Top 10 Best Online Master of Accounting Degree Programs

Online Master of Accounting Every day more highly reputable universities across the country enter the online market. This has increased accessibility and competition in the online degree program which translates into better services, more options, and lower costs for students.

One of the top priorities for schools offering online Master of Accounting degrees has been to respond to the heightened academic demand caused by the increased requirement of 150 academic hours (increased from 120) to sit for the CPA exam. This means that many undergraduate accounting students will need to pursue their graduate degree if they wish to become a CPA. Top of the line universities have responded to this by offering Online Master of Accounting programs that meet the requirements and providing a plethora of strong options for those seeking a graduate accounting degree.

Ranking the Top 10 Online Master of Accounting Degree Programs

All of the schools and programs listed here on this list of the top Online Master of Accounting degree programs are regionally accredited and most of them are also AACSB accredited. An important note is that CPA regulations differ from state to state so some research will be required to ensure that your Online Master of Accounting program of choice will meet your state’s requirements.

#1. University of Connecticut: Master of Science in Accounting (MSA)

Executive Summary: The Master of Science in Accounting program at the University of Connecticut is the first online masters program offered by the school. The program is focused on providing the student with the critical skills necessary for a successful professional career in public and private accounting.

Tuition: Tuition for the University of Connecticut’s Online Master of Accounting program is $680 per credit.

Unique Features: The faculty at the University of Connecticut is highly lauded and regularly published in professional journals. UConn is ranked #63 by U.S. News and World Report in the National Universities category.

#2. Texas A&M University-Commerce: Master of Science in Accounting (MSA)

Executive Summary: Texas A&M University-Commerce was established in 1889 and joined the Texas A&M University System in 1996. Texas A&M’s College of Business and Technology is accredited by the AACSB.

Tuition: Tuition at Texas A&M University is $402.18 per credit for residents and $753.18 per credit for non residents.

Unique Features: Texas A&M University’s online graduate business programs were ranked #5 by U.S. News and World Report for student engagement and accreditation. Texas A&M University is ranked #65 in national universities by U.S. News and World Report.

#3. University of Massachusetts: MBA Concentration in Accounting

Executive Summary: The Accounting MBA at the University of Massachusetts is a strong program blending business management principles with the technical proficiency needed in accounting. This program would be a particularly strong choice for accountants looking to ascend to management positions.

Tuition: Tuition for the University of Massachusetts Online Master of Accounting program is $585.00 per credit.

Unique Features: The UMass Lowell Online MBA program is accredited by the AACSB and the business school itself is recognized by ranking authorities such as U.S. News and World Report as one of the best business schools in the country. UMass is ranked #97 in National Universities by U.S. News and World Report.

#4. The University of Alabama, Birmingham: Master of Accounting (MAc.)

Executive Summary: The University of Alabama at Birmingham has one of the 17 accounting programs originally accredited by the AACSB in 1982 and has held its accreditation for nearly 30 years. UAB now brings this long history of excellence to the online graduate program market by offering an Online Master of Accounting degree.

Tuition: Tuition for residents at $530.00 per credit. Non-residents pay $983.00 per credit.

Unique Features: Online classes are taught by the same faculty that teaches the on campus classes. UAB recognizes the importance of building a professional network and provides extensive professional networking opportunities to students. UAB was ranked #143 in U.S. News and World Report’s 2012 Best National Universities ranking list.

#5. Stetson University: Master of Accountancy (MAcc)

Executive Summary: Stetson University is the oldest private University in the state of Florida, established in 1883. The School of Business and the M.E. Rinker Sr. Institute of Tax and Accountancy have been AACSB accredited for over 15 years. This university may be small but that manifests itself as an advantage for students in a low student to faculty ratio meaning increased personal attention for students from faculty.

Tuition: Tuition for the MAcc program at Stetson is $835.00 per credit, amounting to $25,050.00 for the entire Online Master of Accounting program.

Unique Features: Stetson University is currently ranked #3 in universities in the southern region by U.S. News and World Report. All faculty have extensive professional experience in addition to doctoral degrees and one of the hallmarks of the faculty of Stetson’s accounting program is that the professors have been professionally published in journals.

#6. The University of South Dakota: Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA)

Executive Summary: The University of South Dakota was founded in 1862, 27 years before South Dakota became a state. USD is the oldest institution of higher learning in the Dakotas and is proud of its long standing, historical, academic tradition.

Tuition: The tuition for the Online Master of Accounting program at the University of South Dakota $368.00 per credit to residents and non-residents alike.

Unique Features: USD’s Beacom School of Business was established in 1929 and has been accredited by AACSB since 1949, making USD’s AACSB accreditation one of the oldest in the country. USD is ranked #199 in the National Universities category and #115 in the Top Public Universities ranking by U.S. News and World Report.

#7. University of Texas Dallas: Master of Science in Accounting (MSA)

Executive Summary: The focus on the Online Master of Accounting program at UTD is on qualifying students to sit the CPA examination. In the state of Texas students are required to attend some on campus courses; however, the program is strong for people seeking an all online program in a state that does not have such requirements.

Tuition: A non resident student taking 9 credits would pay $1200.33 per credit. A non resident student taking 18 credits would pay $835.00 per credit. Residents taking 9 credits would pay $663.34 per credit. Residents taking 18 credits would pay $423.39 per credit. This graduated tuition system benefits those that can take higher course loads.

Unique Features: One uncommon aspect of the UTD program is that if offers many specializations including assurance services; generic drugs; taxation services; international services; management consulting; software management and information management; and financial planning and analysis. UTD is ranked #151 among National Universities by U.S. News and World Report.

#8. Saint John’s University: Master of Science Accounting (MSA)

Executive Summary: Saint John’s University is an AACSB accredited Roman Catholic university founded in 1870. Saint John’s is one of the leading Catholic universities in the United States.

Tuition: $1,060 per credit toward an Online Master of Accounting degree.

Unique Features: St. John’s is ranked #147 among National Universities and #7 for Student Engagement and Accreditation for online programs.

#9. Walden University: Master of Science in Accounting (MSA)

Executive Summary: The program at this well established online only school offers the student flexibility. Walden even offers a CPA emphasis geared toward aiding students in fulfilling the new CPA exam requirements. Requirements for licensure do vary from state to state, however, so it is a good idea to check your local requirements.

Tuition: Tuition for this Online Master of Accounting program is $840.00 per semester credit hour.

Unique Features: Walden has always been geared toward providing distance education for working adults. The university was founded in 1970 with the goal of providing opportunities for working professionals to continue their education without leaving the workforce. Walden has developed into one of the most prominent for profit online online institutions in the business.

#10. Strayer University: Master of Science Accounting (MSA)

Executive Summary: This program is not designed to qualify the students for CPA licensure. Students completing this program will not meet the academic requirements to sit for the CPA exam. The program is designed, however, to give students the skills they need to be successful in the accounting field and would be ideal for people that already have their CPA or do not need to qualify for CPA licensure.

Tuition: Tuition at Strayer is $2,250 per course for this Online Master of Accounting program.

Unique Features: Strayer has been providing working adults with distance education opportunities almost since its founding in the late nineteenth century. Strayer has always offered both distance and traditional classes and it has grown as a university with both traditions in mind.

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