Drake College of Business and Public Administration

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Master of Accounting degree (MAcc) is designed to complement prior education and equip students to reach their professional goals. Outstanding, full-time faculty teach a real-world, cutting-edge curriculum shaped by input from practicing professionals. Evening course scheduling allows students to apply what they learn immediately to their jobs. The program also provides students with the requisite knowledge to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination and to enter the profession of public accounting.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Affordable degree program earned in about two years in a part-time evening format
30 credit hour core program
Any undergraduate major accepted from accredited institution
Full library research database available with off-campus access
Full compliment of foundation courses offered in graduate student only setting
Becker Conviser Professional CPA review course offered in Des Moines at a reduced rate for current Drake students; taught by Drake and Grand View faculty.

Faculty
Academic Preparation
Learning Outcomes
Graduate Program of Study
Admission Requirements
Career Options

FACULTY
All faculty hold the highest degrees in their field.

ACADEMIC PREPARATION
An undergraduate degree in business or accounting is helpful, but not required.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Communication - Each student can demonstrate effective written and oral communication of financial and other information.
Corporate Governance - Each student can demonstrate an understanding of the role of corporate governance and its effect on the integrity of financial data.30 credit hour core program
Global Perspective - Each student can demonstrate an understanding of accounting from an international perspective.Any undergraduate major accepted from accredited institution
Ethics - Each student can demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and regulatory environments of accountants.Full library research database available with off-campus access
Strategic Perspective - Each student can demonstrate an understanding of how accounting and accountants can add value to the strategic processes of organizations.Full compliment of foundation courses offered in graduate student only setting
Analytical Skills - Each student will have the ability to interpret and apply relevant professional literature in the accounting profession.
Research - Each student will have the ability to locate and extract relevant information from available resource material.

GRADUATE PROGRAM OF STUDY
The program will vary in length from 30 to 48 semester hours depending on the extent of prior study in business and accounting. All students must meet foundation requirements in accounting, finance, marketing and management ó coursework commonly completed in undergraduate business programs. The program requires core courses dealing with the development, measurement, analysis, validation, and communication of financial and other information.

Core courses - 15 hrs.
ACCT 210 -- Accounting for Not-For-Profits -- 3 hrs.
ACCT 250 -- Accounting and the Law -- 3 hrs.
ACCT 255 -- Tax Research, Policy, and Writing -- 3 hrs.
ACCT 275 -- Seminar in Auditing -- 3 hrs
ACCT 280 -- Financial Statement Analysis -- 3 hr

The balance of the program is largely determined by the student's background, interests and career goals. In addition to coursework in accounting, advanced study in information systems and finance are highly recommended. Students may elect to take coursework in other areas to complement their accounting program of study.

Following admission to the program, students will receive the Graduate Programs handbook, which further details the grade point average and academic performance requirements for all MAcc students. The student will also have an academic advisor to assist with course scheduling.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Students must complete the Application for Graduate Admission and pay the $25 application fee. Students who received their undergraduate degrees from Drake University are not required to pay the fee. The application must include official college transcripts from each college or university the student attended. In addition, the application should include two letters of reference, a personal essay, and a current resume.

Students must take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), administered year-round at testing centers throughout the United States. Students who have received an acceptable GMAT score within the past five (5) years do not need to retake it unless they wish to work for an improved score.

Click here to view a general information sheet on the GMAT.

International students, or students whose native language is not English, must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum of 550 on the paper-based exam or 213 on the computer-based exam is required. All international students must satisfy Drake University's specific requirements as outlined in the Application for Graduate Admission.

Students entering the master of accounting degree program must also demonstrate skills in computer spreadsheet work using a program such as Microsoft Excel, strong communication skills (including business writing) and the ability to work in teams effectively.

For further information on the application process and our admission requirements, please review our compiled lists of FAQs based on the following subject areas:
     Application and Admission
     GMAT Exam
     Financial Aid

CAREER OPTIONS
Although most MAcc students enter and exit the program as full-time employed professionals, students who wish for assistance in career planning may utilize the full resources of the Drake Career Center.