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Online Master of Science in Accounting

Complete your application in 3 weeks and have your application fee waived.*

Gain the Skills and Connections to Ensure a Successful Career in Accounting

FAST FACTS:

  • 30 credits
  • Complete in
    12-20 months
  • CPA exam prep
  • 1:1 Academic & Career Advising

When you earn your M.S. in Accounting (M.S.A.C.) online from Seton Hall University’s Stillman School of Business, you will develop the technical proficiency to be effective in accounting roles and gain understanding of functional business areas to communicate successfully in the corporate environment. Furthermore, you learn in a program that is among the top 1% worldwide to earn both business and accounting accreditation from the AACSB. This highly respected program will build the foundation for your accounting career path and develop the professional skills and connections you need to excel in accounting and achieve career success.

A A C S B AccreditationThe Princeton Review Best Business SchoolsForbes Best Value College 2017

This M.S.A.C. program is designed for students with a limited background in accounting, who completed select business prerequisite courses. 

Admissions Requirements 

  • Overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 
  • Official transcripts from each institution attended
  • Resume
  • Statement of purpose
  • One letter of recommendation from a colleague or faculty member
  • GMAT/GRE Exam Scores (optional)
  • $75 application fee
  • International Students:
    • TOEFL 80 or higher
    • ILETS 6.0 or higher

Build practical knowledge using case studies, enterprise applications and discussions with industry professionals and peers.

Why Choose Seton Hall’s M.S.A.C. Program?

  • Preparation to become a CPA: This program fulfills the educational requirements that undergraduate business graduates need to sit for the CPA exam in New York and New Jersey. Students can check the educational requirements for other states at www.nasba.org.
  • Personal attention: Receive one-to-one guidance that helps you go beyond CPA credentialing to focus on your future in accounting and realize career success.
  • Program focus: Tailor your learning to a specific area of interest through your choice of elective offerings in financial accounting, taxation or ERP systems.
  • Flexibility: Learn in your own time and at your own pace in this 100% online program. Students also have the option of attending live sessions throughout the semester. Regardless of your program, you can attend these sessions live and in-person, live and virtual, or view a recording at a later date.
  • Distinguished faculty: Learn from faculty who are in demand as consultants and lecturers and who have strong relationships with large public accounting firms, regional accounting firms and major corporations. Experience distinguished guest speakers during live sessions offered throughout the semester.
  • Connections: Through networking opportunities, you will be afforded the ability to connect with alumni employed at prestigious firms such as Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC and Prudential. Featured webinar: Hear from industry experts regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the accounting profession.
  • Career opportunities: Enjoy access to a dedicated career expert who will work with you to identify potential career opportunities. Students in this program are actively recruited by the Big Four accounting firms and other prominent public and private accounting firms. Resources are available at The Seton Hall Career Center

Learn More About the M.S.A.C. Program and the Stillman College of Business 

Watch our M.S.A.C. recorded webinar to learn more about program outcomes and expectations. 

Schedule a 1:1 appointment or attend a weekly drop-in session to learn more about becoming a Stillman College of Business student. Learn more here

By the Numbers

  • Top 1% of Business Schools that have Business & Accounting Accreditation from AACSB
  • 12-20 Months to Complete Your Degree
  • One of the Best Colleges in the Nation for Your Money - CNN
  • 30 Credit Hours to Complete

Program Learning Outcomes

In this M.S.A.C. program, you will:

  • Develop technical knowledge of financial statement preparation within the framework of generally accepted accounting principles.
  • Gain an understanding of the internal reporting responsibilities of a manager including capital budgeting, cost systems, performance evaluation and profitability analysis.
  • Build a solid foundation in the auditing profession, the audit process (including the application of business cycles) and other assurance services.
  • Gain exposure to an array of advanced accounting topics, including but not limited to forensic accounting, international accounting, accounting information systems, and financial statement analysis.
  • Develop the written communication, presentation, technology, and analytical and problem-solving skills necessary to begin an accounting career.
  • Gain a foundation in the regulatory and legal environment surrounding business practices.
  • Build strong research skills in financial accounting.
  • Build a foundation in uniform commercial code.
  • Gain exposure to basic areas of taxation for business entities and individuals.
  • Learn to recognize and respond to ethical issues you might confront in accounting practice.

Partnerships to Help Your Local Community During Tax Season

The MSAC program uses its partnership with United Way of Greater Newark to provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing an accounting career to gain experience in filing taxes. As an IRS VITA volunteer, Seton Hall students can participate in the Newark Text Prep Program during tax season and support their local community. In Spring of 2023, Seton Hall students collectively helped provide a little over $1M in tax refunds to tax filers. Students enrolled outside of the Newark area can also participate virtually in the annual Tax Lab event by connecting with their local United Way chapter.

"In addition to our tax courses offerings, our students have the opportunity (for credit) to participate in the IRS VITA/United Way program by receiving training and preparing tax returns for low-income taxpayers in the community We are also sponsoring a full day program with the IRS Criminal Division where our students interact with the special enforcement agents and gain hands on experience with the division’s activities.”

- Avery E. Neumark, JD, LL.M., C.P.A, visiting instructor in the Department of Accounting and Taxation who co-leads Seton Hall’s Tax Lab. 

Read more coverage on the previous tax elective offerings: 

Learn more about the MSAC curriculum and course structure

  • One of America’s Top Colleges – Forbes
  • #133 National University – U.S. News & World Report
  • One of the Best Colleges in the Nation for Your Money – CNNMoney

A Bright Future in Accounting

Whether you are looking for a career change to accounting or to excel higher and become a CPA, the industry outlook is bright. The accounting field is expected to see steady growth, with professionals offering strong technical knowledge poised to take advantage of the increase in career opportunities. Employment of business and financial operations occupations is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. There were a reported 1,538,400 accountants and auditors in 2022. About 126,500 openings for accountants and auditors are projected each year, on average, from 2022 to 2032.1

This program gives you the skillset needed for positions with average salaries ranging from $63,532 to $159,996,2 including job titles such as:

  • Auditor
  • Budget Analyst
  • Financial Analyst
  • Financial Controller
  • Forensic Accountant
  • Personal Financial Advisor
  • Tax Manager
  • Senior Tax Manager
  • Tax Director

An online M.S.A.C. from Seton Hall University provides more than a practical CPA education. You will combine the flexibility of online learning with the one-on-one attention you need to focus on your bright future in accounting and realize career success. Contact an Admissions Counselor at (844) 823-1198 to learn more or Request More Information.

To sit for the CPA Exam in New Jersey, applicants must have completed at least 24 credit hours in accounting and taxation and at least 24 credit hours in non-accounting, business courses. These requirements can be satisfied by any combination of undergraduate and graduate credits. Applicants from other states should become familiar with their state’s individual CPA Exam requirements at www.nasba.org.

1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Accountants and Auditors: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Business-and-Financial/Accountants-and-auditors.htm (visited on 3/1/24).

2 Average salary figures accessed on 3/1/2024 at https://www.payscale.com, using the auditor and tax director positions as the lower and upper limits.

*Seton Hall University will waive the $75 application fee for qualified students who submit a completed application within a 3 week period for our 2022-2023 start dates to one of the following online programs: M.S.N. in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Master of Science in Nursing, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) or Master of Science in Accounting (M.S.A.C.).The fee waiver program is for United States citizens and permanent residents only and is subject to change without notice. Fees paid previously are non-refundable. Connect with your enrollment counselor for more information.