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 proficiency in oral and written English to be successful in the graduate program.
In addition, students must have successfully completed the following courses in accounting prior to matriculation:
- Introduction to Financial Accounting
- Introduction to Managerial Accounting
- Intermediate Accounting I
- Intermediate Accounting II
- US Federal Taxation
- Auditing
Admission Requirements
- Completed online application, including all requested documentation and $75 application fee
- Official transcript from all colleges and universities attended
- Official GMAT scores sent to the McIntire School of Commerce
- Official TOEFL or IELTS scores, if applicable, sent to the McIntire School of Commerce. McIntire requires a minimum TOEFL score of 100 iBT or its equivalent or a 7.5 on the IELTS.
- Two letters of recommendation (one preferably from college or university faculty who are familiar with the applicant’s potential for graduate study)
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 & Robertson Halls, East Lawn
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400173
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4173
(434) 924-3571 Toll-free (877) 349-2620
msaccounting@virginia.edu
www.commerce.virginia.edu/msaccounting
Departmental Financial Aid
The McIntire School of Commerce offers a limited number of departmental scholarships to qualified graduate students in the M.S. in Accounting Program. Scholarships are awarded based on merit and financial need, and priority is given to those students who apply by January 15 of each admission cycle. Prospective students must complete a Departmental Aid Application Form and submit this with their application materials by the priority deadline. Scholarship awards will be communicated to students once admission decisions have been rendered.
Grading & Academic Performance Expectations
Grading
Grades are awarded only to students who are registered for and complete a course for credit. All courses are on a credit basis only and students must receive a grade. The letter grades used for grading students in McIntire graduate courses are: A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F.
GPA Requirements for Graduation
Students are required to complete their program of study with a GPA of 3.00 in order to graduate.
Academic Performance Expectations
Good academic standing is defined as maintaining a 3.00 cumulative GPA. At the end of each term (or, in a module-based program, two modules), a student’s academic performance will be evaluated by the Academic Program Director to determine if a student is still in good academic standing. A student not meeting the 3.00 cumulative GPA criteria at the end of a given term (or after two modules) will be placed on Academic Probation. A notation of Academic Probation will be placed on the student’s academic record until such time as the academic issue is resolved.
While on Academic Probation, a student will meet regularly with his or her Academic Program Director to ensure appropriate progress is being made toward degree completion. A student who earns a cumulative GPA below a 3.00 in two consecutive terms or three modules will be dismissed from his or her program of study. A student who earns a grade of ‘F’ in any course will be dismissed from the program.
Behavioral & Administrative Expectations
Behavioral and administrative expectations are outlined throughout the Graduate Record and include but are not limited to required class attendance, making progress toward a degree, and fulfilling all expectations implied by enrollment at the University (e.g., Honor Code or Standards of Conduct).
Student adherence to these expectations will be evaluated periodically or when a situation is brought to the attention of an Academic Program Director. If a student’s behavior is found to not be in adherence with the expectations, a warning will be issued to the student and a behavior modification plan will be put in place. This plan will include a timeframe for reevaluation of the student’s behavior. After a reevaluation is conducted, a student who has met the expectations of the behavior modification plan will return to good standing. A student who is still not meeting the behavioral expectations outlined in the plan will be given a final opportunity to remediate the deficient behavior and return to good standing. If, after a second opportunity to meet the expectations of the program and university, a student is still found to display behaviors inconsistent with the program expectations, an ‘Enforced Withdrawal’ will be enacted.
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 must seek approval from the Director of the M.S. in Accounting Program if they plan to 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, Enrollment Requirements, and Time to Degree Completion
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 5000-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 credit 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 be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester to be considered a full-time student in the M.S. in Accounting Program. These 12 credit hours must be for courses approved for graduate credit in the M.S. in Accounting Program.
All students must complete the program within four semesters from the time they initially enroll in the program. Students failing to meet the program requirements within four traditional semesters (fall and spring) will be dismissed from the program.
Track Requirements
Two-semester students must choose a track of study: Tax Consulting (“Tax”) or Financial Reporting & Analysis (“FR&A”). One-semester students do not have a specific track. Each student will declare their track preference during the summer prior to the beginning of one’s program of study. At that time, the exact track or program requirements will be communicated in writing to each student and will serve as the official program of study for that student’s time in the M.S. in Accounting Program. The typical requirements for each track are outlined below, but official details will be communicated by the Director of the M.S. in Accounting Program prior to the start of each academic year.
TAX TRACK
Fall
- GCOM 7320 – Accounting Policy
- GCOM 7400 – Leading for Success in the Accounting Profession (1.5 credits)
- GCOM 7420 – Taxes and Business Strategy
- GCOM 7430 – Taxation of Partnerships and Flow-through Entities
- GCOM 7641 – Communicating Effectively as Accounting Professionals (1.5 credits)
One of the following:
Spring
- GCOM 7340 – Special Topics – Financial Reporting
- GCOM 7410 – Tax Research
- GCOM 7440 – Taxation of Corporations and Their Shareholders’ Transactions
Two of the following:
- GCOM 7341 – Accounting for Derivatives
- GCOM 7350 – Special Topics – Auditing, Assurance and Ethics
- GCOM 7480 – Legal Liability and the Regulation of Accountants
- GCOM 7490 – Behavioral Decision Making and Negotiation
- GCOM 7640 – Writing and Speaking for Accounting Professionals
- GCOM 7770 – Information Technology in Finance
- COMM 5140 – Strategic Cost Management
- GCOM 7530 (J-Term) or GCOM 7540 (Spring) – Graduate Global Commerce Immersion
FR&A TRACK
Must take one tax class (7410/7420/7430/7440) – either fall or spring
Fall
- GCOM 7320 – Accounting Policy
- GCOM 7360 – Forensic Accounting
- GCOM 7400 – Leading for Success in the Accounting Profession (1.5 credits)
- GCOM 7641 – Communicating Effectively as Accounting Professionals (1.5 credits)
Two of the following:
- GCOM 7371 – Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation
- GCOM 7420 – Taxes and Business Strategy
- GCOM 7430 – Taxation of Partnerships and Flow-through Entities
- COMM 5130 – Advanced Financial Accounting
- COMM 5700 – Financial Trading
Spring
- GCOM 7340 – Special Topics – Financial Reporting
One of the following:
- GCOM 7341 – Accounting for Derivatives
- GCOM 7350 – Special Topics – Auditing, Assurance and Ethics
Three electives from the following:
ONE SEMESTER RESIDENCY TRACK
- GCOM 7320 – Accounting Policy
- GCOM 7400 – Leading for Success in the Accounting Profession (1.5 credits)
- GCOM 7420 – Taxes and Business Strategy
- GCOM 7641 – Communicating Effectively as Accounting Professionals (1.5 credits)
Three of the following:
Transfer of Credit
Up to six credits for approved courses can be transferred for two-semester students 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 credit if they are equivalent to graduate courses available at the McIntire School of Commerce. Specific approval for transfer credit 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. Students in the one-semester residency program (described above) may transfer 12 credits toward their graduation requirement; those transfers must be approved by the M.S. in Accounting Academic Program Director. All students requesting transfer credit must provide adequate documentation of course details and undergraduate degree requirements to support their request.
Course Enrollment
M.S. in Accounting students who wish to further their study of a particular subject beyond required program courses and/or outside the McIntire School of Commerce must receive advance permission from the M.S. in Accounting Academic Program Director and course instructor before the assigned registration period.
Enrollment in M.S. in Accounting courses is generally restricted to students in that specific program. Permission may be granted to non-degree students to enroll in these courses on an exception basis. A request for this exception must be made in writing to the M.S. in Accounting Academic Program Director. Requests will be evaluated based on course availability, applicant qualifications and any other factors that might impact the administration of the graduate course under consideration. Exceptions will be granted on a case-by-case basis for no more than two courses for any student not admitted to the M.S. in Accounting Program and will be permitted only under rare circumstances.
M.S. in Accounting Course Descriptions
The classes below may be offered during this academic year. All courses are three credits unless otherwise noted.
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