Master of Accounting 3+1 Program Pathway

A 3+1 Program Pathway is available for Loyola's Master of Accounting (MAcc) program. This pathway lets you earn both a business undergraduate degree and a Master of Accounting (MAcc) in just four years.

Here’s how it works:

Accelerated Pace: Complete your undergraduate degree coursework during your first three years.
FourthYear Graduate-Level Classes: Complete your the Master of Accounting program during your fourth year at Loyola.
Same Sellinger Curriculum: Complete the same undergrad and grad courses as our traditional programs, just faster!

Undergraduate Degree Credits Number of needed undergraduate credits may be reduced with AP, dual enrollment, or other transferred credits.	First Year	30-39 credits
	Second Year	30-45 credits
	Third Year	36 credits
Graduate Degree Credits	Fourth Year	30 credit MAcc program

Through the 3+1 pathway you will:

Save time and money: Complete two degrees—a bachelor's and a Master's—in just four years for the cost of a typical Loyola undergraduate degree.
Position yourself for success: Enter the workforce with a graduate degree, and the opportunity to sit for some or all of the CPA exam during the fourth year.
Receive personalized advising: Your dedicated program advisor will ensure that you stay on track to meet program requirements for both degrees.
Increased your earnings potential: Data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) shows that the average starting salary for graduates with a master’s degree in accounting is significantly higher than graduates with a bachelor's degree.

Admission

Students who are admitted to Loyola University are automatically considered for entry into the accelerated dual-degree program in accounting, and those who meet the qualifications will be invited into the program during their first year. Students can indicate their interest in the program on the common application. Any intended major is eligible for the program, though business majors will have certain advantages in terms of CPA licensure.

Licensure Disclosure

Continuation

Accepted students must meet the following requirements in order to continue in the accelerated 3+1 accounting program:

Be prepared to take a full load--typically 18 credit hours--each semester in order to remain on track with the program’s curricular requirements.
Maintain a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
Meet the continuation standards of the MAcc program once beginning graduate work.
Demonstrate commitment to and progress towards completion of the program.

Year/Semester	Course Name
1st Fall	Introductory Language I
	Effective Writing
	Microeconomic Principles
	Business Statistics
	Financial Accounting
1st Spring	Introductory Language II
	Encountering the Past
	The Art of Reading
	Macroeconomic Principles
	Managerial Accounting
	Data Analytics & Info Systems
1st Summer	Free elective 1
1st Summer	Free elective 2
2nd Fall	Intermediate Language I
	Intermediate Accounting I
	Cost Accounting
	Management
	Calculus
	Foundations in Philosophy
2nd Spring	Intermediate Language II
	Intermediate Accounting II
	Auditing of Accounting Info Systems
	Financial Management
	Marketing
	Theology Matters
2nd Summer	Free elective 3
	Free elective 4
	Free Elective 5/Likely AC 499, Accounting Internship
3rd Fall	Intermediate Accounting III
	Taxation of Business Entities
	Commercial Law
	Upper-level History or English
	Upper-level Philosophy or Theology
	Supply Chain & Ops Management
3rd Spring	Ethics
	Advanced Accounting
	Auditing
	Strategic Management
	Natural Science
	Fine Arts
4th Fall	Audit Analytics
	Advanced Finance
	MAcc Elective 1
4th Spring	Ethics for Accounting Professionals
	SEC Reporting
	MAcc Elective 2
4th Summer	Advanced Financial Accounting
	Professional Communications
	Seminar in Accounting Practice
	MAcc Elective 3

Students in our 3+1 program pathway in accounting pay the undergraduate tuition rate for four years of study. Students who require additional time beyond four years will be charged the per credit rate for the MAcc program.

Loyola merit scholarships will continue to be awarded for the 4^th year graduate degree portion of the accelerated dual degree program. They will not be awarded beyond the 4^th year for any student that requires additional time to complete the program. Please note that any other institutional aid (i.e. Loyola Grant, non-need based grants, etc.) awarded does not carry over to the graduate portion of the 3+1 program pathway.

Course overload fees are waived during the fall and spring semesters for students in the accelerated dual degree program in accounting.

Some summer courses may be required to earn the accelerated graduate degree and are offered at no cost to students in the 3+1 program pathway.

MAcc 3+1 program pathway students have access to Loyola residential housing options and meal plans for both the undergraduate and graduate portion of their accelerated program.

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.