Don’t have an undergraduate degree in accounting?
Prepare for a career change in our online program that focuses on accounting fundamentals — with no bridge nor prerequisite courses required.
Accounting is one of the few fields that span every industry and is valuable to every business. That’s why it’s recognized as one of the strongest sectors in the global economy.
Just because you didn’t begin your career in accounting doesn’t mean you can’t get your start now. If you have no previous accounting coursework nor experience but would like to transition into the field, then our fundamentals-focused program is designed for you.
In less than two years, our part-time online Master of Accountancy fundamentals program can prepare you to take the CPA exam and expand your opportunities — with no bridge nor prerequisite courses required.
Limited-time GMAT waiver opportunity available.
See if you qualify.
100% online with 3 start dates per year
Designed for career changers
Graduate in as few as 20 months
Continue working while you earn your degree
All undergraduate majors welcomed
Qualify & prepare for the CPA exam
Why choose UND’s Master of Accountancy?
Our online accounting master’s program is offered through the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration — the largest, and first accredited, business school in North Dakota. UND accountancy students consistently beat the national average on all four parts of the CPA exam, with nine being awarded the prestigious Elijah Watts Sells Award.
We’re accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), which puts us in the top 5% of business schools worldwide. AACSB-accredited schools produce graduates who are highly skilled and more desirable to employers than other non-accredited schools.
That means when it comes to quality and commitment, you can be confident in UND.
UND has awarded numerous scholarships to online students, so if you would like to find out which ones might be a fit for you, visit our scholarship database, Scholarship Central. You can also estimate your tuition and fees using our Tuition Calculator.
“I was attracted to UND’s online Master of Accountancy program mainly due to its flexibility (online format), its cost relative to other schools and the fact that it is AACSB accredited. Those three things were what I really focused on when looking for schools.”
— Dexter Kendall, Online MAcc Student, Summer 2021
To learn more about Dexter’s experience as a student in UND’s online Master of Accountancy program, click here.
What can you do with your Master of Accountancy?
The field of accounting is one of the strongest sectors in the global economy, which is why quality accountants are always in demand in every industry. In fact, the number of accountants, auditors and CPAs across the country is expected to grow 10% from 2016 to 2026.*
With your master’s in accounting, you can:
- Strengthen your leadership skills and have an opportunity to establish yourself as a trusted CPA.
- Contribute positively to strategic, tactical and operational decisions in your organization.
- Analyze ethical issues to determine individual, business and societal implications.
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
From traditional accountant to strategic advisor.
With the right combination of credentials and experience, you can be positioned to positively contribute to the decision-making process at your organization. Whether it’s a for-profit, nonprofit or government organization, it can rely on you to lead it down the right path.
Advancing your skills in accounting can mean job security, salary increases and career flexibility. Here are some top roles and median salaries in the field:
Accountant
$79,520
Financial Analyst
$83,660
Accounting Supervisor
$85,436
*Average annual salary data from U.S. News & World Report and Salary.com
Learn About Careers
What can you learn?
UND has an exceptional history of teaching online classes, and our flexible online master’s program allows you to build your foundation in accounting on your schedule. However, if you have a background in accounting and prefer an on-campus environment, then our professional track is another option. Both programs are designed to prepare you for leadership in the dynamic accounting field and to succeed on the CPA exam.
Study topics range from business law for accountants to accounting systems and business intelligence. Our online Master of Accountancy program prepares you, regardless of your background, for a successful career in accounting while reducing your time to graduation since we require no bridge courses or prerequisites.
Focus your studies on:
- Applying accounting principles to complex transactions like deferred taxes, leases and pensions.
- Processes and controls with an emphasis on the financial cycle.
- The role that assurance services play in improving the quality of information and its usefulness for decision‑making.
“UND’s Department of Accountancy has a long tradition of preparing students for success on the CPA exam and in their careers. Many of our most outstanding alumni are from our Master of Accountancy program. UND MAcc graduates have become national-level leaders in their firms, CEOs of large companies, a president of a university, and a founder of an S&P 500 corporation.”
— Matthew Notbohm, MAcc Program Director
Admission Requirements
To qualify for the online Master of Accountancy program for non-accounting majors, you must meet the following criteria:
- A 4-year bachelor’s degree in any field from a recognized college or university
- Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75, or 3.00 in the final two years (on a 4.00 scale)
- GMAT score that equals or exceeds an overall score of 500 AND a minimum score of 33 on the quantitative section of the exam
- GMAT waiver available; see “GMAT Waiver Guidelines” section below for more information
In addition, you must provide the following:
- Online application and $35 non-refundable application fee
- Official transcripts from every institution where coursework was completed
- Statement of goals
- Three references*
For international students:
- Satisfy the School of Graduate Studies’ English language proficiency requirements.
- International applicants who have received their bachelor’s degree or higher from a recognized institution where English is the primary language of instruction in the United States and U.S. Territories, Australia, Canada (except Quebec), England, Ireland, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Scotland, Wales, Commonwealth Caribbean or New Zealand are not required to submit the TOEFL or IELTS.
*Reference providers are notified as soon as they are added to the application and can be added before the application is submitted.
GMAT Waiver Guidelines
The University of North Dakota Master of Accountancy program will automatically offer a GMAT waiver for applicants who, in addition to meeting all other admissions criteria, meet one of the following criteria:
- All applicants for either the combined or accelerated bachelor/master of accountancy programs
- Applicants with an earned graduate or undergraduate degree in a Business or quantitative STEM field from a listed university and a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher in that degree.
- Applicants with an earned graduate or undergraduate degree with any major from any regionally accredited university with a cumulative 3.4 GPA or higher.
- A valid GRE score from the past 5 years where the GRE test score can be translated to an equivalent GMAT test score of at least 500 AND a minimum score of 33 on the quantitative section using the GRE Comparison Tool.
- Other well qualified applicants with the approval of the MAcc program director.
If you are interested in applying for a GMAT/GRE waiver, please contact your enrollment advisor or schedule an appointment here.
*A listed university is one that either has a business school that has achieved AACSB accreditation or is a top 200 National University or a top 150 National Liberal Arts College as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
Application Deadlines
Application Deadline | Classes Begin | |
Spring 2022 | 12/1/2021 | 1/10/2022 |
Summer 2022 | 5/1/2022 | 5/16/2022 |
Fall 2022 | 8/1/2022 | 8/29/2022 |