University of Tampa

What you'll study

The programme requires a range of accounting prerequisites and graduate coursework. The published structure shows prerequisite courses and graduate-level requirements with the following components.

• Prerequisite courses (listed as 28 credit hours): ACC 304 or ACC 305 (Cost Accounting or Data Analytics for Accounting) 4 credits; ACC 320 Intermediate Accounting I 4; ACC 351 Accounting Information Systems 4; ACC 352 Federal Taxation I 4; ACC 401 Auditing and Attestation 4; ACC 420 Intermediate Accounting II 4; BUS 221 Business Law and Social Responsibility 4.
• Required MS-ACC courses (12 credit hours): ACC 625 Advanced Accounting Analytics 4; ACC 643 Advanced Financial Accounting 4; ACC 657 Advanced Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation 4.
• Electives (20 credit hours; at least two must be ACC courses): options include ACC 502 Auditing II; ACC 541 Governmental Accounting (2 credits); ACC 553 Federal Taxation II; ACC 611 Mergers and Acquisitions; ACC 635 Business Ethics and Corporate Governance; ACC 637 Information Systems Advisory and Assurance; ACC 651 Advanced Management Accounting; ACC 654 Federal Taxation III; ACC 655 Fraud Examination; ACC 680 Contemporary Issues in Accounting; BUS 550 Commercial Law for Financial Professionals; and ITM courses such as ITM 505 Database Fundamentals (2 credits), ITM 615 Data Mining for Business, ITM 617 Machine Learning for Business Analytics, ITM 618 Application Development for Managers, and ITM 619 Enterprise Systems.
• Total credit hours: the programme materials indicate a range reported as 32–60 credit hours, with the Master of Science in Accounting itself described as a 32-credit hour graduate programme.

Entry requirements

Admission is competitive; applications are reviewed only after the Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies receives all required materials. Prospective students must apply using the university's online application. There is specific information and a separate admissions page for international applicants. Applicants are notified after materials are evaluated.

Career prospects

The programme frames accounting as the language of business and stresses roles that support external stakeholders (creditors, investors, regulators) and internal management (resource allocation, performance measurement, strategic objectives). Graduates can expect to pursue positions that require preparing and analysing financial statements, auditing, tax work, fraud examination, systems advisory roles and finance-focused advisory work across organisations of varying sizes.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Tuition and fees are charged by the credit hour; current rates are posted on the university's Tuition and Costs page. The university references graduate assistantships and accelerated 4+1 options for undergraduates to reduce time and cost, and prospective students should consult the Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies for details on assistantships, financial aid and specific funding opportunities.