Are Internships Required for Master’s in Accounting Programs?

Are Internships Required for Master's in Accounting Programs

Students who are in the midst of applying for an advanced accounting degree program may be interested in learning whether or not they need to participate in an internship for a Master’s in Accounting degree. If you already possess a Bachelor of Science or Arts in Accounting, or a related field like finance, it is time to start planning for graduate study.

Earning a master’s degree in accounting, which is also called a MAcc degree, will help you advance your profession in the field of accounting while you earn your Certified Public Accounting credential. In addition to completing the required coursework, some accounting departments may require that you complete an internship so that you get hands-on experience. Read on, and learn more about internship requirements and why completing an internship can be so advantageous for your professional future.

What Are Common Internship Requirements For Master’s of Accounting Programs?

The entire purpose of earning a master’s degree in any discipline is to become an expert in the subject area. If you are studying for a MAcc, you need to complete advanced coursework in accounting that focuses on strategy and sustainability. No matter how detailed the lessons and lectures are, you will need real-world experience to be able to demonstrate that you are a strategic thinker who will make a difference in your professional role.

Internship requirements to graduate from a MAcc program differ from school to school and department to department. Many schools do not require their students to complete an internship, but larger schools that have very competitive admissions processes often do. If an internship is required for graduation, it will typically last between 6 and 15 weeks to receive credit. The school will typically have a department that helps match you to the right opportunities to fulfill the requirements.

What Are the Advantages of Completing an Internship?

It can be very frustrating to hear that you are required to fulfill an added requirement when you choose a school that has mandatory accounting internships. While it can be overwhelming for students who are simultaneously working and living the graduate student life, there are major benefits to completing an internship. When you have an internship on your resume, it shows your skills go beyond the classroom and into the workplace.

Another benefit of interning while you are completing your grad studies is that you are able to show how committed you are to accounting. As a grad student, you should be committed to the field, but taking the time to work for free or a small stipend will show how serious you are about building your reputation. Often, some of the highest wage earners in the field of accounting will finish their internship and then get hired by the firm or employer they interned with.

Choosing to complete an internship will help you gain the attention of prospective employers and set you on a path for career success.

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