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Master ofProfessional Accounting

Summary Courses Careers Costs and Aid

Develop knowledge of auditing, commercial transactions, consulting, and more through this online graduate degree program designed to prepare students for the CPA exam and advancement within their field.

100% Online

Complete your Penn State course work at your own pace and 100% online.

Apply by February 1 to start May 19

30 Credits$1,027 per credit

Nationally Recognized

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Select graduate business programs are highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Gain Skills to Become a CPA with a Master of Professional Accounting Degree

  • Leverage an expanded accounting knowledge base to become an effective, efficient accounting professional.

  • Build the technical expertise and confidence needed to adapt to increasingly complex business methods, growing sophistication in auditing approaches, new tax laws, and demand for highly technical services.

  • Successfully prepare for the CPA exam and gain the academic credentials needed for licensure as a CPA.

  • Understand business processes, transaction cycles, and internal control structures of computerized accounting information systems.

You will take 10 online courses in this comprehensive 30-credit master's in accounting program. The curriculum is carefully designed to include courses that explicitly address the content critical to your successful preparation for the CPA exam.

Your final capstone course (ACCTG 803) will integrate material you learned in the preceding advanced financial accounting courses and, through case studies, will focus on investigative accounting, consulting, and litigation support activities that you undertake in forensic accounting engagements.

Required Courses (27 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Auditing theory pertaining to the regulatory environment, risk assessment, internal controls, materiality, computerization, analytical procedures, sampling, fraud, ethics, and professional responsibilities.

  • 3
    credits

    Tax theory pertaining to corporations, partnerships and conduit entities, estates, trusts, ethics, and professional tax responsibilities.

  • 3
    credits

    The study of business processes, transactions cycles, and internal control structure with an emphasis on computerized accounting information systems.

  • 3
    credits

    Current managerial accounting topics such as activity-based costing, theory of constraints, and performance measures and their use in organizations.

  • 3
    credits

    The study of ethical systems and ethical decision-making and their application in accounting.

  • 3
    credits

    The exploration of conventional and advanced methods of analyzing financial statements, including earnings quality and financial distress assessment.

  • 3
    credits

    Accounting theory and practice for reporting consolidations, foreign currency transactions, and preparing financial statements for governmental and NGOs.

  • 3
    credits

    All articles of the Uniform Commercial Code, banking relationships, debtor-creditor law, and bankruptcy law.

  • 3
    credits

    Accounting, reporting, and auditing principles and procedures for public sector agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Capstone Course (3 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Study of investigative accounting, consulting, and litigation support activities undertaken in forensic accounting engagements.

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

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The online Master of Professional Accounting degree and Penn State's career resources can prepare you for a career in auditing and public accounting, industrial and managerial accounting, and governmental and not-for-profit accounting.

Job Titles Related to This Degree

Becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) opens doors to opportunities not only in accounting firms but also across the business landscape. Combining graduate accounting course work with CPA certification can facilitate your entry to careers in consulting and advisory services as well as corporate finance, financial analysis, and forensic accounting.

The following roles are often held by people with this type of degree:

  • Accountant
  • Accounting Officer
  • Budget Analyst
  • Budget Officer
  • Internal Auditor

Employment Outlook for Occupational Fields Related to This Degree

Estimates of employment growth and total employment are provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and are subject to change. While these occupations are often pursued by graduates with this degree, individual outcomes may vary depending on a variety of factors. Penn State World Campus cannot guarantee employment in a given occupation.

Accountants and Auditors

4.4%
employment growth (10 years)
1,402,420
total employment

Financial Examiners

19.5%
employment growth (10 years)
63,370
total employment

Budget Analysts

3.3%
employment growth (10 years)
48,430
total employment

Career Services to Set You Up for Success

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From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.

  • Opportunities to connect with employers
  • Career counselor/coach support
  • Occupation and salary information
  • Internships
  • Graduate school resources 

Ready to Learn More?

Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State master's degree?

Apply by February 1 to start May 19. How to Apply 

Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.

Graduate Tuition

Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

2024–25 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025 semesters.
How many credits do you plan to take per semester?Cost
11 or fewer$1,027 per credit
12 or more$12,325 per semester

2025–26 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2025, spring 2026, and summer 2026 semesters.
How many credits do you plan to take per semester?Cost
11 or fewer$1,037 per credit
12 or more$12,448 per semester

Financial Aid and Military Benefits

Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Federal financial aid may only be used to pay for credits used to satisfy program requirements.

Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.

Additional Cost of Attendance Details

To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements:

Technical Requirements

Review the technical requirements for this program.

A figure walking on a path that includes a certificate part of the way through their progress

Show mastery of specific subjects before your degree is complete. Thanks to shared courses across accounting programs, students can often earn a certificate along with their degree in less time than if they earned them separately.

Certificate Programs Related to This Degree

If you apply and are accepted to the master's degree program, you can apply the 12 credits from the certificate toward the degree. The more fundamental Graduate Certificate in Accounting Foundations may provide some of the necessary prerequisite course work for the master’s degree; however, credit from this program cannot be applied to meet graduation requirements for the Master of Professional Accounting.

Master topics in auditing theory, tax planning, cost management, financial statement analysis, and reporting for government or nonprofit entities as you prepare for CPA licensure through this online certificate program.

Learn more

If you have completed an undergraduate degree in business or accounting and need to satisfy the 150-credit hour educational requirements for CPA licensure in Pennsylvania and most other states, this online master's degree in accounting is designed for you.

Admission to the Master of Professional Accounting online program does not require an undergraduate accounting degree, but it does require certain undergraduate accounting courses. Prerequisite accounting courses are listed with the How to Apply information.

AACSB Accredited

This program is AACSB Accredited

The School of Business Administration carries the elite AACSB accreditation, an honor reserved for the top 5% of business schools worldwide.

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Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.

Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall). If you plan to take a heavy course load, you should expect your course work to be your primary focus and discuss your schedule with your academic adviser. 

To Finish Your Degree in Two and a Half Years

  • Take 2 courses each semester

To Finish Your Degree in Three Years

  • Take 1 course each semester

Timelines may vary based on course availability.

Convenient Online Format

This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.

A Trusted Leader in Online Education

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Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.

Information for Military and Veterans

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Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, and application instructions.

Qualify for a CPA certificate and license to practice public accounting.

How to Earn the CPA Licensure

  • Meet the 150-credit hour education requirement for entry into the accounting profession. Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree will earn a minimum of 120 credit hours.
  • Pass the Uniform CPA Examination to qualify for a CPA certificate and license (i.e., permit to practice) to practice public accounting.

Keep in mind...

  • The exam is the same no matter where it is taken, but every state/jurisdiction has its own set of education and experience requirements that individuals must meet.
  • If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession, remember that completion of this program alone does not meet the requirements for licensure.
  • You can visit our Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map to learn more about the requirements in each state.

Pennsylvania CPA and Licensing Requirements

For more details on the CPA Exam and licensing requirements in the state of Pennsylvania, visit the Penn State Harrisburg website.

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Apply by February 1 to start May 19

Application Instructions

Deadlines and Important Dates

Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.

  • Summer Deadline

    Apply by February 1 to start May 19

  • Fall Deadline

    Apply by June 1 to start August 25

  • Spring Deadline

    Apply by October 1, 2025, to start January 12, 2026

Steps to Apply

  1. For admission to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

    If CPA licensure is your goal, please verify your state's rules and requirements. See the State Regulations for more information.

    Prerequisites — Please be sure you have the required prerequisite courses. If your undergraduate degree is not in accounting, you should have completed or be in the process of taking the following minimum core of accounting course work (or its equivalent) prior to submitting your application:

    • ACCTG 211: Financial and Managerial Accounting for Decision-Making (generally Principles of Accounting I, covering financial accounting, and Principles of Accounting II, covering managerial accounting, at other universities)
    • ACCTG 310: Federal Taxation I (covering individual taxation) — ACCTG 211 is a prerequisite for this course.
    • ACCTG 340: Cost Accounting — ACCTG 211 is a prerequisite for this course.
    • ACCTG 471: Intermediate Financial Accounting I — ACCTG 211 is a prerequisite for this course.
    • ACCTG 472: Intermediate Financial Accounting II — ACCTG 471 is a prerequisite for this course.
    • ACCTG 403: Auditing — ACCTG 471 is a prerequisite for this course.

    If you have previously taken undergraduate accounting courses and need advice on the specific undergraduate courses you still need for the Master of Professional Accounting program, send your unofficial transcript to [email protected] with your request for assistance.

    GPA — GPA from the final two years of undergraduate studies is required.

  2. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:

    Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. If you are a Penn State alum, you do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history.

    Test Scores — GRE and GMAT scores are NOT required.

    English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Fox Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.

    References (2) — You will need to initiate the process through the online application by entering names, email addresses, and mailing addresses of two references. Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to each reference requesting they complete a brief online recommendation regarding your commitment for success in an online program. Please inform all recommenders they must submit the form in order for your application to be complete.

    Program-Specific Questions/Materials

    Résumé — Upload a one- to two-page résumé highlighting your full-time employment and/or military experience to the online application.

  3. To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.

    Create a New Penn State Account

    If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

    Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.

  4. You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.

    • Choose Enrollment Type: "Degree Admission"
    • Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus

    Checking Your Status 
    You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form. 

  5. 5. Complete the application.

    Penn State Fox Graduate School Application

Admissions Help

If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

Customer service representative wearing a headset

Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.

To learn more about the Master of Professional Accounting, contact:

For general questions or questions regarding how to apply, contact:

World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
[email protected]

For questions regarding your submitted application, contact:

Sherri Harkins
Administrative Support
Master of Professional Accounting
Phone: 717-948-6008
[email protected]

For questions regarding program curriculum, contact:

Renee Flasher, Ph.D., CPA, CMA, CFE
Assistant Professor of Accounting
Master of Professional Accounting Program
Phone: 717-948-4316
[email protected]

The master's in accounting program, offered in partnership with the Penn State Harrisburg School of Business Administration, is developed and taught by experienced full-time Penn State faculty with diverse backgrounds.

Faculty

  • Thomas T. Amlie

    • Ph.D., Accounting, University of Maryland
    • MBA, University of Maryland

    Dr. Thomas T. Amlie's teaching interests are in the area of financial accounting and reporting. His research interests center on the proper disclosure of accounting information, the assumptions underlying that accounting information, and the effects of those assumptions on business decisions and reporting.

  • John C. Cameron

    • J.D., Widener University School of Law
    • LL.M., Corporation Law, New York University School of Law
    • MBA, Temple University
    • B.A., University of Pittsburgh

    John C. Cameron, associate professor of management and organization, has held corporate positions in health care administration and corporate law. He is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey. He serves as the co-chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Health Care Law Committee. He teaches courses in leadership development, business ethics, bioscience management, and negotiations. His research interests are in the areas of corporate governance, bioethics, leadership, and regulatory compliance.

  • Patrick Cusatis

    • Ph.D., Finance, Penn State
    • B.S., Finance, Penn State

    Dr. Patrick Cusatis, CFA, is an associate professor of finance. Prior to joining Penn State, he was an institutional portfolio manager at CoreStates National Bank, First Union National Bank, and Tucker Anthony. Prior to that, he was an investment banker at Lehman Brothers in New York City, specializing in new product development. His research interests include corporate restructuring, portfolio management, derivative securities, and municipal bonds.

  • Ashutosh Deshmukh

    • Ph.D., Accounting, University of Memphis
    • MBA, Finance, University of Alabama
    • DCM, Computer Programming, University of Mumbai
    • B.S., Chemistry, University of Mumbai
    • Professional Certifications: CPA, ACA, CFE, CMA, CISE

    Dr. Ashutosh Deshmukh is a professor of accounting and MIS at Penn State Behrend. He holds certification in public accounting, information systems auditing, management accounting, and fraud examination, and he has served as an expert witness in the U.S. House of Representatives, estimating the potential for fraud, waste, and abuse of grant money awarded over a five-year period by the U.S. EPA. He is the associate editor of the International Journal of Accounting, Auditing, and Performance Evaluation and the author of the book Digital Accounting: The Effects of the Internet and ERP on Accounting.

  • Renee Flasher

    • Ph.D., Management with an Accounting concentration, Penn State
    • M.S., Accounting, Case Western Reserve University

    Dr. Renee Flasher's teaching interests are in the areas of forensic accounting, government/nonprofit accounting, and technology’s impacts on auditing and accounting. Her research interests center on the socially constructed nature of accounting and auditing (i.e., standard setting), along with enforcement mechanisms for professional behavior.

  • Richard Scheib

    • J.D., Widener University
    • LL.M., Georgetown University
    • B.S., Business Administration, Bloomsburg University

    Richard Scheib is an instructor of law, tax, and accounting. Prior to teaching, and simultaneously with his consulting practice, he worked in private accounting for corporations, public accounting with Big Five accounting firms, state government, and large and small law firms handling a variety of both accounting and legal issues.

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State master's degree?

Apply by February 1 to start May 19. How to Apply 

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