Studying Finance & Accounting at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst
The University of Massachusetts-Amherst appears in our ranking of the Top 40 Best Online MBAs in Finance.
Finance and accounting programs at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst vary from bachelor’s degrees to graduate degrees, and students can focus their efforts on a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, an online BBA in Accounting program, and the Master of Science in Accounting program. The university also hosts a Ph.D. in Accounting program.
The university also has an interesting enrollment option called the Accounting Transitions Program, which helps students obtain the prerequisites they need to enroll in the Master of Science in Accounting program.
For finance students, degree options include a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, an online degree completion option in finance, and a Master of Finance in Alternative Investments. The university also offers an MBA with a focus in finance that students may pursue. Finance and accounting majors are housed within the Isenberg School of Management.
Conveniently, the university hosts all of its programs on campus, as well as some of its options online, so students have options for study even if they’re not from Massachusetts or within driving distance of Amherst. For example, students can enroll in the BBA programs on campus, or they may pursue them online when they have at least 27 credits previously earned at another institution.
The online programs are designed as a degree-completion option for students who might have trouble getting to campus for their classes, and students can actually complete their degrees without a single visit to campus. For accounting graduates, possible jobs await at companies like IBM, Raytheon, Pratt & Whitney, Aetna, General Electric, and more.
Students may also consider hybrid programs like the Master of Science in Accounting, which features a 12-week summer session on campus and the remaining credits earned online. Earning an MSA can take just eight months for students who enroll full-time, and the program usually takes no longer than two years for part-time students.
Applicants who choose the MBA program with a focus on finance enjoy a strong curriculum with courses like International Finance, Negotiations Theory & Practice, Investments, and Advanced Negotiations for Managers.
About the University of Massachusetts-Amherst
The University of Massachusetts-Amherst was established in 1863 as Massachusetts Agricultural College, and it’s the flagship institution of the state’s university system. Also known as Massachusetts State College in the first half of the twentieth century, the university has become one of the largest in the state with more than 30,000 students enrolled. Around 1,300 faculty members serve students as teachers. The campus covers 1,463 acres in Amherst.
The school’s official colors are maroon, white, and black, and students play in NCAA Division I games as the Minutemen and Minutewomen. There are 21 varsity teams at the university, and the school’s official mascot is Sam the Minuteman. The university saw some of its most impressive growth in the 1940s and 1950s after World War II when the GI Bill allowed veterans to attend college with the help of financial aid.
The University of Massachusetts-Amherst Accreditation Details
Regional accreditation for the University of Massachusetts-Amherst has been granted by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, which is the regional accreditation agency for six states in New England. Schools, colleges, and programs are also accredited by focused agencies like the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Other accreditations come from the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. Accreditations have also been granted by the National League for Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The university is also part of the Five Colleges Consortium, which helps students attend classes at other institutions in the Pioneer Valley that include Hampshire, Smith, Mount Holyoke, and Amherst Colleges.
The University of Massachusetts-Amherst Application Requirements
Prospective first-year students who want to attend the University of Massachusetts-Amherst must submit their completed application, official high school transcripts, and standardized test scores from the ACT or SAT. All official transcripts and scores must be sent directly from the school or testing agency. Students must also submit a letter of recommendation and pay an application fee of $80.
In addition to basic application materials, students must demonstrate having taken certain high school classes that include English, math, science, and a foreign language. Some degree programs require additional materials. For example, dance, art, music, and architecture majors must audition or submit a portfolio. Home-schooled applicants are allowed to apply, and international students from non-English speaking countries must prove proficiency in English.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst are based on the level of a student’s program and his or her residency status. Students enrolled in full-time study at the undergraduate level pay $7,895.50 for tuition per semester, as well as a $175.00 technology fee and a $124.00 student activities fee. Out-of-state students will pay $17,556.00 for tuition, as well as the same extra fees. Students from nearby states may qualify for a tuition discount of $3,468.50.
For graduate students, tuition for the first credit is $2,081.50, and then the university charges an additional fee for each additional credit taken. Six credits are $4,671.50 and 12 or more credits is $7,389.00. Other fees a student may pay include a service fee, a graduate senate tax, and a student health fee. Out-of-state graduate students pay $3,963.50 for the first credit and an additional fee for each additional credit. Some majors have additional fees associated with the program. For example, there is an additional engineering fee for each credit taken.
Students will work with Financial Aid Services at the university for tuition assistance for loans, scholarships, and grants. The university recommends applying for federal, state, and institutional aid before considering alternative loan options. Students should submit a FAFSA form in advance of enrolling for classes. Students may receive an award package consisting of federal Direct loans that will also require that students complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN), as well as entrance counseling.
One of the best options for paying for college is receiving a scholarship, and there are several available from sources affiliated with the university. Students who apply to the University of Massachusetts-Amherst can apply for the Gregory S. Thomas Community Scholarship, the Jim & Lucille O’Sullivan Emergency Scholarship Fund, or the Lizzie Dickinson Scholarship.
