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Accelerated Master of Science in Accountancy Program
Kristi Ringen, EdD, Dean of Professional Studies Karen Galardi, EdD, Associate Dean for Graduate and Professional Studies Christopher Quinn, MA, Director, Graduate and Professional Studies
Mission
The program’s mission, in conjunction with that of the University, is to provide an avenue for life-long learning. This learning takes place through values-based education, creative scholarship, informed and imaginative use of research and technology, and the practical application of concepts and principles. This values-based education prepares accounting professionals well for the challenging ethical, moral, and legal dilemmas they will face during their careers.
The vision of the program is to inspire accounting professionals to be the strong, ethical leaders who lead the business community into the future. Graduates are prepared to step into leadership roles in the accounting profession through an enhanced knowledge and understanding of accounting principles and practices, possession of a graduate degree, and an energized classroom experience that focuses on critical thinking and practical knowledge.
Accreditation
The MS in Accountancy degree program is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Upon completion of this program, the student should be able to: • Demonstrate the ability to employ the professional accounting skills required by high performing organizations. • Demonstrate the ability to model the skills necessary for the communications of highly sophisticated financial and operating data required for fiduciary responsibilities. • Illustrate ethical sensitivity proficiency to prevent fraud and misleading financial reports and assure organizational integrity. • Demonstrate the aptitude to practice the analytical skills, technical competence and cultural / historical understanding to compete in a global environment.
Applicants to the program must submit the following: • A completed and signed application form • A statement of professional plans and goals (1 – 2 pages) • One official transcript from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended • Resume • Interview
An applicant with a GPA of less than 3.0 may submit a written petition to the Dean and pending approval may be admitted on a probationary basis. Probationary students must complete six hours of graduate coursework in the program at Holy Family University earning a GPA of at least 3.0 and a minimum grade of B in each course to be removed from probationary status and matriculated into the program.
The program is appropriate for students with an undergraduate degree in any discipline. However, students without a business undergraduate degree may need to take the following Holy Family University undergraduate courses (or equivalent): • ACC 205 Financial Accounting • ACC 206 Managerial Accounting
Program Description
The Master of Science in Accountancy meets the needs of accountants in industry seeking to enhance their professional credentials and gain the necessary credits to sit for the CPA Exam while obtaining an advanced degree. Additionally, this program provides degreed individuals with the opportunity to change their professional path by getting an advanced degree in the growing field of accounting.
Program Highlights
The program is designed to provide students with: • The skills and technical competence they will need in leadership roles in the accounting profession. • Comprehensive, advanced accounting courses for professional careers in accounting. • A solid foundation of knowledge and professionalism that they will carry throughout their careers. • A program that promotes the critical thinking, professional values, technical skills, and leadership capabilities that fulfill the goals of the American Institute of Public Accountants. • The encouragement to become lifelong learners and pursue professional certifications.
If a student takes one course in each session, time to degree completion will normally be 20 months. Students who decide to step out of the program for any reason will impact their desired completion time. All course work must be completed within three years. Students are eligible to take one course each semester. Students who request to take more than one courses per term must be submit a written request to an academic advisor for review and evaluation. Requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis and approval to take more than one course is not guaranteed. All requests must be reviewed and approved by the Associate Dean of the School of Business Administration.
Program Course Requirements
Core Requirements (24 credits)
BUS 502 Foundations of Business ACC 501 Financial Accounting I ACC 502 Financial Accounting II ACC 505 Advanced Financial Accounting ACC 510 Advanced Managerial Accounting ACC 520 Taxation I ACC 522 Taxation II ACC 546 Auditing
Elective (Choose one) (3 credits)
ACC 530 Fraud Prevention and Forensic Accounting ACC 540 International Accounting MGT 511 Financial Decision Making 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
3 3 3
Capstone (3 credits)
ACC 550 Independent Project 3
Degree Requirements
The requirements for the Master of Science in Accountancy are 30 credits, which include the core requirements, one elective course, and the capstone course, and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
