Finding high-quality accredited accounting degree programs in Pennsylvania is simple thanks to the 11 AACSB-approved business schools within its borders. Nestled in the thriving Mid-Atlantic region as the country’s 6th most populous state, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a diverse array of learning opportunities for budding accountants. With an impressive GSP of $644 billion annually, the “Keystone State” serves as the location for 17 Fortune 500 companies, including PPG Industries, Hershey, and H.J. Heinz. Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, and KPMG all have multiple offices in Pennsylvania too. If you’re ready to let your accounting career take off as a CPA, the following are the accredited master’s degrees in Pennsylvania.
King’s College
William G. McGowan School of Business
Positioned on a beautiful 48-acre urban campus in Wilkes-Barre at the foothills of the Pocono Mountains in northeastern Pennsylvania, King’s College is a fully accredited private Roman Catholic liberal arts institution affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross. As a “Leadership Institution,” King’s provides character-building education for over 2,700 students. Selected for Barron’s Best Buys in College Education the past 16 straight years, King’s is ranked as the North’s 41st best regional university by the U.S. News and World Report. The William G. McGowan School of Business is AACSB-accredited to instill the principles of integrity, civility, and service in future business leaders.
Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA)
Through a collaborative agreement with the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame, the Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) program is given to King’s College students who already earned an undergraduate accounting major. The rigorous one-year program requires full-time studies over the fall and spring semesters to accumulate 30 credit hours and satisfy CPA licensing requirements. MSA students can follow the Financial Reporting and Assurance Services or Tax Services track. Only two seats are guaranteed every academic year, so applicants must compete with a minimum overall GPA of 3.4 and/or GMAT score above 620.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
133 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
(888) 546-4772
gradprograms@kings.edu
http://www.kings.edu/academics/graduate_majors#msa
Lehigh University
College of Business and Economics
First founded by businessman Asa Packer in 1865, Lehigh University is a senior private co-educational research institution serving more than 6,900 students from its sprawling 2,350-acre suburban campus in the Lehigh Valley town of Bethlehem. Considered one of 24 “Hidden Ivies,” Lehigh is currently ranked the 40th best university and 34th top value school in the country by the U.S. News and World Report. Also acclaimed for hosting America’s 64th best part-time graduate business degrees, the College of Business and Economics has AACSB approval for using digital technologies to revolutionize business.
Master of Science in Accounting and Information Analysis (MSAIA)
From a broad business framework, the Master of Science in Accounting and Information Analysis (MSAIA) program at Lehigh is designed to give graduate students the acumen to utilize accounting information and technology to forge innovative business solutions. Within the 30-credit curriculum, students will delve deeper into topics on IT auditing, financial reporting, forensic accounting, governance, risk control, financial statement analysis, and assurance information systems. Students are also given 12 elective credits to personalize their studies based on future objectives. To acquire real-life work experience, students complete internships before sitting for the Uniform CPA exam.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
27 Memorial Drive West
Bethlehem, PA 18015
(610) 758-4450
anw309@lehigh.edu
http://cbe.lehigh.edu/msaia/info
Pennsylvania State University
Smeal College of Business
As one of America’s largest universities with over 45,500 students, Pennsylvania State University is a major public flagship land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant institution with very high research activity on a main 5,448-acre urban campus in University Park. Ranked #1 by corporate recruiting executives in the Wall Street Journal, Penn State is currently honored as the 48th best university, 14th top public school, and 2nd best college for veterans nationwide by the U.S. News and World Report. Even more importantly, the Smeal College of Business is distinguished as America’s 37th best graduate business school.
Master of Accounting (MAcc)
For motivated students looking to become licensed as CPAs in Pennsylvania, the Master of Accounting (MAcc) program at Penn State will fulfill the 150-credit education requirement. The flexible master’s degree is designed to unlock doors to opportunity in public accounting, corporate finance, financial analysis, and other areas of the diverse business landscape. Based on previous education, students can enroll in the accelerated One-Year MAcc or the Integrated MAcc program starting in their junior year. Smeal accounting students are given the unique chance to intern with several award-winning firms.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
210 Business Building
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 863-0448
huddart@psu.edu
http://www.smeal.psu.edu/macc
Pennsylvania State University- Erie
Sam and Irene Black School of Business
Located on a 854-acre urban campus along Presque Isle Bay on Lake Erie, Pennsylvania State University- Erie is a comprehensive senior public land-grant research institution educating the young minds of over 4,300 students. Since being founded by Mary Behrend in 1948, Penn State Erie has become accredited to provide 35 bachelor’s degrees, 27 minors, and four master’s degrees. Within the Sam and Irene Black School of Business, students can select from several AACSB-approved programs to forge their pathway to success in today’s competitive global economy.
Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc)
Featuring a dynamic 30-credit curriculum, the Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc) program at Penn State Erie is devoted to giving the rigorous career preparation necessary for graduates to successfully advance into accounting management. Students are introduced to the latest auditing approaches, business methods, tax laws, and technical services to work in professional accounting practice of the 21st century. Full-time students can complete the MPAcc degree in 12 months over one fall, spring, and summer semester. Interested applicants must hold a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
4701 Behrend College Drive
Erie, PA 16563
(814) 898-7255
PSBehrendMPAcc@psu.edu
https://psbehrend.psu.edu/school-of-business/academic-programs/master-of-professional-accounting
Saint Joseph’s University
Erivan K. Haub School of Business
Highly regarded for being one of just 28 Jesuit member colleges nationwide, Saint Joseph’s University is a private non-profit Roman Catholic research institution serving the academic needs of over 9,000 students from its 114-acre urban campus in the Overbrook neighborhood of historic Philadelphia. In addition to being named a “Best in the Northeast” school by Princeton Review, Saint Joseph’s is ranked the 11th best regional college and 2nd top university for veterans in the U.S. News and World Report survey. The elite Erivan K. Haub School of Business is also acclaimed for having the 52nd best online MBA program in America.
MBA in Accounting
Saint Joseph’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is structured to empower graduate students to expand their business expertise and develop key leadership capabilities for succeeding in the management of our ever-changing economy. After developing an upper-level introduction to fundamental business concepts, students can select from 10 majors, including Accounting. MBA in Accounting students will seamlessly blend theory and practice to improve advancement opportunities in organizing corporate financial matters. Thanks to the low student-faculty ratio of 18:1, the program generates lively discussion and hands-on collaboration. The 53-credit MBA can also be earned with flexible online study.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
5600 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131
(610) 660-1658
jlarkin@sju.edu
http://www.sju.edu/majors-programs/graduate-business/master-degrees/master-business-administration-mba
Temple University
Fox School of Business
First established in 1884 by a Baptist Minister Russell Conwell, Temple University is now a prestigious senior public state-related research institution enrolling a diverse student body of over 37,700 learners on its main 115-acre urban campus in bustling downtown Philadelphia. Placed in the top 400 global universities in the Times Higher Education, Temple is currently honored as America’s 121st best college, 58th top public school, and 31st best college for veterans by the U.S. News and World Report. Featuring AACSB accreditation, the Fox School of Business is also distinguished as the nation’s 41st top graduate business school.
Master of Accountancy (MAcc)
Ideal for graduates looking to get CPA ready, the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program at Temple is devised to bridge any academic gaps for students of diverse backgrounds to successfully enter a rewarding career in public accounting. Nearly 96 percent of Temple students pass the Uniform CPA examination their first time, which is well-above the national average. Within the challenging 30-credit program, students will explore key topics in financial reporting, auditing, assurance services, taxation, financial state analysis, enterprise systems, accounting laws, and strategic technology. Fox MAcc students benefit from personalized career counseling, Big Four accounting internships, and Becker CPA Review courses.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
1801 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215) 204-6482
fsbmacct@temple.edu
http://www.fox.temple.edu/cms_academics/specialized-masters-program/concentrations/master-accountancy/
The University of Scranton
Kania School of Management
Since opening its doors in 1888, the University of Scranton has grown into a major private co-educational Roman Catholic and Jesuit institution affiliated with the Lasallian Christian Brothers to support over 6,000 students from its 58-acre urban campus northeastern Pennsylvania. Named one of Newsweek’s “372 Most Interesting Schools” for two straight years, Scranton is currently ranked the 7th best regional college, 12th top value school, and 5th best up-and-coming university in the North by the U.S. News and World Report. The Kania School of Management is highly regarded for offering the country’s 74th best online MBA program.
Master of Accountancy (MAcc)
Offered in a traditional on-campus or convenient online format, the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program at Scranton has the mission of providing high-quality graduate accounting education to prepare graduates for fulfilling the 150-credit requirement for certification. The program gives students the opportunity to gain extensive knowledge in current accounting topics to satisfy competencies needed for in-demand public accounting jobs. Students can choose to follow the General, Forensic Accounting, or Accounting Information Systems track. All majors must complete applied accounting research and a culminating capstone. In addition to the 30-credit program, there’s an accelerated five-year Joint MAcc degree for undergraduate students.
Master of Business Administration in Accounting
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is designed for Scranton graduate students seeking the rigorous training to advance into mid to upper-level managerial capacity in a competitive market. Students who select the campus-based specialization in Accounting will build on their broad-based business education to fully understand the complexities of financial systems. The 36-credit curriculum is formed on the Jesuit values of ethics, sustainability, and economic justice for developing socially responsible business leaders. Accounting majors can expect courses ranging from federal taxation and advanced auditing to international accounting.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
800 Linden Street
Scranton, PA 18510
(570) 941-7600
cullenbrowm2@scranton.edu
http://www.scranton.edu/academics/cgce/graduate-programs-landing.shtml
University of Pennsylvania
The Wharton School
As an elite private Ivy League research institution first founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740, the University of Pennsylvania has a distinguished history in delivering multi-disciplinary academics to over 24,600 students annually from its 302-acre urban campus in Philadelphia. Well-known for topping the Princeton Review’s “Dream Colleges” list, UPenn is currently ranked as the 8th best university and 10th top value school in the country by the U.S. News and World Report. With approval from the AACSB International, the Wharton School is also honored as the 3rd best business school with the 2nd top graduate accounting program in the United States.
MBA in Accounting
The Wharton MBA at UPenn offers high-quality business education for stretching, pushing, and transforming students into managers with the confidence to lead anywhere in the world. While the core provides breadth in business, the program also strives to foster depth in one or two of the 18 accredited majors. MBA in Accounting students will study in-depth the concepts, procedures, and applications for generating and analyzing accounting data. There’s nearly 200 electives for students to personalize their course pathway to their business dreams. Over the course of two years full-time, MBA students will attend conferences, participate in networking expos, and visit corporate offices.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
3733 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-6183
mba-admiss@wharton.upenn.edu
http://mba.wharton.upenn.edu/the-wharton-mba-difference/
University of Pittsburgh
Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
Enrolling more than 28,600 students, the University of Pittsburgh is a major public senior state-supported research institution consisting of 17 academic divisions on a beautiful 132-acre urban campus in the Schenley Farms Historic District of the Oakland neighborhood. Noted by the Princeton Review for having America’s 8th happiest student body, Pitt is ranked the 62nd best university and 20th top public school by the U.S. News and World Report. Furthermore, the AACSB-accredited Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business is designated as the nation’s 48th top business school.
Master of Science in Accounting (MAcc)
As a traditional full-time program, the Master of Science in Accounting (MAcc) program at Pitt allows motivated graduate students with a bachelor’s degree in accounting to finish their advanced business education in just nine months. The 30-credit program is structured to satisfy Pennsylvania’s CPA licensure requirements to prepare graduates for coveted leadership positions in accounting. Due to its close proximity to downtown Pittsburgh, the MAcc allows students to gain valuable applied experience in national and regional accounting firms. Students are assigned a career management coach to connect with recruiters too.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
4200 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 624-0147
macc@katz.pitt.edu
http://www.business.pitt.edu/katz/macc/
Villanova University
School of Business
Initially established in 1842 by Augustinian friars, Villanova University is a popular private non-profit Roman Catholic liberal arts institution located on a 254-acre suburban campus in the suburbs northwest of Philadelphia to educate over 10,400 students. Placed in the #1 spot among the “most wired” colleges in the United States in PC Magazine, Villanova is acclaimed for being the 1st best regional university and 1st top value school in the North by the U.S. News and World Report. Well-known for its academic rigor, innovation, and service learning, the Villanova School of Business has America’s 6th best online graduate business degrees.
Master of Accountancy (MAcc)
The Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program at Villanova can be tailored to meet the specific learning needs of recent graduates and working professionals seeking to stay competitive for advancement in professional accounting practice. The comprehensive 30-credit curriculum covers a wide variety of topics to enhance students’ accounting expertise for resolving real-world global business challenges. Courses are delivered in a flexible hybrid format of short 12-week semesters for completing the degree in as little as one year. To satisfy the 150-hour CPA license requirement, students study fraud examination, negotiation, accounting ethics, risk management, auditing, assurance, and performance measurement.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
800 East Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, PA 19085
(610) 519-5424
gradinformation@villanova.edu
http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/business/graduate/specializedprograms/mac.html
Widener University
School of Business Administration
First founded in 1821 as a preparatory school for boys, Widener University is now a private co-educational teaching institution with over 6,400 students studying on its 108-acre urban campus in Chester within just 14 miles southwest of downtown Philadelphia. Named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, Widener is ranked the 189th best university and 65th top college for veterans nationwide by the U.S. News and World Report. The AACSB-approved School of Business Administration takes pride in providing applied experiences, student-faculty interaction, diverse service opportunities, and entrepreneurial learning.
Master of Science in Forensic Accounting and Analytics (MSFAA)
Satisfying the 150-credit requirement to become a Certified Public Accountant, the Master of Science in Forensic Accounting and Analytics (MSFAA) program at Widener equips students with advanced preparation in the in-demand field of financial fraud detection. Graduates are rigorously trained to carefully examine databases of accounting data to help organizations investigate business controls. Within the 31-credit curriculum, students will study internal auditing, assurance services, accounting information systems, business valuation, process intelligence, data analytics, and data mining. The program strives to place students on the fast track to career leadership in forensic accounting.
MBA in Accounting Information Systems
Delivered fully online or on-campus during convenient evening hours, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) is granted to aspiring business leaders at Widener who need the knowledge and skills to compete in today’s global environment. Students can select the Accounting Information Systems (AIS) concentration to build in-depth expertise in designing, using, and auditing sophisticated databases for accurate accounting records. The 33-credit curriculum gives students the ability to foster innovation, promote sustainable growth, and form socially responsible decisions.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
1 University Place
Chester, PA 19013
(610) 499-4305
sbagradv@mail.widener.edu
http://www.widener.edu/academics/schools/business/graduate/
Investing in a master’s degree for accounting can provide a great return on investment in reaching your goals in helping corporate executives make wise financial decisions. Pennsylvania has the 5th highest employment level of accountants in America. The state’s 54,350 accounting professionals earn a high average yearly salary of $70,120. You can find the right track to success by attending one of these elite accredited accounting degree programs in Pennsylvania.
