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There are several attractive accounting graduate programs in Tennessee to prepare future accounting professionals for rewarding and successful careers in finance. The state is home to several of the country’s most attractive graduate accounting programs. Most of these programs include the information taught in the general MBA program but focus on the information that the individual holding a graduate degree in accounting needs to have strong command of as well, qualifying the individual to sit for the CPA exam in any state. Some of the schools listed here are ranked as top business schools, not only in the South but across the entire country. Their masters programs are among the best in the nation and all are accredited in accounting by the AACSB.
Belmont University
The Jack C. Massey Graduate School of Business
Founded in 1890, Belmont University is a Christian university – the largest in Tennessee – located in Nashville, the state capital. Belmont University has 7,000 students, 1,400 of whom are in its various graduate programs. Belmont University is Tennessee’s second largest private university. U.S. News and World Report regularly ranks Belmont University highly. Most recently, U.S. News and World Report ranked Belmont at number five among master degree universities in the South. Bloomberg BusinessWeek and The Princeton Review share similar opinions. Belmont’s Jack C. Massey Graduate School of Business focuses on social responsibility, ethics and entrepreneurialism. The school maintains educational and professional partnerships to meet the needs of students and the needs of business as well as keep its business programs highly relevant and innovative.
Master of Accountancy (MACC)
The Massey School created this degree program in 1992. Since then, it has grown to be the largest program of its kind in Tennessee. The program prepares qualified students to pursue CPA certification in only 15 months. Qualified students are dedicated ones, but many do not have undergraduate degrees in accounting. Some graduates of the program do work in accounting, but most go to work for Big 4 firms, large corporations or government agencies as financial consultants rather than as accountants.
Accreditations
Belmont University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The College of Business Administration also is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and has been since 2002. Further, the Master of Accountancy (MACC) program is the only such private program in the entire state to be separately accredited by the AACSB.
Contact
Ms. Tonya Hollin, Admissions Assistant
1900 Belmont Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37212-3757
(615) 460-6480
tonya.hollin@belmont.edu
Program Website
East Tennessee State University
College of Business and Technology
East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 as a rural teacher college. It became a part of the Tennessee public university system in 1963 and has brought medical, pharmacy, liberal arts and business education to the edge of Appalachia in upper East Tennessee. In recent years, The Princeton Review designated East Tennessee State University as one of America’s “Best Value” colleges. The school’s stated vision is to be a nationally recognized leader in regional business and technology education. The focus on regional excellence includes educating students as well as equipping them to positively affect the region.
Master of Accountancy (MAcc)
East Tennessee State University’s Master of Accountancy degree is designed for those who seek professional accounting careers in a variety of settings or seek to teach accounting at an advanced level. Students who complete the Master of Accountancy degree can gain careers in industry, public accounting or government, either as accountants or as financial consultants. East Tennessee State University’s program requires 33 hours and can be completed on a full time basis in three semesters. Part time students also can take classes at nearby satellite locations. Students have the option of taking six electives that meet their interests and needs. Those who have not had at least six hours of statistics in their undergraduate degrees will be required to take an additional economics course for a total of 36 hours to complete the degree.
Accreditations
East Tennessee State University’s College of Business and Technology is accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Contact
Box 70699
210 Sam Wilson Hall
Johnson City, TN 37614
(423) 439- 6590
hillcc@etsu.edu
Program Website
Middle Tennessee State University
Jennings A. Jones College of Business
Middle Tennessee State University was founded as a teacher college in 1911 and became a part of Tennessee’s public university system in 1965. Located less than an hour from Nashville, Middle Tennessee State has the highest number of undergraduates of any public university in Tennessee. The university averages almost 25,000 total students, nearly 3,000 of whom are graduate students. Leaders of the Jennings A. Jones College of Business regard the college as a successful business that must focus on continuous improvement. It maintains close professional ties to ensure that the qualities that graduates possess are those that employers seek. U.S. News and World Report, Forbes and The Princeton Review all compliment the university and the Jones College.
Master of Accountancy (MAcc)
The mission of the Jennings A. Jones College of Business’ Master of Accountancy degree program is to provide a program to graduate students that is both flexible and focused. The program does not have a foreign language requirement and it does not require a thesis. The program does, however, have a capstone course that allows students to pull together and demonstrate their new abilities. Remaining relevant in the business environment that changes so at such a rapid pace requires that faculty stay current as well. The program requires 30 hours to complete and offers a tax accounting specialization.
Accreditations
Middle Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to grant graduate and undergraduate degrees. The Jennings A. Jones College of Business is further accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Contact
Dr. Terry Ward
1301 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37132-0001
(615) 898-2341
Terry.Ward@mtsu.edu
Program Website
Tennessee Technological University
College of Business
Tennessee Technological University is a public university located about 70 miles east of Nashville. U.S. News and World Report regularly ranks the school in its Top 8 Public Schools in the South and The Princeton Review lists the school as a best value. Peterson’s also includes Tennessee Technological University’s College of Business in its list of the 301 Best Business Schools in the World. The College of Business maintains several programs that focus on outreach to the business community by both students and faculty.
MBA with Accounting Concentration
Tennessee Technological University does not yet have a separate accounting degree at the master’s level. Instead, it offers a Master of Business Administration with several concentration options. Accounting is one of those areas of possible concentration available to students. The program is available on campus or fully online. Students may choose to combine on-ground and online delivery. The MBA with the accounting concentration requires 30 hours to complete. Most students can complete the program in one calendar year.
Accreditations
Tennessee Technological University’s MBA program has full accreditation from The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Relatively few business schools are able to achieve full AACSB accreditation, which reflects the quality of the accredited school’s program.
Contact
P.O. Box 5023
Cookeville, TN 38505
(931) 372-3600
email: http://www.tntech.edu/index.php?option=com_rsform&view=rsform&Itemid=4693
Program Website
The University of Memphis
Fogelman College of Business and Economics
The University of Memphis is a research and liberal arts university founded more than a century ago. It also houses the Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI). The University of Memphis has nearly 1,000 faculty members and more than 21,000 students, 4,000 of whom are graduate students. U.S. News and World Report places the University of Memphis in 2014 in “Best Colleges is National Universities, Tier 2.” The Fogelman College of Business and Economics houses nearly 600 of the university’s graduate students.
Master of Science in Accounting
Fogelman College of Business and Economics at the University of Memphis offers several MBA degrees but it also offers a Master of Science in Accounting degree. The MBA is a general master’s degree but the Master of Science in Accounting allows students to go in depth in accounting. Students gain the same types of general business knowledge but focus on the accounting perspective. The Master of Science in Accounting provides a broad education in accounting that allows students to sit for the CPA exam while also offering the option to concentrate in a specific area of accounting. Those areas of concentration are general accounting, taxation and healthcare accounting.
Accreditations
Fogelman College of Business and Economics at the University of Memphis is fully accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Contact
Fogelman College of Business & Economics
The University of Memphis
Memphis, TN 38152
(901) 678-2432
fcbeadvising@memphis.edu
Program Website
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
College of Business Administration
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) was founded in 1886 as Chattanooga University, a private school. It underwent several name changes over the years, finally coming to be known by its current name in 1969 when it became a part of the Tennessee system of public universities. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga College of Business Administration holds a reputation of being one of the country’s best business schools. The Princeton Review included UTC’s College of Business Administration in its The Best 294 Business Schools. Bloomberg BusinessWeek included UTC’s College of Business Administration in its list of 113 best business schools in the world.
Master of Accountancy (MAcc)
UTC’s College of Business Administration offers a Master of Accountancy designed for students who want the information of a general business degree as well as the specificity of advanced accounting study. The Master of Accountancy degree program delivers education that is greater in breadth and depth than is possible to achieve in a baccalaureate or traditional MBA program. The program helps students prepare to sit for the CPA exam as well as for employment in accounting firms, industry, public accounting or government agencies.
Accreditations
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is regionally accredited. Its College of Business Administration also is accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Contact
300 Fletcher Hall, Dept. 6056
615 McCallie Ave.
Chattanooga, TN 37403
(423) 425-4313
(no email address provided)
Program Website
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
College of Business Administration
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UTK) is one of the country’s oldest land grant institutions. It was founded in 1794, two full years before Tennessee became a state. Today it is the flagship institution of the University of Tennessee university system and the educational home to nearly 30,000 students. UTK has produced Rhodes scholars and Nobel Prize winners and holds all of the papers of the three U.S. Presidents from Tennessee. U.S. News and World Report ranks UTK at number 101 of all national universities and 46th among public schools. U.S. News and World Report also included the UTK College of Business Administration in its 2014 list of the ten most popular business schools in the country. The UTK College of Business Administration has had time to practice to gain these recognitions. It recently celebrated its centennial.
Master of Accountancy
The primary aim of UTK’s Master of Accountancy program is to prepare highly functioning students for careers in industry or professional accounting. It is a nationally recognized program that operates in a global perspective for planning, practices and strategies. Program designers take pride in the program’s cutting edge management and technical training. Students completing the program are prepared to begin careers in taxation or auditing. Aims of the program include developing analytical skills, research skills and communication skills including both oral and written communication. UTK’s program is full time with weekday classes. The school discourages individuals from trying to work full time outside of the academic program because of the demands it places on students’ time. All students begin in the fall semester only. Students who have an accredited baccalaureate degree in accounting typically meet all of the program’s prerequisites. Students with business degrees in other areas may need to complete some prerequisite courses in addition to the program’s required courses.
Accreditations
UTK’s Master of Accountancy program is fully accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Contact
637 Stokely Management Center
916 Volunteer Blvd.
Knoxville, TN 37996-0560
(865) 974-2551
dellis5@utk.edu or hhughes2@utk.edu
Program Website
These are some of the best graduate accounting programs – not only within the state of Tennessee but throughout the entire country. They boast solid academic reputations and some even come with relatively low tuition rates. There are other high quality accounting graduate programs in Tennessee, but these appear to be the best.
