Feb 16, 2026  
2025-2026 Graduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Graduate Catalog

Accounting, MSACC


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The accounting profession includes a variety of career opportunities. Whether you decide to go into public or private accounting, your options are practically unlimited. Choose a career in companies of all sizes, where you can work in numerous areas, including auditing, taxation, financial accounting and reporting, management accounting, financial analysis, and governmental accounting. The Master of Science in Accounting (MSACC) program is a 30-credit hour program that guides students through a modular sequence of courses that coincides with the CPA exam. Candidates who already have an undergraduate accounting degree can complete the program in just 10 months while having the opportunity to study and sit for the CPA exam. Our Bridge Program for non-accounting majors can be completed in as little as 14 months while also allowing candidates the opportunity to study and sit for the CPA exam.  

Admission Requirements  

All majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants will be evaluated for admission based upon their undergraduate and/or accounting course work grade-point averages, essay responses, reference evaluations, and their TOEFL score (if applicable). 

  • Applicants must have earned an A or B letter grade in the following courses or their equivalent. These courses must be based upon U.S. GAAP, US auditing standards, and IRS tax law. 
    • ACC 201 Financial Accounting  
    • ACC 301 Intermediate Accounting I
    • ACC 302 Intermediate Accounting II
    • ACC 403 Auditing 
    • ACC 407 Concepts of Income Taxation
    • ACC 424 Accounting Information Systems or equivalent course in accounting analytics
  • Undergraduate accounting GPA of 3.2 or greater 
  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or greater 

  • Three references from former professors for non-UK students 

  • Essay - In 800 to 900 words, discuss the reasons you wish to pursue a MSACC degree at the University of Kentucky’s Von Allmen School of Accountancy. Please address the following in your essay: 

    • Academic preparation and accomplishments for graduate study 
    • Leadership qualities and motivation 
    • Previous accounting and/or relevant work experience 
    • Expectations for the MSACC program 
    • Your short-term and long-term goals and how a MSACC degree will help   achieve these goals 
    • Any additional information you feel is relevant 
  • International applicants must also submit Official TOEFL score with a minimum TOEFL IBT score of 90 or IELTS score of 7, or score at least 30 on the verbal section of the GMAT exam. Waived for students with U.S. degrees. 

For more information about the MSACC program, visit: https://gatton.uky.edu/programs/masters/master-science-accounting 

Contact the program director at johnsmigla@uky.edu  

Elective Courses


Choose 12 credit hours from:

  • Elective courses can be at the 500 or 600 level and at least two elective courses must be at the 600 level.

  • Candidates have the option to complete two non-accounting elective courses approved by the MSACC Director.

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