Accounting, Master of Science

Program Purpose

The M.S. in Accounting is designed to meet the growing need for credentialed accountants and financial managers.  The program is designed for accounting professionals who want to extend their education and advance their careers, as well as professionals who want to begin a new career in accounting.  The M.S. in Accounting provides students with relevant in-depth analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills.  It also provides the foundation for students who are interested in the Certified Public Accountant Exam (CPA), Certified Management Accountant Exam (CMA), and the Certified Fraud Examination Exam (CFE).

Program Competencies

In addition to satisfying the University’s graduate graduation competencies, students will have an advanced level of applicable knowledge in the following areas as appropriate to one’s field of study:

1. The student will create comprehensive financial reports and present them effectively, evaluating their impact on decision-making processes, while critiquing the communication strategies used to ensure clarity, accuracy, and stakeholder engagement.
2. The student will demonstrate leadership qualities using communication and collaboration skills to create and lead high-performing teams in solving intricate financial problems, while demonstrating the ability to communicate complex accounting concepts clearly and effectively to diverse stakeholders.
3. The student will critique accounting theories and practices, formulate sophisticated strategies to address real-world financial challenges, and evaluate the effectiveness of solutions through the application of advanced accounting principles in dynamic business contexts.
4. The student will assess complex data sets and choose advanced technological tools and quantitative methods to design innovative accounting solutions that respond to emerging challenges in a data-driven, information-rich global economy.
5. The student will examine complex ethical issues in accounting and management decision-making, synthesizing professional standards with global perspectives to construct solutions that demonstrate personal integrity and responsibility in diverse business environments.

Program Design

The program incorporates a methodology that provides students with a deep appreciation of the relevant skills and knowledge required for decision-making and problem solving. The program consists of accelerated 7-week courses scheduled to permit students the flexibility to complete the degree requirements at their own pace.  The program is currently offered fully online and in person in Delaware.

MS: Accounting Program Requirements

The program consists of ten 3-credit hour courses.  The seven core courses (21 credit hours) provide an in-depth exposure to core accounting theory, practice and data analytics that are applicable to a wide range of situations and organizations.  Students also select three elective courses to complement the core requirements. The elective courses allow the students to work with their advisor or Program Chair to design individualized programs for their chosen accounting career path.  Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in order to graduate.

The M.S. in Accounting requires the prerequisite completion of 12 credits in undergraduate Accounting and 3 credits in undergraduate Finance.  Wilmington University provides graduate course options to satisfy these requirements.

1. Accounting I and II (equivalent to W.U. BAC101 and 102); graduate options: MAC 5000 and MAC 5010.

2. Intermediate Accounting I and II (equivalent to W.U. BAC 201 and 202); graduate options MAC 5100 and MAC 5110.

3. Finance (equivalent to W.U. FIN 305); graduate option MBA 5900.

Prerequisites are a scheduling priority.

Registration

Prior to registering for your second M.S. in Accounting course, students should:

1.  Submit official transcript(s) from an accredited college, university, or other degree-granting institution verifying completion of a bachelor’s degree. Send official transcript(s) directly from the identified college or university to the Wilmington University Graduate Admissions office or email gradadmissions@wilmu.edu.

2.  Meet with a Program Chair or advisor for a program planning conference (PPC) to discuss Program expectations and requirements.  An official transcript(s) should be on file prior to the PPC; however, students may present an unofficial transcript(s) to a Program Chair or advisor, for the PPC if official transcript(s) are not yet on file.

3. M.S. in Accounting students must satisfy all degree and course requirements as outlined in the catalog in effect at the time of initial enrollment at Wilmington University, as well as achieve an overall cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 in all graduate studies with Wilmington University.

M.S. Accounting Program Course Requirements

Ten courses are required for program completion; the seven courses immediately below and three additional courses to be selected from the elective offerings. While some course sequencing is important, the program is designed to permit students to complete requirements at their own pace.

Courses

MAC 6200 Data Analytics for Accountants

MAC 7100 Financial Accounting Theory, Policy, and Research

MAC 7200 Advanced Managerial Accounting

MAC 7300 Issues in Auditing and Assurance Services

MAC 7400 Fraud Prevention and Forensic Accounting

MAC 7500 Federal Taxation, Policy, and Research

MAC 7600 International Accounting and Taxation

Electives

One Elective

One Elective

One Elective

Electives may be chosen from any MAC or other graduate Business course, including MIS 7000, above the 5000 level, except MBA 6100, MBA 6150, or MGT 7300. Students may also select IST courses from the College of Technology and MAJ courses from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.  Students should consult with their academic advisor or Program Chair when selecting M.S. Accounting electives.

M.S. Accounting Core 21 credits

This information applies to students who enter this degree program during the 2024-2025 Academic Year. If you entered this degree program before the Fall 2023 semester, please refer to the academic catalog for the year you began your degree program.