Master of Accounting Programs

To be licensed as a certified public accountant (CPA) in most states, including Pennsylvania, individuals must complete 150 credit hours of education. Penn State's Smeal College of Business offers two options to meet this educational requirement: the Integrated MAcc Program for Smeal accounting majors or the One-Year Master of Accounting for those who have already earned a bachelor’s degree at Penn State or elsewhere.

Becoming a CPA opens doors to opportunities not only in accounting firms but also across the business landscape. A master’s degree in accounting will prepare students to enter careers in public accounting, as well as corporate finance, financial analysis, and law enforcement. Combining graduate accounting coursework with a CPA certificate and any number of undergraduate degree specializations facilitates entry to careers in consulting and advisory services.

Integrated MAcc

Smeal students apply for the Integrated MAcc Program early in the spring semester of the second year before and/or during the undergraduate major selection period at Smeal. The Integrated MAcc program begins in the fall semester of the third year and students graduate by May of the fifth year with both a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in accounting.

One-Year Master of Accounting

The earliest opportunity to apply for the One-Year Master of Accounting (MAcc) is in the Fall of the undergraduate fourth year. Offers of admission are conditional upon satisfactory completion of remaining undergraduate coursework. The program spans the fall, spring, and summer semesters and culminates with the award of a master’s degree in August.

Student Testimonials: Smeal Master of Accounting students intern with several companies including Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC, among others. Recent MAcc alumni share their internship experiences and how the program equipped them with the knowledge and skills to succeed.