While it isn’t surprising that there are many good and high quality Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Massachusetts, what is surprising is that there are more than only several.
Massachusetts long has been an important seat of business and even serves as the location of corporate headquarters for many of the United States’ leading corporations. All of the schools listed below offer high quality graduate accounting programs and most are accredited by AACSB. Most of the programs described below accommodate traditional students, of course, but several focus on working adults and organize their programs around those individuals’ needs.
Assumption College
Department of Business Studies
Located in Worcester, Assumption College is an old and private Catholic institution founded in 1904. With fewer than 2,000 undergraduate students, Assumption College is a small school that enjoys high academic rankings and an excellent academic reputation. U.S. News and World Report ranks the school in its list of Best Colleges at number 28 among Regional Universities North. Worcester is home to several small schools that form the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, which maintain reciprocal agreements among member schools in academics and campus events. Assumption College offers one of the leading Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Massachusetts. The school’s Department of Business Studies builds its programs on the four pillars of Real-World Focus, Personalization, Ethics and Flexibility.
Accelerated MBA / Accounting
Open only to individuals whose undergraduate degrees are in Accounting, Assumption College’s Accelerated MBA provides the additional 30 credit hours required to sit for the CPA exam and a meaningful internship, all within a period of only 14 months. Also included in the Accelerated MBA program is personal career mentoring by a local executive that continues at least until graduates find their first post-graduate job. The program also includes a leading CPA exam preparation course that remains available to students until passing each section of the CPA exam.
Accreditation
Assumption College is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Contact
Graduate Studies
500 Salisbury Street
Worcester, MA, 01609
Phone: 508-767-7387
Email: graduate@assumption.edu
Babson College
F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business
Offering what certainly is one of the most comprehensive Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Massachusetts, Babson College is a relatively small, private college located in Babson Park, MA. Interestingly, it is unranked overall by U.S. News and World Report yet ranked number 31 in Business Programs and it leads all others in Entrepreneurship with its number one ranking in that area of focus. Entrepreneurship and global business focus are two leading components of most of the programs within the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business.
Master of Science in Accounting Program
Though admission to the MS in Accounting program requires solid knowledge of and understanding in accounting and US business law, the program also is open to those whose undergraduate degrees are in business with a strong accounting foundation. Students can select one of two approaches to the program, each of which allows students to complete the program in less than one year. The accelerated format offers one very intense summer core followed by electives in the fall semester. The traditional format allows students to take classes in fall and spring semesters.
Accreditation
Babson College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) as well as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) and EQUIS, an accreditation granted by Brussels-based EFMD, The Management Development Network recognizing business schools exhibiting high academic quality and a high degree of internationalization.
Contact
231 Forest Street
Babson Park, MA 02457-0310
Phone: 800-488-4512 and 781-239-4317
Email: gradadmissions@babson.edu
Bay Path University
Graduate College
Founded in 1897, today Bay Path University is a small and high quality private institution offering one of the most attractive Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Massachusetts. U.S. News and World Report ranks Bay Path University at number 102 among its Regional Universities North listing of its most recent edition of Best Colleges. The Graduate College includes all graduate programs regardless of discipline. Some programs are hybrid in on-ground and online delivery, but every program that can be offered wholly online in practical terms can be completed completely online.
MS in Accounting
Bay Path University’s MS in Accounting degree program is unique in several respects. Students may choose from three concentrations: Public Accounting (Tax & Audit), Private Accounting and Forensic Accounting. Designed for working adults already employed in some area of accounting, the program consists of 100 percent online delivery. It is a synchronized 30-credit program that students can begin in one of five months of the year, September, November, April, May and July. A unique feature of the MS in Accounting program is that there are no classes during accountants’ traditional busy season.
Accreditation
Bay Path University is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Contact
Office of Graduate Admissions
588 Longmeadow Street
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Phone: 413.565.1075
Email: skosakowski@baypath.edu
Bentley University
McCallum Graduate School of Business
Located in Waltham, Bentley University is an old private school founded in 1917. With an undergraduate population of 4,222, Bentley University offers some of the most meaningful Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Massachusetts. U.S. News and World Report ranks Bentley University as number 2 among Regional Universities North in its most recent edition of Best Colleges. Other U.S. News and World Report ratings name Bentley University as number four in Best Value Schools and number 64 in Business Programs.
Masters In Accounting
Bentley University does not require that applicants have undergraduate degrees in accounting, but successful applicants must have undergraduate business degrees with a strong foundation in accounting. The program consists of a combination of evening and online classes, so students need to be in the local area to enhance skills in areas such as Forensic Accounting, Audit Planning, Internal Auditing, Public Accounting, Business Process Analysis and IT Auditing. Graduates finish the program prepared to serve in careers such as Senior Accountant, Senior Analyst, Audit Associate, Advisory Associate, Risk Analytics Consultant or Associate Director of Finance.
Masters In Taxation
Currently New England’s largest graduate tax program, this program has successfully graduated more than 3,000 tax professionals well versed in critical thinking, ethics and tax strategy. Students gain skills in Tax Planning, Auditing and Tax Compliance for careers such as Tax Consultant, Senior Tax Accountant, Senior Manager, Senior Tax Analyst or Audit and Tax Associate. The program consists of a blend of evening and online classes.
Part-Time Professional MBA (Accounting Concentration)
The part-time Professional MBA program allows students to complete an MBA in 18 months. The school offers a choice of eight specialized concentrations, one of which is accounting. The program consists of core courses plus electives in the specialization the student chooses. Classes are offered in the evening and online. Depending on each student’s academic background the school may waive some of its foundation course requirements.
Accreditation
Bentley University is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Its business programs are accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).
Contact
Bentley Graduate Admissions
175 Forest Street
Waltham, MA 02452
Phone: 781-891-2108
Email: applygrad@bentley.edu
Websites:
Part-Time Professional MBA (Accounting Concentration)
Boston College
Carroll School of Management
Founded in 1863, Boston College is one of the most highly respected institutions of higher learning in the entire country. Not unexpectedly, it also offers one of the most highly regarded Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Massachusetts. U.S. News and World Report ranks Boston College at number 32 among all national universities. U.S. News and World Report further ranks the Carroll School of Management at number 44 among all business schools across the country, as well as number 13 nationally for CPA exam pass rates for those taking the CPA exam for the first time.
Master of Science in Accounting
Boston College’s MSA program admits students whose undergraduate degrees are not in accounting, but only on condition. Students with undergraduate degrees in accounting begin in the fall semester after being accepted. Students with undergraduate degrees in any other area must begin in the summer and successfully complete all foundational work in accounting before being fully accepted into the formal MSA program in the fall semester. The program and the school boasts small class sizes led by academic and business leaders.
Accreditation
Boston College has been regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) continuously since 1935. Its business programs also are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Contact
Cushing 203
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Phone: 617.552.3920
Email: bcmba@bc.edu
Bridgewater State University
Louis M. Ricciardi College of Business, Department of Accounting and Finance
Founded in 1840 for the purpose of serving southeastern Massachusetts, today Bridgewater State University still is a public institution and offers one of the effective Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Massachusetts. . With an undergraduate population of 9,562, Bridgewater State is larger than some of the better known private institutions in the state. U.S. News and World Report includes the school in its most recent edition of Best Colleges at number 102 among Regional Universities North.
Accountancy (Master of Science in Accountancy – MSA)
The MSA program is designed primarily for working professionals already active within the accounting profession and who wish to seek management level positions within accounting. The program blends education in management skills with its focus on technical accounting concepts and abilities. The program strives to reflect changing roles of accounting professionals within organizations. It stresses ethics, problem solving and writing.
Accreditation
Bridgewater State University is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The Ricciardi College of Business also is accredited by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Aviation Accreditation Board International.
Contact
Maxwell Library, Room 019
10 Shaw Road
Bridgewater, MA 02325
Phone: 508-531-1300
Email: gradadmissions@bridgew.edu
Clark University
Graduate School of Management
When Clark University was founded in 1887 by Jonas Gilman Clark, it was the first institution in the country admitting only graduate students. Clark University’s first president was G. Stanley Hall, the founder of the American Psychological Association. He brought in Sigmund Freud in 1909 for a series of lectures, Freud’s only such series in the United States. Clark University has continued its legacy of influence. Today, U.S. News and World Report ranks Clark University at number 81 among all National Universities in its most recent edition of Best Colleges. Still a private school, Clark University abandoned its graduates-only position some time ago and now also admits undergraduate students. It offers one of the leading Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Massachusetts.
M.S. in Accounting
Central Massachusetts’ only AACSB-accredited school offering a master’s program in accounting, Clark University focuses on incorporating the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) as well as social responsibility and sustainability. The program admits new students in September and January at either its Worcester or Southborough campus. Consisting of evening classes, students can complete the program in a year and automatically are qualified to sit for Massachusetts’ CPA exam.
M.B.A. Concentration in Accounting
Clark University’s M.B.A. program with an accounting concentration provides a foundation in business that also is rich in accounting theory and practice, preparing graduates for positions in public accounting firms as well as with for-profit, non-profit and government organizations. The program is flexible to better meet students’ needs. Students can choose either part-time or full time study from day, evening, accelerated and summer classes.
Accreditation
Clark University is regionally accredited, and its Graduate School of Management is further accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, AACSB International.
Contact
Graduate Admissions Office
950 Main Street (mail); 138 Woodland Street, 1st floor (physical location)
Worcester, MA 01610-1477
Phone: (508) 793-7373
Email: gradadmissions@clarku.edu
Websites:
M.B.A. Concentration in Accounting
Fitchburg State University
Business Administration Department
Founded in 1894, Fitchburg State University is an old public school that offers some of the best value among Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Massachusetts. It offers both traditional and online programs to best meet students’ needs. U.S. News and World Report ranks the school in its most recent edition of Best Colleges as number 137 among Regional Universities North.
Business Administration, Accounting Concentration, M.B.A.
This is a 30-credit program that offers a blended approach to delivery incorporating classes on campus with online classes. It also offers summer schedules. Of notable interest is that the program no longer requires either GRE or GMAT scores for admission into the program.
Master of Business Administration in Accounting Online
Certainly this should be included in a list of best value MBA programs. The total cost of tuition and fees for the entire 30-credit program is only $12,510. Students also can complete the entire program in as little as 12 months.
Accreditation
Fitchburg State University is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) as well as by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
Contact
Sanders Administration 104
160 Pearl Street
Fitchburg MA 01420-2697
Phone: (978) 665-3378
Email: aburrill@fitchburgstate.edu, admissions@fitchburgstate.edu
Websites:
Business Administration, Accounting Concentration, M.B.A.
Master of Business Administration in Accounting Online
Merrimack College
Girard School of Business
Merrimack College is another well respected private institution in Massachusetts. Founded in 1947, today’s Merrimack College has an undergraduate population of 3,448. In its most recent edition of Best Colleges, U.S. News and World Report ranks Merrimack College at number 56 among Regional Universities North. It offers one of the more flexible Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Massachusetts.
Master of Science in Accounting
This is a 32-credit program designed specifically for those students seeking the additional credit hours required for qualification to sit for the CPA exam. As such, the program focuses on the topics included in the CPA exam and emphasizes case study analysis.
Accreditation
Merrimack College is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Contact
Office of Graduate Studies
315 Turnpike Street
North Andover, MA 01845
Phone: 978-837-3563
Email: graduate@merrimack.edu
The programs and institutions highlighted above represent only a portion of the high quality graduate programs in accounting available in Massachusetts. There are several Master’s in Accounting degree programs in Massachusetts serving the needs of those who seek to sit for the CPA exam and advance careers in the accounting profession.
Continue reading here: Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs in Massachusetts ( N-Z)