Masters of Athletic Training
The Master of Athletic Training at Southern Utah University is a full-time, intensive p...
Master of Accountancy
Cedar City, Utah
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
SUU's Master of Accountancy program is offered with a high degree of flexibility, including a 100% online option. It can be pursued full-time, allowing completion in as little as two semesters (8 months), or part-time over four semesters (15 months), making it accessible for busy professionals. The program is specifically designed to prepare students for professional accountancy careers, including roles in taxation, auditing, and controllership. It emphasizes career-ready skills taught by experienced, industry-connected faculty and provides personalized support from application to graduation. SUU also offers a joint MAcc/MBA program for students seeking to combine advanced accounting expertise with broader business leadership skills.
AACSB Accredited: The Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business at Southern Utah University proudly holds the prestigious accreditation from AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This accreditation is a hallmark of excellence, representing the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. It signifies that SUU's MAcc program, along with its other business degrees, meets rigorous quality standards in curriculum, faculty qualifications, research, and student outcomes. This assures students that their degree is recognized globally, enhancing their professional credibility and competitiveness in the accounting profession.
Curriculum: The MAcc curriculum is designed to provide comprehensive coverage of advanced accounting topics, often totaling around 30 credit hours. Key course areas typically include "Taxes for Pass Through Entities," "Auditing," "Managerial Accounting," "Corporate Tax," "Tax Procedure," and "Accounting Ethics Seminar." Students may also delve into areas such as "Property Transactions," "Advanced Cost Accounting," and "Forensic Accounting." The program balances broadly applicable accounting courses with opportunities for specialization in areas like audit, industry, or tax accounting, ensuring graduates have both a strong foundational understanding and specialized expertise for various professional roles.
Research Focus: While the Master of Accountancy is primarily a professional degree focused on practical application, SUU's curriculum is informed by current research and aims to develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Courses emphasize students' ability to effectively communicate information relevant to accounting, use quantitative analysis and information technology to support decision-making, and develop moral courage in accounting. The program's design, including courses like "Accounting Research and Critical Thinking," encourages students to analyze complex situations, synthesize information, and draw well-reasoned conclusions. Faculty often have expertise in areas such as financial accounting reporting requirements, managerial accounting information flow, and the history of accounting principles, integrating scholarly insights into the practical curriculum.
Industry Engagement: Southern Utah University's MAcc program boasts strong industry engagement, reflected in its nearly 100% placement rate for graduates. The program is explicitly established to prepare students for professional accountancy, with many finding employment in accounting firms or government agencies in Utah, Nevada, and California. The curriculum is developed with input from both the academic and business communities to ensure relevance and professional preparation. SUU emphasizes that its graduates are "career-ready" and provides a dedicated Career Coach for business students, focusing on employer outreach to facilitate internship and employment opportunities. This strong connection to the professional accounting community ensures that the program is aligned with current industry demands.
Global Perspective: The Master of Accountancy program at Southern Utah University implicitly fosters a global perspective through its comprehensive coverage of accounting principles and practices, which are increasingly influenced by international standards and globalized business operations. Courses, particularly those involving taxation (e.g., "Business Tax Strategies"), often analyze the role taxes play in the business world, including U.S. and international taxes, emphasizing the need for businesses to remain economically competitive in a worldwide marketplace. The program aims to ensure graduates can apply fundamental accounting, tax, auditing, and ethical principles within structured and unstructured fact-based situations, including those with multinational implications. The university's overall commitment to diversity and its support for international students also contribute to a globally aware learning environment.
Location
Cedar City, Utah
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 16836
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
Southern Utah University (SUU) offers a range of scholarships designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals while making education in the United States more affordable. These scholarships recognize academic excellence, leadership, and unique talents, helping to reduce the financial burden for students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students who demonstrate strong academic performance are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships during the admission process. These awards are based on high school GPA, standardized test scores, and other academic achievements. Merit scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and are often renewable each year as long as students maintain the required GPA.
International Student Scholarships: SUU provides dedicated scholarships specifically for international students, including the International Student Achievement Award and other competitive scholarships that encourage diversity and academic excellence. These awards aim to attract talented students globally and foster a vibrant international community on campus.
Departmental and Program-Specific Scholarships: Many academic departments at SUU offer scholarships tailored to students pursuing particular fields of study. These scholarships reward outstanding performance, research potential, or involvement in departmental activities and can supplement other financial aid.
Athletic Scholarships: For international students who excel in sports, Southern Utah University offers athletic scholarships across various NCAA Division I sports programs. These scholarships are awarded based on athletic ability and academic standing.
Graduates of Southern Utah University's Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program are highly sought-after professionals, equipped with advanced accounting knowledge and skills that meet the rigorous demands of today's financial landscape. The program's prestigious AACSB accreditation signifies a high standard of quality, ensuring that alumni are well-prepared for the CPA Exam and for leadership positions across various accounting sectors.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA): This is a primary pathway, with graduates pursuing roles in public accounting firms specializing in audit, tax, or advisory services for a diverse client base. The MAcc program is specifically designed to meet the 150-hour requirement for CPA licensure.
Auditor (Internal or External): External auditors work for public accounting firms, examining client financial statements. Internal auditors work within organizations to assess internal controls, identify risks, and improve operational efficiency.
Tax Accountant/Tax Specialist: Focuses on preparing complex tax returns for individuals, corporations, and other entities, providing tax planning advice, and assisting with tax compliance in public accounting firms or corporate tax departments.
Financial Analyst: Analyzes financial data, market trends, and investment opportunities to provide insights and recommendations that guide strategic financial decisions for companies, investment firms, or financial institutions.
Forensic Accountant/Fraud Examiner: Investigates financial discrepancies, fraud, and embezzlement, often working with law enforcement, government agencies, consulting firms, or corporate legal departments to uncover financial misconduct.
Management Accountant/Cost Accountant: Works within organizations to manage budgets, analyze costs, forecast financial performance, and provide crucial financial information to management for internal decision-making and strategic planning.
Government Accountant/Auditor: Employed by federal, state, or local government agencies, these professionals manage public funds, conduct audits of government expenditures, ensure compliance with governmental accounting standards, or work as revenue agents.
Controller: A senior-level role responsible for overseeing all accounting operations, including financial reporting, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and general ledger, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial data within an organization.
Accounting Manager: Supervises and leads a team of accountants, manages accounting operations, ensures timely and accurate financial reporting, and implements internal controls and accounting policies within a company.
Business Analyst (Financial Systems): Bridges the gap between business needs and IT solutions, focusing on financial systems. These analysts use their accounting knowledge to improve financial reporting systems, implement new accounting software, or optimize financial processes.
