Marquette University

Programme overview

The Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) at Marquette is a concentrated graduate degree typically completed in one calendar year (summer, fall and spring terms) for students who already hold an undergraduate business degree with an accounting major or equivalent accounting coursework. The programme provides advanced technical accounting instruction and opportunities to work with MBA students and to apply for graduate assistant positions with accounting faculty. The curriculum supports preparation for the CPA 150-hour requirement used by most states.

What you'll study

Coursework emphasizes advanced financial accounting for corporations and not-for-profits, auditing topics including fraud examination, taxation for corporations, and accounting information systems. The programme’s learning outcomes require students to apply critical thinking to accounting issues; demonstrate effective written and verbal business communication; show professional accounting knowledge (financial accounting, income tax, auditing, government accounting); apply ethical reasoning; and analyze international accounting environments and differences between U.S. and international standards.

Entry requirements

Applicants must have a completed or nearly completed baccalaureate degree in accounting or equivalent accounting coursework (typically about 24 hours of U.S. GAAP-based accounting classes, including principles, intermediate sequence, cost accounting, audit, a U.S. taxation course, and accounting information systems). A minimum GPA of 2.750 is required. Applicants with GPA below 3.000 must submit GMAT or GRE scores per the programme policy. Additional documentation required includes an online application and fee (waived with attendance at an online info session), official transcripts from all institutions (final official transcripts required after admission), essay responses, a resume or job profile, and two letters of recommendation if applying for financial aid. International applicants face extra requirements: GMAT/GRE if undergraduate institution is not AACSB accredited, proof of English proficiency (such as TOEFL), two letters of recommendation, possible interview, and an evaluated transcript from an accepted credential service.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles across public accounting (audit and tax), internal audit, corporate accounting functions such as financial reporting and management accounting, investment banking, governmental and not-for-profit accounting, and entry to Ph.D. programmes. The degree targets students planning to sit for the CPA exam and meet the 150-hour education expectations many jurisdictions impose for CPA eligibility and AICPA membership.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Marquette notes opportunities for graduate assistant positions within the accounting faculty; applicants should also explore university and departmental funding sources and financial aid options. Meeting application deadlines is important for assistantship consideration: rolling admission applies but internal deadlines are listed for summer and fall, and earlier deadlines apply for international applicants to allow visa processing.