Master's in Accounting Admissions

Application Requirements

Admission to the Master’s in Accounting program is competitive. Meeting the minimum standards and prerequisites indicated does not guarantee admission. Although the following minimum standards must normally be met, the applicant’s overall record is considered when making admission decisions.

Academic credentials
The minimum standards for admission to the M.S. in Accounting program are:
- A bachelor’s degree in accounting from a recognized educational institution, or a bachelor’s degree that includes the prerequisites of intermediate financial accounting and probability and statistics.*
- A cumulative grade-point average of at least a 3.0 from any institution attended.
- A cumulative grade-point average of at least a 3.0 in any junior and senior level accounting courses.
*Although students may be accepted into the program whose undergraduate degree is not in accounting, these students will be required to complete all undergraduate accounting major courses (equivalent to an MSU undergraduate degree in accounting) prior to, or during enrollment in the M.S. in Accounting program.
Standardized tests (GRE or GMAT)
- The program does not require the GMAT or GRE for applicants who meet certain academic qualifications such as 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 grade scale. High-performing undergraduates, especially those with accounting backgrounds, may be admitted without test scores. However, submitting scores is optional and can strengthen applications in some cases.
- If the GMAT or GRE exam is required, a minimum GMAT score of 550 (school code: QH0-5P-32) or strong GRE scores (school code: 1465) is needed.
International test scores (if applicable)
The MSA Program requires applicants to provide a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score, an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score, or a Duolingo score. The admissions committee will consider a candidate’s highest total score (and the sections associated with the highest score total).

Minimum Acceptable Scores
- Score of 5 with no section score below 4 on iBT (Internet-Based Test) TOEFL exam-We do not accept the TOEFL My best Superscore.
- 7 on IELTS exam
- 110 on the Duolingo English Test
Essays
Three essays are required of applicants: two written essays and a video essay.
- Written essays address educational and professional goals and must be 350 – 750 words.
- The video essay provides prospective students the opportunity to demonstrate in their own words who they are as applicants. The video is an interactive way to complete an essay in a relatively short period of time (two minutes).
Letters of recommendation
- Two letters of recommendation are required. One letter must be from a faculty member in your major.
- Applicants will be required to provide complete contact information for those who you have selected to recommend you.
Resume
Applicants will be required to submit a resume. The resume should detail:
- Academic credentials and accomplishments including scholastic awards and any research or publications
- Work experience (full-time, part-time and internships)
- Leadership experience
- Community service
- Extracurricular activities
- Honors and awards
- Youth development or mentoring
- Global experiences and any education abroad

Applying to the M.S. Accounting Program

The application is strictly online, and we will not accept any documents sent to the department. Any documents received will not be considered as part of your application.

After you have been admitted to the program, you will be required to submit official college transcripts, financial proof, GMAT and TOEFL scores. Instructions will be included in your admission letter. Please do not send us any official transcripts or documents until you receive an acceptance offer.

Specific Instructions for MSU Undergraduates

Application Deadlines

Students may start the program in any semester – fall (August), spring (January), or summer (May) – as space permits. Summer admission is advisable for students who need to complete certain prerequisite courses. We have rolling admissions for each semester, please contact the msacct@broad.msu.edu to find out if you can still apply.

Applications must be received by the following deadlines:

January 15: For those applying to start in the summer and fall semesters, and all those who want to be considered for scholarships.
March 1: A second round of application review will occur after this date if space remains for summer and fall semesters.
October 1: For those applying to start in the spring semester.

Take the next step.

Apply to the M.S. in Accounting

Integrated M.S. in Accounting (iMSA) Application Process

Step 1: Create an approved plan of study

Before applying, you must have an approved Plan of Study. Contact Katie Burley to develop your Plan of Study for the Integrated MS in Accounting program. Your approved Plan of Study must be uploaded as part of your application.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

Create a profile and begin your application through the MSU Graduate Application Portal.

The MSA program uses a single application for all applicants (integrated or regular). Apply for the first semester in which you will enroll at the graduate career level.
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Example: If you graduate with your bachelor’s degree in Spring 2026, complete a Summer 2026 internship, and begin full-time graduate study in Fall 2026, you should apply for Fall 2026 admission.

If your intended graduate admission term is not yet available (for example, it is more than a year out), complete the Integrated MSA Program Application instead.

The following items must be submitted with your application:

Unofficial transcript (official transcripts are not required at the application stage)

Current résumé
Approved Plan of Study
$75 application fee
Three essay responses:
- Two written essays (maximum 750 words each)
- One video essay
Letters of recommendation*

*For students applying through the Integrated MSA, letters of recommendation are waived. In the application system, enter the following recommendation contacts: