Masters of Business Administration - Accounting

Program Overview

The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program at Rowan University, housed within the William G. Rohrer College of Business, offers a highly flexible and customizable graduate education designed to equip aspiring and current professionals with the skills needed to navigate a dynamic business environment. The program emphasizes strategic decision-making, leadership, and collaboration, exploring the latest business trends and applying new management tools and techniques. With a focus on adaptability and business acumen, the Rowan M.B.A. prepares graduates for career growth across various industries and markets. It accommodates both full-time and part-time study with flexible delivery formats, including 100% online, in-person evening classes, or hybrid options. The Accounting concentration within the MBA program is ideal for those with analytical minds who want to build careers in advising, problem-solving, management, and planning within the accounting field.

AACSB Accredited: The Rowan University M.B.A. program, including its Accounting concentration, holds accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. This prestigious accreditation is a hallmark of quality for business and accounting programs worldwide, placing Rowan's M.B.A. among the top 5% of business schools globally. AACSB accreditation ensures rigorous standards of excellence in teaching, research, curriculum, and learner success, providing students with a degree that is highly valued and recognized by top employers globally. For students with an undergraduate accounting degree, the MBA program can also help satisfy the 150-credit hour educational requirements for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure in New Jersey.

Curriculum: The M.B.A. program consists of 14 graduate classes (36 semester hours), with 8 required core courses (18 s.h.) and 6 elective courses (18 s.h.). The core curriculum covers essential business foundations, including Employee Engagement and Performance, Responsible Leadership, Marketing Management Fundamentals, Information Systems for Managers, Managerial Accounting, Financial Decision Making, Managing Organizational Strategy, and Operations Analytics. Students have significant flexibility to customize the remaining 18 credits. The Accounting concentration includes specialized courses such as Advanced Managerial Accounting, Government and Not-For-Profit Accounting, Intermediate Financial Accounting, Financial Statement Analysis, Introduction to Federal Taxation, Advanced AIS & Business Process Controls, Financial Accounting Problems and Practice, Accounting Legal Liability & Professional Responsibility, and Forensic Accounting. Foundational coursework in areas like Calculus, Statistics, and Accounting (Financial & Cost) may be required depending on a student's undergraduate background.

Research Focus: The M.B.A. program, particularly with an Accounting concentration, emphasizes a research-informed approach to financial and managerial accounting. Students are expected to undertake independent analysis, using appropriate research tools, to explore contemporary accounting issues. The curriculum for accounting courses often emphasizes research and empirical evidence. For instance, in taxation courses, students may be required to show evidence of scholarly research through major writing assignments on emerging tax issues. The program aims to develop students' analytical skills, preparing them to critically evaluate financial information and apply accounting principles to real-world business problems.

Industry Engagement: Rowan University's Rohrer College of Business maintains strong ties with various industries, including the accounting and financial sectors. This engagement is reflected in the program's faculty, many of whom have practical industry experience, bringing real-world insights into the classroom. The program prepares students to meet the demands of various industries such as insurance, health care, information technology, and the public sector, as well as roles in non-profit and government entities. Opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience with leading enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and commercial computerized accounting software further enhance their industry readiness.

Global Perspective: The M.B.A. with an Accounting concentration at Rowan University inherently integrates a global perspective by addressing accounting theories and practices that incorporate international and ethical issues. The analysis and use of financial statements, particularly within a globalized economy, necessitate an understanding of diverse financial reporting standards and regulatory environments. While specific courses on international accounting may be available as electives, the broad business foundation of the MBA program, coupled with specialized accounting knowledge, prepares graduates to work for multinational corporations, international accounting firms, or organizations dealing with cross-border financial transactions. The diverse student body at Rowan also enriches the learning experience by exposing students to various international business and accounting practices.