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The Professional Program in Accounting
The Professional Program in Accounting is a five-year integrated program that offers students the opportunity to simultaneously earn a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master of Science (MS) in Accounting, Management Information Systems, Management, or Marketing, or a Master of Financial Management.
Curriculum
All PPA students participate in internships in public accounting, consulting, or industry firms (primarily financial services and energy firms). Students have exclusive networking opportunities and professional development coaching as part of their ACCT 321 Professional Development Seminar to help secure their internship. PPA curriculum is designed to accommodate internships during the senior year.
Prerequisites
PPA applications are accepted during the fall and spring semester of a student’s junior year, when a prospective student is enrolled in or completed Financial Reporting I (ACCT 327).
Program Track Courses
Audit Track
Students pursuing this track develop skills needed to audit or consult with multinational corporations and financial institutions. Internships usually occur during the spring term of a student’s senior year. Students also take two mini-mester classes during the semester. Graduates generally begin their professional career in the audit division of a CPA firm or with a consulting firm. Students who follow this track will earn a Master of Science in Accounting.
- ACCT 607 – Seminar in Auditing (3 hours)
- ACCT 628 – Business Application Modeling (3 hours)
- ACCT 644 – Control and Audit of Information Systems (3 hours)
- ACCT 647 – Financial Statement Analysis (3 hours)
- ACCT 650 – Accounting Ethics (3 hours)
- ACCT 651 – Development of Accounting Thought (3 hours)
- ACCT 657 – Accounting Data Analytics (3 hours)
- ACCT 658 – Advanced Accounting Data Analytics (3 hours)
- ACCT 684 – Professional Internship (3 hours)
- FINC629 – Financial Management (3 hours)
- DIRECTED ELECTIVE * (3 hours)
- DIRECTED ELECTIVE * (3 hours)
*A Directed Elective is defined as any 400- or 600-level course in the business school or college of economics that is not an introduction to, survey of or research courses. A 400-level course will be accepted only if there is not an equivalent graduate-level course. If you are unsure if a course will meet the requirements, contact the Professional Program in Accounting for approval.
Entrepreneurship Track
Students pursuing one of this track develop fundamental entrepreneurial skills that can be applied either within an existing organization or when launching a new venture. Internships usually occur during the spring term of a student’s senior year. Students also take two mini-mester classes during the semester. Graduates will have developed an entrepreneurial mindset that prepares them to pursue opportunities with international accounting firms, corporations and financial institutions. Students who follow this plan will earn a Master of Science in Entrepreneurial Leadership (MS ENLD).
- ACCT 650 – Accounting Ethics (3 hours)
- ACCT 657 – Accounting Data Analytics (3 hours)
- ACCT 684 – Professional Internship (3 hours)
- ACCT Elective** (3 hours)
- ACCT Elective** (3 hours)
- MGMT 632 – Technology Commercialization (3 hours)
- MGMT 637 – Foundations of New Ventures (3 hours)
- MGMT 638 – Strategic Entrepreneurship (3 hours)
- MGMT 640 – Creativity and Innovation (3 hours)
- MGMT Elective* (3 hours)
- MGMT Elective* (3 hours)
- MGMT Elective* (3 hours)
*Management Electives:
- MGMT 633 – Organization Change & Development
- MGMT 639 – Negotiations
- MGMT 658 – Managing Projects
- MGMT 675 – Leadership
- FINC 644 – Funding New Ventures
- Other Courses with Approval of Advisor
**Accounting Electives:
- ACCT 607 – Seminar in Auditing
- ACCT 628 – Business Application Modeling (3 hours)
- ACCT 647 – Financial Statement Analysis
- ACCT 651 – Development of Accounting Thought
- Other Courses with Approval of Advisor
Finance Track
This track is designed to help students develop analytic skills necessary for decision-making roles in today’s complex business environment. Internships usually occur during the spring term of a student’s senior year. Students also take two mini-mester classes during the semester. Graduates are prepared for careers in consulting with CPA firms, corporations, or financial institutions. Students who follow this track will earn a Master of Financial Management.
- ACCT 628 – Business Application Modeling (3 hours)
- ACCT 647 – Financial Statement Analysis (3 hours)
- ACCT 650 – Accounting Ethics (3 hours)
- ACCT 651 – Development of Accounting Thought (3 hours)
- ACCT 657 – Accounting Data Analytics (3 hours)
- ACCT 684 – Professional Internship (3 hours)
- FINC 629 – Financial Management I (3 hours)
- FINC 630 – Financial Management II (3 hours)
- FINC 632 – Investment Management (3 hours)
- FINC 641 – Valuation (3 hours)
- FINC 642 – Analysis of Money and Capital Markets (3 hours)
- FINC 645 – International Finance (3 hours)
Technology Track
Students pursuing this track develop the accounting and information technology skills needed to understand and audit technology-based information systems. Semester-long internships usually occur during the fall term of a student’s senior year. Graduates often begin their careers in CPA firms, corporations, or consulting firms. Students who follow this track will earn a Master of Science in Management Information Systems.
- ACCT 628 – Business Application Modeling (3 hours)
- ACCT 644 – Controls and Audit of IS (3 hours)
- ACCT 650 – Accounting Ethics (3 hours)
- ACCT 657 – Accounting Data Analytics (3 hours)
- ACCT 658 – Advanced Accounting Data Analytics (3 hours)
- ACCT 684 – Professional Internship (3 hours)
- ISTM 601 – Intro to Programming/VB (3 hours)
- ISTM 610 – Business Data Communications (3 hours)
- ISTM 615 – Business Database Systems (3 hours)
- ISTM 620 – System Analysis and Design (3 hours)
- ISTM 630 – MIS Project Management & Implementation (3 hours)
- ISTM Elective* (3 hours)
*Electives:
- ISTM 650 – Business Data Mining
- ISTM 652 – Customer Relationship Management Technologies
- SCMT 644 – Business Process Design
- SCMT 667 – Logistics and Distribution Management
- Other Courses with Approval of Advisor
Marketing Track
This track helps students develop the competencies needed for a successful marketing career. Graduates are prepared for careers in consulting, brand management, market analysis, marketing research, and marketing management. Students who follow this track will earn a Master of Science in Marketing.
- ACCT 650 – Accounting Ethics (3 hours)
- ACCT 657 – Accounting Data Analytics (3 hours)
- ACCT 684 (or MKTG 684) – Professional Internship (3 hours)
- ACCT Elective** (3 hours)
- ACCT Elective** (3 hours)
- MKTG 602 – Marketing Metrics (3 hours)
- MKTG 621 – Survey of Marketing (3 hours)
- MKTG 625 – Marketing Analytics I (3 hours)
- MKTG 660 – Marketing Consulting I (3 hours)
- MKTG 660 – Marketing Consulting II (3 hours)
- MKTG 665 – Research for Marketing Decisions (3 hours)
- MKTG Elective* (3 hours)
*Marketing Electives:
- MKTG 650 – Analyzing Consumer Behavior
- MKTG 656 – Branding and Marketing Communications
**Accounting Electives (See list above)
Nonprofit Track
The Nonprofit Track offers students the option to earn the MS-Accounting degree with a focus on audit or tax while also receiving a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Bush School of Government and Public Service. The curriculum begins with a foundations course on the nonprofit sector which helps give the students a good introduction into the nonprofit world. The second course helps students understand the management and leadership of nonprofit organizations. The last two courses required for the certificate are electives chosen in the following areas of study: fundraising and philanthropy, fiscal and performance management, leadership and management, health and human service policy, and international nongovernmental organizations. Students who follow this track will earn a Master of Science in Accounting.
Course List:
- ACCT 607 – Seminar in Auditing (3 hours)
- ACCT 628 – Business Application Modeling (3 hours)
- ACCT 644 – Control and Audit of Information Systems (3 hours)
- ACCT 650 – Accounting Ethics (3 hours)
- ACCT 657 – Accounting Data Analytics (3 hours)
- ACCT 658 – Advanced Accounting Data Analytics (3 hours)
- ACCT 684 – Professional Internship (3 hours)
- FINC 629 – Financial Management (3 hours)
- PSAA 643 (700/720) – Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector (3 hours)
- PSAA 644 (700/720) – Management and Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations (3 hours)
- Nonprofit Elective* (3 hours)
- Nonprofit Elective* (3 hours)
- ACCT 612 – Partnership and Real Estate Taxation (3 hours)
- ACCT 622 – Accounting of Income Taxes (3 hours)
- ACCT 650 – Accounting Ethics (3 hours)
- ACCT 657 – Accounting Data Analytics (3 hours)
- ACCT 680 – Tax Research and Policy (3 hours)
- ACCT 689 – Entities of Taxation (3 hours)
- ACCT 684 – Professional Internship (3 hours)
- FINC 629 – Financial Management (3 hours)
- PSAA 643 (700/720) – Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector (3 hours)
- PSAA 644 (700/720) – Management and Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations (3 hours)
- Nonprofit Elective* (3 hours)
- Nonprofit Elective* (3 hours)
*Nonprofit Electives: (Choose 2 within any of the following optional emphasis areas)
- Fundraising and Philanthropy
- PSAA 631 – Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations
- PSAA 633 – Philanthropy: Fundraising in Nonprofit Organizations
- PSAA 636 – Grant and Contract Management
- Fiscal and Performance Management
- PSAA 632 (700/720) – Strategic Planning and Financial Management for Nonprofits
- PSAA 630 – Program Evaluation in Public and Non Profit Organizations
- PSAA 648 – Performance Management in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors
- Leadership and Management
- PSAA 631 – Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations
- PSAA 642 – Ethics in Public Policy
- PSAA 648 – Performance Management in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors
- PSAA 649 – Volunteer and Human Resources in Nonprofit Organizations
- PSAA 669 – Legal Environment of Nonprofit Management
- Health and Human Service Policy
- PSAA 616 – Public Organizations in a Pluralistic Society
- PSAA 630 – Program Evaluation in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
- PSAA 635 – Social Welfare and Health Policy
- International Nongovernment Organizations
- PSAA 630 – Program Evaluation in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
- PSAA 689 – International Nongovernmental Organizations
Tax Track
This track emphasizes the fundamental and contemporary aspects of tax in the current business environment. Internships usually occur during the spring term of a student’s senior year. Students also take two mini-mester classes during the semester. Graduates commonly plan for a career in a CPA firm or corporate tax department of a corporation. Students who follow this track will earn a Master of Science in Accounting.
- ACCT 612 – Partnership and Real Estate Taxation (3 hours)
- ACCT 615 – Contemporary Tax Topics (3 hours)
- ACCT 622 – Accounting for Income Taxes (3 hours)
- ACCT 647 – Financial Statement Analysis (3 hours)
- ACCT 650 – Accounting Ethics (3 hours)
- ACCT 657 – Accounting Data Analytics (3 hours)
- ACCT 680 – Tax Research and Policy (3 hours)
- ACCT 684 – Professional Internship (1 hour)
- ACCT 689 – Entities of Taxation (3 hours)
- FINC 629 – Financial Management I (3 hours)
- DIRECTED ELECTIVE* (3 hours)
- DIRECTED ELECTIVE* (3 hours)
*A Directed Elective is defined as any 400- or 600-level course in the business school or college of economics that is not an introduction to, survey of or research courses. A 400-level course will be accepted only if there is not an equivalent graduate level course. If you are unsure if a course will meet the requirements, contact the Professional Program in Accounting for approval.
Wealth Management/Financial Planning Track
The Wealth Management/Financial Planning track blends more tax-focused knowledge for the individual and financial planning tactics to help students find a career in wealth management. This track is about understanding people’s dreams, aspirations, and challenges to create personalized financial roadmaps that lead to a secure and prosperous future. Students who follow this track will earn a Master of Science in Accounting.
- ACCT 612 – Partnership and Real Estate Taxation (3 hours)
- ACCT 628 – Business Application Modeling (3 hours)
- ACCT 650 – Accounting Ethics (3 hours)
- ACCT 657 – Accounting Data Analytics (3 hours)
- ACCT 680 – Tax Research (3 hours)
- ACCT 684 – Professional Internship (3 hours)
- ACCT 689 – Entities of Taxation (3 hours)
- AGLS 438 – Investment Planning (3 hours)
- AGLS 439 – Retirement Planning (3 hours)
- AGLS 436 – Insurance Planning (3 hours)
- AGLS 441 – Financial Planning Capstone (3 hours)
- FINP 442 – Estate Planning (3 hours)
Supply Chain Track
The Supply Chain track provides students with the skills in accounting in addition to supply chain management and data analytics. In this track students will take courses critical in SCMT mixed with data analytics. Students who follow this track will earn a Master of Science in Supply Chain and Analytics (MS SCAN).
- ACCT 628 – Business Application Modeling (3 hours)
- ACCT 657 – Accounting Data Analytics (3 hours)
- ACCT 650 – Accounting Ethics (3 hours)
- ACCT 684 – Professional Internship (3 hours)
- ACCT Elective**
- SCMT 611 – Statistical Foundations for Data Analytics (3 hours)
- SCMT 616 – Supply Chain Management (3 hours)
- SCMT 635 – Supply Chain Sourcing and Procurement (3 hours)
- SCMT 637 – Supply Chain Modeling & Optimization (3 hours)
- SCMT 640 – Global Supply Chain & Logistics (3 hours)
- SCMT 675 – Supply Chain Security (3 hours)
- ISTM 682 – Data Analytics Platforms (3 hours)
**Accounting Electives (See list above)
Human Resources MGMT Track
The Human Resource Management Track focuses on integrating accounting and human resource management skills together to be a successful professional in the HR Management field. Students who follow this track will earn a Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MS HRM).
- ACCT 628 – Business Application Modeling (3 hours)
- ACCT 650 – Accounting Ethics (3 hours)
- ACCT 657 – Accounting Data Analytics (3 hours)
- ACCT Elective** (3 hours)
- ACCT Elective** (3 hours)
- MGMT 684 – HRM Internship (1 hour)
- HRM Elective* (3 hours)
- HRM Elective* (3 hours)
- HRM Elective* (3 hours)
- HRM Elective* (3 hours)
- HRM Elective* (3 hours)
- HRM Elective* (3 hours)
- HRM Elective* (3 hours)
*HRM Elective – these vary based on semester and you will receive a list once you select the track and are advised on your plan.
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