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, if applicable
- 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 $1,000 will be required upon acceptance and a second $1,500 deposit will be due at a date identified in the admission letter. Both deposits are 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, 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 the first semester 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 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 (“FRA”). 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
Students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester and may take up to 18 credit hours per semester.
Required Courses
Fall
Spring
Elective Courses
Fall
Spring
Note 1 – If you have had an Advanced Financial Accounting course in prior coursework, you are not eligible to take COMM 5130. COMM 5130 is McIntire’s undergraduate advanced accounting course, so if you have had the equivalent course already, you are not allowed to take it a second time.
Note 2 – If you have had a cost accounting course beyond the introductory managerial/cost course, you are not eligible to take COMM 5140. COMM 5140 is McIntire’s undergraduate cost accounting course, so if you have had the equivalent course already, you are not allowed to take it a second time.
Note 3 – Global Commerce Immersion courses require an application process and additional course fees.
FRA TRACK
Students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester and may take up to 18 credit hours per semester.
Required Courses
Fall
Spring
Elective Courses
Fall
Spring
Note 1 – If you have had an Advanced Financial Accounting course in prior coursework, you are not eligible to take COMM 5130. COMM 5130 is McIntire’s undergraduate advanced accounting course, so if you have had the equivalent course already, you are not allowed to take it a second time.
Note 2 – If you have had a cost accounting course beyond the introductory managerial/cost course, you are not eligible to take COMM 5140. COMM 5140 is McIntire’s undergraduate cost accounting course, so if you have had the equivalent course already, you are not allowed to take it a second time.
Note 3 – Global Commerce Immersion courses require an application process and additional course fees.
ONE SEMESTER RESIDENCY TRACK
Students must complete 18 credit hours in the fall semester for the One Semester track.
Required Courses
Elective Courses
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. Courses will only be approved for transfer credit if they are 5000-level accounting courses taken at the McIntire School of Commerce and were 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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