Baltimore's Premiere Accounting Program
The Master of Accounting Experience
Get CPA Ready in Less than 12 Months
MAcc Overview
- 2024-25 Tuition: $1,195 per credit
- Credits: 30
- Delivery: hybrid or fully online
- Location: Baltimore campus
- Average Class Size: 25
- Time to Completion: 10 months
A Full-Time, 10-month Accounting Program
Loyola's Master of Accounting (MAcc) program is designed for recent accounting graduates and early-career accounting professionals who want relevant, high-quality coursework to accelerate their careers. The CPA credential provides many career options in public, corporate, managerial, and government accounting, corporate finance, consulting, non-profit management, and law enforcement. The Loyola MAcc provides a clear path to both a master level credential and requisite credit hours to be a licensed CPA.
Format
Students take a blend of in-person and online courses, with the option to complete any in-person course as an online synchronous course—making it possible to complete the MAcc 100% online.
Tracks
MAcc students have the option of customizing their program by tailoring electives to meet individual career goals. Visit our curriculum page for details on the three track options: Financial Reporting, Tax, and Data Analytics.
Accolades
Loyola's Sellinger School of Business is accredited by AACSB-International and is among few in the world with a separate accreditation for accounting. Our programs continue to be ranked among the best in the nation by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). Additional accolades include:
- The Sellinger School is recognized as a 2021 “Best Business School” by the Princeton Review
- U.S. News & World Report's "2020 Best Graduate Schools" ranks Loyola's MAcc program as No. 20
- College Factual ranks Loyola's accounting programs as #2 in Maryland (2021)
- TFE Times ranks Loyola's MAcc as No. 28 in the nation. (2021)
CPA Ready
The 30 credit hours earned in the program, combined with an accounting undergraduate degree or equivalent coursework, meet the 150-hour education requirement for CPA licensure. MAcc students emerge ready to sit for the CPA exam and typically graduate with a job offer in hand. Many MAcc students graduate having already taken two or more sections of the exam.
- CPA pass rate among Loyola MAcc students is 9% above the national average (of all four sections) reported by the American Institute for Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) for 2020.
Important Licensure Information:
Loyola University Maryland offers several programs leading to professional licensure within the State of Maryland. States and other jurisdictions vary in what professions they require to be licensed and the requirements for licensure within their borders. Loyola University Maryland programs are designed to prepare students to apply for licensure exams in the state of Maryland. Students planning to become licensed in another state other than Maryland should contact the licensing agency for that state or jurisdiction to determine the appropriate requirements of the state-specific licensing board.
State CPA requirements are found on the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) website.
CPA Exam Review
Students accepting offers from firms should check to see if the firm pays for CPA exam review materials. Becker CPA Review is the program of choice for many students. Most firms that hire Loyola students coordinate with Becker for direct billing, meaning no out-of-pocket cost to students for the prep course. For this reason, we recommend that students wait to purchase the CPA Review until after internships have concluded. We also offer discounted access to Becker prep materials.
Recommended schedule for CPA exam preparation during the MAcc program:
- November-January - Study for FAR
- Mid-January - Take FAR
- January-February - Study for AUD
- Early March - Take AUD
- March-April - Study for REG
- Early May - Take REG
- May - June - Study BEC
- Early June - Take BEC
Accounting Pre-requisites
The MAcc program focuses on applicants who have a bachelor’s degree in accounting or the following course equivalents as determined by the department chair:
- Financial Accounting
- Managerial Accounting
- Intermediate Accounting I
- Intermediate Accounting II
- Auditing
Learn more about the MAcc curriculum.
Admission and Scholarship Application Process
A 15% tuition discount is now available to Loyola alumni admitted to the part-time MBA program beginning in the 2021-2022 academic year and beyond. Learn more about the Double Greyhound Alumni Discount.
The MAcc program offers a cohort learning environment with start terms in summer or fall. Application materials include a resume, personal statement, one letter of recommendation, and official transcript(s) from your degree-granting institution(s).
Applicants with strong academic and/or professional backgrounds should apply early for scholarship consideration! Learn more about the admission process, scholarships, and assistantship positions for accepted students who have deposited.
Robert J. Callens, ’81, Partner, RSM US LLP
RSM has a long and very successful relationship with Loyola - supporting its programs, its faculty and staff, and its students. Over the years, we have recruited many of our most successful professionals from Loyola’s undergraduate and graduate programs. As a Loyola alumnus myself, I’m always proud when another Loyola student or alumnus joins the Firm.
John Peter Krahel, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Accounting
While earning a Masters will almost certainly qualify a student to earn his or her CPA license, the true benefit such programs provide comes from a truly increased depth of knowledge.
Christine Aspell, BBA & Partner, KPMG LLP
As chair of the Accounting Advisory Board and a future employer of accounting students, I’m excited this new program will offer a clear path to completion of the 150-hour requirement, in addition to building a pipeline of very qualified CPAs for years to come.
Bob Jirsa, BA ’77, Partner, RSM US LLP
The new MAcc curriculum is focused on developing deeper technical, communication and decision making skills, providing graduates crucial tools for successful careers in public accounting and beyond.
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