COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Professional Accountancy (MS/PAccy) at Marist University is a highly innovative program designed to help accounting graduates complete the additional 30-credit hours required to satisfy the 150-credit requirement for CPA licensure. Established by the School of Management in 2017 alongside the Dual Degree in Accounting, the program allows students to either pursue the dual degree—earning a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and the MS/PAccy in as little as four years and four months—or enter the MS/PAccy program after completing their undergraduate accounting degree. The dual degree option enables students to take a combination of undergraduate and graduate courses during their senior year, including an internship and distance learning courses, while the MS/PAccy offers flexibility to complete coursework online, making it accessible to working professionals.The program is strategically designed to address the demands of accounting firms, which require new hires to have completed either the full 150-credit requirement or a substantial portion with a plan to complete the remaining credits. Students can complete up to 18 credit hours, or 60% of the degree, in summer sessions, allowing them to begin their accounting careers in the fall, while the remaining 12 credit hours can be finished online over one or more semesters. The summer sessions include two five-week in-class courses and a two-week accelerated tax research course. The program’s location near New York City provides proximity to a high concentration of public accounting firms, as well as corporate headquarters in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions.The MS/PAccy curriculum includes 21 credits of core courses, covering advanced accounting, auditing, tax research, accounting information systems, and business valuations, along with 9 credits in related business fields such as organizational change, global business, leadership, and ethical management. Students also complete electives tailored to their professional interests. Graduates of the program emerge with an enhanced skill set, including problem-solving, ethical decision-making, research and communication skills, and practical experience, making them highly sought after by employers. The program is AACSB accredited, ensuring rigorous academic standards and recognition in the accounting profession.