Mar 28, 2024  
Graduate Record 2008-2009 
    
Graduate Record 2008-2009 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Master of Science in Accounting


Master of Science in Accounting

Students may specialize in tax, or financial reporting and assurance.  

The M.S. in accounting program provides a strong technical foundation as well as a practical understanding of the context within which business decisions must be evaluated.  The 30-credit hour program is designed to be completed in one academic year.  Students are admitted for the fall semester and generally graduate the following May.  The curriculum allows students to meet the 150-hour rule currently required by most states to sit for the CPA exam.

Classes for the M.S. in Accounting are taught in a rigorous yet informal seminar format that encourages a culture of collaboration between and among the faculty and students.  The relatively small size of the program contributes to the friendly, supportive environment.        

Program Prerequisites:


McIntire seeks graduate students who show evidence of strong academic preparation, intellectual curiosity, and a passion for their chosen field of study.  Along with academic preparation and test scores, the admissions committee takes into consideration any relevant work or internship experience; honors; awards; extracurricular activities  personal characteristics such as leadership, ability to work with others, integrity, maturity, and motivation.  Factors such as diversity of perspective and international experience also may be considered.  Candidates who are non-native English speakers also must demonstrate sufficient oral and written English language skills to be successful in the graduate program.

In addition, students must have successfully completed the following courses in accounting prior to matriculation:

  • Intermediate Accounting I & II (six semester hours)
  • Six semester hours of upper-division accounting courses
    • A course equivalent to Commerce 521 Introductory Assurance Services.
    • A course equivalent to Commerce 545 Federal Tax I.

Admission Requirements


  • Completed online application form, including all requested documentation and application fee
  • Official transcript from all colleges and universities attended   
  • Official GMAT scores sent to the McIntire School of Commerce 
  • Official TOEFL scores, if applicable, sent to the McIntire School of Commerce (McIntire requires a TOEFL score of 100iBT/250 computer/ 600 paper-based or higher to be competitive for admissions) 
  • Two letters of recommendation (one preferably from college or university faculty who are familiar with the applicant’s potential for graduate study)

A $60 application fee is required, which can be paid online with the application. If accepted, a non-refundable deposit of $500 will be required and is credited toward the first tuition payment. For more information or to access the online admissions services, please visit the website or contact:

Office of Graduate Admissions

McIntire School of Commerce
Rouss & Roberstson Halls, East Lawn

University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400173
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4173
(434) 924-3571 Toll-free (877) 349-2620
mcintiregrad@virginia.edu
www.commerce.virginia.edu/msaccounting

Grading Policy


Grades are awarded only to those students who are registered for, and who complete a course for, credit. All courses are on a credit basis only. The letter grade symbols used for grading graduate students in the Accounting program are: A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C, D, F. Students are required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 to remain in the program and graduate. Student performance may be evaluated periodically by the faculty. In addition, a student who earns six credits of sub-standard performance (C or lower) is placed on probation; a probationary student who earns one additional grade of C or lower is dropped from the program. A student, who receives a grade of F (non-performance) in any course, is automatically dropped from the program. 

Employment


Students may not engage in employment in excess of what is compatible with a full-time commitment to the graduate study of accounting. Therefore, full-time students may NOT be employed for more than 20 hours per week or receive financial compensation or financial awards for activities requiring more than 20 hours per week.

Residency and Enrollment Requirements


All degree candidates must complete two full semesters in residence except in the case of students who (A) graduated from the undergraduate program at the McIntire School of Commerce and (B) completed adequate undergraduate credits and specific 500 level courses in their undergraduate program to transfer semester hours to qualify for a one semester residency requirement. Those one-semester residency students must complete 18 semester hours in courses approved for graduate credit in the M.S. in Accounting Program and their one-semester of residence. Students interested in this one-semester alternative should contact the Office of Graduate Admissions to assess eligibility. All other students must carry a minimum of 12 hours per semester to be considered a full-time student in the M.S. in Accounting Program. These 12 semester hours must be for courses approved for graduate credit in the M.S. in Accounting Program.

Approved 500 level courses may be taken in the graduate program for graduate credit. See Undergraduate Record for 500 level course descriptions.

Transfer of Credit


Up to six credits for approved courses can be transferred to satisfy the 30 credit graduation requirement in the M.S. in accounting program. Transfer credits must be approved by the Director of the M.S. in Accounting Program. In general, courses will only be approved for transfer if they are equivalent to graduate courses available at the McIntire School of Commerce. Specific approval for credit transfer will be based on evaluation of the rigor and content of the course, and will only be granted when the course was taken at an accredited institution and was not required to satisfy undergraduate degree requirements. Student in the on-semester residency program (described above) may transfer 12 credits toward their graduation requirement, but those transfers must be approved by the Director of the M.S. in Accounting Program. All students requesting transfer credit must provide adequate documentation of course details and undergraduate degree requirements to support their request.

Ernst & Young Your Master Plan (YMP) Accounting Program


The Graduate School of Commerce, in partnership with Ernst & Young, LLP, offers a unique, customized Master of Science in Accounting program for students who want to earn their master’s degree while working for Ernst & Young. Applicants are recruited for the program by Ernst & Young. Upon admission by the McIntire School’s admissions committee, students also become employees of Ernst & Young. For additional information, please visit: www.commerce.virginia.edu/EY.