After obtaining an accounting degree, it’s not uncommon for students to want to learn more about accredited online accounting master degrees due to the value of possessing a graduate level degree in that profession. Distance and online learning opportunities have become exceptionally popular in areas like accounting, and there are several accredited programs that provide exceptional educational value to today’s students. One of the primary benefits of an online or distance program is that students who need to enter the work force need not put their career on hold while they attend an online program. Advanced knowledge in accounting will also provide a student with a terrific opportunity to move up the corporate ladder.
American InterContinental University
Accounting Degrees
In operation since 1970s, American InterContinental University is a for-profit institution that is regionally accredited to award associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The university’s first location was built in Lucerne, Switzerland in 1970 by an American couple. By the mid-1970s, the school grew to accommodate additional locations with a campus in London, England and a campus in Atlanta, Georgia. Any student who wishes to take classes may enroll in the university’s open-enrollment design. Although the school once focused on providing an education in fashion, the school expanded significantly over its decades of operation into a school with several locations and many majors.
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Specialization in Accounting
Students who enroll in AIU’s accounting program are exposed to a rigorous curriculum that offers a practical approach to the profession through a business education. Students receive a global perspective on financial management and economics from the perspective of a management position. Rather than receiving a broad education accounting meant for work as an entry-level accountant, the MBA program ensures that students are taught the important information required for work as managers. Students are offered lessons on ethics, leadership, and information, as well as classes on not-for-profit and public accounting. The university estimates that the program will take students 11 months to complete a total of 48 credits. After graduating from the program, students may work in a variety of industries including private accounting, government, and non-profit. Classes that students should expect to take include Accounting for Managers, Accounting Information Systems, and Public & Not-for-Profit Accounting in addition to several business-focused classes.
Contact
American InterContinental University
231 N. Martingale Road
6th Floor
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Phone: 855.377.1888
careerservices@aiuonline.edu
Website
American Public University
School of Business
Established in 1991, the American Public University system has over 100,000 students attending in what is primarily an online format. The school’s offices are in West Virginia and Virginia. Offering associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, American Public University was once known as American Military University and was designed to help members of the military complete college. Some of the interesting courses offered at the school included counterterrorism and military intelligence. Today, the university caters to students of all needs and also offers degrees in a wide variety of areas. Overall, the school offers more than 180 different degrees and certificates to its many students.
Master of Science in Accounting
The comprehensive program in accounting at APU places an emphasis on a variety of important skills required for success in the world of accounting at the managerial level. Students will take classes that emphasize theoretical knowledge, as well as practical and research skills, so as to arrive at graduation with a broad level of advanced accounting knowledge. Students will find they are prepared for work in several different industries and types of companies that range from public and not-for-profit corporations and government groups and entities. Students must complete a total of 36 credits to graduate which includes 24 hours of core classes, 9 hours of electives, and 3 hours for a final project. To gain admission to the program, students must possess a bachelor’s degree at a minimum with at least two accounting courses already under his or her belt. In addition, students must have taken a college-level algebra course before enrolling.
Contact
American Public University
10110 Battleview Parkway, Suite 114
Manassas, VA 20109
Phone: 877.777.9081
info@apus.edu
Website
Ashford University
Forbes School of Business
Ashford University offers courses online and in classroom settings, but most students that attend the university are enrolled in online classes. Established in 1918, the university was originally affiliated with the Sisters of St. Francis as a place to provide students in Iowa with access to college. For its first several decades, the school provided an education to most of the teachers teaching in the region. After undergoing some financial difficulties, the school was purchased by Bridgepoint Education and eventually expanded to include online educational opportunities. There are less than 1,000 students attending the campus in Clinton, Iowa, but there are many more students who attend classes online.
MBA in Finance
Students who wish to expand upon their level of expertise regarding accounting and finance would find value in an MBA in finance from Ashford University. Students in the program take classes in areas like investment, accounting, and economics and are exposed to a curriculum that focuses on various finance topics as they apply to corporate accounting. The program caters to individuals who are already in the workforce and who would benefit from taking classes in an online format. The program features three classes that focus on finance, as well as several courses in business such as Financial Investment Management and Corporate Managerial Finance. One of the interesting facets of the program is that each segment of instruction is given in six week sections, which allows students to enjoy a significant level of scheduling freedom regarding completion of the degree. Students may seek employment in a variety of management areas such as operations, accounting, marketing, and finance after completing the degree program.
Contact
Ashford University
8620 Spectrum Center Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: 866.711.1700
contactus@ashford.edu
Website
Auburn University
Raymond J. Harbert College of Business
Over 25,000 students attend Auburn University on campus and online. The number of students enrolled ensures that the university is one of the largest in the state of Alabama. The university opened in 1856 as East Alabama Male College and was a private liberal arts school. However, today the university is a public school. It was granted university status in 1960 by the state’s legislature and was officially renamed to Auburn University. The university has gained acclaim for its high academic standards and has been one of the country’s top 50 universities for the past few decades and listed as a top college by “U.S. News & World Report.
Master of Accountancy (MAcc)
Students who wish to expand upon their knowledge of accounting will benefit from Auburn’s Master of Accountancy program. Students receive instruction on a variety of communication and technical skills required for work in the industry, as well as classes that detail research required to solve common problems that arise in accounting. The program requires that students complete 30 semester hours and will take online students five semesters to complete if they are working full-time. Students who aren’t working and are able to commit a full-time schedule to the program may complete their degree in three semesters. Some of the classes students will take include Advanced Auditing and Assurance Services, Research in Accounting, and Income Tax II. Prospective students who are already in the workforce are encouraged to consider the online option for the accounting program since the university has designed the program to mirror that program offered to students on-campus in Auburn.
Contact
Auburn University
Raymond J. Harbert College of Business
415 W. Magnolia Ave.
Auburn, AL 36849
Phone: 334.844.4835
amy.murphy@auburn.edu
Website
Baker College
Center for Graduate Studies
Established in 1911, Baker College is a private, non-profit college that built a variety of locations for students to attend classes around the lower peninsula of Michigan. Baker College is considered a career college offering degrees at every level in areas like technology, business, and education. The school counts a quite varied student body. Students who attend Baker College may often take credits for classes taken at Baker to other institutions since the college features several transfer agreements with 4-year universities around Michigan. Baker has an open-enrollment policy, which ensures all students may receive an education as long as they are able to perform at acceptable academic standards.
Masters Degree in Accounting
A masters degree in accounting is the best venue for students who wish to continue their education in accounting beyond the entry level and take classes on advanced subjects. Students take classes in a broad number of classes and also gain an in-depth perspective on practical concepts of accounting and theoretical concepts at work in the industry today. Some of the classes students may expect to take during study include Accounting for the Contemporary Manager, Human Resource Management, and Fundamentals of Business Intelligence. Students must already have at least 16 quarter hours of undergraduate accounting classes completed before entering the program. Baker College is different from many other non-profit institutions since it focuses on adult students who have commitments outside of school for work and family. The college offers significant flexibility in scheduling classes where degrees may be earned completely online. The online segment of the college is one of the largest of its kind for students today.
Contact
Baker Center for Graduate Studies
1116 West Bristol Road
Flint, MI 48507
Phone: 800.796.7064
finaid-cq@baker.edu
Website
Bellevue University
College of Business
Opened in 1966, Bellevue University was built in Nebraska as an adult education center. The school provides an education to a significant population of students that are above the traditional age of 25. There are around 10,000 students taking classes at Bellevue in a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. Bellevue has been accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools since 1977 and went through some significant expansion in the 1980s. Additional satellite campuses were opened in the 1990s, such as a center in Omaha, as well as a technology building on the university’s main campus.
MBA Accounting Concentration
Students who wish to move into a position of leadership at their job will want to consider Bellevue’s program. The school counts high rankings from “U.S. News & World Report” for its programs, and Bellevue’s programs are a good choice for working adults. Some of the positions that students may expect to apply for after graduation include accounting manager, human resources manager, or senior accountant. Companies also enjoy hiring people with math and accounting skills for positions like assistant vice president and various director positions. The accounting concentration adds a variety of accounting-focused courses like Accounting Theory, International Accounting, and Advanced Auditing. Students may speak with their advisor about designing a program that will help satisfy some of the requirements for the CPA exam if the student is interested in becoming certified after graduation. Students in the MBA program may also take just a few accounting electives if they don’t wish to complete the entire accounting specialization.
Contact
Bellevue University
1000 Galvin Road South
Bellevue, NE 68005
Phone: 800.756.7920
onestop@bellevue.edu
Capella University
School of Business and Technology
Capella University’s home base is located in Minneapolis, but most of the students who take classes do so online. The university counts around 36,000 students enrolled who have access to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Some of the popular areas studied by students include business, information technology, psychology, and education. The school offers an impressive 1,600 classes online that lead to degrees in over 140 different programs. The university counts students enrolled in every state in the country, as well as from 61 other countries around the world. The school was originally established in 1993 as the Graduate School of America.
MBA Accounting Specialization
An MBA with an accounting focus is exceptionally valuable in today’s business environment. Students today who enter the workforce with an MBA and knowledge of finance will find their skills in great demand in many different industries. Accounting professionals often move up the corporate ladder with ease due to their educational background and experience. Some of the foundations required for study in Capella’s MBA program include integrated classes that provide instruction in different business areas, learning opportunities through mobile devices, and a capstone project at the end of study. The university suggests that students who decide to earn a graduate degree may earn up to $28,000 more, on average, than students who only have a bachelor’s degree. Students receive valuable training in Capella’s program that includes work with audit and control processes, data-driven decision-making, and budgeting. In addition, the program also features topics on ethical accounting practices and the legal ramifications of modern business practices.
Contact
Capella University
Capella Tower
225 South 6th Street, 9th Floor
Minneapolis, MH 55402
Phone: 866.736.1677
email@capella.edu
Website
Colorado Technical University
Business & Management
CTU was founded in 1965 and was originally called Colorado Technical College. Today, students may take classes in areas like business, management, and technology that will lead to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The university is a for-profit university and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Gaining university status in 1995, the school had its virtual campus voted as one of the best in the nation in 2012 and 2013. In addition, the school also received high marks for its MBA program from “CEO Magazine.” The school has around 23,000 students enrolled and also counts around 70,000 students as alumni.
Master of Science in Accounting
Students who already have a bachelor’s degree in accounting are invited to apply for CTU’s Master of Science in Accounting. However, students who have a degree in a closely related field, such as business or finance, may also benefit from the degree. Students are exposed to a curriculum that provides both theoretical and practical learning in accounting. Students will develop skills in financial reporting and assurance, forensic accounting, management control and auditing, and taxation. After graduation, students may choose to work for a public accounting firm, any type of industry business, or a government or non-profit entity. The graduate accounting degree at Colorado Technical University ensures students are able to help businesses run efficiently so as to save money and remain profitable or within a target budget. Additionally, accounting graduates help businesses pay accurate taxes and reduce fees or penalties associated with taxes through accurate and timely reporting of taxes each year.
Contact
Colorado Technical University
4435 North Chestnut Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Phone: 855.230.0555
admissions@coloradotech.edu
Website
DePaul University
Driehaus College of Business
A private university in Chicago, DePaul University was founded in 1898 by the Vincentians and was named after a 17th century priest. The university eventually became the largest Catholic institution of higher learning in the country. Today, the university helps disadvantaged students from difficult backgrounds obtain a college education. The school has two physical locations in Lincoln Park and the Loop in Chicago. There are around 16,000 undergraduate students as well as 8,000 graduate students. These enrollment numbers mean that the university is one of the largest private schools in the country. Although the school is affiliated with the Catholic Church, the student body is diverse and comes from a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds.
Master of Accountancy (MAcc)
Students who enroll in the master’s program in accounting at DePaul will find a valuable curriculum at the school that includes skills in forensic accounting, internal auditing, and accounting information systems. These areas of financial accounting are in high demand in today’s workplaces. DePaul’s program also offers students the opportunity to take additional classes and become eligible to sit for the CPA exam. The program is designed for students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in accounting or in a similar field. Students who graduated from undergraduate school with a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA or a minimum 3.0 GPA in accounting courses don’t have to take the GMAT in order to be admitted to DePaul’s program. The MAcc program requires 12 courses from students that are divided into core courses and electives. The core classes are considered to be exceptionally valuable in today’s workplace, while the electives allow students to pursue an area of interest during their study.
Contact
Kellstadt Graduate School of Business
1 East Jackson
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: 312.362.8810
Fax: 312.362.6677
kgsb@depaul.edu
Website
Education today isn’t cheap, but there are some degrees that offer exceptional earning potential after graduation. Degrees in business, finance, and accounting are highly valued by today’s employers and students who wish to expand their employment horizons will find true value through classes at the graduate level. Whether a student decides to enroll in an MBA program, or whether a student’s focus is strictly on accounting, a graduate degree is a fiscally savvy diploma. Fortunately, students living anywhere in the country, or even around the world, may find suitable accredited online accounting master degrees for their needs.
For information on earning your accounting degree online, take a look at “The Top 15 Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Completion Programs“.
For more information on obtaining your online Accounting Master Degree, please see:
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