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New Mexico State University

Master of Accountancy

Cindy Seipel

Dr. Cindy Seipel, Program Director

Overview

The Master of Accountancy program is recommended for those students wishing to fulfill the 150-hour education requirement for CPA certification in most U.S. jurisdictions. Upon completion of Master of Accountancy degree program, a student is qualified to take the CPA and CMA examinations.

The Master of Accountancy program provides the additional breadth and depth necessary to more fully prepare students for the increasing demands imposed by many accounting careers. It is a 30-credit program requiring 18 credits in accounting and 12 credits of electives.

Students develop a technical and theoretical foundation in accountancy at the advanced level while being able to select courses to accommodate individual goals. Because the educational requirement for entry into the public accounting profession is increasing in most states to 150 credit hours, students should give strong consideration to pursuing a master’s degree in accounting.

The last decade has witnessed a significant expansion in the knowledge base required of the professional accountant. The business environment has become increasingly complex, as evidenced by the growth in the body of accounting and auditing standards, tax, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other regulatory requirements. An accountant must also be well versed in communications and analytical skills, computer-based information systems, professional ethics, and global issues.

The traditional 4-year accounting program and the MBA no longer provide the educational breadth and depth necessary to fully prepare students for the demands imposed by many accounting careers. The major objective of the Master of Accountancy program is to provide for these increased educational needs and to prepare students more adequately for careers as professional accountants in public practice, financial institutions, government and nonprofit organizations. As such, Master of Accountancy courses emphasize research skills — “learning how to learn.” The program is designed to provide a technical and theoretical foundation in accountancy at the advanced level and yet allow the student to take courses to accommodate individual needs.