Although one of the least populated states within the country, there are still some good viable options for seeking Master’s of Accounting degree programs in North Dakota. Sharing a roughly 310-mile stretch of border with Canada, North Dakota has 18 international ports where tourists and business travelers alike can cross back and forth between the United States and Canada.
The economy in North Dakota is primarily based on agriculture, but also has a strong presence in technology, energy, and healthcare, all industries with a strong need for the accounting and business skills to be gained through the Master’s programs described below. In addition, the proximity to Canada opens the way for international business relations and trade.
See our ranking of the Top 35 Online Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs.
North Dakota State University
College of Business
Accounting, Finance, and Information Systems Department
With a main campus in Fargo, North Dakota’s largest city, North Dakota State University is able to combine learning and research with practical experience in and around both the city and state it serves, while the College of Business and particularly the Accounting, Finance, and Information Systems Department seeks to prepare students to participate in a global economy as well as locally. Offering one of the two Master’s in Accounting programs in North Dakota, students here boast the highest pass rate in the state on the CPA exam after completing their graduate degree.
Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.)
The Master of Accountancy program at North Dakota State is a professional, non-thesis degree program designed for both students who already hold an undergraduate degree in Accounting and those who are new to the field. In the latter case, prerequisite coursework is required and can be completed with graduate level courses, some of which can be taken online. Beyond the prerequisites, the degree requirements include 10 graduate-level courses for a total of 30 semester credit hours. Course titles include Fraud Examination, Tax Accounting, Government and Not-For-Profit Accounting, and Auditing. Upon completion of the Master’s in Accounting degree program, students are considered ready to take the Certified Public Accountant exam.
Accreditations
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Contact
North Dakota State University
College of Business
NDSU Dept 2400
P.O. Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
701-231-5845
Karen.johnson@nsdu.edu
University of North Dakota
College of Business & Public Administration
The state’s oldest and largest university, the University of North Dakota is home to roughly 15,000 students. It also has the distinction of being on the U.S. News & World Report’s list of Top 25 Most Innovative Schools for 2018. The College of Business & Public Administration here is the largest school of business in the state and serves roughly 1,800 undergraduate and 225 graduate students per year within its various programs, including one of the Master of Accounting programs in North Dakota, designed to prepare students to become Certified Public Accountants.
Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) Program
This particular program offers flexible options for gaining the graduate degree, including full-time and part-time schedules and a combined Bachelor/Master’s degree program for students already involved in an undergraduate program in accounting who have intentions of becoming a CPA. Two tracks are available for prospective students, each involving completion of up to 32 semester hours of coursework. The Professional ACCT track is designed for students with an undergraduate background in business and accounting and is also the track involved in the combined degree program, while the ACCT Fundamentals track is designed for students entering the graduate program without an undergraduate background or degree in the accounting field.
Accreditations
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Contact
University of North Dakota
College of Business & Public Administration
Gamble Hall Room 110
293 Centennial Drive, Stop 8098
Grand Forks, ND 58202-8098
701-777-2135
dean@business.UND.edu
When considering graduate accounting programs, students have a couple of options within the state university system in North Dakota, both leading to strong possibilities for becoming a CPA and finding well-paid employment within the state and beyond. Accounting is a versatile field with a skill set needed in just about any field and industry, making the decision to seek one of the Master’s of Accounting degrees in North Dakota a wise choice.