The Master of Science in Accountancy (MSACCY) is a graduate degree for accounting students and professionals who seek to enhance their technical and professional skills.
Students pursuing the MS-ACCY come from two paths, Master’s Program in Accounting (MPA) and the PPA. Both groups, PPA and MPA, earn the same MS-ACCY degree.
The MPA is for students who have earned their bachelor’s degree, either from the University of Houston or elsewhere, and decide to pursue graduate accounting education afterward. Many MPA students come from non-accounting backgrounds or are returning students who were not in the PPA but decided later in their academic career to pursue the MS-ACCY requirements.
Admission to the MS-ACCY Program is based on an application package that includes the student’s undergraduate GPA, GMAT score, resume, goal statement, and letters of reference.
The MS-ACCY program provides students with the coursework they need to sit for the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) Uniform CPA Examination. Those students taking advantage of courses offered in the Internal Audit and Risk Tracks may also meet the academic requirements to sit for the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) examinations.
Students pursuing the MS-ACCY degree select from four academic tracks: - the Financial Accounting and Reporting Track (aka the Audit Track), the Advanced Internal Audit track, the Risk Management Track and the Taxation Track.
The Financial Accounting and Reporting Track is designed for students interested in a career in public accounting as auditors and consultants, or in industry careers related to accounting and finance. Track courses provide students with the knowledge needed to prepare and interpret financial reports, participate in the conduct of audits, and research complex financial reporting issues.
The Advanced Internal Audit Track is designed for students who wish to become Certified Internal Auditors or Certified Fraud Examiners. Courses taught for undergraduates include Internal Audit, Enterprise Risk Management and IT Security. On the graduate level, students have a choice of seven additional courses (including Governance, Risk & Compliance, and Fraud Examination). A “Capstone” course is also being developed at the graduate level for CPA/CIA graduates taking the Risk Track.
The Risk Management Track is designed for students interested in a career in IT auditing, risk management, or security risk. Track courses provide students with knowledge of IT systems development and acquisition, database design and operation, IT control frameworks and compliance, and risk management.
The Taxation Track is designed to prepare students for careers in public accounting as tax consultants, in industry as tax strategists, or in government. Track courses provide students with the knowledge needed to identify and address tax issues at the local, state, national, and international level. New courses are being planned based on suggestions from our Accounting Programs Advisory Committee and Department of Accountancy & Taxation Advisory Board including a new course in International Taxation.
Students interested in enrolling in the MSACCY program should either contact the MS Admissions Advisor in the Professional Accounting Programs Office, 275 Melcher Hall; call 713-743-4696 for program and course information; or visit the MSACCY website (http://www.bauer.uh.edu/departments/accy/graduate/index.php).
Return to: