Master of Science in Accounting (MSA)
At the School of Business Administration, we take the advanced study of accounting seriously. Our Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) is a highly selective, quickly growing program. It prepares you for a professional career in public accounting, with an emphasis on “career” rather than an entry-level position.
The program provides you with the opportunity to meet the 150-hour education requirement for licensure as a Certified Public Accountant in Michigan. Through the program, you will become better prepared to sit for the CPA exam. Students with undergraduate degrees in accounting, who are pursuing careers in private industry, financial institutions, government and non-profit organizations, will benefit from the additional study as well.
The Department of Accounting’s full-time faculty members have expertise in auditing, international accounting, business law and ethics, taxation and other areas. In addition, adjunct instructors share their experiences as business professionals. All are committed to helping you gain the knowledge and skills necessary to advance your career.
ADMISSION
Admission to the MSA program is contingent upon admission to the Wayne State University Graduate School. Students must hold a baccalaureate degree in accounting (or other business discipline, which includes upper division accounting courses) from an accredited institution; demonstrate high promise of success in graduate business study and earn a minimum 450 composite on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
To be considered for admission, you must submit the following materials to the address below:
1. Completed WSU Application for Graduate Admission
2. Official transcripts from all institutions previously attended
3. Official notification of GMAT score
Office of Graduate Admissions
Wayne State University
42 W. Warren
The Welcome Center, Suite 436
Detroit, MI 48202
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The MSA program requires a total of 30 credit hours, with a cumulative grade point average of not less than 3.0. The program does not require a thesis.
CURRICULUM
The MSA program consists of four categories of courses:
Foundation Courses are required before progressing to the Core Courses of the program. The MSA student should possess a solid foundation in financial accounting through the intermediate level of study. Most students entering the program will have satisfied the foundation requirements by completing analogous courses in their undergraduate studies. Students who do not satisfy the foundation requirements must take the foundation courses before taking most of the Core Courses.
Core Courses (6 courses, 18 credits) provide coverage of the body of knowledge associated with major studies in accounting. An advanced accounting course must be taken in place of a Core course if a student has completed an equivalent course in the past three years with a GPA of 3.0 or above.
Elective Courses (3 courses, 9 credits) provide advanced coverage of the body of knowledge associated with studies in accounting. With the approval of the MSA Committee, electives from other business disciplines in the School of Business Administration may be elected.
Capstone Course: ACC 7998, “Seminar in Accounting and Tax Policy.” This course is taken in the final 12 credit hours of the program.
COURSES
Foundation Courses
ACC 7040 Intermediate Financial Accounting I
ACC 7050 Intermediate Financial Accounting II
Core Courses
ACC 7120 Tax Problems in Business Affairs
ACC 7130 Cost Accounting Control and Analysis
ACC 7145 Accounting Systems: Design and Control
ACC 7180 Auditing
ACC 7300 Accounting and Tax Research and Professional Communications
ACC 7310 Business and Professional Ethics for Managers and Accountants
Elective Courses
ACC 7115 Financial Statement Analysis
ACC 7122 Advanced Accounting
ACC 7125 Advanced Accounting II
ACC 7155 Forensic Accounting
ACC 7165 Internal Audit I
ACC 7168 Internal Audit II
ACC 7170 International Accounting
ACC 7188 Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting
ACC 7190 Advanced Auditing
ACC 7192 Accounting Theory
ACC 7220 Law of Corporate Management and Finance
ACC 7320 Advanced Tax Problems
ACC 7325 Advanced Tax Research and IRS Procedures
ACC 7330 Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders I
ACC 7335 Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders II
ACC 7340 Taxation of Pass-through Entities
ACC 7400 Taxation of International Business and Multinational Transactions
ACC 7410 Tax Accounting Methods and Deferred Income Taxes
ACC 7420 Taxation by State and Local Jurisdictions
ACC 7430 Taxation of Exempt Organizations
ACC 7440 Financial and Estate Planning
ACC 7450 Taxes and Business Strategy
ACC 7990 Internship in Accounting or Tax Practice
ACC 7992 Topics in Accounting
ACC 7995 Directed Study in Accounting
Capstone Course
ACC 7998 Seminar in Tax and Accounting Policy
For further information, contact the Office of Student Services at 313-577-4505 or the Chair of the Department of Accounting, Randy Paschke, at 313-577-6032 or rcpaschke@wayne.edu.