Let’s begin a Commonwealth tour with 10 accredited business schools granting quality master’s in accounting programs in Pennsylvania. Generating a GSP of $689 billion, this Mid-Atlantic state was ranked 27th overall with the 24th top economy in Forbes. Accounting majors in Pennsylvania could balance the finances at 21 Fortune 500 corporations, including Lincoln National, Crown Holdings, Campbell Soup, Comcast, and DuPont. The “Quaker State” also has 1,934 licensed CPA firms like McGladrey & Pullen, Parente Randolph, Goldenburg Rosenthal, Beard Miller, Schneider Downs, Mitchell & Titus, and Clifton Gunderson. Initially the nation’s financial capital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has the fifth highest concentration of accounting jobs at 52,150 according to the Department of Labor. Here’s the first installment of graduate accounting degrees in Pennsylvania for CPAs to master economic activities.
See our related rankings:
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Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Terry and JoAnn Zeigler College of Business
Home to the Benner-Hudock Center for Financial Analysis, Bloomsburg University is the third-largest public, regional PASSHE member and GI Jobs Silver Award winner that’s teaching 749 post-grad Huskies in 20 degrees at its 73-building Columbia County campus. Bloomsburg is declared America’s 390th best college location on Niche, 379th top value in Money magazine, and 114th best service institution by Washington Monthly. Ranked 206th by the U.S. News & World Report, the Terry and JoAnn Zeigler College confers one of the master’s in accounting programs in Pennsylvania with a 62.6 percent first-time CPA pass rate.
Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.)
Chaired by Dr. Gary Robson, Bloomsburg’s Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) currently costs $500 in-state or $750 out-of-state per credit to prepare for supervising financial reporting processes at leading Big Four firms. The 30-credit curriculum has weekly evening sessions to complete 15-week courses like Advanced Taxation, Corporate Finance, and Internal Auditing Principles. Graduates could also intern at Grant Thornton, become Frederick Douglass Scholars, earn GMAT waivers, pursue the Fast-Track MBA, join the Accounting Association, and attend Institute for Professional Development seminars.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Sutliff Hall 355
400 E. Second Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 389-5322
grobson@bloomu.edu
Cabrini University
Business Department
Employing 288 faculty, including the 2013 PICPA Outstanding Accounting Educator Award winner, Cabrini University is a private, civic-engaged Catholic college named for Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini that’s endowed for $38.9 million to inspire 1,400 post-grad Cavaliers from its 112-acre Garrett Hill campus. Cabrini was judged America’s 501st most liberal school on Niche, 586th best ROI college by PayScale, and 69th best university for financial aid in College Atlas. The “College of Distinction” abides IFRS standards in the Business Department for one of the hybrid master’s in accounting programs currently billing $665 per credit.
Master of Accounting
Partnered with Surgent CPA Review, Cabrini’s Master of Accounting overseen by Dr. Eric Malm fulfills certification in-person or online via Blackboard Learn to promote graduates’ ethical techniques for deriving financial data. The 30-credit, 12-month degree engages small cohorts with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio in topics like Business Planning, Forensic Auditing, and Accounting Information Systems. Majors may also enter the LEAD Strong Program, earn the Remley Scholarship, tour the International Monetary Fund, spend one week in Shanghai, and practice with Radnor Financial Advisors.
Accreditation
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Founder’s Hall 367
610 King of Prussia Road
Radnor, PA 19087
(610) 902-8291
graduate@cabrini.edu
Carnegie Mellon University
Tepper School of Business
Known for its PNC Center of Financial Innovation, Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-sectarian technical UAA member founded in 1900 that’s worth $1.72 billion and teaching 13,961 Tartans from 109 countries at its 81-building Squirrel Hill campus. CMU was proclaimed America’s 39th best research university in Forbes, 140th top value by Kiplinger’s, and 22nd best accounting school on Niche. Launching 234 startups since 2008, the Tepper School of Business is ranked 17th by the U.S. News & World Report with the #1 best online MBA in Poets & Quants that delivers a 10-year ROI of 277 percent.
MBA Accounting Concentration
Currently costing $16,500 part-time or $33,000 full-time per semester, the Carnegie Mellon MBA becomes one of the master’s in accounting programs in Pennsylvania with an Accounting Concentration that centers on evaluating financial performance cues. Starting at the Basecamp Orientation, the 64-credit curriculum headed by Dr. Andrew Bird can be completed in 21 months in Pittsburgh or in 32 months online via Canvas. Other opportunities include joining Adam Smith Society, taking Global Treks from Dubai to Dublin, attending the Accounting Mini-Conference, and entering the Deutsche Bank Trading Competition.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Posner Hall 238
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 268-9170
apmb@andrew.cmu.edu
Chatham University
Graduate Studies Division
Bestowed the 2003 Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation, Chatham University is a private, coed liberal arts PAC school of the Annapolis Group that’s endowed for $53 million to serve 2,300 Cougars atop its 39-acre Shadyside campus. Chatham was lauded America’s 205 best online B-school by the U.S. News & World Report, 46th greenest college in The Princeton Review, and 396th top university on Times Higher Education. The Graduate Studies Division accepts $35 applications from entrants with 3.0 undergrad GPAs until July 1st or November 1st each year for another of the master’s in accounting programs in Pennsylvania ranked 398th by Niche.
Master of Accounting (MAcc)
Funded by the PNC Foundation, Chatham’s Master of Accounting (MAcc) makes post-grad financial analysis skills count for a dynamic, in-demand career with Certified Public Accountant status. The 30-credit, year-round program organized by Dr. Bonnie Richley charges $930 per credit for courses like Individual Taxation, Fraud Forensics, Sustainable Business, and Strategic Performance. Students might also innovate in the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship, intern at Bridgeway Capital, earn AICPA scholarships, join Accounting Club, become Bonner Leaders, and take University of Pittsburgh courses.
Accreditation
• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Berry Hall 1st Floor
1 Woodland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
(412) 365-1825
gradadmission@chatham.edu
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
College of Business Administration & Information Sciences
Running the Gregory Barnes Center for Innovation Incubation, Clarion University is a publicly funded, four-year PASSHE research hub opened as Carrier Seminary in 1867 that’s now training 5,200 Eagles from 44 states from Oil City to Bloomfield. Clarion was recognized for America’s 614th best faculty on Niche, 18th best college town by SafeWise, and 249th top financial aid in Washington Monthly. The College of Business Administration & Information Sciences stands out among master’s in accounting programs in Pennsylvania for the fourth highest CPA pass rate, 94 percent job placement, and the 92nd spot on the U.S. News & World Report.
M.S. Accounting
Coordinated by Dr. Anthony F. Grenci, Clarion’s M.S. Accounting takes 12 months full-time for graduates to sharpen their financial sleuthing skills for globalized careers in today’s laden regulatory environment. The 30-credit online curriculum utilizes Blackboard Collaborate web conferencing for CPA-eligible courses like Theory of Accounts, Federal Tax Policy, Database Management, and Management Ethics that cost $540 per credit anywhere. Majors may also intern at Deloitte, use Henry G. Burns Center software, join virtual Accounting Society events, and claim the S&T Bank Endowed Scholarship.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Still Hall 334
909 East Wood Street
Clarion, PA 16214
(814) 393-2628
AGRENCI@CLARION.EDU
Delaware Valley University
School of Business and Humanities
Unveiling the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Center in 2018, Delaware Valley University is a private, nonprofit CIC Yellow Ribbon school founded by Reform rabbi Joseph Krauskopf 120 years ago that’s endowed for $30 million to inspire 1,950 Aggies in Bucks County. DelVal is named America’s 865th hardest college on Niche, 416th top choice by the Social Mobility Index, and 299th best baccalaureate institution in Washington Monthly. The School of Business and Humanities bills $802 per credit for one of the master’s in accounting programs in Pennsylvania that gives 10 percent discounts for corporate partners like Univest, Covenant Bank, Turkey Hill, and BDP International.
MBA Specialization in Accounting
Starting seven times yearly, Delaware Valley’s MBA Specialization in Accounting fulfills the 2008 CPA legislation to independently practice in financial audit and assurance services with a flexible evening or online format. The 30-credit curriculum directed by Prof. Kristi Ringen with an optional 4+1 track blends non-GMAT courses like Commercial Law, Financial Data Analysis, Organizational Dynamics, and Strategic Enterprises. Graduates could take the Featured Elective Program, join Sigma Beta Delta, take Experience360 trips from Japan to Israel, and intern at Kaduson Strauss & Co too.
Accreditation
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) – Candidacy
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Lasker Hall 2nd Floor
700 East Butler Avenue
Doylestown, PA 18901
(215) 489-2322
kristi.ringen@delval.edu
DeSales University
Division of Business
Hosting the Fleming Business Ethics Bowl Competition since 2009, DeSales University is a private, Catholic MAC member and Lehigh Valley Green Campus Sustainability Award recipient with a $121.6 million economic impact that’s serving 921 post-grad Bulldogs in the Allentown suburbs. DeSales is designated America’s 111th best value on WalletHub, 96th best online B-school by the U.S. News & World Report, and 594th top institution overall in Washington Monthly. The Division of Business was placed 421st nationally on Niche for one of the faith-based master’s in accounting programs in Pennsylvania with an average CPA exam score of 72.9 percent.
Part-Time MBA in Accounting
Presently priced at $840 per credit, DeSales’ Part-Time MBA in Accounting is the Keystone State’s second-largest graduate business degree with open enrollment to begin Center Valley or online study on Blackboard fast. The 36-credit, practice-based major directed by Dr. David Gilfoil waives GMAT scores for building advanced financial expertise in classes like Nonprofit Accounting, Fraud Examination, Business Computing, and Tax Applications. Students could also pursue the 5-Year BS/MBA, research in Talen Energy Trading Room, join Accounting Club, exchange to Universidad Peruana, and add the Financial Planning Certificate.
Accreditation
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
2755 Station Avenue
Center Valley, PA 18034
(610) 282-1100 ext. 1450
mba@desales.edu
Drexel University Philadelphia
Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
Gifting the Business Leader of the Year Award since 1954, Drexel University Philadelphia is a private, co-op arts and sciences institution partnered with Apple that raises $120 million yearly to educate 9,463 post-grad Dragons in 170 majors at its 77-acre Powelton Village campus. Drexel was picked America’s eighth-best college for minorities in The Princeton Review, 95th top faculty on Niche, and 102nd best university overall by the CWUR. The Bennett S. LeBow College beats most master’s in accounting programs in Pennsylvania with the 37th biggest salary increase and seventh best career services nationally in Financial Times.
MS in Accounting Program
Minutes from Philadelphia’s Big Four offices, the Drexel MS in Accounting Program offers a 45-credit, one-year track for business grads or 63-credit, two-year option for non-business cohorts to refine the analytical skills of financial reporting. The curriculum administered by Dr. Barbara Grein boasts a 78 percent CPA pass rate after 10-week courses costing $824-$1,139 per credit in four concentrations: Finance, Business Analytics, Accounting Research, or Tax. Other opportunities include consulting with Baker Tilly, joining the NABA Chapter, practicing in the Baiada Institute, entering the Deloitte Case Competition, and visiting Havana.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Gerri C. LeBow Hall 945
3220 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 895-2115
lebowgrad@drexel.edu
Duquesne University
Palumbo Donahue School of Business
Linked to 46,706 LinkedIn alumni, including CEOs William Schultz, Pat Dudley, and Tom Tribone, Duquesne University is a private, research-intensive Catholic MSA member founded in 1878 that’s budgeting $295 million to confer 2,805 degrees yearly at its 44-building Uptown campus. Duquesne is celebrated for America’s 17th best private value on Student Loan Report, 10th most community service in Washington Monthly, and 17th top location by Niche. Also ranked seventh by The Aspen Institute and #1 by Corporate Knights globally, the Palumbo Donahue School confers another of the master’s in accounting programs in Pennsylvania for $1,284 per credit.
Master of Science in Accountancy (MAcc)
Endorsing the Principles of Responsible Management Education, Duquesne’s Master of Science in Accountancy (MAcc) can fulfill the 150-hour CPA benchmark in nine months for bachelor’s grads who submit applications and two references by May 1st. The 30-credit plan outlined by Dr. Yezen Kannan, a KPMG Faculty Fellow, strengthens money management skills with day or evening courses like Governmental Finance, Risk Assessment, and Cost Control. Graduates might also pledge Beta Alpha Psi, earn the 25% Tuition Award, consult in the Investment Center, and exchange to Jiaotong University.
Accreditation
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Rockwell Hall 826
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
(412) 396-2214
kannany@duq.edu
Gannon University
College of Engineering and Business
Granted an ASPA First Place Award in 2017, Gannon University is a private, holistic Catholic PSAC member named for the former Bishop of Erie that’s endowed for $58 million to enlighten 4,500 Golden Knights from 40 nations at its 38-acre “Lake City” campus between Buffalo and Cleveland. Gannon was decreed America’s 202nd best value in Money magazine, 171st top small college by Niche, and 118th best opportunity on the Social Mobility Index. The College of Engineering and Business placed 92nd nationally by the U.S. News & World Report has another of the master’s in accounting programs in Pennsylvania with selective 78 percent admission and $1,030 per credit tuition.
Specialized MBA with an Accounting Concentration
Chaired by Dr. Michael J. Messina, Gannon’s Specialized MBA is approaching its 50th year of training 1,400 alumni with median pay of $99,720 to form smart managerial decisions in four concentration areas, including Accounting. The 30-48 credit, customized curriculum offers evening or online courses like Portfolio Management, Business Policy, and Quantitative Methods via Blackboard to students with minimum 3.2 GPAs. Graduates could also take the 4+1 BS/MBA Path, consult in the Center for Business Ingenuity, intern at BDO, join the Sports Business Association, and enter the T.R.A.V.E.L. Program.
Accreditation
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
CBI Building 323
150 West Sixth Street
Erie, PA 16541
(814) 971-7474
graduate@gannon.edu
Attending an accredited B-school aids CPA certification to unlock top-level positions, such as divisional controller, tax manager, SEC reporting director, and treasurer, that have six-figure wages in the 2018 Robert Half Salary Guide. Future CFOs could even chase after Mary Alice Dorrance Malone’s $3.2 billion record of being the richest Pennsylvanian on Forbes.
Continue here:
- Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs in Pennsylvania (H-P)
- Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs in Pennsylvania (Q-Z)
