One-Year Master of Accounting Program

Learn more about the One-Year Master of Accounting Program. Gain information about admissions and academics.

Contact Information

Smeal College of Business
The Pennsylvania State University
354 Business Building
University Park, PA 16802

Phone: 814-865-1809
Email: oneyearmacc@smeal.psu.edu
On the Web: https://www.smeal.psu.edu/macc

One-Year Master of Accounting Program Handout

Program for College Graduates Provides Entry to Careers as a CPA

To be licensed as a certified public accountant (CPA) in nearly every state, including Pennsylvania, individuals must complete 150 credit-hours of education to meet the expanding demands for the profession.

The One-Year MAcc Program is designed for high-potential college graduates who need additional coursework to be eligible for a CPA certificate.

Becoming a CPA opens doors to opportunities not only in accounting firms but also across the business landscape. The One-Year MAcc Program prepares students to enter careers in public accounting, corporate accounting, management accounting, and governmental accounting, as well as corporate finance, financial analysis, and law enforcement.

Offers of admission are conditional on satisfactory completion of remaining undergraduate coursework (including coursework equivalent to a specified sequence of Penn State undergraduate accounting courses) and obtaining a bachelor’s degree before entering the One-Year MAcc Program. For information about completing prerequisite coursework at Penn State, please visit www.smeal.psu.edu/macc.

Program Description

Students enrolled in the One-Year MAcc Program begin coursework in the fall semester following completion of their bachelor’s degree and required preparatory coursework. Students will graduate the following August and will be prepared to sit for the CPA exam.

  • Earn a master’s degree in just one year.
  • Combine the One-Year MAcc with an undergraduate degree or additional Penn State courses to satisfy the 150 credit-hour requirement.
  • Take advantage of dedicated course sections reserved for students in the One-Year MAcc Program.
  • Pursue a paid internship during the spring semester.
  • Consult with a dedicated MAcc-only academic adviser about course selections and career choices.
  • Access to the broad and deep pool of recruiters who come to Smeal to hire new talent every year.
  • Complete the same leadership communications training that has been a hallmark of Smeal’s MBA program for decades.

Admissions Process

Enrollment in the program is limited. The Accounting department at Smeal bases its acceptance decisions on undergraduate record with particular emphasis on courses that are indicators of aptitude for a rigorous accounting program, GMAT score, and essays which are submitted in application. For more details or to apply, visit smeal.psu.edu/macc.

Applications are processed and admission offers are made on a rolling basis until the class is full. Offers of admission are valid for 60 days and require payment of a non-refundable deposit.

One-Year MAcc Program Semester-by-Semester Schedule

Fall Semester (15 credits)

ACCTG 432: Accounting Information Systems

ACCTG 440: Advanced Managerial Accounting

ACCTG 803: Forensic Accounting

B A 517: Leadership Communications

B LAW 444: Advanced UCC and Commercial Transactions

Spring Semester

Internship (3 credits)

Summer Semester (12 credits)

ACCTG 806: Taxes and Business Planning

ACCTG 873: Advanced Topics in Financial Reporting

ACCTG 881: Financial Statement Analysis

FIN 531: Financial Management