For students researching accredited accounting degree programs in Texas, several schools offer rigorous programs in the field. When it comes to reliable career paths, accounting has long been held as a prime example of a lucrative, steady and in-demand job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, accountants and auditors enjoyed an average annual salary of $69,540 as of May 2014, and accountant jobs are expected to grow by 13 percent by 2022. The bureau also ranks Texas as the number two state for accounting jobs, and accountants here earn an average annual salary of $75,210, which is well above the national average. To see more accredited accounting degree programs in Texas, visit Master of Accounting Degree Programs in Texas (T) and Master of Accounting Degree Programs in Texas (U-Z).
Abilene Christian University
College of Business Administration
As a private, religious college founded in 1906, Abilene Christian University seeks “to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world.” The school offers 71 bachelor’s degrees, 25 master’s degree programs and one doctoral degree option to about 4,600 students each year, and students who study here will enjoy a relatively small faculty-to-student ratio of 15:1. Abilene has been ranked as number two among U.S. News and World Report’s list of “up and coming” schools in the Western region. Graduate students will appreciate the fact that Abilene does not utilize graduate assistants to teach its courses; instead, all classes are taught by faculty members.
Master of Accountancy
For students who want to become public accountants, Abilene Christian University offers a Master of Accountancy degree that will prepare them to enter this profession. Drawing on the techniques and knowledge learned during undergraduate programs, the graduate program focuses on preparing students to sit for the CPA exam. With an undergraduate degree in accounting, students can complete this 30-hour program in one year. Required courses include nine hours of accounting classes, 15 hours of business electives and six hours of non-business electives. The school believes in giving students access to a broader perspective on business and accounting principles, and as such, the program is designed to encourage participation in non-business classes. Abilene Christian University’s master’s program in accounting has been ranked among the top ten for CPA pass rates, which means students have a high likelihood of becoming certified public accountants by completing this degree. Students may apply entirely online.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International
- Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
Abilene Christian University
Graduate School
ACU Box 29140
Abilene, TX 79699-9140
Phone: (325) 674-6911
Email: john.neil@acu.edu
Website: http://www.acu.edu/graduate/degree-programs/accounting/
Baylor University
Hankamer School of Business
At Baylor University, more than 15,000 students study 141 bachelor’s programs, 75 master’s programs and 37 doctoral programs at the school’s Waco and Dallas campuses. Founded in 1845 by Baptist pioneers, the school holds the distinction of being Texas’s oldest continually operating university, and it continues its tradition today of providing academically challenging programs within a Christian framework. For the 2013-2014 academic season, Kiplinger awarded Baylor a ranking of 54 for best value among private educations, and U.S. News and World Report ranks the school at a tie for 72nd place on its list of the best national universities in 2015.
Master of Accountancy
Under the direction of Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business, students interested in accredited accounting degrees can enroll in the Master of Accountancy program. They should hold a 3.0 GPA and a good GMAT score to apply. This degree requires 33 credit hours divided into 18 hours of accounting coursework and 15 hours of non-accounting business courses. Unlike many accounting programs, Baylor’s graduate degree can be completely customized to fit an individual’s specific interests or career goals. There are no set requirements for accounting courses outside of the 33-hour stipulation, which means that students can pick and choose which courses they want to take within the accounting and business designations. Accounting topics include forensic accounting and auditing, information systems auditing, tax considerations related to business decisions, and financial statement analysis. For the 15-hour business portion, students can further c their degree on a secondary area of accounting or choose non-accounting business classes.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International
- Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
Baylor University
Department of Accounting & Business Law
One Bear Place #98002
Waco, TX 76798-8002
Phone: (254) 710-1328
Email: Gia_Chevis@baylor.edu
Website: http://www.baylor.edu/business/accounting/index.php?id=870338
Lamar University
College of Business
A member of the Texas State University System, Lamar University is one of the fastest-growing schools in the state with an enrollment of approximately 15,000 students. Despite its close proximity to the major city of Houston, Lamar University boasts a good student-to-faculty ratio and small class sizes, which allow the school to provide students with a more intimate and hands-on learning environment than other universities of similar size and ranking. The school offers more than 100 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels, and students looking for a graduate-level accounting degree will find a quality program offered through the university’s College of Business.
Master of Science in Accounting
According to the College of Business’s website, Lamar University offers a Master of Science in Accounting degree that is designed to foster the “technical knowledge, communication skills, and critical thinking abilities” that are necessary for careers in “public accounting, industry, government, and not-for-profit organizations.” The program itself has been approved by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business – International, which is a prestigious designation that not many accounting-specific programs enjoy. Students must complete 30 credit hours to earn the degree, and upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the CPA licensing exam. Graduates will also meet the minimum qualifications for becoming a certified accountant in the state of Texas. The program does not require students to hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting, but those who do can complete the degree in one year. Non-accounting applicants may have to complete up to 63 credit hours.
Dual MSA/MBA
Lamar University offers a dual program that leads to a Master of Science in Accounting as well as a Master of Business Administration. Students must meet a lengthy list of requirements for admission, which includes: completing the GMAT and submitting an application for both programs, meeting prerequisite requirements for both degrees, filing for graduation for both programs individually, and meeting the GPA requirements for both programs individually. In addition, students will need to adhere to the application deadlines for both programs. It should be noted that students will not be able to use transfer credit of any kind for Lamar’s MSA/MBA program. Graduates must complete 48 credit hours to earn the degree. This program can be approached from one of two ways. An MBA candidate may complete 12 additional credit hours to earn the dual degree, or an MSA candidate may add 18 credit hours to earn the MBA portion of the degree.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International
- Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
Lamar University
College of Business
Box 10059 Beaumont, TX 77710
Phone: (409) 880-8603
Email: college.business@lamar.edu
Website: http://business.lamar.edu/academic-programs/msa/index.html
Prairie View A&M University
College of Business
Prairie View A&M University is the second-oldest university in Texas, having been named in the state’s constitution in 1876 as the “Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas for Colored Youths.” Over the next several decades, the school would evolve from a simple teaching college into an institution that strives to uphold its original intention of “achieving excellence in teaching, research and service.” Currently, the school enrolls more than 8,000 students at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels, and its graduate enrollment makes up about a quarter of the total population. Students looking for an accredited accounting program will find two options at Prairie View A&M.
Master of Science in Accounting
Designed to help candidates qualify and sit for the CPA exam as designated by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, Prairie View A&M’s Master of Science in Accounting is a comprehensive program for students at the graduate level. There are several options for completing this MSA program. Students who need greater flexibility can enroll in the Saturday MSA program, which offers courses on alternating weekends. Students enrolled in the regular program can also take Saturday courses on a more limited basis, and both tracks offer evening classes as well. The degree requires 18 hours of prerequisite coursework, but students who have fulfilled this requirement will only need to complete the 30 credit hours required for the master’s degree. Courses cover topics such as accounting for managerial decision-making, law and ethics for accountants, and advanced auditing. Students will learn from professors who have terminal degrees in their fields or are licensed CPAs.
MBA in Accounting
For students who want a more generalized business degree with a specialization in accounting, Prairie View A&M offers an MBA program that can be tailored to individual interests. The school’s Master of Business Administration degree is offered on campus or online. For the on-campus version, students have the option to take evening and Saturday courses. Regardless of whether a student takes classes in person or online, the requirements and coursework are the same. This program requires completion of 36 credit hours, 30 of which are on core business classes. The remaining six hours will come from select electives. Candidates who lack a business degree upon admittance to the program will most likely need to take prerequisite courses. Students need a GPA of at least 2.75 to apply, but the GMAT is not required for entrance. Those who apply without completing the GMAT will need to take this standardized test before completing 12 credit hours.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International
- Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
Prairie View A&M University
College of Business
Box 519
Prairie View, TX 77446
Phone: (936) 261-9217
Email: mba@pvamu.edu
Website: https://www.pvamu.edu/business/departments/graduate/
Sam Houston State University
College of Business Administration
Named for one of the country’s most famous politicians and Texas’s personal hero, Sam Houston, Sam Houston University was founded in 1879 and offers a wide range of programs to more than 19,000 students each year. U.S. News and World Report ranks the school among several “best of” lists, including a spot on its list of the best online graduate business programs in the country. The school offers more than 80 bachelor’s degree programs, more than 50 graduate-level programs and six doctoral programs, and several organizations recognize Sam Houston State University as a leader in doctoral research among other noteworthy accolades.
Master of Science in Accounting
The Master of Science in Accounting program is offered through Sam Houston State University’s College of Business Administration as an on-campus-only program, meaning that an online option is not currently available to students. Nevertheless, this program comprises rigorous coursework and hands-on learning experiences designed to challenge students and prepare them to take the CPA licensure exam upon graduation. Students will complete 30 credit hours for the degree. According to the department’s website, this program is designed according to standards set out by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Of the 30-hour requirement, 18 credit hours come from accounting core courses, nine come from accounting electives and three come from business electives. Accounting core courses cover subjects such as professional ethics, advanced auditing and not-for-profit accounting while electives include topics such as estate planning and trusts, and business process integration. Students may choose any graduate course offered by the College of Business Administration for the non-accounting elective.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International
- Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
Sam Houston State University
College of Business Administration
Smith Hutson Building, 103E
Huntsville, TX 77341
Phone: (936) 294-1971
Email: graduate@shsu.edu
Website: http://www.shsu.edu/programs/master-of-science-in-accounting/
Southern Methodist University
Cox School of Business
Southern Methodist University was founded in 1911 and opened its doors officially in 1915. Celebrating a century of academic excellence and achievement, the school prides itself on providing “small classes, leadership opportunities, international study and innovative programs” for more than 11,000 students each year. This private institution of higher education ranks as 58th in the country according to U.S. News and World Report’s list of the best national universities, representing the third highest ranking among Texas universities. Southern Methodist University offers 104 undergraduate degree programs, 113 master’s degree programs, 28 doctoral degrees and one specialist degree via seven distinct colleges.
Master of Science in Accounting
Students who are searching for accredited accounting degree programs in Texas will appreciate the fact that Southern Methodist University offers one of the best programs in the U.S. According to the school’s website, the Master of Science in Accounting degree program has been ranked third in the country by Public Accounting Report’s annual survey of more than 1,000 accounting professors representing more than 200 universities. The master’s degree gives students the ability to explore a variety of electives within a top-tier accounting framework, and candidates can choose from the traditional Assurance and Advisory Track or Tax Track depending on individual interests. Students will need to complete 32 credit hours but may enroll full time or part time. Full-time students typically finish the degree in nine months. A minimum GMAT score of 600 is necessary to be considered for admittance, and the average GPA of candidates within the program is 3.6.
Professional MBA in Accounting
Designed for those who want to take their careers to the next level, the Professional MBA program offered by Southern Methodist University is “one of the most powerful tools [students] can use to optimize [their] success in today’s competitive marketplace” according to the school’s website. Despite its stringent standards and meticulous structure, the Professional MBA program can be customized to address students’ individual career goals and interests. The degree requires 48 credit hours to be completed over the course of 24 months via evening courses in eight-week intervals. This program is not meant for entry-level business professionals but rather for those with a minimum of two years of relevant, post-graduate work experience. The average total class size for admittance is 120, the average age of those accepted is 28, and the average work experience for Professional MBA candidates is six years. Students may also participate in an international exchange program with a participating school.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International
- Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
Southern Methodist University
Cox School of Business
PO Box 750333
Dallas, TX 75275-0333
Phone: (214) 768-3000
Email: mbainfo@cox.smu.edu
Website: http://www.smu.edu/Cox/FutureStudents
St. Edward’s University
The Bill Munday School of Business
Edward’s University has earned a number of awards from publications such as U.S. News and World Report and the Washington Monthly Magazine, including recognition as a top school for veterans, a best “bang for the buck” college, and one of the top 20 best colleges in the Western region of the United States. Founded in 1877 by The Congregation of Holy Cross, St. Edward’s University remains “committed to extending its global reach, providing an education with a worldview” according to the school’s website. Just under 4,700 students attend the university, and students enjoy a comfortable faculty-to-student ratio of 17:1.
Master of Accounting
According to a recent report from the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, the accounting program at St. Edward’s ranks among the top five in the state in terms of CPA exam pass rates. The Master of Accounting degree offered by the university’s Bill Munday School of Business will prepare students for both the CPA exam and career advancement. Drawing on technical competencies and advanced theories in the field, the program centers on providing students with an in-depth education on modern accounting principles and techniques. Students will complete 30 credit hours to earn the degree. Of these, 18 credit hours must come from accounting core courses, which discuss topics such as advanced federal taxation, ethics, and internal auditing; six credit hours come from advanced courses, including cost management and forensic accounting; and the remaining six come from business electives. Prerequisite courses totaling 21 hours may be required of certain applicants.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International
- Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
Edward’s University
The Bill Munday School of Business
3001 South Congress
Austin, TX 78704-6489
Phone: (512) 448-8400
Email: Contact form available online
Website: https://www.stedwards.edu/graduate/master-accounting
St. Mary’s University
Bill Greehey School of Business
Mary’s University traces its origins back to 1852, when the Brothers of the Society of Mary, also known as Marianists, sought to found a school in the tradition of their particular religious sect. Today, the school continues to uphold the founding members’ original intentions by promoting “academic excellence, ethical commitment and service to the community.” Just over 3,700 students attend the school each year and can enroll in a wide range of academic programs at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. Nearly 28 percent of the student body professes to be Roman Catholic, but the school welcomes students of all religions.
Greehey MBA in Professional Accountancy
The Greehey MBA in Professional Accountancy program is designed for students who are interested in accredited accounting programs with a business focus. The degree requires completion of 12 hours of MBA courses and 18 hours of accounting courses at the graduate level. Students will also need to meet the 33-hour prerequisite requirement as outlined on the department’s website. Once completed, students will be eligible to sit for the CPA licensing exam and will meet the certification requirements set out by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. For the MBA program, students must attend a mandatory orientation event according to the school’s graduate catalog. Within the program, accounting foundation courses cover topics such as leadership and ethics, international business, and management of information and technology. Focus courses are on auditing, tax planning, and research. Electives include courses on corporate accounting and governance, contemporary issues within the accounting profession, business law, and estate planning.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International
- Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
Mary’s University
Bill Greehey School of Business
One Camino Santa Maria
San Antonio, TX 78228
Phone: (210) 436-3011
Email: ebroughton@stmarytx.edu
Website: https://www.stmarytx.edu/academics/department/mba-graduate/
Texas offers its students and residents ample opportunity in terms of business and professional accounting. With plenty of top-tier companies making their home in the Lone Star State, graduates will have no trouble landing a job here. There are a number of prestigious and accredited accounting degree programs in Texas, and students would do well at any of the universities listed above.
