Known as the “Yellowhammer State” and “Heart of Dixie,” Alabama is located in the Southeastern region of the United States. It is the 30th largest and 23rd most populous state in the nation, with more than 4.8 million residents calling Alabama home. The state is well-known for its cotton, antebellum mansions, Azalea Trail, steel production, the nationally ranked Crimson Tide football team, and being the birthplace of the Confederate States of America in history. Alabama also packs a punch with some excellent graduate level programs for students pursuing degrees in accounting. The following are the accredited Master’s level accounting programs by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in Alabama.
Auburn University
Raymond J. Harbert College of Business
Auburn University is situated in the suburban town of Auburn, which has been rated as one of the best places to live in the nation. In addition, the university has been ranked as the 91st best college and 40th top public school by U.S. News and World Report. Since opening in 1856, the university has had more than 150 years of producing world-famous architects, numerous authors, six NASA astronauts, and dozens of CEOs.
Named after the CEO of Harbert Management Corporation and the 1982 alumnus, the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business has maintained a long legacy of a reputation for excellence. It is currently ranked as the 36th best college of business by U.S. News and World Report and has the 27th best public university MBA program according to Forbes Magazine. With its innovative online coursework, the College of Business is also ranked as possessing the 7th best online graduate business program in the nation. The college is dedicated to providing the highest-quality education in order to ensure graduates will perform at a superior level and become leaders of the business world.
Master of Accountancy
In this professional non-thesis Master of Accountancy degree program, students are required to complete 30-semester hours and a comprehensive examination in the unique form of an exciting Capstone Project. Although the program is offered with the same rigorous curriculum online, it is important to note that online students are required to still participate in a four and one-half day residency in the final spring semester before graduation on the Auburn campus. Graduates who receive the Master of Accountancy degree have a higher likelihood of passing the CPA examination, earning a higher starting salary, and better chances for promotions once hired.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact Information
405 West Magnolia Ave.
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4832
amy.murphy@auburn.edu
http://business.auburn.edu/academics/graduate/master-of-accountancy/
University of Alabama
Manderson Graduate School of Business
First founded in 1831, the University of Alabama is the oldest public college in the state that is focused on higher education teaching, service, and research. According to the U.S. News and World Report, it is ranked as the 86th best college and 36th top public school in the nation. The University of Alabama is also listed as the 10th best public university in the nation for the enrollment of National Merit scholars and high achieving students.
The Manderson Graduate School of Business is no exception, being ranked as the 58th best business program in the United States. Consistently ranked among the best of the best for ROI, the School of Business is known for being highly selective and accepting only the students with the highest potential for leadership. With an astonishing association of more than 7,000 Manderson alumni, graduates from the school are welcomed with open arms into a professional network of diverse industries nationwide.
Master of Accountancy
The Master of Accountancy program is designed to prepare students for careers as professional accountants in financial institutions, government, industry, nonprofit organizations, and private practices. Enrolled students are required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of graduate courses, including 18 hours of accounting courses and up to nine elective credits. The curriculum is built upon developing skills in financial reporting, business valuation, risk assessment and assurance, systems analysis, data mining, and legal issues in accounting.
Master of Tax Accounting
Students in the Master of Tax Accounting degree program are prepared for careers as a tax specialist to work for the government, major corporations, or as personal accountants. Within its multi-dimensional approach, the program helps students gain expertise in the taxation system and the interrelationship between it and theories in accounting. For graduation, students must complete at least 31 hours of approved coursework, including 18 credits in tax accounting courses.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact Information
331 Alston Hall
719 University Blvd. UNA Box 870220
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
205-348-8392
rhouston@cba.ua.edu
http://manderson.cba.ua.edu/
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Collat School of Business
Currently ranked as the 152nd best college and 81st top public school in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, the University of Alabama at Birmingham is among the most dynamic and productive universities of the 21st century. Through recent remarkable growth in size, quality, and reputation, UAB has quickly transformed into an extensive higher learning center and research university. For the last consecutive four years, the Princeton Review has named UAB within the top 10 universities for diversity, as well as the top university for awarding degrees to African Americans.
Located in the center of Alabama’s business center, the Collat School of Business offers one of the most engaging learning environments with the classroom extending far beyond the campus buildings. From Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurial startups, students can gain valuable real-world experience in a variety of internship avenues right in the school’s backyard. As a technologically advanced campus setting, the Collat School of Business has been ranked among the top 100 most social media friendly business schools for 2013.
Master of Accounting
Among the first 18 accounting programs to receive accreditation by the AACSB in the very first year of the association, the Master of Accounting program provides hands-on learning experiences and year-round internships to help students explore viable career options. The degree can be pursued in an online format, in the traditional classroom for evening classes, or a unique blend of both. High-achieving UAB undergraduate students are welcomed into a fast-track Master of Accounting program to accelerate the pathway towards graduation.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact Information
BEC Room 216
1720 2nd Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294
205-934-8800
gradschool@uab.edu
http://www.uab.edu/business/degrees-certificates/master-of-accounting
University of South Alabama
Mitchell College of Business
Located along the upper Gulf Coast in the oldest city in the state–Mobile, the University of South Alabama offers more than 90 different degree programs to choose from. Within the USA Mitchell College of Business, the Department of Accounting offers an undergraduate and graduate degree program in accounting. Accredited by the highest level of business and accounting accreditation, it is one of only 200 higher education institutions to earn this prestigious distinction for fully preparing graduates. With the broad coverage of business topics in the rigorous curriculum, graduates often find employment in public accounting firms, nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, and private businesses.
Master of Accounting
The Master of Accounting Program is specially designed to provide graduate students with 30 hours of advanced coursework. It is geared towards individuals who are interested in pursuing professional careers as certified public accountants (CPAs), management accounts, and accountants for the government. All of the required courses are offered on a rotating basis for both day and evening on-campus classes to cater to the needs of both the full-time student and working adult professional.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Contact Information
307 University Blvd.
Mobile, AL 36688
251-460-7167
mbranch@southalabama.edu
http://mcob.usouthal.edu/accounting.html