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Online Master's Degree in Accounting

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Earn Your Degree as Early as:
May 11, 2028*
Admissions Requirements
Courses
Ways to Save on Tuition
Career Outcomes
13
Total Courses
$485
Cost Per Credit
1.5 years
Average Completion*
15 hours
Weekly Course Effort

Master’s in Accounting (MSA) Overview

Globalization, a growing economy, and a complex tax and regulatory environment are expected to continue leading the strong demand for accounting professionals. It’s time to earn your master’s degree online and be ready for real opportunities.

  • Gain the expertise in auditing, taxation, cost accounting, and financial accounting needed to advance into senior-level positions or manage an accounting department.
  • Prepare for accounting certification exams such as the Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA®), and Certified Management Accountant (CMA®).
  • Learn to create quality improvement processes, compliance strategies, and reimbursement procedures; address risk management and legal issues, analyze accounting data; and conduct high-level research.

Review College Scorecard data for this program.

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Respected Accreditations

The online Master of Science in Accounting program at Purdue Global is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Purdue Global is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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What Courses Will I Take?

Coursework in this outcomes-based master’s degree program is designed to help you develop the skills and technical competencies to pursue greater career opportunities in the accounting field.

Sample Courses

  • Financial Accounting and Reporting
  • Regulation
  • Advanced Auditing
  • Advanced Managerial and Cost Accounting
See All Accounting Courses

Program Requirements

11
Core Courses
2
Elective Courses
13
Total Courses
52
Total Quarter Credits

1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours

Admissions Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is required to enroll in a graduate program. You will need to provide an official transcript that shows completion of your bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, though an unofficial copy may be provided during the application process.

A satisfactory Peregrine Exam score and successful completion of modules may also count toward admissions requirements. Applicants with an MBA can enroll in the program without a Peregrine assessment or an undergraduate degree in business. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

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Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Ways to Save on Time and Tuition

Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.

Transfer Credits

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions.

Financial Aid

Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.

Corporate Partner Benefits

Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.

Military Tuition Reduction

Graduate tuition savings for military include a 17–30% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 14% per credit for veterans for graduate programs.

Prior Military Experience

Earn credit for your military training. We offer credit for ACE-evaluated training and CLEP and DANTES examinations.

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Career Opportunities

The Master of Science in Accounting program is designed to prepare you to pursue mid- to senior-level management positions in both the public and private sectors. Employment opportunities for graduates with an accounting degree may exist within government, private, nonprofit, and public accounting. In addition, many entrepreneurial opportunities may exist for small business accounting and consulting services.

The dynamic accounting career path offers job opportunities in a variety of areas including accounting and bookkeeping, tax preparation, payroll services, government, finance and insurance, and management of companies and enterprises.

Average Salary

Range

Job Growth

In Your State

Accountants and Auditors

General labor market and salary data are provided by Lightcast and may not represent the outcomes experienced by Purdue Global graduates in these programs. Purdue Global graduates in these programs may earn salaries substantially different or less than the amounts listed above. The skills and employers mentioned are a representation of the hiring needs within the labor market generated by Lightcast and may change over time. There can be no guarantee that any listed employer is or will be hiring in the future or will hire a Purdue Global graduate. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, education, and opportunities for employment that are outside of Purdue Global's control. The default state is Indiana for those outside of the U.S.

Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement. See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study

  • Describe an accounting team project where one member of your team did not complete their part; how did you and your team handle this and complete the project?
  • Tell me about a time when you disagreed with senior management. How did you conduct yourself?
  • Tell me about a time when your knowledge of regulations and standards enhanced your company.
  • Describe a challenging financial analysis problem you recently faced on the job.
  • Tell me about a time when you had to work cross-functionally to devise an innovative solution to a problem.

Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field

  • Accounting
  • Auditing
  • Budgeting
  • Critical Thinking
  • Digital Literacy
  • Ethical Standards and Conduct
  • Finance
  • Financial Statements
  • Forecasting
  • Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
  • Investments
  • Management
  • Professionalism
  • Research
  • Teamwork

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Download the Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about the Online Master of Science in Accounting and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

Prepare yourself for success with a master’s degree in accounting.

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Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

99%

Faculty members who have advanced degrees

477

Faculty publications in 2024–2025

More Than 44,000

Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2024–2025

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2025. 2024–2025 academic year.

Your Path to Success Begins Here

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Estimated Graduation Date and Average Completion: Estimated graduation date is based on the assumption that you will enroll in time to begin classes on the next upcoming start date, will remain enrolled for each consecutive term, and will maintain satisfactory academic standing in each term to progress toward completion of your program. Completion time is based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

CPA Exam: Purdue Global’s Master of Science in Accounting meets the educational requirements to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. To practice as a certified public accountant you will need to pass the CPA exam, meet additional state-specific educational requirements, and complete state-required work experience.

Guidance provided by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) recommends that you will first need to determine what state you plan to sit for the CPA Exam in, since the education requirements to sit for the CPA Exam vary by state. Some states require 120 total semester hours (180 quarter credit hours) to qualify to sit for the exam, while most states require 150 total semester hours (225 quarter credit hours).

You must then review your state-specific educational requirements by visiting Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications page. For additional information on licensure and state-specific requirements, you should refer to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy website as well as your state's CPA licensing requirements, which can be found at the Accountancy Licensing Library.

Employment, Career Advancement, and Professional Licensing: Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement or career advancement. Prior experience may be necessary for leadership positions. Certain accounting and finance positions may require further certification and/or licensing by individual states. This program was not designed to meet any specific state’s requirements for licensure or certification, and Purdue Global makes no representations or warranties as to whether the degree or any individual courses meet such requirements. Review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications page for state-specific information on licensure and state authorizations. Refer to the University Catalog for additional information.

Job Growth—Accountants and Auditors: Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Accountants and Auditors. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.