M.S. in Accounting (MSA)

M.S. in Accounting (MSA)

The Region's Premier Path for Tomorrow's CPAs.

The Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) degree from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs is an excellent choice for those with an undergraduate degree in accounting or business who want to pursue licensure as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

The MSA helps graduates develop a deep knowledge of all areas of accounting and prepare for the CPA exam. This 30 credit hour program, together with a student's undergraduate degree in business or accounting, is designed to satisfy the 150 credit hour requirement for licensure in Colorado and most other states.

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AACSB Accredited

AACSB Accredited

Like all business degrees offered at UCCS, this program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). This prestigious accreditation is your assurance that you are attending a quality program, taught by well-qualified faculty, and with a commitment to student success and continuous improvement. Learn More >>

The UCCS Difference

  1. Seamless CPA Transition

    The MSA is designed to provide a comprehensive and deep knowledge of accounting, as well as preparation for the CPA exam. The combination of our undergraduate degree in accounting and the MSA is enough to satisfy the 150 credit hour requirement for licensure in Colorado and most other states. 
  2. Unparalleled Value

    We offer the quality and prestige that comes with AACSB International accreditation at an affordable price.
  3. Exceptional Instruction

    Our leading instructors are nationally and internationally recognized for their research and instruction. Receive personalized guidance from professors with real-world experience in their field.

     

     
  4. Individualized Attention

    Our deliberately small class sizes make it easier for instructors to provide the individualized attention they want to give and that you deserve to receive.
  5. Excellent Career & Alumni Services

    We offer career development and placement services as a benefit to our students and alumni, as well as a chance to be involved in the UCCS College of Business Alumni Association, allowing you to keep in touch and network with classmates and fellow graduates.
  6. GMAT/GRE Waivers

    You may be able to waive the GMAT or GRE exam based on a previous graduate degree or substantial management experience.

Which Accounting Path is Right For You?

Program Overview Time to Complete Credit Hours
Part-Time MSA Complete your MSA degree on a part-time basis with on campus or remote synchronous class options. Courses are delivered in a 16-week semester format. 18 months 30
MSA Fast Track Program Enroll in the Fast Track MSA Program to complete your degree at an accelerated pace. This track is designed exclusively for high-achieving UCCS undergraduate accounting students. Courses are delivered in a 16-week semester format. 12 months 30
MSA+ Certificate Option Earn your MSA degree plus a graduate certificate in a non-accounting business area. Adding a graduate business certificate enhances the strong accounting foundation obtained in the MSA program with a concentration in another business management area. 18-24 months 30

 

 

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What Our Students Are Saying

Jesse Martinez, MSA (2016)
Audit Associate, BKD CPAs and Advisors
"The MSA program was been a phenomenal avenue for me to learn. With guidance from the world-class staff and faculty, I have been able to grow both as an individual and as an accountant. In my graduate program, I interned for a national CPA firm, BKD CPAs and Advisors, and was offered a full-time job offer at the end of my internship."
Aishia Hines, CPA, MSA (2016)
Senior Associate Auditor
"Pursing an MSA from UCCS will open opportunities to a successful business career through personal attention, tailored education, individual growth, and active learning. UCCS has created a trusting environment where every student can get the help that they need, when they need it. Every student has the opportunity to improve their personal brand and became a better personal and professional version of themselves."

Awards & Rankings
AACSB Accredited
AACSB Accredited
The College of Business is accredited by AACSB International - the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Only 5% of business schools have earned this distinction.
Top CPA Pass Rate in Colorado
Top CPA Pass Rate in Colorado
UCCS graduates earned the highest pass rate in Colorado among all candidates taking the 2019 Uniform Certified Public Accountant examination and of first-time test takers holding a bachelor’s degree. UCCS students achieved a 75 percent pass rate on all testing events. For first-time test-takers holding a bachelor’s degree, UCCS students passed at an 80.6 percent rate.
Graphic that reads Top 10 Military Friendly School
Top 10 Military Friendly School
UCCS placed it's third consecutive year as a Top 10 Military Friendly School in the 2021 rankings, ranking 3rd among all large public institutions. US News & World Report also ranked us a 2021 Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans and a Best Online Business MBA for Veterans.
Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program at UCCS
Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program at UCCS
The Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program at UCCS College of Business is a resource for principle-based ethics education serving students, educators and the business community. The Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative strives to deliver principle-based ethics education and reinforce the value of ethical business and personal conduct.