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Nicknamed as the “Golden State,” California is located on the picturesque West Coast on the Pacific Ocean and is the third largest state in the United States. It is also the most populous state with more than 38 million residents and has eight of the nation’s 50 most populated cities within its borders. California is known across the nation for its grape wineries, beautiful beaches, high cost of living, sunny warm weather, Hollywood movie stars, earthquakes, and many of the top universities in the world. When it comes to high-quality graduate level accounting degrees, California also packs a punch with some of the best of the best. The following are Master’s level accounting programs that have been accredited by the AACSB in the state of California.
California State University – Fullerton
Mihaylo College of Business and Economics
California State University at Fullerton stands on a beautiful, 236-acre campus in the northern region of Orange County in the expanding Inland Empire. Ranked as the 35th best college and the 7th top public school in the West by U.S. News and World Report, the university has more than 37,000 current students pursuing more than 107 offered high-quality degree programs. CSUF also ranks as the best college in California and the eighth in the nation for awarding bachelor’s degrees to Hispanic students.
Situated in one of the most vibrant and diverse business communities in the nation, the CSUF Mihaylo College of Business and Economics is the largest accredited business school on the entire West Coast. Ranked as the 5th best online graduate business school in the country, the college is consistently recognized for its world-class business education for undergraduates and graduates alike. Through the Mihaylo network of more than 50,000 alumni and business partners, the College of Business and Economics is one of the driving forces of Southern California business.
Master in Business Administration with Accounting Concentration
Since accounting is often considered the language foundation of business, the Master in Business Administration (MBA) with a Concentration in Accounting is designed to deliver students the conceptual understanding and technical competence for a successful career in professional business accounting. Students are required to complete 33 semester units in the MBA core courses and at least 12 units of approved accounting courses to fulfill the concentration requirements. Graduates from the program are often immediately recruited by the big four accounting firms, as well as a variety of regional accounting firms across Southern California.
Master of Science in Accountancy
In the Master of Science in Accountancy program, the curriculum is strongly based on student development of a professional attitude and a capacity to handle issues regarding accounting policy and ethics. Students are required to complete 30 units beyond the baccalaureate level with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to achieve the degree. Students who have a Bachelor’s degree in a field other than business administration with a concentration in accounting are required to complete an additional 24 credits of preparatory courses before beginning the Master’s level curriculum.
Master of Science in Taxation
The Master of Science in Taxation program is designed to prepare students for a career in taxation within the tax departments of CPA firms, corporations, government tax agencies, or law firms. In the 30 semester unit program, students are required to complete courses in tax research, taxation of corporations, tax planning, taxation of employee compensation, economics of public finance, and the terminal evaluation of the Capstone Project. For those already employed in the field, the program fulfills all of the necessary continuing education course requirements for licensing boards and professional associations.
Accreditations
- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
800 North State College Blvd.
Fullerton, CA 92834
657-278-4652
mcbe@fullerton.edu
http://business.fullerton.edu/accounting/graduate.htm
San Diego State University
College of Business Administration
First founded in 1897, San Diego State University is the oldest and largest institution of higher education in the San Diego greater metropolitan area. Designated as a university with high research activity by the prestigious Carnegie Foundation, San Diego State is ranked as the 152nd best college and 14th best up-and coming school in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. With more than 9,000 graduates annually from 188 degree programs, SDSU is the only university in California that has experienced double-digit increases in graduate rates over the past decade.
For more than 60 years, the SDSU College of Business Administration has established itself as a leader and innovator in delivering superior business education in Southern California and beyond. The college has been ranked as one of the top ten best business schools in the state and the 86th best business school in the United States. The college’s Wells Fargo Financial Markets Laboratory is the first of its kind on the West Coast to offer business students the unparalleled resources for outstanding research.
Master of Science in Accountancy
Designed to prepare students to meet the challenges of a career in accounting, the Master of Science in Accountancy program holds students to the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and performance. Students who have already fulfilled the core business prerequisites complete the program in 12 to 18 months, but students without prior accounting studies can expect to spend 18 to 24 months completing the program. While the curriculum meets all accounting education requirements for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination, students have the option to customize their education to prepare for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) examinations too.
Accreditations
- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
5500 Campanile Drive SSE #2411
San Diego, CA 92182
619-594-5070
business@sdsu.edu
http://cbaweb.sdsu.edu/msa
University of San Diego
School of Business Administration
Overlooking the beautiful San Diego Bay, the University of San Diego is a private Roman Catholic institution that is open to students of all faiths and denominations. According to the most recent U.S. News and World Report survey, the university is currently ranked as the 91st best college in the nation. For more than six decades, USD has been dedicated to academic excellence in providing a superior liberal arts education based on Catholic intellectual and spiritual traditions.
The USD School of Business Administration extends the values-based education in order to help students accelerate their personal and professional growth in the business world. According to the June 2013 Bloomberg Businessweek survey, the school ranked as having the 14th best MBA program and the 29th best Accounting program in the nation. The 2013 edition of the Princeton Review has also listed the University of San Diego School of Business Administration as the eighth best campus environment among the 296 business schools included in the survey.
Master of Science in Accountancy
Designed to be completed in one year or less, the Master of Science in Accountancy (MACC) program seeks to provide students with a balance of academic theory and real-world experience with professionals in the industry. With a small average class size of just 16, students are given the needed one-on-one attention to develop supportive relationship and engage in innovative group projects with peers. The program also gives students the opportunity to study abroad with international CPA firms to gain global exposure and learn global accounting practices firsthand.
Master of Science in Taxation
The curriculum of the Master of Science in Taxation (MTAX) program is designed to help students develop the essential leadership, communication, interpersonal, and ethical skills needed to begin an accounting career with an emphasis on taxation. For those with an undergraduate accountancy degree, the program consists of 30 semester units delivered in a five-week format of night classes. Upon admission to the program, students are able to select an experienced faculty mentor to guide them through the program and provide career counseling.
Accreditations
- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Latin American Council of Management Schools (CLADEA)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
Olin Hall Room 100
5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110
619-260-2975
acctinst@sandiego.edu
http://www.sandiego.edu/business/programs/accounting-tax/
University of Southern California
Marshall School of Business
As one of the leading private research universities on the globe, the University of Southern California is currently ranked as the 23rd best college, 37th best value school, and 10th best up-and-coming school in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. The university enrolls more international students and offers more study abroad opportunities than any other higher education institution in the United States. Located in one of the biggest metropolises in the world, USC is home to more than 38,000 diverse students and nearly 3,500 full-time distinguished faculty members.
The USC Marshall School of Business is a leader among the nation’s premier business schools, ranked as the 26th best business school in the United States. Building upon a strong foundation in business fundamentals, the School endeavors to create well-rounded business leaders with a global mindset that enables them to effortlessly cross international and cultural boundaries. All graduates enter the business world with the tremendous support of a powerful group of 70,000 alumni in the USC Marshall Trojan Family for lifelong connections and resources throughout 44 different countries.
Master of Accounting
Offered by the Leventhal School of Accounting in the Marshall School of Business as the 8th best graduate Accounting program in the nation, the Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree program is designed for students interested in careers in professional or public accounting. In the 30-credit program, students are required to complete courses in enterprise information systems, auditing and assurance services, ethics for professional accountants, mergers and acquisitions, and global accounting experience. For admission into the program, students must have a bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited institution regardless of major or field.
Accreditations
- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Contact Information
3660 Trousdale Parkway, ACC 101
Los Angeles, CA 90089
213-740-4838
macc.mbt@marshall.usc.edu
http://www.marshall.usc.edu/macc
