Apr 25, 2025

2019-2020 Graduate Catalog

2019-2020 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Professional Accounting

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Niranjan Chipalkatti, PhD, MPAC Program Director

The Master of Professional Accounting (MPAC) program is designed to prepare graduates for leadership responsibilities in professional accounting. The program is constructed with the following objectives:

To extend technical competencies in financial reporting and analysis, management accounting including planning, analysis and control, tax compliance and planning, and in assurance services including internal controls and accounting information systems
To provide flexibility to obtain a certificate in Risk Advisory and Assurance and/or Data Analytics among others
To develop leadership and cross-functional management skills
To sharpen essential professional competencies including critical thinking skills, effective written and oral communication skills, ability to work effectively in teams, and data analytics skills
To develop student awareness of the needs of communities beyond the boundaries of their profession

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to graduate programs should contact the Albers School of Business and Economics at (206) 296-5700 or Seattle University Graduate Admissions at (206) 220-8010 for admission materials. Documents required for admission to the Master of Professional Accounting program includes the following:

Completed Application for Graduate Admission and non-refundable $55 application fee (waived for Seattle University alumni)
Official transcripts of all post-secondary education institutions attended in the last 90 quarter/60 semester credits of the bachelor’s degree, including any transfer credits earned during this time, and any post-baccalaureate course work
Official scores from the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Records Examination (GRE). Students with an undergraduate degree in accounting and a 3.25 cumulative GPA with a “B” grade in Intermediate Financial Accounting I (or equivalent) from an AACSB-accredited university may be eligible for a GMAT waiver.
Current résumé
If English is not the applicant’s native language, official English proficiency scores meeting the University entrance requirements are necessary. See policy 2008-01 in Admissions Policies for details.

Degree Requirements:

The MPAC degree is a cohort program that requires 45 graduate credit hours beyond the undergraduate degree and any of the basic business and accounting prerequisites. The degree has two tracks:

(a) Track 1 for students who have an undergraduate degree in accounting

(b) Track 2 for students who have an undergraduate degree in a major other than accounting

Track 1 requires 45 credits, including twelve 3-credit courses, an approved 3-credit accounting elective, and 6 credits of practicum, including a 3-credit service practicum, and a 3-credit risk assurance practicum. Students may substitute these practicum hours and the 3-credit approved accounting elective credits with a 9-credit internship approved by the chair of the department.

Track 2 also requires 45 credits, including thirteen 3-credit courses, an approved 3-credit accounting elective, and a 3-credit service practicum. Students may substitute these practicum hours and the approved accounting elective with a 6-credit internship approved by the chair of the department.

A. Track 1

I. Preparatory Work

Professional Writing

The professional writing requirement must be completed within the first quarter.

II. Prerequisites

A bachelor’s degree in accounting

III. Required Courses

39 credits, including:

IV. Elective (6)

Approved Accounting Electives*

Note:

* With the permission of the Chair of the Accounting Department, students may earn up to 9 credits for an approved internship to replace these courses.

With the permission of the Chair of the Accounting Department students who are completing an undergraduate business administration degree with a major in accounting from Seattle University may take ACCT 5330 and/or ACCT 5350 and may waive up to six credits for the MPAC program, and thus complete the MPAC with an additional 39 credits. These courses will satisfy requirements toward both the bachelor’s degree, and the Master of Professional Accounting.

B. Track 2

I. Preparatory Work

Professional Writing

The professional writing requirement must be completed within the first quarter.

II. Prerequisites

A bachelor’s degree
Basic Statistics
Basic Finance
Micro or Macro Economics
Introduction to Financial Accounting
Introduction to Managerial Accounting
Excel Certificate, Spreadsheet course or equivalent

III. Required Courses

42 credits, including:

IV. Elective (3)

Approved Accounting elective*

Note:

*With the permission of the Chair of the Accounting Department, students may earn up to 6 credits for an approved internship to replace these courses.

Master of Professional Accounting

Admission Requirements

Degree Requirements:

A. Track 1

I. Preparatory Work

II. Prerequisites

III. Required Courses

IV. Elective (6)

Note:

B. Track 2

I. Preparatory Work

II. Prerequisites

III. Required Courses

IV. Elective (3)

Note:

Minimum credits required for degree: (45)