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Shared Program

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Bachelor of Arts–Master of Science in Accounting and Data Analytics Program

The Shared bachelor’s – master’s program in Accounting & Data Analytics allows accepted students to get an early start on their graduate program. Up to nine qualifying 400-level and above credits may be taken at the undergraduate level and tuition rates and applied to the master’s program.

Students interested in pursuing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license must have 150 credit hours of college/university credit to be eligible for certification. The Shared Program might not reduce the overall number of credits a student must take, but it can provide a cost savings to the student, allowing up to nine graduate program credits to be taken at undergraduate tuition rates. This will be considered and built into the student’s study plan.

Application Deadlines

  • November 15 for those students eligible to start the Shared Program in the Spring Semester
  • March 15 for those students eligible to start the Shared Program in the Summer Semester
  • June 15 for those students eligible to start the Shared Program in the Fall Semester

When to Apply

Admission to the program requires a minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0, and is competitive based upon space available. You should apply in the semester before you plan to start your Shared courses, which in most cases should be during your final year at MSU. Maximizing the Shared Program is easiest for students already admitted as undergrads in the Broad College, but other majors may be eligible depending on their remaining major requirements and anticipated total credits at graduation. Contact the MSADA Program Director to determine your eligibility.

Application Process

Step 1: You will need to have an approved plan of study. Broad College majors email Katie Burley to develop your approved plan of study for completing your undergraduate degree and adding the Shared program. Students under colleges outside of Broad should meet with their academic advisor to create a plan through graduation based on their current requirements and leaving space for 1-2 MSADA courses their final year. This plan should then be reviewed by the MSADA Director and be submitted with your application.

Step 2: Create a profile and begin the application process here: Start Application.
Listed below are supplemental items that must be uploaded and/or submitted online with your application:

  1. Current resume
  2. Plan of study
  3. Statement of Purpose
  4. Two Letters of Recommendation (the system requires three—enter “MSADA Program” with an email address of “msada@broad.msu.edu” for the third)
  5. Application fee of $75

Step 3: Once your application has been reviewed, you will receive an email notification of the admission decision.

Step 4: If admitted, you will need to complete a Request for Shared Enrollment Status form. Further program instructions will be provided with the admission notification, do not complete the Shared Enrollment Status form until you have completed the above steps.

Admitted students can take up to three courses (9 credits) that apply to the M.S. in Accounting & Data Analytics degree at the undergraduate level. Students may take these courses, along with other Bachelor’s degree requirements, during their senior year.
Due to current CPA exam eligibility, students should target 150 total credits by the time they finish their Master’s degree. Therefore, to maximize the Shared Program while still meeting CPA eligibility a student should attempt to finish their undergraduate degree with more than 120 credits.

For example, if a student will meet their undergraduate degree requirements with 129 credits, the student could take ACC 411, MGT 409 and ACC 827 at the undergraduate tuition rate and those 9 credits can be Shared with the M.S. program. The number of credits remaining to be taken at the graduate tuition rate would then be reduced to 21. The student would then finish with 150 total between their undergrad and graduate degree.

Individual circumstances will dictate how the student can take advantage of the Shared program. It is possible to Share fewer than 9 credits—for example, a student could finish their undergraduate degree with 123 credits, taking ACC 827 at the undergraduate level, and have their M.S. degree reduced to 27 credits for a total of 150 credits for CPA certification. Shared courses must be relevant to the graduate program, so students in majors not linked to Accounting or business may be limited in undergraduate courses that can be Shared.

Courses

Students should familiarize themselves with the curriculum guide available online. All MSADA courses are eligible for the Shared Program, dependent on space, course availability, and the meeting of pre-requisites. A student may Share a maximum of six credits at the 400 level if they are deemed to be relevant electives.

Degree Requirements (For students admitted Fall Semester 2025 or after)

Foundations of Accounting, Information Systems, and Data Analysis (18 credits)

*These courses are only required for students with majors outside of Accounting

Complete ACC 827 (3 credits)

Complete at least one of the following concentrations:

Accounting Analytics (9 credits)

Managerial Analysis for Decision Making (9 credits)

Taxation (9 credits)

Transaction Services (9 credits)

ACC 855 is required. Choose two from the remaining three courses.

Additional Electives

Choose electives from courses within the concentrations of the Accounting & Data Analytics curriculum to meet the 30-credit minimum.

Contact Information

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