Accountancy, M.Acc. (Online)

Program Learning Outcomes

The online Master of Accountancy (MAcc) Program is designed to provide the foundations students will need to adapt and excel in the rapidly changing environment of the accounting profession. The accounting faculty at the University of Nevada, Reno are dedicated to presenting students with solid fundamentals, along with state-of-the-art tools and techniques in auditing, financial reporting and taxation. Career options for students graduating with a MAcc degree include financial analyst, certified public accountant, controller, or CFO.

Students will be able to:

• understand the theoretical underpinnings of GAAP.
• acquire and enhance critical thinking skills. (CT)
• improve their oral and written communication. (C)
• understand the ethical standards applicable to the profession.
• understand the role of accounting in capital markets. (QR)
• understand the role of taxes in operations and decision making. (QR)

Contact Information

Sonja Pippin, Professor of Accounting and Graduate Program Director
sonjap@unr.edu
(775) 784-1337 (office)
(806) 438-9611 (cell)
Office:  AB 317E

Mailing Address:
University of Nevada, Reno
College of Business, Department of Accounting Mail Stop 0026
1664 North Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89557

Graduate Handbook *

Admission Requirements

Core Track admission. Applicants with a degree from an AACSB-accredited school must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 and a grade average of B or better in all accounting courses. Applicants with a degree from any other regionally accredited school must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and B or better in all accounting courses.

For applicants with GPAs that fall below our program’s requirement, a well-written letter of exception can be a valuable addition to your application. This letter should provide context and demonstrate your potential for success in our rigorous program. In your Statement of Purpose, we encourage you to address any academic challenges you may have faced and elaborate on the factors that contribute to your readiness to excel in a graduate-level accounting program.

Background Track admission. Applicants with an undergraduate degree in fields other than accounting who have a minimum of two years of relevant work experience will be required to complete two up to six courses in addition to the 10 required core track courses.

The Master of Accounting program considers transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions on a case-by-case basis. To determine if any of your previously completed coursework is eligible for transfer, we will need to review your official transcripts during the application review process.

The maximum number of transferable credits accepted towards the MAcc program is nine (3 courses). This applies to both individuals holding degrees from other institutions and those with relevant coursework without a completed degree.

General Application Procedures (note all applications must be done electronically via the graduate school website)

Submit the following to the Graduate School:

• A completed and signed application for admission form;
• A nonrefundable application fee;
• Official transcripts from each college or university where work has been completed or is in progress;
• International students should refer to the “Admission for International Students” section of the catalog for additional information.

In addition to the above, submit the following:  

• A personal statement indicating the applicant’s educational and career objectives;
• Two reference letters;
• A current, detailed resume.

I. Program Requirements

Background track: Students must complete 12 courses (36 credits) for the MAcc.

Core track: Students must complete 10 courses (30 credits) for the MAcc.

There is no thesis requirement. A minimum of 18 credits must be earned at the University of Nevada, Reno. No less than 12 course credits must be taken at 700-level.

II. Total Units (30-36 units)

• Required Accounting Courses (core and background track) (24 units)
• Background Accounting Courses (background track) (6 units)
• Non-Accounting Elective Courses (core and background track) (6 units)

Notes

Limitation on Transfer Credit

Subject to the approval of the MAcc director and the dean of graduate school, students may apply up to nine graduate credits earned at other accredited universities, earned in other UNR graduate programs, or earned as a graduate special.

S/U Graded Courses

S/U graded courses are not permitted in the MAcc program. This applies to both undergraduate prerequisite courses and graduate courses.

Academic Standards and Probation

Graduate students in the MAcc program who do not maintain an overall GPA of at least a 3.0 in all graduate courses are placed on probation. Students on probation may be prohibited from further enrollment if they fail to raise their overall GPA to at least a 3.0 by the end of their first probationary semester. Exceptions are made only at the discretion of the MAcc program director and the dean of graduate school and may then be for a single semester if warranted. Additional information on graduate academic standards requirements is included in the Graduate School section of this catalog.

Continuous Matriculation

MAcc program students are required to maintain continuous enrollment during their participation in the program. Enrollment is defined as registered in one or more courses for credits in the MAcc program. Enrollment begins when a student registers for his or her first course for credit in the MAcc program. A leave of absence may be granted in special circumstances. Requests for such leaves may be submitted in advance to the director of the MAcc program. MAcc program students who discontinue enrollment for more than one year will generally be required to reapply for admission to the MAcc program and must meet the program requirements set forth in the catalog in effect for the year of readmission. Additional information graduate matriculation requirements is included in the Graduate School section of this catalog.

Connect

Connect with the Accounting Department’s Facebook page to learn more about program events and to network with fellow students and professors.

Graduate Handbook

* Curriculum requirements in the catalog supersede the Graduate handbook.