Contact Information
Nadia Clark-Brown
Program Assistant
383 Bryan Building
VOICE: 336.334.5390
FAX: 336.334.4209
NACLARKB@uncg.edu
Dr. Venkat Iyer
Director – MSA Program Department of Accounting
325 Bryan Building
E-Mail: MSA@uncg.edu
Master of Science in Accounting
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the admission requirements for the MS in Accounting program?
For admission, the MS in Accounting program committee considers prior academic work, professional experience, GMAT scores, and the potential for success indicated by three letters of reference. International applicants must provide original TOEFL (or equivalent) score.
2. When can I apply?
You can apply at any time during the year and admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Following are the application deadlines (Note that these dates are different from the ones indicated on the Graduate School 's website):
Fall - August 1
Spring - December 1
Summer - April 15
3. I don't have an accounting undergraduate degree. Can I still apply to the MS in Accounting program?
Yes. Approximately 25 percent of our students have an undergraduate degree in business (not in accounting) and an additional 25 percent do not have an undergraduate degree in either accounting or business. Students without the necessary accounting or business background will have to take the prerequisite courses while enrolled as graduate students.
4. What are the prerequisite courses?
The core business courses include: Statistics, Financial Accounting; Managerial Accounting, Finance, Economics, Organizational Behavior, Marketing, and Operations. The upper-division accounting courses include: Intermediate Accounting I and II, Cost, Tax, Auditing and Accounting Systems.
Please see prerequisites for description of the courses.
5. Can I take these prerequisite courses in another institution prior to joining UNCG?
Yes. The core business courses may be completed through either a community college or a degree-granting institution. The prerequisite accounting courses should be completed through a degree-granting institution. Students will have to pass a competency exam to get a waiver for these courses. In most cases, it is more efficient for a student to satisfy these courses while enrolled in the MS in Accounting program at UNCG.
6. How long does it take to complete the program?
It depends on the undergraduate accounting and business background one possesses and the number of courses you want to take each semester. Generally, if you have already completed all the prerequisites, you can complete the program in one year (Fall + Spring + Summer).
7. Can I complete the program as a part-time student?
Yes. However, it will be necessary to take some courses during the day.
8. Can I complete the program just by taking courses at night?
No. Though, the MS in Accounting offers some evening course, it still requires attendance at courses that are offered only during the day.
9. Is there any financial assistance available?
Limited amount of graduate assistantships are available. These are awarded on a competitive basis. Please see Financial Aid for information.
10. Do I have to wait till I receive the GMAT score to apply?
No. However, admission decision will be made only after the receipt of the GMAT score.
11. I have taken GRE. Is it acceptable in place of GMAT?
Sometimes GRE scores may be accepted in lieu of GMAT. Please contact the MS in Accounting director before applying using the GRE score.
12. I already have an MBA degree. Can I use some of the courses I took in MBA to satisfy MS in Accounting elective requirements?
A course may only count toward one degree. Thus, we can only count courses that you may not have needed to satisfy the provisions of your MBA degree.
13. Do I have to resubmit all materials if I was previously admitted to a UNCG Graduate Program?
Generally, students who were admitted to a UNCG graduate program in the recent past or who earned a graduate degree at UNCG may only need to submit an application and any additional materials that were not required for the previous program. Please contact the MS in Accounting Director if you have questions regarding old applications.
14. I am an international student. I already have an accounting degree. Do I need to take any prerequisite courses?
Because of the differences in accounting/auditing standards and tax laws between the United States and other countries, it may be necessary for you take some of the prerequisite accounting courses. Please contact the MS in Accounting Director if you have questions regarding prerequisites.
15. Can I do an internship for course credit?
Yes. In the Internship program, graduate accounting students work full-time in public accounting, industry, and government accounting positions for eight weeks typically between January and March and then return to campus for the remainder of the semester. Students are paid for their work and receive 3 hours of graduate credit. The Internship Program allows students to gain valuable accounting experience prior to graduation. Please see Internships for additional information.