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Accounting graduate programs in Texas are becoming increasingly important as, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state has the second highest number of workers in the accounting profession in the United States, second only to California. With so many people in the profession, accountants with graduate degrees offer employers additional knowledge and experience that will help them succeed in the business world.
Accounting is an important part of every industry. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires companies to assess internal control systems and determine that they are adequate for financial reporting requirements. Although accounting policies provide direction for all employees to follow to meet reporting requirements, employees with extensive accounting backgrounds, such as those who have completed accounting graduate programs in Texas, offer knowledge and skills to companies that can further improve policies that will insure proper reporting.
Accounting majors who enter the accredited accounting graduate programs in Texas are provided the tools and knowledge necessary to guide a variety of industries to meet reporting requirements.
The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington began in 1895 at the urging of Edward Emmett Rankin. Mr. Rankin was a civic leader who understood the need for quality education in Arlington, a rural town that had recently been founded. The original school, a two-and-a-half story wood frame house, was built on land donated by J.W. Ditto and A.W. Collins, opening as a private school for students from elementary to high school.
From 1902 to 1917, the school operated as a military training school. In 1902, Col. James M. Carlisle changed the school to the Carlisle Military Academy, training boys in literary, military and manual subjects, although there were at least eight female graduates during the school’s eleven year existence. In 1913, the school became the Arlington Training School, teaching at the high school level, and in 1916 the school became the Arlington Military Academy, operated by John B. Dobson, but the school only existed for one year. In 1917, the school became Grubbs Vocational College, named after Judge Vincent W. Grubbs, who led a campaign to create the school. The curriculum focused on agriculture, mechanical and industrial trades, as well as household arts for females. However, all male students were required to join the ROTC in keeping with its military tradition. In 1923, the college was renamed North Texas Agricultural College. In 1959, the school became Arlington State University, and, in 1967, the school became the University of Texas at Arlington.
College of Business
The College of Business at the University of Texas at Arlington understands that the business world changes constantly and that graduates must be prepared to meet the challenges presented as business evolves. Faculty at the school focus on business of the future to insure that what students learn meets the needs of businesses, yet they understand the need for students to also learn business practices of the past as well.
Professional Program in Accounting
The Professional Program in Accounting at the University of Texas at Arlington prepares students for careers in private, public and governmental organizations. The program prepares students to become a Certified Public Accountant. It is an integrated five-year program where students obtain either a BBA in Accounting or a BS in Accounting, as well as a Master’s degree in either Accounting or Taxation. This allows students to obtain both degrees in fewer semester hours and less cost than other accounting majors.
MPA Degree Program
The MPA Degree Program at the University of Texas at Arlington prepares students with an undergraduate degree in any discipline other than accounting, such as chemistry, economics or history, to gain knowledge in the accounting field. This prepares students for careers in industry or government. Students may also enter public accounting with additional minor coursework. Students are required to complete 42 semester hours of coursework, including:
- 24 semester hours of accounting courses
- 6 semester hours of accounting electives
- 12 semester hours of business electives
Students must demonstrate competency at the undergraduate level in General and Business education areas before being accepted into the program. Students with an undergraduate business degree normally satisfy background requirements without additional coursework, while students with other undergraduate majors may need additional coursework.
MS Accounting Degree Program
The MS-Accounting degree program prepares students to become Certified Public Accountants as well as for careers in the public, private or governmental sectors of business. Students with an undergraduate degree in accounting who wish to specialize in an area of the field other than taxation will benefit from the program. The program requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of coursework, which include:
- 18 semester hours of accounting courses
- 6 semester hours of accounting electives
- 12 semester hours of business electives
MS-Taxation Degree Program
The MS-Taxation program prepares students for professional tax careers, as well as preparing them to become Certified Public Accountants. Students who complete the program are qualified for careers in the tax field in the public, private or governmental sectors. The program is 36 semester hours of coursework, which include:
- 15 semester hours of required accounting courses
- 6 semester hours of restricted accounting electives
- 6 semester hours of taxation electives
- 9 semester hours of business electives
MBA Flexible with Concentration in Accounting
The MBA with an Accounting concentration is designed for managers who must use accounting practices to make financial decisions. Accounting electives provide students with:
- An understanding of transactions that are and are not included in financial statements
- An understanding of the relationship between accounting numbers and the prices of stocks and bonds
- An understanding of the importance of taxes when making business decisions
- How to use financial statements and other disclosures for valuation and credit decisions
- Methods for developing and using cost information when making business decisions
Students who graduate from the program are qualified for positions as auditors, accounting managers, corporate, system or tax consultants.
Dual Degrees
The Dual Degree program at UT Arlington allows students to earn two advanced degrees at once, saving time and money. Students who successfully complete the program earn a Master of Business Administration along with a specialized master’s degree in accounting. Students may not have completed more than 24 hours of advanced courses in their current program. Students must complete an application for the program and pay an admission fee. Official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended must be provided. Students must provide official acceptable GRE or GMAT test scores. A statement of approximately 200 words regarding the student’s academic plans and three recommendation forms from undergraduate faculty are also required. Students may also be required to submit a writing sample, portfolio of work, list of publications or resume as well.
Ph.D in Business Administration
UT Arlington has offered a doctorate in business for more than 20 years, graduating more than 200 doctoral students. The program prepares students to conduct relevant research on many business issues facing industries today. The program is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a Doctoral/Research University – High Research Activity, and most faculty members are active researchers. Many of the faculty have been recognized globally for their achievements.
Accreditation
- The Association to Advance Collegiate Business Schools
Contact
Graduate Business Services
UT Arlington
Box 19376
Arlington, TX 76019-0376
MBA
Telephone: 817-272-3004 or 817-272-3005
Email: gradbiz@uta.edu
Program Website
Ph.D.
Telephone: 817-272-2131
Email: businessphdquestions@uta.edu
Program Website
The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas began in 1839 when the Congress of the Republic of Texas ordered a site set aside for a university when locating the seat of government. The same year, over 231,000 acres of land were allocated along with an endowment for two colleges or universities. However, it was not until 1858 when the Texas legislature officially funded the university, but the Civil War and secession delayed the project further. It was not until 1882 that the cornerstone of the first Main Building was laid, and the university was formally opened on September 15, 1883.
The Tower has been a symbol of the University of Texas since it was completed in 1937 and it can be seen from almost any location in Austin. It was designed by Paul Cret of Philadelphia and the observation deck offers a spectacular view of the campus and the city of Austin. The Tower appears illuminated in white most evenings, but is lit in various color schemes for special events. For graduation, the tower glows orange and white. An orange tower with office windows glowing a white “1” indicates NCAA championships, while a darkened tower indicates somber occasions, such as the passing of a former president or other distinctive alumnus.
Red McCombs School of Business
The Red McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas Austin is named after auto dealership owner, Red McCombs, who donated $50 million to the school in May 2000. The donation allowed the College of Business Administration and the Graduate School of Business to merge under one department. The oldest inter-business school new-venture competition, the Venture Labs Investment Competition, is held at the McComb School, and the first Management Information Systems degree was created there. In 1995, the school became the first to require students to have an e-mail address. It is one of the largest, top business schools in the United States.
Integrated MPA
The integrated MPA program at the McCombs School is available to students beyond their sophomore year and in the process of earning a BBA degree. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and must have completed:
- Accounting 311 and 312
- BA 101 (this is waived for transfer students
- ECO 304K and 304 L with a grade of C- or better
- M 408K and M 408L with a grade of C- or better
Students must also submit a statement of purpose essay and resume. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master in Professional Accountancy.
Traditional MPA
The Accounting Master’s program at the McComb School is open to any student with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Students interact with professionals in the field through guest speakers, receptions, competitions, workshops and internships. There are also study abroad opportunities to prepare students for the global business world that exists today. Graduates of the program are heavily recruited in a wide variety of industries, and most accept job offers before graduation. Students are able to develop specialized expertise in one of four tracks, which should be discussed with their advisor. Students who plan to sit for the CPA Exam will have curriculum tailored to meet that goal.
Doctoral Program in Accounting
The University of Texas at Austin offers one of the most prestigious accounting graduate degrees in the country, offering a doctorate program for those who wish to develop research and writing skills in addition to their knowledge of accounting. The program has been ranked first in the nation by the Public Accounting Report, and the distinguished faculty is renowned for their research into financial reporting, management accounting, auditing, taxation and information systems. Graduates are well-equipped to make contributions to accounting knowledge and assemble evidence to help companies create policies and practices. In addition, because the demand for skilled accounting educators is high, doctoral graduates are often very successful in obtaining teaching positions at high-level colleges and universities throughout the country.
Contact
University of Texas at Austin
McCombs School of Business
1 University Station, B6000
Austin, TX 78712-1178
Telephone: 512-471-5058, GSB 2.104
Email: dean.gilligan@mccombs.utexas.edu
Integrated MPA
Traditional MPA
Doctorate
University of Texas at Dallas
The University of Texas at Dallas was the vision of Eugene McDermott, J. Erik Jonsson and Cecil Green, three men who valued education and entrepreneurial activity. The three men were the founders of Texas Instruments, and they found they were bringing employees in from out of state to fill positions. They established the Graduate Research Center of the Southwest in 1961, renaming the institution the Southwest Center for Advanced Studies in 1967. In 1969, the assets of the school were transferred to the state, and the institution became the University of Texas at Dallas.
Naveen Jindal School of Management
The Naveen Jindall School of Management at UT Dallas is named for the chairman of Jindall Steel and Power. Mr. Jindall earned his MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1992 where he was Student Government President and a recipient of the Student Leader of the Year Award. The School of Management was renamed in his honor in 2011. The school is the largest of the seven schools at UT Dallas, and enrolls over 7,000 students.
Master of Science in Accounting
The Master of Science in Accounting program at UT Dallas develops the skills professionals need to deliver the requirements identified by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Students are able to focus their studies in five concentrations:
- Corporate Accounting
- Assurance Services
- Taxation
- Internal Audit
- Enterprise Resource Planning Systems
Students may also choose from other graduate accounting classes to develop their own focus. Courses are offered both traditionally and online.
Master of Science in Management and Administrative Services
The Master of Science in Management and Administrative Services is a 24-month program that offers a focused set of management courses that provide a foundation for all students. The program is flexible, allowing students to choose electives from a variety of concentrations and convenient class scheduling. Students must maintain a 3.0 grade-point average in all courses. The only prerequisite course for the program is a Business Calculus course or the equivalent. Students must also complete the following 10-hour basic core:
- Financial Accounting
- Business Economics
- Information Technology and MIS Fundamentals
- Quantitative Introduction to Risk and Uncertainty in Business
Professional Program in Accounting
The Professional Program in Accounting at UT Dallas offers smaller, honors-type core classes taught by highly-regarded faculty members. The program offers better networking opportunities and priority access to internships, as well as full-time employment opportunities. The program enhances technical accounting, along with other skills necessary to succeed in the business world, including:
- Interpersonal Interaction
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Presentation
- Networking
The mentor program available through the PPA also focuses on interviewing skills, resume writing and professional etiquette.
PhD in Management Science, Accounting Concentration
The PhD in Management Science with a concentration in Accounting is designed for students who seek training in advanced theoretical and applied issues related to the field. The program prepares students for teaching positions in research-oriented universities and requires hands-on training in accounting research. Research is supported in the disciplines of economics, mathematics, psychology and statistics. All research leads to a doctoral dissertation. The program is ranked 11th out of the Top 100 World Rankings of Business Schools.
Accreditation
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
The Naveen Jindal School of Management
The University of Texas at Dallas
SM 42
800 West Campbell Road
Richardson, TX 75080-3021
Master of Science in Accounting
Telephone: 972-883-5912
Email: Jennifer.johnson@utdallas.edu
Program Website
Master of Science in Management and Administrative Services
Telephone: 972-883-5912
Email: Jennifer.johnson@utdallas.edu
Program Website
PPA Program
Telephone: 972-883-6719
Email: amybass@utdallas.edu
Program Website
PhD
Telephone: 972-883-6370
Email: suryaj@utdallas.edu
Program Website
The University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso opened in 1914 as the State School of Mines and Metallurgy in buildings that formerly housed the El Paso Military Institute. In 1916, a fire destroyed the main building of the school, requiring them to relocate. In 1917, the new campus opened above Mundy Heights where it exists today. The wife of the university’s dean at the time, Kathleen Worrell, was inspired by photographs of the Kingdom of Bhutan she saw in National Geographic, which showed dzong architecture. Dzong architecture has unique characteristics, such as sloping sides, bands of colored decoration and roofs that markedly overhang the structure. Because the terrain where the new college campus was proposed, Mrs. Worrell suggested using dzong architecture for the buildings on campus. That style has continued throughout the history of the college. In 1919, the school became the University of Texas Department of Mines and Metallurgy, becoming the Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy in 1920. In 1949, the school became the Texas Western College of the University of Texas.
College of Business Administration
The College of Business Administration at the University of Texas at El Paso was established in 1967, although the roots of the college go back to 1915 when a course in Political Economy was first offered. When the College of the City of El Paso and the School of Commerce closed in 1918, their programs became a branch of the School of Mines, and when that curriculum was expanded to include Liberal Arts in 1927, business courses were added. In 1964, the Business and Economics Departments were divided into separate departments under the School of Arts and Sciences. In 1967, an accounting program was added to Business and Economics. The three programs, along with the Bureau of Business and Economic Research, were merged to create the College of Business Administration.
Master of Accountancy
The UTEP Master of Accountancy Program is designed for those who are practicing accountants wishing to increase their knowledge, or for those preparing for careers in the professional accounting field. Completion of the program qualifies students to sit for the Certified Public Accountant examination. Students must take the Pre-Master of Accountancy component, which is 36-semester hours of classes in accounting, business law, economics, quantitative methods, marketing and finance. The second component is the Master of Accountancy, which consists of 18-hours of study in accounting that is tailored to specific areas of concentration of either Tax or Financial/Audit. In addition, the component includes six hours of business, a three-hour organizational communication and three hours of business strategy courses.
Accreditation
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
Marjorie A. Marinovic CPA, MAcc
Graduate Advisor, Lecturer of Accounting
Business Room 208
The University of Texas at El Paso
500 West University Avenue
El Paso, TX 79968
Telephone: 915-747-7765
Email: mamarinovic@utep.edu
Program Website
University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio was founded in 1969 by the Texas legislature. The first students attended classes at Koger Center, which was an office park. From the beginning, the college offered graduate degrees in business administration. In 1973, construction began on the original campus, which is now known as Main Campus in the foothills of northwest of San Antonio. Classes began on Main Campus in 1975. In 1997, UTSA opened the Downtown Campus to meet growing enrollment. Today, the university has an enrollment of 29,000 students, as well as 150 degree programs offered in eight colleges.
College of Business
The College of Business at UTSA began with the inception of the university in 1969. In 1971, Louis J. Rodriguez, who was the fourth person hired by the university, became the first dean of the College of Business after moving his family to Texas. The college offers a comprehensive curriculum at the undergraduate, graduate and doctorate level. There are over 5,100 students enrolled at the College of Business and it has been named one of the top 10 MBA programs for minority students in the Princeton Review for the past eight years. The college also received the Brillante Award for Educational Excellence from the National Society of Hispanic MBA’s in 2013.
Master of Accountancy
The Master of Accountancy program at the College of Business is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in any field of study. Students who do not have the equivalent of an undergraduate degree in accounting, however, may be required to enroll in the MACY core courses in addition to certain accounting courses. In order to be admitted to the MACY program, applicants must demonstrate potential for success through GMAT scores, a personal statement or other factors. Students must supply transcripts from all colleges and universities attended along with official GMAT scores. A personal statement and current resume are also required. Letters of reference may be submitted but are optional. MACY courses required before admission to the program include:
- Principles of Accounting I and II
- Intermediate Accounting I and II
- Federal Income Taxation
- Accounting Information Systems
- Principles of Auditing
- Legal Environment of Business
- Economic Theory and Practice
- Principles of Business Finance
- Introduction to Information Systems
- Conceptual Foundations of Management
- Introduction to Marketing
- Quantitative Methods for Business Analysis
Accreditation
- Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Contact
USTA Office of the Registrar
One UTSA Circle
San Antonio, TX 78249-0608
Telephone: 210-458-4011
Email: registrar@utsa.edu
Program Website
For the first half of the list, please see Graduate Schools Accredited in Accounting in Texas – Part 1.
