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Master of Science in Accounting

Advance your accounting career online from a top-ranked AACSB accredited University. With flexible courses, in-depth study topics and part-time schedules, UMass Lowell offers the best value in a Master of Science in Accounting.

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The Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) offered by UMass Lowell's Manning School of Business prepares graduates for higher-level accounting positions in public, corporate, government and nonprofit business environments. This graduate-level program is offered entirely online, with areas of focus in Business Analytics, Corporate Leadership Accounting and International Business. Qualified students will meet the licensing requirements to become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs).* The program is one of a select few in the country to be recognized by two of the industry's leading organizations: the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) - offering students one of the most respected and affordable graduate programs available.

*Students should refer to their own state's CPA licensing requirements for further information.

Best Online Graduate Business Program in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report Ranked as One of the Best Online Graduate Business Programs in the Nation by U.S. News & World Report
AACSB Badge This program is offered through UMass Lowell's Manning School of Business, which is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) — an elite distinction earned by less than five percent of business schools worldwide.
Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 10 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. In general, employment growth of accountants and auditors is expected to be closely tied to the health of the overall economy.
—U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2019
Success Story

"While completing my MS Accounting degree I was also studying for the CPA exam, so the flexibility of UMass Lowell's online program was essential - as was the program's affordability."

Shaymus Dunn, MS Accounting, 2020 | Assurance Associate, RSM US LLP
Shaymus Dunn

Shaymus Dunn

Learn from Leaders Who Strive for Real-World Results

UMass Lowell's Manning School of Business faculty and instructors are dedicated to excellence in teaching and research, and the program's challenging, relevant curriculum is aligned with current industry trends and employer needs.

ACCA Accredited Programme
UMass Lowell is an academic partner with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), allowing students to gain exemptions for ACCA qualification.
Endorsed for CMA Curriculum
The MSA program is recognized by the Institute of Management Accountant's (IMA) Higher Education Endorsement Program for its rigorous curriculum preparing students for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam.

One Success Leads to Another

Apply credits from lower credentials to higher ones. Our programs are designed to build upon themselves:

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Certificate Program in Accounting
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Master of Science in Accounting

Prerequisite Undergraduate Courses

Students with undergraduate degrees in majors other than accounting, and students with undergraduate degrees in any major from outside the U.S. need to have taken the following undergraduate-level courses or their equivalent prior to taking any of the MSA graduate-level courses:

Curriculum Outline

- Total Courses Required: 10 (30 Credits)

Required Courses (5 Courses / 15cr)

Required Elective Courses (5 Courses / 15cr)

Students can complete a general program of study or concentrate in a particular field by selecting one of the options listed below to fulfill the 5 elective courses:

General Program of Study

Choose 2 of the following
Choose 3 Non-Accounting Elective Courses
Courses are generally selected from the UMass Lowell MBA program. Other courses can be selected with the approval of the MSA Coordinator.
  • ----.----
  • ----.----
  • ----.----

Business Analytics Option

Required Course
Choose 1 of the following
Choose 3 of the following

Corporate Accounting Leadership Option

Required Course
  • ACCT.6020 Advanced Management and Sustainability Accounting (3cr)
Choose 1 of the following
Choose 3 of the following

International Business Option

Required Course
Choose 1 of the following
Choose 3 of the following

Program Requirements

To be recommended for a University of Massachusetts Lowell master's degree, candidates must satisfy all of the general requirements below, plus any additional requirements that may be required by the department through which the program is offered. Any additional requirements for this program are either listed below or may be found in the University's Graduate Program Catalog.

General Requirements:

  • Students must complete the program of study designed by the department in which he or she is enrolled and approved by the University.
  • Satisfactory grades in all subjects offered for the degree must be earned (See Academic Standing).
  • All financial obligations, including tuition, fees, and expenses, must be satisfied as evidenced by completion.
  • Upon completion of all their courses, graduate degree candidates must submit a signed Declaration of Intent to Graduate (DIG) form to their coordinator. The coordinator will apply them in SIS, Graduation Tracking.

Graduate Program Policies

In applying for a degree program or registering for courses, each student assumes full responsibility for knowledge of and compliance with the definitions, regulations and procedures of UMass Lowell as set forth on our website. For additional information, please refer to the Graduate Program Policies found within the UMass Lowell Graduate Catalog.

Course Descriptions

Presents a comprehensive, detailed exposure to basic accounting theory. Beginning with the accounting equation, students are introduced to the accounting cycle, preparation of the statement of financial position and the income statement, accounting for assets, liabilities, and stockholders' equity of the firm, and cash flow and financial statement analysis. 3 credits.

Examines the use of accounting systems for managerial decision-making. Budgeting, forecasting, and cost accumulation systems, which relate to manufacturing systems, will be studied. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ACCT.2010 pre-req

Examines the generally accepted accounting principles relating to the preparation of financial statements. The student will study, in depth, the valuation and disclosure problems associated with the assets of the enterprise. The accounting framework and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board are emphasized. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ACCT.2020 pre-req

Presents the in-depth study of the valuation and disclosure issues associated with corporate liabilities and stockholders' equity. Emphasis is placed on the statements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ACCT.3 ( 'C' or above) pre-req

An examination of the manufacturing function from the view of the cost accountant. Managerial control of the elements of product costs will be studied with an emphasis on cost accumulation systems both historical and estimated. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Quantitative Literacy (QL). 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ACCT.30 with 'C' or above pre-

An examination of the purposes of financial statement audits. The following topics will be examined in depth: auditing standards, professional ethics, legal responsibilities, internal control, audit evidence, financial statement disclosures and audit reports. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ACCT.3030 with ('C' or above)

Deals with the basic rules and regulations of the Internal Revenue Code as it affects the individual and the corporation. An understanding of the code is developed through lectures, assigned readings, research, and the solution to a wide variety of problems. Meets Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome for Information Literacy (IL). 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

ACCT.2020 pre-req

In the new environment of change, accountants are increasingly called on to support strategy through increasing efficiencies and reducing costs. This course will examine the different ways that accountants can add value through an understanding of value chain activities, use of technology, and extending value chain activities to develop a sustainability strategy. 3 credits. If not currently matriculated in a Manning School of Business program, please contact the MBA staff at MBA@uml.edu or call 978-934-2848 for permission to take courses.
Prerequisites:

Pre-req:MSA or(non-MSA 60.601)

This course introduces students to financial accounting and reporting issues related to stat and local government and non-profit organizations. Students will learn how to prepare, analyze, and interpret these entities financial statements. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

MSA Program

An examination of cost data in ambiguous situations to assist managers in decision-making and strategy implementation. Emphasis is placed on advanced cost management for strategic planning, management control and, performance evaluation in multinational business entities. 3 credits. If not currently matriculated in a Manning School of Business program, please contact the MBA staff at MBA@uml.edu or call 978-934-2848 for permission to take courses.
Prerequisites:

MSA or MBA; found.core; 60.601

What role do accountants play in the globalizing business environment? This course will explore this topic, emphasizing global capital markets and financial reporting, the impact of global organizational structures and information systems on managerial accounting, and complex issues of audit and taxation that emerge in this global environment. To appreciate the impact of globalization, the course will consider such aspects as variations in the currencies, cultures, history, ethical issues and legal systems of different regions of the world, emphasizing how managers need to consider global opportunities and risks in their decision-making manage effectively. 3 credits. If not currently matriculated in a Manning School of Business program, please contact the MBA staff at MBA@uml.edu or call 978-934-2848 for permission to take courses.
Prerequisites:

MSA student; MBA students who have completed ACCT.6010.

Significant and rapid changes in accounting rules are impacting the financial reporting and analysis that management uses to make business decisions. This course will explore contemporary accounting topics that accounting professionals will face in the workplace and how the accompanying requirements are changing the way that companies and their business partners use, report, analyze, and interpret financial data. Subjects covered will vary as conditions change but may include International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), Fair Value Measurements, Post-Retirement Benefits, Revenue Recognition, or other current accounting topics. 3 credits. If not currently matriculated in a Manning School of Business program, please contact the MBA staff at MBA@uml.edu or call 978-934-2848 for permission to take courses.
Prerequisites:

Matriculated MBA

This course provides coverage of gross income and business deductions, and provides a comprehensive overview of the taxation of corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships. This course will also cover the history of federal taxation, estate and gift taxes, and how the taxation of business entities fits into the entire tax system. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

MSA or MBA;found.core;60.601

A comprehensive exposure at an intermediate level to accounting theory and practice. Emphasis is placed on applying underlying accounting theory to complex accounting measurement problems. The effects of alternative methods are considered throughout the entire course. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

MSA or MBA;found.core;60.601

This course introduces students to forensic accounting, with a significant focus on fraud examination, elements of fraud and the types of fraud schemes, including fraudulent financial statements, asset misappropriation, corruption, and money laundering. This course will focus on how professionals including business owners, executives, managers and accountants will benefit from understanding the causes, types and scope of fraud, fraud prevention, fraud detection, and fraud investigation. This course will cover management fraud, employee embezzlement and other types of fraud. The principles and methodology of fraud prevention, detection and investigation (e.g., forensic accounting) will be discussed. Students will develop skills in this course which will help them in multiple professions. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

MSA or MBA;found.core;60.601

This course provides a more in-depth study of auditing topics including audit planning, evidence gathering and evaluation, professional standards and regulatory agencies, and a practical approach to accounting and auditing research. Applications will be drawn from public and private sector audits. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

MSA students, or permission

Topics to be covered in this course include managing and leaning data, building and evaluating models, visualizing the results of data analyses, and drawing conclusions from the analytics. A series of accounting topics with data analytics application will be discussed, such as fraud and earnings management detection, and financial statement analyses. Students should leave this course with skills necessary to understand data and manage data, to translate accounting and business problems into actionable proposals, and to present data/results to managers and data scientists. 3 credits.

The Course is offered as a 2-week intensive experiential learning of Global Entrepreneurship and Innovation. It is designed to help students to understand the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation in today's global economy and to cultivate an entrepreneurial mind-set among the students in the UMass Lowell Students will work in inter-disciplinary, multi-cultural environments exploring problem solving techniques, opportunities identification, business concept development and venture planning using standard business model framework and bringing ideas to reality. 3 credits. Matriculated MBA students or MSF or MGFB Certificate or PSM or Doctor of Engineering majors or permission of MBA coordinator.
Prerequisites:

MBA/ MSF/MSEM/MGFB/PSM or PHD.

The Course is offered as a 2-week intensive experiential learning of Global Entrepreneurship and Innovation. It is designed to help students to understand the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation in today's global economy and to cultivate an entrepreneurial mind-set among the students in the UMass Lowell. Students will work inter-disciplinary, multi-cultural environments exploring problem solving techniques, opportunities identification, business concept development & Venture planning using standard business model framework and bringing ideas to reality. 3 credits. If not currently matriculated in a Manning School of Business program, please contact the MBA staff at MBA@uml.edu or call 978-934-2848 for permission to take courses.

Relates working capital strategy, capital investment analysis, long-term financing, and capital structure decisions in a risk-return framework to the dynamics of the firm and the market in which it operates. 3 credits. If not currently matriculated in a Manning School of Business program, please contact the MBA staff at MBA@uml.edu or call 978-934-2848 for permission to take courses.
Prerequisites:

MBA, MSA, MS ITE or MSF.

This course introduces to students a comprehensive financial statement analysis and valuation framework that integrates financial reporting, financial analysis and valuation, and the application of this framework to fundamental analysis. This course provides students with hands-on experience in financial statement analysis. Students will be introduced to general tools of financial analysis, theoretical concepts, and practical valuation issues. By the end of the course, students should be comfortable with using firms financial statements to develop an understand of their performance and to establish a basis for making reasonable valuation estimates. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

MBA, MSF, or MSA & Core Pre-req

The international dimension of the finance function of the firm. Financial constraints of the international environment and their effect on the standard concepts of financial management. The techniques of adapting risk analysis to the international situation. Study of international currency flows, monetary systems, forward cover and international banking policies. 3 credits. If not currently matriculated in a Manning School of Business program, please contact the MBA staff at MBA@uml.edu or call 978-934-2848 for permission to take courses.
Prerequisites:

Matriculated MBA students

This course examines leadership theory and research with an emphasis on preparing students for the leadership challenges they face in their professional careers. Topic covered include: the difference between management and leadership; the role of experience; effective use of power and influence; leader traits and characteristics; and the situational factors leaders must assess in facilitating group effectiveness and teambuilding. Students will have the opportunity throughout the course to develop specific leadership skills and practice these skills through exercises, applied reading and class projects. 3 credits.

This course addresses the issues involved in doing business overseas, and how it differs form purely domestic business. It surveys the changing international business landscape, focusing on the opportunities and challenges that company decision makers face in the global marketplace, and the factors that influence their decision to internationalize. Special attention is given to the broad concept of globalization - of markets and production - multinational enterprises include: governments, central banks, financial markets, regional and multilateral institutions (e.g., World Band, IMF, WTO), and the role of individuals who shape the international environment. 3 credits.

Pre-Requisite: MBA Foundation Core. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

Matriculated MBA students

An introduction to the primary human resource functions-job design, recruitment, selection, training, managing workforce diversity, employee development, performance appraisal, compensation and benefits, with an emphasis on how these functions are affected by Equal Employment Opportunity requirements. 3 credits 3 credits. Pre-req: Matriculated MBA Manning; ACCT.5010, FINA.5010, MKTG.5010, POMS.5010, MGMT.5010, MGMT.5110 and MIST.6010 or permission of Grad Prog Coordinator.
Prerequisites:

MBA, FoundCore or MSITE or MSA

This course provides students with in-depth knowledge for modeling, designing, implementing, and managing database systems for operational and decision support purposes. Topics covered include relational database model, entity-relationship modeling, normalization, SQL language, data warehousing, data quality and integration, data and database administration, and object-oriented database. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

MIST.6010 Management information systems, and Matriculated MS Business Analytics, or Business Analytics Certificate, or Permission of Program Coordinator.

This Course introduces the concepts and technologies of business intelligence and data mining. The course studies how data-oriented business intelligence techniques can be used by organizations to gain competitive advantages, as well as how to design and develop these techniques. Topics include classification, clustering, association analysis, prediction, and text and web mining. Data-mining related ethical issues will also be discussed. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

MIST.6010 Management information systems, and Matriculated MS Business Analytics, or Business Analytics Certificate, or Permission of Program Coordinator.

This course provides students with knowledge and skills to process data for business analytics. Topics include data quality requirement and data preparation for business analytics, impact of data quality on analytics, and methods for assessing and improving data quality in the context of business analytics. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

MIST.6010 Management information systems, and Matriculated MS Business Analytics, or Business Analytics Certificate, or Permission of Program Coordinator.

This course gives students a comprehensive view of marketing planning activity related to foreign markets. It is aimed a developing your understanding of the various dimensions in a business enterprise that are influenced by marketing. Marketing is a leading, integrated activity that influences the enterprise as a whole. Understanding of key trends in the global context and how they might affect a firm's marketing activity is fundamental for all employees, particularly marketers, executive management and the leadership team including the CEO, and managers at all levels in various functions of the company. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to this fascinating subject in business management. 3 credits. If not currently matriculated in a Manning School of Business program, please contact the MBA staff at MBA@uml.edu or call 978-934-2848 for permission to take courses.
Prerequisites:

Matriculated MBA students

Supply chain management has become a crucial factor in the success of many leading organizations, including for-profit and not-for-profit companies, government agencies, and humanitarian relief efforts. This course will start with principles and concepts of supply chain management, tracing the flows of materials, funds, and information required to develop and deliver products and services around the globe. Topics covered include sourcing, logistics, demand planning, and inventory management, along with the use of quality tools and lean methodologies to improve supply chain operations and develop supplier relationships. This course will also discuss the challenges, key issues, and trends in global supply chain management, such as sustainability, disruptions, security, and innovation. 3 credits. If not currently matriculated in a Manning School of Business program, please contact the MBA staff at MBA@uml.edu or call 978-934-2848 for permission to take courses.

This course introduces statistical methods and techniques for predictive analytics. This is part of the business-analytics umbrella of courses. The main focus of this course is on regression, a powerful and widely used predictive method. Topics covered include simple linear regression, multiple regression, variable selection, model diagnostics, and systems of regression equations. The course also covers classification techniques using statistical methods such as linear discriminant function and logistic regression. Spreadsheet software, such as MS Excel, and statistical software, such as SAS and R, will be heavily utilized. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

POMS.6010 Operations Management, or Matriculated MS Business Analytics, or Business Analytics Certificate, or matriculated MS Engineering Management, or permission of program coordinator.

This course covers the three main facets of business analytics: descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics. Students will gain the knowledge of managerial decision-making (commonly referred to as data analytics, decision support systems-DSS, data mining). Some of the business analytic topics covered include neural networks, decision trees, support vector machines, k-means, association rule mining, Analytical Hierarchy Process, Data Envelopment Analysis, expert systems, optimization, and simulation. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

POMS.6010 Operations Management, or Matriculated MS Business Analytics, or Business Analytics Certificate, or matriculated MS Engineering Management, or permission of program coordinator.

This course covers principles and techniques of applied mathematical modeling for managerial decision making. Emphasis is on the methods of prescriptive analytics, including optimization models, decision analysis, simulation modeling, and risk analysis. Problems studied will include applications in finance, health care, marketing, operations, and management. Cases studies will be used extensively to demonstrate the practical use of models to improve managerial decision making. In addition to developing and applying models, emphasis will be placed on explaining the models and interpreting their results. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

POMS.6010 Operations Management, or Matriculated MS Business Analytics, or Business Analytics Certificate, or matriculated MS Engineering Management, or permission of program coordinator.

Tuition & Fees

At UMass Lowell, we believe that students should have as much information as possible up front so they can make informed decisions before enrolling in a degree program or signing up for a course.

Tuition for all undergraduate courses offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition for all online graduate courses is also the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition is priced per credit. To calculate the tuition for a course, simply multiply the per-credit tuition by the total number of credits per course. Exception: If the total number of course contact hours is greater than the total number of credits, the per-credit tuition is instead multiplied by the total number of contact hours.

Spring 2022 Tuition

 Per Credit / Contact Hour
Graduate Online Courses
(Except Graduate Online Business*, IT, Engineering and Education Courses)
 $575.00
Graduate Online Business* Courses $655.00
Graduate Online IT and Engineering Courses** $590.00

*Applies to courses with the following prefixes: ACCT, BUSI, ENTR, FINA, MGMT, MKTG, MIST, POMS offered through the Manning School of Business

**Applies to courses with the following prefixes: CHEN, CIVE, EECE, ENGN, MECH, PLAS offered through the Francis College of Engineering. Applies also to MSIT courses in the Master's in Information Technology, Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity and the Graduate Certificate in Systems Models and Management.

The cost to audit a course will be charged the rates listed above.

Additional Fees
Registration Fee per Term $30.00
Late Fee for Nonpayment $50.00
Fee for Graduate Degree and Certificate Applications $50.00

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Registration

Current students can register using SiS Self-Service. New students who have not already applied and been accepted to a program must use the Non-Degree Registration Form.

You can take courses without being officially enrolled in a certificate or degree program, but you must meet course prerequisites. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Class size is limited. We recommend that you register early to reserve your place in class.

For more information, please visit our Registration Page.

New Students

If you have not already applied and been accepted to a program.
Register with Non-Degree Reg. Form

Current Students

If you have applied, been accepted to and are currently enrolled in a program.
Register with SIS Self-Service

Questions?

Email our Advising Center for assistance, or call 800-480-3190 to speak with an advisor.

Please Note: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented within this website, the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies reserves the right to implement new rules and regulations and to make changes of any nature in its program, calendar, locations, tuition and fees. Whenever possible, appropriate notice of such changes will be given before they become effective. In applying for a degree program or registering for courses, each student assumes full responsibility for knowledge of and compliance with the definitions, regulations and procedures of UMass Lowell as set forth on our website. For additional information, please refer to the Graduate Program Policies found within the UMass Lowell Graduate Catalog.

Career Outlook

To help you make an informed decision about continuing your education, we access real-time labor market data to provide up-to-the-minute employment information including:

  • Job postings for the occupations this program will prepare you to pursue
  • Demand for specific positions within the industry
  • Salary information (nationwide and by region)
  • Expected career growth rate over the next 10 years vs. total labor market growth rate

With this information, you'll have a clear understanding of the return on investment you can expect from this program and which skills can help you to further increase your earning power.

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Admission to the Program

Applicants should complete the Online Graduate Application and submit it to the Office of Graduate Admissions, along with the following:

For specific information regarding any of the above application materials (which may vary for some programs), please see UMass Lowell's Graduate Application Requirements at https://www.uml.edu/Grad/Process/.

Applications can be completed and submitted at any time during the year. Each application is processed — and each applicant notified — as soon as all admissions materials have been received and reviewed. For additional details, please visit https://www.uml.edu/grad/.

Graduate Program Admissions Requirements

Admission to all graduate programs at UMass Lowell is contingent upon successful completion of a bachelor's degree. In many cases, applicants may register for a course before they have formally applied into the program; however, students requiring financial aid may want to wait until they have been formally accepted into the program to ensure that their course(s) will be covered. Contact UMass Lowell's Office of Graduate Admissions if you have questions about the application process.

Please Note: Test requirements for graduate applications have been temporarily waived. Learn more.
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Questions Regarding Your Graduate Application?

Email Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu or call 800-656-4723 (for U.S. students) or 978-934-2390 (for international students).

For General Assistance:

For general questions about registering for courses or to find out who the advisor is for your graduate program, call 800-480-3190. Our admissions and advising teams are here to help!

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