.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for students. As a current student, you can apply for scholarships every semester. Some awards are based on program and course enrollment.
Newly Admitted and Continuing Students:
You can apply for additional scholarships every semester of enrollment. Some awards may be specific to individual programs or enrollment in specific courses. Certain certificates, including risk management and insurance, commodities, and entrepreneurship, have additional scholarship opportunities.
Dual degree options for Master of Science programs include all of our MBA programs and all Business School Master of Science programs. We design a specific degree plan so you get through both programs as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. The amount of credits in each dual degree depends on the amount of overlap between degree programs. Eligible Master of Science programs include:
- MS Accounting
- MS Business Analytics
- MS Finance and Risk Management
- MS Global Energy Management
- MS Information Systems
- MS International Business
- MS Management
- MS Marketing
If you are applying for both degrees, you will only need to submit one online application and pay one application fee. Be aware that you must meet specific admission standards for each degree. For more information about dual degree options and the application process, please contact BSchool.Admissions@ucdenver.edu.
Application Checklist
Online application
Official transcripts from each college or university attended
Essay responses
Resume
GMAT/GRE optional
English language proficiency—international applicants only
$50 domestic, $75 international application fee
Application Process
Applicants are required to submit all application materials. Interviews are not a part of the admission process. To receive priority admission, we must have received your online application and all other required materials including transcripts and GMAT/GRE (if required by program) by the deadline.
You can check your admission status online through the account you created for the online application. You will receive a final decision by email within two to three weeks from the submission of all materials.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants must have completed an undergraduate program at an accredited United States college or its equivalent in another country.
- No work experience or formal business education is required for admission, however, you may have to provide a GMAT or GRE score if you do not have enough work experience, see below.
The GMAT/GRE is not required for this program
The MS Accounting program does not require GMAT or GRE scores for their degree program as part of the graduate admissions requirements. The requirements are a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better from a US accredited four-year undergraduate institution or the successful completion of a graduate degree, and three or more years of full-time professional work experience.
However, if you received your bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of less than 3.00 or have less than 3 years of professional work experience, you will be asked to submit a statement that outlines other indicators of exceptional motivation, such as solid upper-division performance, GMAT or GRE scores, and other relevant professional experience. The MS Accounting admissions committee may require a minimum GMAT or GRE score for students that do not automatically qualify by GPA and prior work.
How Decisions Are Made
The admissions committee considers each candidate’s entire record of achievement. This is demonstrated through:
- Academic transcripts
- Essay responses
- Work experience
- Extracurricular and community activities
- Letters of recommendation if applicable
- GMAT/GRE scores (optional)
No work experience or formal business education is required for admission. However, professional experience strengthens your application. Candidates with less work experience can show potential through academic and experiential success.
For any questions, please contact our admissions team at bschool.admissions@ucdenver.edu or call 303-315-8200.
International Students
International graduate applicants must have their academic credentials evaluated by either Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or World Education Services (WES). If you have already had an international credential evaluation from another company, please contact CU Denver International Admissions at intldocuments@ucdenver.edu to determine whether it meets our requirements.
To meet the English Language Proficiency (ELP) criteria, you must showcase your proficiency through different exemptions or an English Language Proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo).
To determine English Language Proficiency (ELP), you must complete one of the following criteria. Please note for Business School graduate programs the minimum TOEFL score requirements of 83 (IBT) or 560 (PBT).
Fall
Domestic Applications
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Priority: April 15
- Final: July 15
International Applications
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Priority: March 15
- Final: May 15
Spring
Domestic Applications
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Priority: October 15
- Final: December 15
International Applications
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Priority: September 15
- Final: October 15
Beta Alpha Psi - CU Denver’s active chapter of the premier national fraternity hosts several networking events every semester. You’ll connect with your peers and network with top Denver firms looking to hire.
Accomplished graduate student reflects on CU Denver’s new MS in taxation program and talks life post grad
Every year, the Big Four accounting firms directly recruit our students every fall for internship and full-time jobs.
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
- Ernst & Young
- KPMG
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Upcoming events
Attend a graduate open house, online or in-person information session, or a GMAT test prep workshop. Visit our events page for all upcoming events.