Focused. Accomplished. Ethical.
The LMU M.S. in Accounting curriculum provides students with the technical knowledge, analytical thinking and communication skills to be accomplished and ethical accounting professionals and leaders in public and corporate accounting, management consulting, government and not-for-profit organizations.
Students who have completed the prerequisite coursework before starting our program may complete the M.S. in Accounting in 9 months on a full-time basis or 2 years on a part-time basis for a total of 30 units. Students requiring more flexibility or who need to take prerequisite courses as additional units have the option to extend the program up to 5 years.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the LMU M.S. in Accounting will:
- Possess the knowledge and skills to apply key accounting concepts in a relevant setting.
- Be able to incorporate ethical reasoning, social responsibility, and sustainability in making business and personal decisions.
- Possess critical thinking skills and the ability to integrate relevant concepts.
- Have the ability to communicate effectively.
- Demonstrate effective research skills to appropriately resolve complex accounting, auditing, and taxation issues.
Well-Rounded and Personalized
All M.S. in Accounting students complete the following core courses:
- ACCT 6110 - Financial Reporting - Standard Setting Process and Financial Accounting Theory
- ACCT 6120 - Tax Research and Strategy
- ACCT 6130 - Accounting Analytics for Decision Makers
- ACCT 6160 - Advanced Auditing
- ACCT 6170 - Accounting Research and Communication
Students will select 15 units of electives based on their desired area of focus:
- ACCT 5110 - Advanced Accounting Topics
- ACCT 5150 - Accounting Ethics, Professionalism, and the Public Interest
- ACCT 5180 - Fraud Examination
- ACCT 6114 - The CFO Perspective
- ACCT 6122 - Income Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders
- ACCT 6124 - Taxation of Flow-Through Entities
- ACCT 6126 - International Taxation
With program director approval, M.S. in Accounting students may select up to 6 units from MBA Program elective courses or M.S. in Business Analytics courses on a space-available basis provided the student meets any course prerequisite requirements. Students may also elect to complete a 3-unit internship credited as an elective.
For detailed course descriptions, see the University Bulletin.
Required Electives and Additional Units
Students who have earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from an AACSB-accredited business school will not need to take required electives or additional units.
Students who have not completed college-level courses in auditing, taxation, or accounting ethics before starting our program must take introductory courses in these subjects at LMU as electives.
Students who have not completed Intermediate Accounting I, Intermediate Accounting II, or Business/Accounting Information Systems before starting our program must complete these undergraduate courses at LMU as additional units required for the M.S. in Accounting degree.