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A 100% Online Master’s Degree Designed for You

Develop your accounting knowledge, skills and understanding to enhance your existing career or make a career change with an online master’s degree in accounting and data analytics from Michigan State University. We will prepare you with the technical knowledge and data analytics skills necessary to take advantage of the growing career opportunities in accounting and finance. While our program will build on your existing knowledge of accounting and data analytics, prior background in accounting is not a prerequisite for admission — our curriculum includes foundational accounting courses to ensure all students are prepared and able to succeed.

We designed our online master’s degree in accounting and data analytics to be flexible and customizable. Take classes at your own pace and dive deeper into a concentration area — accounting analytics, taxation, managerial analysis for decision making, or transaction services (mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, and bankruptcy) — to pursue your passion and prepare yourself for today’s most in-demand business roles.

Online
Asynchronous with optional synchronous interactions

30 credits
10 seven-week courses

Part-time
At your own pace

Edward J. Minskoff Pavilion at sunset, as seen from the Red Cedar River

Prepare For an Advanced Career in Accounting and Data Analytics

Our online master’s in accounting and data analytics equips students from diverse backgrounds with the technical accounting knowledge and data analysis skills that are in high demand in organizations in all sectors of the economy.

Students with an accounting background will graduate prepared to tackle advanced areas such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A), taxation and corporate accounting, as well as advisory and consulting roles.

If you’re a student without an accounting background, our master’s in accounting and data analytics will prepare you to confidently join the workforce in an analyst role across finance and accounting functions in public and private organizations, accounting firms or governmental agencies.

Plus, you can apply your coursework toward the education requirements of professional certifications such as the Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant.

Careers in accounting and data analytics

With growing complexity in financial operations, accountants and auditors with specialized education and experience in data analytics are in high demand. As a graduate with a master’s in accounting and data analytics from MSU, you’ll be well-equipped to pursue a rewarding career in a variety of roles, such as:

  • Auditor
  • Corporate finance analyst
  • Financial analyst
  • Financial manager
  • Forensic accountant
  • Government accountant
  • Internal auditor
  • Risk analyst
  • Risk manager
  • Tax accountant
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Why Study Accounting and Data Analytics at MSU?

At MSU, we prepare you for a successful future. Working with our extensive alumni in the field, our expert faculty bring modern workplace scenarios to the classroom to help you sharpen your analytical and problem-solving skills so you’re ready to meet tomorrow’s challenges. Our reputation and experience placing students among top-tier accounting firms means you’ll graduate in high demand.

Develop In-Demand Skills

Gain real-world experience through extensive hands-on work that surrounds you with the language of business as you develop your skills in data analysis, data visualization, data mining, modeling, forecasting, statistics and business communication, including how to use data to tell a business story. As a student in our online master’s in data analytics, you’ll apply textbook learning to real-life business problems to develop fresh insights that prepare you for today’s workplace.

Study At a Top-Ranked Program

MSU accounting programs are consistently ranked among the top accounting programs in the nation, and we are a key recruiting school for most major accounting firms — more Michigan CPAs are graduates of MSU than any other college or university in the state. As an accounting and data analytics graduate, you will be in high demand as you join the proud network of over 80,000 Broad Spartans creating value around the globe. Our long-standing AACSB Accounting accreditation — an accomplishment reached by fewer than 5% of all accounting departments — our college’s AACSB accreditation, and our faculty’s emphasis on creating programs in service of students, the entire Broad College institution stands firmly behind your success.

Benefit From Ultimate Flexibility

Whether you’re looking to enter the growing accounting field or seeking advancement opportunities, you’ll graduate from our online master’s in data analytics with the confidence of having studied, practiced and perfected your business acumen during your time with us at Broad. Go at your own pace — take one class at a time to graduate in less than two years, or double up to graduate in just one year — and customize your degree with a concentration that aligns with your personal goals. Don’t have a background in accounting? No problem! Our foundational curriculum ensures everyone is set up for success, without adding time or expense to your degree plan. Students without an accounting background could complete the program in as little as five semesters.

Please email msada@broad.msu.edu or schedule an appointment with the program director to discuss any advising questions.

It’s easy to apply to the online master’s degree in accounting and data analytics program — no GRE or GMAT requirement! You can start in the fall or spring and our admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis.

Read more about the admission criteria, process, deadlines and how to apply.

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Our foundational curriculum takes a comprehensive approach in addressing all the skills necessary — financial acumen, business frameworks, analytics, critical thinking, and strategic problem solving — to prepare you with a solid understanding of accounting and data analytics, while your concentration coursework allows you to take a deeper dive into the area that interests you most. Together, this coursework builds a solid foundation on which to build or accelerate your career.

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We make getting your online master’s degree affordable with low tuition and dedicated scholarships for accounting students. Our online master’s degree offers the same tuition for Michigan residents and non-residents.

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If you are not yet ready to commit to an online master’s in data analytics, or if you are looking to sharpen your skills in a particular area, we offer four graduate certificate programs that can be taken on a stand-alone basis or can be transferred in (up to 9 credits) as credits to the Master of Science in Accounting and Data Analytics program.

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Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Admissions

  • When is the application deadline?

    It is recommended that you have a completed application submitted at least three months prior to the semester in which you want to start. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis, meaning a decision will be made shortly after you have a complete application in the system.

  • Is there a minimum undergraduate GPA required for admission?

    While an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 is highly preferred, admission decisions are made based on a review of all components of the application: transcripts, the statement of purpose, work experience, and letters of recommendation.

  • Is a GRE or GMAT required?

    No.

  • Who should recommendations come from?

    Recommendations that are viewed as strong come from people who can speak objectively to your ability to be successful in a graduate program. Letter writers should address things like your qualities, skills, traits, intellect, personality characteristics, motivation, etc. as they relate to the Master of Science in Accounting and Data Analytics program. Strong letters come from former faculty, employers, mentors, and advisors. Personal references such as those from family and friends, are not typically appropriate for an application to a graduate degree program.

  • Do you need an official transcript, or will unofficial transcripts be sufficient?

    You can upload an unofficial transcript for the application, but if you are admitted and accept, we will require official transcripts.

International Applicants

Tuition and Financial Aid

  • What does the MSADA cost?

    Tuition for the Master of Science in Accounting and Data Analytics program is billed per credit. The current tuition rate is $817.25 per credit hour for in-state, out-of-state, and international students. Students may incur additional course-related expenses for reading materials or software licenses.

  • Are there scholarships available?

    The Accounting & Information Systems department may have scholarships available for students with outstanding qualifications. Applicants who think they might qualify based upon their strong credentials are encouraged to contact the program director at msada@broad.msu.edu.

  • Is financial aid available?

    Outside of private scholarship programs, most aid for graduate students consists of loans. MSU’s Office of Financial Aid provides information on financial aid opportunities available to graduate students.

Let’s get started.

For additional details on the master’s in accounting and data analytics program at MSU, complete our brief request form. We look forward to connecting.

Contact Information

  • M.S. in Accounting and Data Analytics
  • Department of Accounting and Information Systems
  • Lynne Zelenski
  • Program Director
  • North Business Building
  • 632 Bogue St Rm N240
  • East Lansing, MI 48824