College of Business

Accounting—MS

Accounting is known as the “language of business”; it is a crucial component for success in all areas of business. The accredited Michigan Tech MS in Accounting program will provide you with the accounting and business background to become fluent in this language and will prepare you to step into the business world ready to compete and add value to a company or governmental organization.

Are you a self-motivated individual who possesses business acumen, strong math and analytical skills, and a zest for problem solving? The combination of these traits and an MS in Accounting from Michigan Tech will allow you to go far in the business world.

Our graduate-level accounting program is a great fit for those wishing to pursue a career in auditing, taxation, strategic cost management, data analytics, financial reporting, or professional consulting.

The Michigan Tech College of Business maintains a high level of student-to-faculty interaction and provides a stimulating classroom environment. Additionally, our faculty members bring real-world business experience to the classroom.

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Measured against peers, Michigan Tech accounting students earn the second-highest CPA pass rates in the nation and achieve the highest average score.

  • No. 13
    in the US for public university graduate mid-career engineering salaries
  • 30
    credit hours to complete the coursework-only program
  • 100%
    placement rate for graduate students in the College of Business

Program Features

  • Our coursework-only program consists of 30 credit hours and can be completed in less than a year. Eligible Michigan Tech undergraduate students can complete the Master of Science in Accounting with 24 credit hours of study beyond the BS degree through the Accelerated Master's Program.
  • Our program offers a course of study leading to certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
  • Students from a wide array of undergraduate disciplines may pursue a course of study that provides a path to positions of leadership and management.
  • Recent graduates from Michigan Tech’s accounting program have accepted audit and tax specialist positions with Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, and Grant Thornton, as well as corporate accounting positions with Nestle, Caterpillar, and General Motors.
  • Our students receive professional networking opportunities with accounting firm partners, corporate executives, distinguished community leaders, faculty, and alumni. Participating organizations include Bemis, Kimberly-Clark, and Pettibone.
  • A certificate in accounting analytics and a certificate in forensic accounting is also available within the Michigan Tech MS in Accounting program. Some students complete a certificate program as an entry point into the MS in Accounting program or to differentiate themselves from others in their major. 

Coursework

Our innovative accounting curriculum focuses on case studies, seminars, and data analytics to prepare students to make immediate contributions in a professional work environment.

The 18 credits in required coursework provide students with the requisite foundational knowledge, and the elective credits allow students to develop specializations in their area of interest.

Fall

  • Financial Statement Analysis - ACC 5200
  • Strategic Cost Management - ACC 5500
  • MSA Approved Elective
  • MSA Approved Elective

Spring

  • Advanced Audit and Forensic Examination - ACC 5100
  • Accounting Big Data Analytics - ACC 5700
  • MSA Approved Elective
  • MSA Approved Elective

Summer (Track A)

  • Taxation for Decision Makers - ACC 5600
  • Contemporary Issues in Accounting - ACC 5900

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about the MS in Accounting at Michigan's flagship technological university.

Why Accreditation Matters

As an accredited business college, Michigan Tech assesses student learning to ensure quality for business education and to continuously improve curriculum and programs.

MS in Accounting Student Learning Goals

  1. Disciplinary Knowledge – students demonstrate a depth of knowledge in accounting, as well as a breadth of knowledge that
    • enables adaptability and flexibility as knowledge grows and changes
    • recognizes linkages/complementary to other areas/disciplines.
  2. Communication – students will be able to communicate technical accounting issues effectively, orally, in writing, and in new media, to a wide variety of audiences.
  3. Information Literacy – Students will be able to analyze the need for, strategically access, critically evaluate, and use information effectively and ethically to solve business problems.

AACSB Accredited

STEM + Business, Only at Michigan Tech

Technology is shaping our lives faster than ever before. Michigan Tech's College of Business provides real-world graduate education experiences steeped in STEM to prepare the future business leaders of tomorrow.

Tomorrow Needs You

Supercharge your entrepreneurial spirit and meet the demands of a technology-driven society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to succeed in tomorrow's high-tech business world.

Graduate Programs

Paying for Your Master's

Graduate school is an investment in your career and your future, and you want to know that your investment is a solid one. Michigan Tech was named by Bloomberg Businessweek as a university that "packs an ROI punch." Quite simply, our graduates get jobs, advance their careers, and find success. Learn more about the cost to attend Michigan Tech.

If you need assistance in financing your degree, there are a variety of aid opportunities you can explore.

  • You may be eligible for a new set of federal loans, up to $20,500 per academic year, as an independent student. For more information, contact the Financial Aid office at finaid@mtu.edu or call 906-487-2622.
  • You may qualify for a tax credit and/or business deduction for work-related education. We recommend that you seek advice from a tax professional or see IRS Publication 970 (if you are currently working, see pages 77-84—Business Deduction for Work Related Education, "maintain or improve job skills").
  • National Service Graduate Fellowships (equal to approximately one-third of graduate tuition) are available to students who have provided service to the US through the military, AmeriCorps, or the Peace Corps.
  • Consider contributing to a 529 college savings plan. In Michigan's College Savings Plan, contributions are tax deductible up to specified limits. Withdrawals are federal and state income-tax-free when used for qualified expenses. If you are currently employed, your company may consider contributing to the 529 on your behalf.
  • Explore additional Graduate School financial aid options, including veterans benefits and alternative loans.

International Students

Non-resident tuition for graduate students is the same as resident tuition—a considerable savings compared to other universities. See our Graduate School resources and admissions details.