Curriculum

Go beyond accounting fundamentals and master finance, information technology and tax, as well as soft skills like communication that are vital to launching and running with a career.

One step ahead of the pack.

Through rigorous classroom and hands-on learning you'll get a real-world education, including the global business experience that employers are looking for, and graduate one step ahead of the pack. Plus, you have the option to study for your CPA certificate — our students' results in this exam consistently surpass national averages. Our program forges a foundation for your future career opportunities yielding lifelong rewards.

Launch Your Career in Accounting

As an accounting professional, the bottom line among prospective employers and clients is your proven proficiency in technical knowledge, critical thinking and communication skills. With a Master of Science in Accounting degree from SMU Cox you can enhance your credibility and expand your career options in the fields of accounting and finance while you prepare for CPA certification.

The MSA is a 31-credit hour degree earned in person on the SMU campus. The program begins in August and can be completed in as few as nine months as a full-time student or eighteen months as a part-time student. Please note that international students must be full-time students due to visa restrictions, and part-time students are not eligible for scholarships.

All incoming students must have completed introductory accounting courses (equivalent to Fundamentals of Accounting I and II) prior to being considered for admission to the MSA program. For those international students or non-business undergraduate majors who have not completed the required background courses, completion of up to nine hours of prerequisites may be necessary. These students will begin their studies in late May and join the MSA program at its start in August.

The MSA may also be completed in as few as eighteen months on a part-time basis. Part-time students will take two courses each module, while full-time students take four. Please note that scholarships are not available to part-time students.

Curriculum

All SMU Cox graduate classes are offered in six-week modules (half-semesters) with two modules offered in the fall and two in the spring term. Almost all classes are worth two credit-hours.

Students entering the program with a degree from a four-year university who have completed the required background courses (see Admissions page for detailed information) will begin classes in August. These students will be waived out of the required 9 hours of background courses that are completed by some students in the summer.

Students coming into the program who have not completed the required background courses (see Admissions page for detailed information) will begin classes in late May. These students will take up to nine hours of classes during the summer term before beginning more the MSA degree program in August.

All students must have completed introductory accounting courses (equivalent to Fundamentals of Accounting I and II) prior to being considered for admission to the MSA program.

Track Overview

In the SMU Cox MSA Program, students can choose from one of three tracks: Assurance and Advisory, Taxation, and Information Systems. The core of the tracks overlaps, as a base knowledge is required for both the CPA Exam and success in all areas of business. The differences between the tracks allows students the opportunity to signal an area of expertise to prospective employers while also gaining advanced training that will equip them for their career. Students' track choices generally align with their initial career positions.

MSA Courses/Curriculum

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING
Total Credit Hours: 31
Total Credit Hours with Background Courses: 40

This is a representative curriculum for this program. Please consult with Admissions or your Enrollment Advisor for the most updated version.
 Summer Term - Background & Prerequisite Courses (2-9 Credit Hours)
  • Courses
    • Federal Income Tax I
    • Intermediate Accounting
    • Information Systems and Assurance
    • Intermediate Accounting II
 Fall Term (16 Credit Hours) Spring Term (15 Credit Hours)
  • Module A Courses
    • Business Communication
    • Intermediate Business Tax
    • Financial Reporting Research
    • One (1) Elective:
      • Financial Reporting & Analysis I,
      • Accounting Information Systems, or
      • Tax Research
  • Module B Courses
    • Accounting Data Analytics
    • Advanced Accounting I
    • Advanced AIS
    • One (1) Elective:
      • Financial & Reporting Analysis II,
      • Sustainability Reporting,
      • Taxation of M&A, or
      • Database Design for Business Applications
  • Module A Courses
    • Information Technology Auditing
    • Accounting for Income Taxes
    • Two (2) Electives:
      • Financial Statement Analysis,
      • Forensic Accounting,
      • Advanced Partnership Taxation,
      • Advanced Business Tax, or
      • Corporate Controller - Strategic Accounting Leader
  • Module B Courses
    • Business Ethics for Accountants
    • Two (2) Electives:
      • Accounting-Based Valuation,
    • Advanced Accounting II,
    • Taxes and Business Strategy,
    • International Taxation, or
    • Analysis of Sustainability Information

 Summer – Background & Prerequisite Courses (2–9 Credit Hours)
  • Courses
    • M.S.A. Federal Income Tax 1
    • M.S.A. Intermediate Accounting I
    • Information Systems and Assurance
    • M.S.A. Intermediate Accounting II
 Fall Term (8 Credit Hours)  Spring Term (7 Credit Hours)
  • Module A Courses
    • Intermediate Business Tax
    • Financial Reporting Research
  • Module B Courses
    • Accounting Data Analytics
    • Advanced AIS
  • Module A Courses
    • Information Technology Auditing
    • Accounting for Income Taxes
  • Module B Courses
    • Business Ethics for Accountants
 Fall Term (8 Credit Hours)  Spring Term (8 Credit Hours)
  • Module A Courses
    • Business Communication
    • One (1) Elective:
      • Financial Reporting & Analysis I,
      • Accounting Information Systems, or
      • Tax Research
  • Module B Courses
    • Advanced Accounting I
    • One (1) Elective:
      • Financial Reporting & Analysis II,
      • Sustainability Reporting,
      • Taxation of M&A, or
      • Database Design for Business Applications
  • Module A Courses
    • Two (2) Electives:
      • Financial Statement Analysis,
      • Forensic Accounting,
      • Advanced Partnership Taxation,
      • Advanced Business Tax, or
      • Corporate Controller – Strategic Accounting Leader
  • Module B Courses
    • Two (2) Electives:
      • Accounting-Based Valuation,
      • Advanced Accounting 2,
      • Taxes and Business Strategy,
      • International Taxation, or
      • Analysis of Sustainability Information
Total Credit Hours for Program: 31–40
Summer Term – Background & Prerequisite Courses (2–9 Credit Hours)
  • Courses
    • Federal Income Tax I
    • Intermediate Accounting I
    • Information Systems and Assurance
    • Intermediate Accounting II
Fall Term (16 Credit Hours) Spring Term (15 Credit Hours)
  • Module A Courses
    • Business Communication
    • Intermediate Business Tax
    • Financial Reporting Research
    • One (1) Elective:
      • Financial Reporting & Analysis I,
      • Accounting Information Systems, or
      • Tax Research
  • Module B Courses
    • Accounting Data Analytics
    • Advanced Accounting I                             
    • Advanced AIS
    • Database Design for Business Applications
  • Module A Courses
    • Information Technology Auditing
    • Three (3) Electives:
      • Financial Statement Analysis,
      • Forensic Accounting,
      • Advanced Partnership Taxation,
      • Accounting for Income Taxes,
      • Advanced Business Tax, or
      • Corporate Controller – Strategic Accounting Leader
  • Module B Courses
    • Business Ethics for Accountants
    • Two (2) Electives:
      • Accounting-Based Valuation,
      • Advanced Accounting II,
      • Taxes and Business Strategy,
      • International Taxation,
      • Analysis of Sustainability Information
Total Credit Hours for Program: 31–40
 Summer – Background & Prerequisite Courses (2–9 Credit Hours)
  • Courses
    • M.S.A. Federal Income Tax 1
    • M.S.A. Intermediate Accounting I
    • Information Systems and Assurance
    • M.S.A. Intermediate Accounting II
 Fall Term (8 Credit Hours)  Spring Term (7 Credit Hours)
  • Module A Courses
    • Intermediate Business Tax
    • Financial Reporting Research
  • Module B Courses
    • Accounting Data Analytics
    • Database Design for Business Applications
  • Module A Courses
    • Information Technology Auditing
    • One (1) Elective:
      • Financial Statement Analysis,
      • Forensic Accounting,
      • Accounting for Income Taxes, or
      • Corporate Controller – Strategic Accounting Leader
  • Module B Courses
    • Business Ethics for Accountants
 Fall Term (8 Credit Hours)  Spring Term (8 Credit Hours)
  • Module A Courses
    • Business Communication
    • One (1) Elective:
      • Financial Reporting & Analysis I,
      • Accounting Information Systems, or
      • Tax Research
  • Module B Courses
    • Advanced AIS
    • Advanced Accounting I
  • Module A Courses
    • Two (2) Electives:
      • Financial Statement Analysis,
      • Forensic Accounting,
      • Advanced Partnership Taxation,
      • Accounting for Income Taxes,
      • Advanced Business Tax, or
      • Corporate Controller – Strategic Accounting Leader
  • Module B Courses
    • Two (2) Electives:
      • Accounting-Based Valuation,
      • Advanced Accounting II,
      • Taxes and Business Strategy,
      • International Taxation, or
      • Analysis of Sustainability Information
Total Credit Hours for Program: 31–40
Summer Term – Background & Prerequisite Courses (2–9 Credit Hours)
  • Courses
    • Federal Income Tax I
    • Intermediate Accounting I
    • Information Systems and Assurance
    • Intermediate Accounting II
Fall Term (16 Credit Hours) Spring Term (15 Credit Hours)
  • Module A Courses
    • Business Communication
    • Advanced Corporate Taxation
    • Tax Research
    • One (1) Elective:
      • Financial Reporting & Analysis I,
      • Accounting Information Systems, or
      • Financial Reporting Research
  • Module B Courses
    • Accounting Data Analytics
    • Advanced Accounting I                     
    • Taxation of M&A
    • One (1) Elective:
      • Financial Reporting & Analysis II,
      • Advanced AIS,
      • Sustainability Reporting, or
      • Database Design for Business Applications
  • Module A Courses
    • Advanced Partnership Taxation
    • Accounting for Income Taxes
    • Advanced Business Tax
    • One (1) Elective:
      • Financial Statement Analysis,
      • Forensic Accounting,
      • Information Technology Auditing, or
      • Corporate Controller – Strategic Accounting Leader
  • Module B Courses
    • Business Ethics for Accountants
    • International Taxation
    • One (1) Elective:
      • Accounting-Based Valuation,
      • Advanced Accounting II,
      • Taxes and Business Strategy, or
      • Analysis of Sustainability Information
Total Credit Hours for Program: 31–40
 Summer – Background & Prerequisite Courses (2–9 Credit Hours)
  • Courses
    • Federal Income Tax I
    • Intermediate Accounting I
    • Information Systems and Assurance
    • Intermediate Accounting II
 Fall Term (8 Credit Hours)  Spring Term (7 Credit Hours)
  • Module A Courses
    • Advanced Corporate Taxation
    • Tax Research
  • Module B Courses
    • Accounting Data Analytics
    • Advanced Accounting I                     
  • Module A Courses
    • Accounting for Income Taxes
    • Advanced Business Tax
  • Module B Courses
    • Business Ethics for Accountants
 Fall Term (8 Credit Hours)  Spring Term (8 Credit Hours)
  • Module A Courses
    • Business Communication
    • One (1) Elective:
      • Financial Reporting & Analysis I,
      • Accounting Information Systems, or
      • Financial Reporting Research
  • Module B Courses
    • Taxation of M&A
    • One (1) Elective:
      • Financial Reporting & Analysis II,
      • Advanced AIS,
      • Sustainability Reporting, or
      • Database Design for Business Applications
  • Module A Courses
    • Advanced Partnership Taxation
    • One (1) Elective:
      • Financial Statement Analysis,
      • Forensic Accounting,
      • Information Technology Auditing, or
      • Corporate Controller – Strategic Accounting Leader
  • Module B Courses
    • International Taxation
    • One (1) Elective:
      • Accounting-Based Valuation,
      • Advanced Accounting II,
      • Taxes and Business Strategy, or
      • Analysis of Sustainability Information
Total Credit Hours for Program: 31–40

(Curriculum subject to change. See course details for more information.)

Some students' schedules may be adjusted to include other courses necessary for CPA Exam eligibility, as a result of prior coursework, or due to specific interests.

Classes meeting the specific requirements for CPA Exam qualification are available to MSA program students. Depending on which courses are necessary, the student's schedule will be adjusted to ensure CPA Exam qualification is satisfied. Most students can study for and take the CPA Exam during fall and will have taken all Exam sections by graduation from the program. Filing of CPA Exam qualification documents, connection to CPA Exam review providers and coordination of studies is guided by the program director. 

Beyond the Classroom

The best way to gain leadership experience and confidence is by connecting with people in leadership positions and immersing yourself in real world business environments. At SMU Cox, we bring opportunities for hands-on experience to life outside the typical classroom setting, tapping our strong ties with business leaders in Dallas and beyond. Among your experiential learning opportunities at SMU Cox:

  • Thanks to our global connections, the Business Leadership Center is able to schedule a robust seminar series led by Fortune 500 executives and forward-thinking entrepreneurs.
  • Applied leadership opportunities include the Nonprofit Consulting Program, which gives you the option to join a team of peers in addressing the challenges of a local not-for-profit organization.

See what you can do at the BLC

Highlight: Global Exposure Trips

Gain a global view of your field at SMU Cox in the classroom and beyond — we know how important it is today to understand business from an international perspective. As part of your studies, you'll have the option to join a professional development trip with a group of Cox graduate students from various programs. Short-term trips are organized through the Office of Global Operations, which provides Cox graduate students with the chance to study and experience political and economic trends outside the United States firsthand. MSA students may participate in international programs at the end of fall or over spring break if in good academic standing within the program. While some trips provide academic credit, these do not count toward the degree requirements. For assistance in reviewing academic plans, students should meet with student services or the program director early in the planning process.



Faculty: Learn from the Best

We don't just teach business — we're immersed in business. When they’re not educating you in applicable knowledge and skills, your professors are consulting for Fortune 500s, publishing books and research, running their own businesses and serving in government. Small class sizes and a calendar full of events where you can mingle informally mean you’ll be able to build one-on-one relationships with the academics and professionals who are invested in your future.

Meet more faculty

Meet the Faculty

william dillon

Gauri Bhat

Associate Professor of Accounting

Gauri Bhat has taught financial statement analysis for banks, financial accounting, and management accounting courses at graduate and undergraduate level.  Before entering academia, she worked as an auditor with KPMG and held a management position in the Corporate Banking Risk Administration Group at Citibank.



gandi profile pic

Susan Riffe

Clinical Professor of Accounting

Winner of numerous teaching awards, Susan Riffe leads graduate courses in financial accounting, financial reporting and analysis, and advanced topics including derivatives and foreign exchange. A member of the SMU faculty since 1992, she is passionate about giving her students a strong foundational understanding of financial statements and showing them that accounting is fun!

Headshot of Wendy Wilson, MSA professor

Wendy Wilson

Professor of Practice in Accounting

Wendy Wilson received her PhD from UNC-Chapel Hill, now teaching at SMU Cox in areas of federal taxation and intermediate accounting. Her research centers around international accounting, capital markets, earnings quality, and financial statement disclosure.