Are you currently employed but aspiring to earn online masters in accounting degree? It may be an intelligent decision to do so because completion of a graduate program will lead to more opportunities for you. Besides, a master’s degree in accountancy is a pre-qualification for the uniform CPA examination. Passing this test gives you the license to become a full-pledged Certified Public Accountant or Certified Management Accountant.
Standard Program Syllabus
You can refer to the standard online masters in accounting degree curriculum like that one from State University of New York Institute of Technology. SUNY-IT’s MS in Accountancy degree consists of a 33-hour semester program with 11 courses. It accepts full-time students and part-time enrollees (working students). It has been registered to fulfill the 150 hours licensure prerequisite for the State of New York. The syllabus was formulated to cope with the growing number of accounting professionals with undergraduate degrees and enable them to pursue their professions. Common subjects include corporate, public and government accounting.
Importance of Choosing Good Schools
Various institutions offer online masters in accounting degree. It is essential to come up with a short list and personal criteria before deciding on which school can provide exceptional online education. You need to keep in mind that the master’s degree serves as foundation for advancement and upgrades your professional skills. It will also prime you for possible promotion to managerial level in the near future.
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine has its 36-credit online masters in accounting degree program that has course work in accounting, leadership and ethics. Candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and Grade Point Average of 2.5. Applicants should have finished at least one of the four major subjects: Macroeconomics, Finance (Introduction), Managerial or Financial Accounting. The comprehensive curriculum aims to develop the student’s expertise in critical thinking, interpersonal proficiency and strategic perspective. The manner of instruction is based on problem-solving, written assignments and dialogues.
The other premier online schools are the following:
- University of Phoenix, which employs a dynamic program of study, to develop the students’ education by way of an interactive learning atmosphere.
- Liberty University Online is currently ranked number 10 in the Online Education Database since 2009. Statistics show that Liberty has more than 45 degrees, 100 fields of specialization and approximately 65,000 students.
- Kaplan University is described as the first faultless and complete online education portal meant for students who plan to build a careen in accounting.
Career Prospects for Online Masters in Accounting Degree
If you are determined in acquiring a career in accounting, it will be imperative to enroll in online masters in accounting degree. Notwithstanding the volatile economic situation in the United States, private companies and public offices will definitely need more accountants to fill up the growing demands in the industry. Certified Public Accountants will be given priority along with those who completed master’s degree in accounting and still waiting for results of the licensure exams.
Corporate and government employers are now more inclined to accept graduates of online or distance learning. The Sloan Consortium, a non-profit association that evaluates the progress and performance of online education, disclosed that the growth rate of students and young professionals taking online graduate degrees is increasing by almost 20 percent. This is considerably high compared to the 1.6 percent growth rate for students who enroll in higher education courses.
The online masters in accounting degree can be your entry point to senior management positions. In fact, careers in accounting are considered very rewarding but quite competitive. You can be one of those who can compete by obtaining this graduate program in accounting. The online approach is beneficial since you can always work while studying. In short, you learn while earning. The advanced degree together with your experience will allow you to come up with an impressive portfolio.
Financial Considerations in Online Masters in Accounting Degree
The standard online masters in accounting degree program with at least 30 up to 60 credits can be completed approximately within two years for part-time students. The tuition fee ranges from $20,000 to $30,000 for public institutions and $25,000 to $40,000 for private schools. For instance, the cost of an accounting online master’s degree in New England College is $31,190.
If you compare an online master’s degree in accounting with the traditional campus-based approach, the fee for the conventional system is about three times more than the average $30,000 tuition cost. You can save by enrolling in an online degree by as much as $500 every semester for textbooks alone. This does not include dormitory payments and other costs incurred in traditional education.
The online masters in accounting degree may be the key to your success. Take the case of a number of famous people who completed their education in online schools. The chief executive officer of the global restaurant chain (Wendy’s), Kerrii B. Anderson is a graduate of an online business school. Another notable alumnus is United States Navy Admiral Kirkland H. Donald, who acquired his master’s degree in business administration from an online institution. Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal finished a master’s program in business administration in an online university. There are many other renowned personalities who are products of distance learning. You can follow their footsteps and become one of the successful graduates in online institutions.