Program Contact: Stanley Veliotis  203-582-7131

The Accelerated Dual-Degree Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Accounting (3+1) is designed for outstanding School of Business students.

The Master of Science in Accounting program is designed to prepare candidates to satisfy the 150 credit hours requirement and to help position them for success in the CPA exam. The program will position successful graduates for careers in professional services firms, business corporations, governmental agencies and business consulting firms, among others. The program provides students with in-depth accounting knowledge and skills necessary to be successful accounting professionals. Notably, there is a large demand for well-trained accounting professionals in public and private accounting, as well as in government.

Students enter the program as first-year students and learn at an accelerated pace to earn a bachelor’s degree in three years and an MSA in the fourth.    

Unique Program Features

  • An optional residential cohort first-year experience with other four-year BS/MSA students
  • Dedicated resident assistant and study lounge in first-year cohort housing
  • Dedicated program director
  • Scholarship carried from Year Three to Year Four, subject to a 3.00 GPA and continued program enrollment

Classes are offered both in a traditional on-campus setting as well as some courses offered online.

Students in the Accelerated Dual-Degree BS/MSA (3+1) program live in one of the university’s housing options for the first three years. 

Accelerated Dual-Degree BS/MSA (3+1) Program of Study

The Master of Science in Accounting program is designed to prepare candidates to satisfy the 150-credit requirement and to position them for success in the CPA exam. The program will position successful graduates for careers in professional services firms, business corporations, governmental agencies and business consulting firms, among others. The program provides students with in-depth accounting knowledge and skills necessary to be successful accounting professionals. Notably, there is a large demand for well-trained accounting professionals in public and private accounting, as well as in government.

In the first three years, students complete the undergraduate Accounting major or any other undergraduate business major in conjunction with the Accounting minor.

MSA Program of Study

Fourth Year (Graduate Study)
Fall Semester
AC 635Advanced Topics in Financial Accounting and Reporting3
AC 645Information Assurance3
AC 650Advanced Accounting Information Systems3
MSA Elective3
MSA Elective3
Spring Semester
AC 660Strategic Management Control Systems3
AC 670Advanced Business Law, Regulation, Ethics and Reporting Environments3
AC 680Advanced Federal Income Taxation and Tax Research3
MSA Elective3
MSA Elective3
Total Credits30

Please refer to the MSA Curriculum page for electives.  

Admission Requirements: Accelerated Dual-Degree BS/MSA (3+1)

The Accelerated Dual-Degree BS/MSA (3+1) program does not have a separate application process. Students admitted to the School of Business who meet the program criteria will be invited to enter the program. 

Admission to the university is competitive, and applicants are expected to present a strong college prep program in high school. Prospective first-year students are strongly encouraged to file an application as early in the senior year as possible and arrange to have first quarter grades sent from their high school counselor as soon as they are available.

For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog.