MAcc curriculum overview

Our AACSB-accredited Master of Accounting program is designed to fully prepare students to enter the accounting profession and to meet the educational requirements for CPA certification in most states.
MAcc program director Alee Phillips speaks to students in front of a screen that displays the text "Accounting is not what you think!"

The KU MAcc program builds upon a foundation of accounting knowledge with challenging and advanced coursework. Students with undergraduate accounting degrees can complete the MAcc program in 10 to 15 months. Depending on required prerequisites, non-accounting undergraduates can finish the program in one-and-a-half to two years. 

The full-time program includes 30 credit hours of curriculum. New students are admitted in the fall, spring and summer semesters. All coursework can be completed on the Lawrence campus. Students may also choose to take certain classes through various study abroad opportunities.


Curriculum specialization

The MAcc program offers four different concentrations of coursework to support a diversity of career choice. Each concentration requires 30 credit hours, but the number and type of required courses and electives in each concentration varies. Download a comprehensive listing of concentration requirements (PDF).

The Assurance (Audit) concentration curriculum prepares students for a career in external audit at public accounting firms. External auditors examine financial records and assess internal controls to ensure a company’s financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

The Advisory/Consulting Services concentration curriculum helps students develop the skills necessary to become successful advisors in a complex and diverse business world. Advisory and consulting services careers vary greatly and include risk management, IT audit, performance improvement, fraud and forensics, business valuation and mergers and acquisitions.

The Corporate concentration curriculum prepares students for a career outside of public accounting, including private industry, not-for-profit and government. Typical entry-level positions are in the areas of corporate accounting and internal audit.

The Tax concentration curriculum prepares students to meet the demands of a career in taxation, including positions in public accounting or corporate tax. There are many opportunities to specialize as a tax professional, including state and local tax, international tax, transfer pricing and estate and trust planning.