M.S. in Accounting
Our rigorous, STEM-designated MSA program cultivates in-depth understanding of how accounting affects organizations and society while strengthening necessary analytical skills. Courses focus on practical concepts, and students learn from accomplished faculty who possess valuable industry experience. Students with and without accounting backgrounds are encouraged to apply to the MSA program.
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At a Glance
190,000+
Boston College Alumni
42,000+
Carroll School Alumni
#26
Financial Times Faculty Research Ranking, 2022
Curriculum
The Carroll School of Management is pleased to announce that beginning in Fall 2023, the entire MSA program will be STEM-designated.
Admitted students will receive a personalized course worksheet, which outlines their individual course plan. Specific course plans take into account each student’s prior academic experience. Below are examples of what an individualized course plan might look like.
11
Required Courses
| Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| Managerial Statistics* | 0 |
| Business Law (U.S. based) | 3 |
| Accounting Information Systems | 3 |
| Financial Accounting Practice I | 3 |
| Financial Accounting Practice II | 3 |
| Financial Auditing | 3 |
| Federal Taxation | 3 |
| Internal Cost Management and Control |
3 |
| Financial Statement Analysis |
3 |
| Assurance and Consulting Services |
3 |
| Forensic Accounting |
3 |
| Total Credit Hours |
30 |
*Students will complete Managerial Statistics, which is an online asynchronous course, during the summer prior to arriving on campus. Students will receive instructions and information about the course via email from the Graduate Student Services Office in early June. All assignments for this course will be due by Monday, August 14.
Students must complete a minimum of 11 courses to satisfy degree requirements. Students who were not undergraduate Accounting majors may be required to complete up to 13 courses to meet degree requirements.
Students who have not completed Economics and basic Finance/Financial Management prior to beginning the MSA program will be required to complete these courses prior to graduating, in addition to the above-listed courses.
All MSA students are required to complete six STEM-designated courses. Specific courses will be noted on students' personalized course worksheets.
Questions? Please email the Graduate Admission Office at bcmba@bc.edu.
Boston College’s M.S. in Accounting degree is a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) designated program. This classification allows international MSA graduates on an F-1 visa to potentially qualify for an additional 24 months of training in their field of study (called Optional Practical Training or OPT) beyond the standard 12 months. Eligible F-1 nonimmigrant students with a STEM degree from a Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certified U.S. school who participate in an initial period of regular post-completion OPT (typically 12 months) may be eligible to apply for a STEM OPT extension.
To qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, an F-1 student must:
Have completed a degree in an eligible STEM field from an SEVP certified U.S. school.
Maintained lawful F-1 status during the standard 12 month period of OPT.
Have employment through an employer enrolled in USCIS’s E-Verify employment eligibility verification program.
Work with the employer to complete a formal training (I-983) and learning objectives.
Be employed at least 20 hours per week in a position directly related to the STEM degree.
CPA Exam
If you are interested in taking the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, required courses vary by state. For specific CPA requirements by state, please visit the "Exams" section of the NASBA website.
Community Service
The Carroll School has a proud tradition of service to our community. In keeping with that tradition and with our Jesuit heritage, all Carroll School graduate students must fulfill a requirement to serve others through meaningful work as volunteers.
Academic & Professional Profile
| Average GMAT Score | 647 |
| GMAT Score 80th Percentile Range | 534–726 |
| Average GRE Score | 318 |
| GRE Score 80th Percentile Range | 300-338 |
| Average Undergraduate GPA | 3.62 |
| Average Full-Time Work Experience |
1 year |
Diversity
| Women | 56% |
| AHANA* | 37% |
| International | 50% |
| Average Age |
24 |
| Age Range | 22–38 |
*African-American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American.
Note: All class profile information is accurate as of September 9, 2022
International Enrollments
Canada
China
Ukraine
Undergraduate Majors
Tuition & Aid
An MSA from the Carroll School is an excellent investment in your future. We offer merit-based scholarships and financial assistance to qualified applicants. Loan and work study programs are also available.
Alumni Experiences
“What I found to be truly rewarding at Boston College was the opportunity to gain real-world business perspectives and connect with incredible professors and colleagues.”
Jenny Penafiel ’18, Senior Advisory Consultant, Deloitte
“Boston College sets itself apart from other institutions because of its faculty. We have smaller, more interactive learning environments with personalized help from professors, who have extensive professional backgrounds.”
Patrick McCann ’20, Deal Advisory Associate, KPMG
FAQ
In order to complete my 150 hours for my CPA exam, can I take graduate level courses in the MSA program without applying formally to the program?
<p>Unfortunately, in order to take classes in any graduate management program, you must formally apply and be accepted into the program.</p>
bc:schools/carroll/admission/search-tags/msa-150-hours
Is work experience required for admission to the MSA program?
<p>Work experience is not required for the MSA program. Students can gain admission directly from their undergraduate studies.</p>
bc:schools/carroll/admission/search-tags/msa-msf-work-experience
Connect
Application Link & Deadlines
All applicants are required to pay a nonrefundable application fee of $100 USD.
Deadlines
| Apply by | Receive decision by |
|---|---|
| December 6, 2022* | January 11, 2023 |
| February 28, 2023* | April 19, 2023 |
| May 30, 2023 | June 28, 2023 |
* International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by these deadlines
Boston College Fifth-Year BC Applicants
Boston College undergraduates currently in the second semester of their junior year or at any point in their senior year are eligible to apply to the Master of Science in Finance program as fifth-year applicants. Once enrolled, students can complete their MSA or MSF degree in as little as nine months from the program start date.
Résumé or CV
To be uploaded to your online Application Form.
Transcripts
Please include transcripts from every college or university where you were enrolled in a degree-granting program.
Standardized Tests
GMAT or GRE scores from within the past five years.
- GMAT school code: 44x-J5-96
- GRE school code: 3033
English Proficiency
TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores from within the past two years (if required). Applicants who submit a language test must meet the following minimum scores:
- TOEFL, iBT, and TOEFL iBT Home Edition: 100
- IELTS: 7.5
- IELTS school code: 3033
- PTE: 68
Letter of Recommendation
Recommendation from an individual who can provide an objective appraisal of your capacity for intensive graduate study and your potential for professional success.
Personal Essay
All applicants must submit a personal essay.
Questions
Questions? We'd love to hear from you.
Please Email Graduate Admissions or call us at 617-552-3920.