The one-year M.S. in Professional Accountancy (MS-PA) program is designed to help prepare students for the complex, challenging and competitive world of business and accounting. This one-year program enables students to continue their accounting studies in a graduate format. The program builds on students' undergraduate education and leads to a greater degree of accounting sophistication.
Attracting students from a variety of backgrounds, the MS-PA one-year program is designed to meet a wide range of educational needs. Students study advanced accounting topics designed to provide them with a broad perspective on the environment (economic, tax, financial) in which accounting operates.
Admission to the program requires an undergraduate degree in accounting. The University at Albany School of Business accepts full-time students into the program and part-time students who have had a minimum of 3 years of full time work experience in the Accounting field.
The Curriculum
A typical program for a student accepted into full-time graduate study requires the completion of 30 credits. Most students complete the course work in one-year, others study part-time and complete the program in two or more years. Courses required to graduated from this program include:
| Course # | Course Description | Credits |
| ACC 522 | Statistical Methods for Forensic Accounting and Assurance | 3 |
| ACC 552 | Financial Statement Fraud and Corporate Governance | 3 |
| FIN 525 | Financial Management | 3 |
| ACC 611 | Contemporary Developments in Accounting Thought | 3 |
| ACC 615 | Financial Statement Analysis | 3 |
| ACC 630 | Advanced Cost Management | 3 |
| FIN 635 | Corporate Financial Problems | 3 |
| ACC 680 | Research Seminar in Accounting | 3 |
| ACC XXX | Accounting Elective | 3 |
| BUS XXX | Business Elective | 3 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
Please note: This program is licensure qualifying. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If applicants have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.
Accreditation
The MS-PA program is registered with the Division of Professional Education of the State Education Department of New York and meets the 150- semester credit hour education requirement. In addition our program is accredited by the AACSB, as are all of our Accounting Programs. Very few accounting programs across the country have gained this distinction. This program is approved for licensure in New York State.