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About This Program
Develop the advanced knowledge needed to tackle complex accounting issues found in business, nonprofit, government, and private organizations with a Master of Science in Accounting from American Public University (APU).
APU’s master’s in accounting online program emphasizes theory and practical skills, while enabling you to enhance written communication and research capacities to address complex problem solving. Simulations and labs provide an immersive learning experience. The program ends with a thesis based on your research of a current industry issue.
Our online master’s in accounting program has earned specialized accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
Successful completion may or may not satisfy the educational requirements for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Educational requirements for the CPA exam vary by state.
This program is not designed to prepare graduates for any state-issued professional license or certification and therefore has not been approved by any state professional licensing agency. Successful completion of this bachelor of accounting may or may not satisfy the educational requirements for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Educational requirements for the CPA exam vary by state. Please see State Requirements for more information.
This program has specific admission requirements.
What You Will Do
- Analyze an organization’s financial information in depth, assessing the findings in writing
- Evaluate and organize financial data to aid managerial decision making
- Apply past, present, and emerging standards in accounting to complex financial transactions
- Produce and interpret financial statements for various organizations using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and International Financial Reporting Standards
- Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical framework for accountants adopted by professional accounting organizations
Degree at a Glance
ACBSP® is a registered trademark of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
$386.75** | $409.50***
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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version
Students must choose a concentration for this degree program:
This concentration is designed for students who have a solid understanding of accounting concepts. Mastery of accounting disciplines such as auditing, financial reporting, cost/management accounting, regulation, and taxation is expected from prospective students. This concentration could serve as a review of concepts that may be necessary for the CPA exam.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Apply appropriate Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to various scenarios regarding auditing, business environment and concepts, financial reporting, regulation, and taxation.
- Solve problems relating to auditing, business environment and concepts, financial reporting, regulation, and taxation.
- Demonstrate written communications skills in preparing solutions addressing complex accounting problems and situations.
- Illustrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills in formulating solutions to cases.
Choose 9 credit hours from this section.
Course ID: 4622
Course ID: 4623
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 | 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 | Spring 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4624
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 | 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 | Spring 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4625
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 | 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 | Spring 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 5298
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 | 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 | Spring 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 4807
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 | 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 | Spring 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3906
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4166
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 | 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 | Spring 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Choose 6 credit hours from this section.
Course ID: 4231
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3907
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 | 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 | Spring 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4373
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4808
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4882
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 | 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 | Spring 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3908
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 | 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 | Spring 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 4626
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 | 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 | Winter 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 | 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 | Winter 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 | 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 | Winter 2025 Session D | 8 Week session |
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 | 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 | Spring 2025 Session B | 8 Week session |
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 | 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 | Spring 2025 Session I | 8 Week session |
Admission Requirements
All APU master's degree and graduate certificate programs require you to have earned a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
In addition, you will need to provide an official transcript of your completed bachelor’s or master’s degree showing proof of completion of this required coursework:
- Auditing: 3 credit hours
- Cost Accounting or Managerial Accounting: 3 credit hours
- Individual Federal Taxation: 3 credit hours
- Intermediate Accounting: 6 credit hours
Preadmission courses must be grade C or better at the undergraduate level; B or better at the master’s level.
Students are required to take BUSN604 as their first required course. If you have a bachelor's degree that is accredited by ACBSP, AACSB, or IACBE, you are NOT required to take the course listed above, and instead may take one graduate-level elective course.
Students pursuing the Government Accounting Concentration will need to have credit for ACCT410 – Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting as it is prerequisite for ACCT614 – Government & Non-Profit Accounting.
You will also be required to submit a signed statement of understanding (SOU).
Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation including a legible copy of your valid government-issued photo ID (civilian students) or government-issued JST or CCAF transcript (military students).
There is no fee to complete the APU admission application. View steps to apply.
An APU admissions coach will contact you with further details about how to submit the required documentation after you complete the enrollment application.
Need Help?
Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions coach at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].
State Requirements
For more information on CPA educational prerequisites applicable to you, please see the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy website or select your state from the drop down list for more information.
Materials Cost
Technology fee: $85 per course
Consumer Information
Disclosures
Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.
1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.
*Cost Per Credit Hour
The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.
See all military student benefits.
Cost of Attendance
Learn more about American Public University's cost components and full cost of attendance.