Graduate programs

Master of Science in Accounting

Launching leaders in the accounting field

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Program format

In person

Commitment

Full time or part time

Duration

Nine to 21 months

Overview

The Master of Science in Accounting prepares students to launch and accelerate careers in accounting, finance and related business fields through a rigorous, STEM-designated curriculum that combines technical expertise with practical business skills. In as few as nine months, students build advanced knowledge in areas such as assurance and advisory, taxation, or information systems while developing the critical thinking, communication and problem-solving abilities employers value. The program's strong outcomes speak for themselves with 98% of 2025 graduates accepting jobs within six months of graduation.

Designed with CPA success in mind, the program satisfies the educational requirements for CPA exam eligibility and provides dedicated support throughout the exam preparation process. Students have the flexibility to complete all four sections of the CPA exam while enrolled or shortly after graduation, helping them enter the workforce with a valuable professional credential already underway.

Beyond the classroom, students benefit from personalized support from faculty, career coaches and a powerful alumni network. Through career guidance, employer connections and access to the Dallas business community, SMU Cox helps students translate their education into meaningful career opportunities and long-term professional success.


A Culture that sets us apart

At SMU Cox, you’ll join a community of driven peers, alumni who open doors, expert faculty and dedicated staff who support your goals as their own. Here, when you win, we all win.

Student success

Success at SMU Cox is built on more than academic preparation. From one-on-one career coaching and CPA exam guidance to networking opportunities with employers and alumni, students benefit from a robust support system designed to help them achieve their goals. The result is a student experience that prepares graduates for long-term success in accounting, finance and beyond.

This program prepares you to excel in the following areas and professions:

  • Audit and assurance
  • Tax accounting and advisory
  • Corporate accounting
  • Financial planning and analysis
  • Accounting advisory services
  • Forensic accounting
  • Financial services and banking
  • CFO and leadership roles

Top 20%

Best National Universities

U.S. News & World Report (2026)

#1

metro area in Texas with the highest employment levels for accountants and auditors

U.S. BLS (2023)

98%

of M.S.A. graduates achieved their desired career outcome within six months of graduation

2025 MSA Employment Report

Student stories

headshot of Blokland - MSA Alumni

Romée Blokland, ’22

"Earning my MSA gave me the tools and knowledge to pass the CPA exam and to succeed in my job as an auditor at EY. Additionally, the MSA helped me enhance my soft skills that set me up for success at the beginning of my professional career."

Eric Mercado, MSA alumni

Eric Mercado, ’16

Eric Mercado was one of five SMU Cox accounting students whose team won the Ernst & Young Beam Abroad Case Competition and were whisked off to London, where they visited the EY London office and shared a meal with the EY global leadership team. Connections matter. Eric went on to secure a role with EY in Dallas.

Admissions

Deadlines and details

Key dates and admissions information to help plan your application with confidence.

International students

All the essential admission requirements international students need to know.

Application questions

Connect with a Graduate Admission team member for answers to application questions.

Additional links

Requirements

  1. Current resume
  2. Written essays
  3. Unofficial transcripts or degree progress reports that show cumulative GPA and grades for each course taken
  4. Official transcripts from bachelor’s degree institution, institutions where 12 or more credit hours were taken and graduate degrees are required for candidates offered admission
  5. Two references (Name and contact information only. Recommendation letters are not required nor are they requested from references)

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Ready to apply?

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Tuition and financial aid

Tuition and costs

Explore the cost breakdown of tuition for graduate programs.

Financial aid

Find information on scholarships and financial support available at SMU.

Curriculum and learning

Featured courses

ACCT 6248

Intermediate Business Taxation

Examines basic issues in the tax treatment of corporations and their shareholders

ACCT 6220

Accounting Data Analytics

Introduces issues that arise in asking the right questions when employing data analytics in an accounting context

ACCT 6391

Ethics in Accounting

Discusses the ethical and legal risks and requirements of the accounting profession, including the provisions of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, the Texas State Board of Accountancy’s Rules of Professional Conduct, applicable laws, FASB and GAAP.

View course catalog

Outside the classroom

Faculty

Our faculty are pursuing cutting-edge research that is grounded in economic theory and in sound empirical methods. Research by our faculty not only informs practice and policy but also their teaching and curriculum.

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Greg Sommers

Greg Sommers

Clinical Professor
Director, Master of Science in Accounting Program
Neil Bhattacharya

Neil Bhattacharya

Professor
Corrigan Endowed Professor of Accounting
SMU Cox Accounting Professor and Chair Hemang Desai

Hemang Desai

Professor
Distinguished Chair in Accounting
Department Chair

Russ Hamilton

Clinical Professor
Profile Logo

J. Douglas Hanna

Associate Professor
Scott Hensley

Scott Hensley

Professor of Practice

Larry Kanter

Adjunct Professor

David McIntyre

Professor of Practice
James Hamill

James Hamill

Professor of Practice

Erika Wheeler

Clinical Professor

Facilities

Students in the MS in accounting program at Cox can collaborate with the Career Management Center.

Career Management Center

From personal branding and coaching to internship or job searches, the CMC’s mission is to help students achieve their professional goals.

A master of science in accounting student at SMU Cox receives support from an alumni.

Alumni and Professional Advisory Board

Board members engage with students and support faculty through classroom involvement and curriculum feedback.

Frequently asked questions

A Master of Science in Accounting is a graduate degree that prepares students for advanced careers in accounting, finance and related business fields. Students develop expertise in areas such as auditing, taxation, financial reporting and information systems while building the skills needed for CPA licensure and long-term professional success.

Absolutely. 98% of the MSA class of 2025 accepted jobs within six months of graduation. With Dallas at your doorstep – i.e. enviable employment opportunities and valuable connections – and a dynamic career center, you'll be ready to run with your degree.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow five percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.


This STEM-designated and OPT-certified program with full-time and part-time formats offers a cutting-edge curriculum that prepares students for careers in public accounting, consulting, finance and more. Additionally, the Career Management Center will connect you with employers seeking accounting talent. Our alumni have landed at EY, KPMG, BDO and more.

Not necessarily, but the program gives you the option to prepare for your CPA and target your goals with electives. The MSA program is built around preparing students for the Texas CPA certification and partners with CPA preparation companies. Cox MSA students consistently surpass national averages on their CPA exams' scoring.


While both degrees can prepare students for leadership opportunities in business, a Master of Science in Accounting provides specialized, in-depth training in accounting disciplines such as auditing, taxation, financial reporting and information systems.

An MBA with an accounting concentration offers a broader business education across areas such as finance, marketing, strategy and management, with accounting serving as one area of focus. Students who want to build advanced accounting expertise, prepare for CPA licensure and pursue accounting-focused careers often find the MSA. to be the more direct path.

According to BLS data from May 2024, the median annual wage for accountants and auditors was $81,680. The SMU Cox MSA Class of 2025 reported an average base salary of $78,000 and 42% received a signing bonus worth an average of $5,100.

Students focus on one of three tracks: Assurance and Advisory, Taxation or Information Systems. The core curriculum of each track overlaps, as the base knowledge significantly prepare students for the CPA exam as well as success in all areas of business.

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