Washburn MAcc Program
Washburn's MAcc program will expand your opportunities in a variety of careers in accounting firms, corporate settings, non-profits and governmental entities. The program is designed to meet CPA requirements and offers comprehensive coursework using flexible, hands-on teaching and learning activities that prepare you for professional accounting leadership. Whether you are joining the program directly from undergraduate accounting preparation or changing careers to professional accountancy, you will hone your skills through interactions with highly-qualified faculty, participation in small class settings and networking with the accounting community. The program offers evening, in-person and remote virtual options at a completion pace of your choice. The program, while still featuring a 100% distance completion option, utilizes a predominantly face-to-face synchronous instructional method, which greatly enhances your learning experience and increases academic achievement. Washburn's MAcc program is accredited by AACSB, the gold standard of all business school accreditation organizations worldwide. Fewer than 5% of MAcc programs worldwide earn this quality distinction.
Master of Accountancy Program
Accountants are trusted business advisors, problem-solvers and a key part of management teams for accounting firms, businesses, non-profit organizations and governmental agencies. Washburn's MAcc program is designed for the motivated individual who wants to take charge and lead their organization, as well as professionals who want to build their skills without putting their careers on hold.
The MAcc program offers a student-focused curriculum that emphasizes up-to-date knowledge and skills in accounting, audit, tax and information systems, and connects you with professionals in the business community. Our courses are taught by professors with executive-level, real-world business and accounting experience and professional connections within their fields. Prepare for career success, professional certifications, such as the CPA, CIA, and CMA, and lifelong learning with a curriculum that focuses on professional practice and allows you to pave your own path for the career you want.
The MAcc program is customizable and specifically designed to develop skills in business communication, quantitative analysis, computer technology, teamwork, and leadership. The curriculum consists of courses teaching advanced accounting knowledge and skills, audit, tax information systems and business control systems. Additionally, students can choose a strategic focus in accounting, management, finance, economics, marketing, international business, entrepreneurship or business law.
Move ahead in the accounting field by earning a MAcc degree through Washburn University in as little as 12 months or as long as six years.
Applicants with Non-Business or Non-Accounting Background
A pre-MAcc course curriculum ensures success in future upper-level MAcc courses. If needed, these pre-MAcc courses provide necessary business and accounting background knowledge to non-business majors or non-accounting majors, who will be evaluated on an individual basis to determine which, if any, of the pre-MAcc course curriculum is needed. Professional accounting work experience and on-the-job training are both taken into consideration.
Admissions Information
Students pursuing a Master of Accountancy degree at Washburn University may choose the admission option that best fits their needs.
Standard Admission Track
- New-to-Washburn students or students with an already completed bachelor’s degree enter the program through the standard admission track with a customized degree plan to begin or continue their future in accounting.
3+2 Early Admission Track
- Current Washburn undergraduate students enter the 3+2 program, beginning graduate coursework during the junior or senior year.
Dual Degree Program
- Washburn's MAcc program offers dual degree programs with the MBA program and the Washburn University School of Law. Students are able to reduce their total credit hours required compared to completing both programs separately.
International Students
- All incoming International students should select the standard track MAcc program admission option, and then follow the additional guidelines for international students
MAcc Student Internship Program
Internships are vital, especially for students entering the field of accountancy. The internship program in the Brenneman School of Business Master of Accountancy program provides opportunities for MAcc students to gain on-the-job experience by working part-time during a semester with an employer. Students admitted to the program may earn money for their work and academic credit for their learning experience. The internship will usually last one semester (15 weeks) or over the eight-week summer session.
The internship program is designed to:
- Provide MAcc students with practical on-the-job experiences while they work toward their graduate degree.
- Better prepare MAcc students to transition from the classroom to the workplace upon graduation.
- Fulfill a general 3-credit-hour elective course in the MAcc program.
- Assist employers in finding new talent for future employment.
Advance Your Credentials
When you earn your Master of Accountancy, you will have sufficient credentials to qualify for the Certified Public Accountant exam in Kansas and Missouri. This program will also prepare you for professional certification exams such as the Certified Management Accountant Examination (CMA) and the Certified Internal Auditor Examination (CIA). Earning your MAcc degree will help you advance a career in public, corporate, management and governmental accounting, as well as corporate finance and financial analysis.
MAcc Program Deadlines & Details
Decide when you want to continue your academic journey toward completion of a Master of Accountancy degree and then complete an application. If you are still considering this program, fill out an interest form and we'll be in touch to answer your questions. Your opportunities are endless! Explore what a graduate accounting program looks like for your specific circumstances.
The admission decision is evaluated holistically and takes into consideration a candidate's undergraduate career, statement of interest in obtaining the Washburn MAcc degree and recommendation letter. Application priority dates are as follows:
U.S. (Domestic) Students:
- Fall: July 31
- Spring: December 1
- Summer: May 1
International Students:
- Summer semester - April 1
- Fall semester - June 15
- Spring semester - November 15
The MAcc program consists of 10 classes/30 graduate-level semester hours beyond the undergraduate BBA degree, including the following core required courses:
- Advanced Financial Accounting (AC621)
- Federal Income Tax of Business Entities (AC624)
- Advanced Auditing (AC625)
- Management Accounting Analysis (AC627)
- Advanced Accounting Information Systems (AC630)
- Legal and Ethical Issues (BU671)
- Additionally, students select four elective courses in subject areas including accounting, management, finance, economics, marketing, international business, entrepreneurship, or business law.
With a Master of Accountancy degree, you can work toward leadership positions in your current field or pursue new opportunities in a variety of industries. The MAcc program is ideal for students planning to enter the accounting field, those already in the accounting field, or for career changers needing new skills to enter the accounting field. The MAcc degree prepares students for careers in areas including:
- Public Accounting (CPA)
- Industrial/Corporate Accounting
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Governmental Agencies
- Higher Education
Advance your career: You'll develop additional skill sets and earn a graduate-level credential to complement your undergraduate accounting degree, undergraduate business degree, or any other non-business undergraduate bachelor's degree. You can advance to a senior management position, earn a higher starting salary and increase your lifetime earning potential, and differentiate yourself from others in your organization.
Network with professional peers and top accounting firms in the area through a multitude of opportunities. Accounting internship opportunities may also be pursued to fulfill program general elective requirements. Students interested in international travel and experiences may elect to take courses that involves working with teams of students in Europe, China, or South America and traveling to these countries.
Meet MAcc Graduate Katlin
Opportunity and affordability drew Katlin Othmer to Washburn. That and the fact that she loved math. The recent graduate made the most of her time as an Ichabod, earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years.
“If I was at a bigger university, I think I would get lost in the sea of people,” said Othmer, who has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance and a Master of Accountancy. “At Washburn, because of the small class sizes, you stand out, and I thrive off that positive reinforcement.”
In addition to receiving scholarships to lower the cost of her education, Othmer dove into campus life, volunteering in the community through the Leadership Institute.
“Washburn provided me with a lot of opportunities,” she said. “I’ve always loved to volunteer, so that’s something that was really important to me.”
A Topekan who works at Mize CPAs Inc. in the capital city, Othmer said she was well-prepared when she left Washburn.
“I felt really confident going into the workforce,” she said. “I draw a lot of parallels from what I learned at Washburn to what I do every day.”
By the Numbers
Job Growth
+4%
(BLS: from 2019-2029)100% Employed
Top Score
Program Cost
The Brenneman School of Business offers a flat-rate tuition, regardless of residency or course modality (distance or in-person), so you can finish the core 10-course, 30-credit hour program for less than $20,000.
Washburn offers several options for financial aid and payment plans. Visit washburn.edu/financial-aid for more information. Scholarships are typically available in the first semester a student takes at least six credit hours of graduate-level coursework, as well as competitive scholarships specifically for MAcc students.
Note: 3+2 undergraduate students do not qualify for additional graduate-level scholarships.
How To Apply
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants can expect an admissions decision to be made within 10 business days. Students choose to begin the program in January, June or August. Requirements include: a bachelor's degree in any field, official transcripts for any applicant without a Washburn degree, online application and one letter of reference. For more information about the MAcc program, contact Danny Funk, Graduate Programs Director, at 785.670.2047 or danny.funk@washburn.edu.
