Situated on the Great Plains of the Midwestern region of the United States as the 16th most extensive and 9th least populated state with just 1.8 million residents, it is no surprise that there are just four accounting graduate programs in Nebraska. While the “Cornhusker State” may be best known for its vast harvesting of corn, Nebraska is also home to two of the best accounting schools in the Midwest that offer top-notch masters degree and doctoral degree options that can prepare students for a professional career in the in-demand accounting industry. Whether you are born and raised or interested in moving to the state, the following are the two graduate schools that offer masters programs in accounting within the state of Nebraska.
University of Nebraska at Omaha
College of Business Administration
As the first choice public metropolitan institution serving more than 15,000 students, the University of Nebraska at Omaha spans more than 150 acres embedded in the heart of the state’s largest city. Recognized for having one of the most competitive tuition rates in the region, UNO has been ranked as the 2nd best military-friendly school by Military Times magazine and has been named among the top 20 universities in the nation for service learning initiatives in the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. The College of Business Administration is committed to preparing future business leaders for an increasingly innovative marketplace through high-quality education experiences that link theory with practice.
Master of Accounting (MAcc)
Designed to provide graduate-level advanced preparation as a basis for a career in accounting to individuals with or without undergraduate degrees in the field, the Master of Accounting (MAcc) program aims to prepare students with career aspirations demanding a high level of accounting expertise for employment in public, private, or non-profit organizations. While those who have not received a bachelor’s degree in accounting can complete a 150-hour undergraduate and graduate MAcc option, graduates of accredited undergraduate accounting institutions can earn the degree with just 30 hours. Throughout the program, individuals desiring a particular career path can pursue a specialization in Auditing, Information Systems, Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, or Taxation.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
Mammel Hall Room 228E
6708 Pine Street
Omaha, NE 68182
(402) 554-3984
jenriley@unomaha.edu
http://cba.unomaha.edu//MACC/home.cfm
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
School of Accountancy
Situated on a 622-acre urban campus in one of the nation’s up-and-coming and safe cities with the friendly Midwestern atmosphere, the University of Nebraska – Lincoln is a land-grant public institution that is classified as a research university with very high research activity by the prestigious Carnegie Foundation. Known for having one of the first grad schools west of the Mississippi River to award doctoral degrees, UNL is currently ranked as the 101st best college, 47th top public school, and 15th best university for veterans in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. Within one of the top business schools with the 6th best online graduate business programs, the School of Accountancy aims to foster intellectual curiosity, academic excellence, and business insights to develop effective, ethical accounting professionals.
Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA)
Intended to prepare graduate students to use accounting as an analytical tool for effective business decision-making with a specialized understanding of accounting theory application, the Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) program qualifies all of the accounting major requirements for taking the CPA examination in Nebraska. Students have the option of joining the program in their senior year to earn both a BSBA and MPA degree concurrently, but those who already have a bachelor’s degree in accounting may complete the degree with 36 credits in just one year. Throughout the program, students are actively engaged in coursework on auditing, federal tax accounting, advanced managerial accounting, accounting theory, tax research, corporate taxation, and business electives as well as an internship.
MPA – JD Joint Degree Program
Since the business world is increasingly requiring qualified accountants who understand and can apply legal concepts to financial analysis, the MPA – JD Joint Degree Program offered in conjunction with the College of Law enables students to earn a Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) and Juris Doctor (JD) concurrently. Typically requiring four years of full-time coursework to complete, the curriculum provides valuable interdisciplinary insights to better prepare accountants for advancing their careers in the ever-evolving business environment. All students interested in the joint degree program must be admitted to the School of Accountancy and the College of Law to utilize the analytical methods of both professions.
Ph.D. in Business Administration with Specialization in Accountancy
Ideal for those who are interested in conducting accounting research or teaching the next generation of accountants, the Ph.D. in Business Administration with a specialization in Accountancy program particularly suits those who are interested in concentrating their studies in the fields of Auditing, Taxation, Finance, or Economics. As a 90-credit graduate program beyond the bachelor’s degree, the curriculum includes the completion of a second year presentation, weekly workshops, comprehensive examination, graduate assistantship, and doctoral dissertation. In order to be accepted into the program, applicants must have a strong technical accounting background with recent coursework in calculus, statistics, and other quantitative methods.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact Information
Seaton Hall Room 1100
1240 R Street
Lincoln, NE 68588
(402) 472-2927
dsmith19@unl.edu
http://cba.unl.edu/departments/accountancy/
As the field of accounting continues to grow increasingly complex and the academic experience requirements for taking the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination increase, it is highly recommended that aspiring accounting professionals pursue an advanced accounting degree from one of the nation’s accredited graduate schools for the best career opportunities. Therefore, be sure to check out these top-notch accounting graduate programs in Nebraska that have been approved by the AACSB for excellence.