Master's in Accounting & Data Analytics

The MSADA is completely online. The program is intended for students to complete at their own pace. All courses are in seven-week sections. The foundation courses can be completed in a year.

Students may start the program in either the Fall Semester (August) or Spring Semester (January).

The program is 30 credits. It is designed so that you can go part-time and at your own pace. Students without an accounting background can complete the program in as little as two years. Those with an academic background in accounting could possibly complete the program in a year.

No. The program is 30 credits for students with or without a background in accounting/business. If you have some accounting courses in your background, the program director will review these with you, and you may be able to waive the appropriate foundation courses. Students with an undergraduate degree in accounting would bypass the foundation courses and can choose up to three of the specialization areas to create their 30-credit program.

Yes. The program is designed so that students can go at their own pace. Courses are in seven-week sessions and are delivered asynchronously so that students can complete coursework at times convenient to them.

The courses are asynchronous and can be completed on your own time. Faculty members may have optional synchronous offerings and office hours, and office hours by appointment.

No. For students without an accounting background, there is a set of six foundational courses (18 credits.) After you complete these, you will be prepared to enroll in the courses in the four specialty areas.

Up to nine credits can be transferred into a graduate program, however this is not guaranteed. The program director will review your courses and decide if credits can be transferred to the MSADA.

Up to nine credits can be transferred into a graduate program. Two of the certificates are nine credits and all credits can be used toward the MSADA. Two certificates are 12 credits, and only nine of those 12 can be used toward the MSADA.

Yes. However, students without an accounting and business background would need additional courses to qualify. CPA certification is regulated at the state level, and students need to research the requirements in the state in which they want to be certified. Although the rules are similar, there can be differences.

In Michigan, students need 150 credit hours of college education, including a bachelor’s degree. The student must have a major or concentration in accounting. A concentration in accounting includes 24 semester hours of accounting including financial accounting, managerial accounting, accounting systems, taxation, government/fund accounting, and auditing. In addition, a student must have 24 semester hours of general business subjects.

No, the transcript does not indicate the modality of a program.

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.

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.

No.

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.

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

No. If your undergraduate degree was earned outside the U.S., official stamped hardcopies of transcript(s) and diploma(s) in original language (if applicable) and English translations, received directly from the issuing institution in a sealed university envelope are required.

International applicants whose undergraduate degree was completed outside the U.S. are required to provide English language competency test scores. More information on these tests and waiver options can be found on the Graduate School’s website.

Admission to a program leading to a master’s or doctoral degree requires completion of a level of education comparable to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree. High scholastic standing and suitable preparation for the intended field of study are also considered. Normally, Michigan State University does not accept three-year bachelor’s degrees, diplomas, or certificates as comparable to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree.

The MSU Graduate School website has more information regarding admission for international students. Please note that some of the information applies to in-person programs and student visa requirements (for example, financial proof) and is not relevant to online programs.

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.

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.

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.