Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Graduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Graduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Master of Accounting Science


Department of Accountancy

The objective of the M.A.S. program is to provide its graduates with the professional skills, knowledge, and competencies necessary to be successful, professional accountants in today’s complex business environment.

The program focuses on broad-based accounting knowledge; knowledge in other business disciplines that complements a professional accounting career; the ability to integrate this knowledge to make business decisions; the development of research, communication, technology and team-building skills; and an understanding of ethical issues and expectations for professional conduct.

Admission to the Master of Accounting Science program is competitive. Candidates may be asked by the department graduate adviser to complete an interview either in person or by phone.

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) has approved NIU as a participant in IIA’s Endorsed Internal Auditing Program. To receive a IIA certificate of completion, a student must have either a B.S. in accountancy from NIU or an M.A.S. degree from NIU. As part of the certificate requirements students must complete ACCY 562, an approved business elective, and an academic internship (ACCY 473 or ACCY 673) in an internal audit position. A student completing the internal audit course work will have “Completion of internal audit course work as endorsed by the Institute of Internal Auditors” on the official NIU transcript.

Check departmental information for any additional requirements.

Early Admission

Students in the NIU Bachelor of Science in Accountancy program may apply for early admission to the Master of Accounting Science program. If admitted, dual-admit students may enroll in up to six hours of graduate credit, with department consent, during their final semester in the undergraduate program. Student must have Phase I Accountancy courses (ACCY 310, 320, 331, 332, 360, and 450) completed before beginning M.A.S. course work, or consent of the department. A student enrolling in both graduate and undergraduate hours may enroll in a maximum of sixteen credit hours in the fall or spring semester, and six credit hours in the summer semester.

The NIU Graduate School requirements for “Early Admission of NIU Undergraduates” also apply.

Master of Accounting Science Learning Goals and Objectives

Graduates from the NIU Department of Accountancy Master of Accounting Science (Leadership) will fulfill the following learning goals and objectives.

Learning Goal 1: Apply accounting concepts and technology to solve problems.

Learning Objective 1: Demonstrate appropriate knowledge of technical accounting concepts.
Learning Objective 2: Develop critical thinking skills necessary to solve problems.
Learning Objective 3: Support conclusions using appropriate research and authoritative pronouncements.
Learning Objective 4: Analyze problems with appropriate technology.

Learning Goal 2: Demonstrate leadership and professional skills.

Learning Objective 5: Communicate accounting and business information clearly and persuasively.
Learning Objective 6: Develop skills to receive and provide feedback.

Learning Goal 3: Assess decision alternatives of ethical choices.

Learning Objective 7: Evaluate the ethical implications of increasingly complex and uncertain problems.

Phase One


The College of Business has Phase One requirements that must be completed by each student. See Phase One Requirements listed under “Graduate Study in Business.” College of Business Phase One courses must be completed before enrolling in Phase Two M.A.S. requirements. No Phase One course may be used to satisfy a Phase Two elective or requirement. The director of graduate studies in Accountancy will determine which College of Business Phase One graduate courses will be included in each student’s program of courses based upon successful completion of undergraduate course work.

ACCY 310, or its equivalent, will be accepted as meeting the Phase One requirement of OMIS 507 for entering M.A.S. students.

And


The M.A.S. has Phase One requirements that will be included in a student’s program of study unless she or he has earned a C or better in corresponding undergraduate courses or a B or better in equivalent graduate courses elsewhereA student with a baccalaureate degree in accountancy and acceptable undergraduate grades may have already satisfied M.A.S. Phase One requirements. Courses completed for the Foundation of Accountancy certificate of graduate study meet most of the M.A.S. Phase One accountancy requirements. Earning a Foundation of Accountancy certificate of graduate study does not waive the admission criteria. The director of graduate studies in Accountancy will determine which M.A.S. Phase One graduate courses will be included in each student’s program of courses. A student must have a C or better in each M.A.S. Phase One accountancy course. A student enrolled in M.A.S. Phase One courses may take Phase Two courses at the discretion of the director of graduate studies in Accountancy provided the student has successfully completed all prerequisites for the Phase Two courses and has maintained a 3.00 GPA in M.A.S. Phase One courses. None of the required M.A.S. Phase One courses may be counted as accountancy electives in Phase Two. It is recommended that calculus be taken in addition to finite math (equivalent to MATH 210). The writing of a thesis is optional.

Phase Two


Students are required to complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of course work beyond Phase One and the baccalaureate degree. The total Phase Two credits accepted in transfer from other institutions may not exceed 9 semester hours. ACCY courses numbered 600 or above and completed with a C or better in either the Certificate of Advanced Study in Accountancy or the Certificate of Advanced Study in Accounting Analytics meet Phase Two requirements; however, students must maintain a minimum average GPA of 3.00 in all graduate course work completed in Phase Two.

Leadership Area of Study


Students pursuing the Leadership area of study must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of course work and all required activities related to professional development. Students may pursue a program of study with an emphasis on financial reporting and assurance, managerial accounting systems, data analytics, or taxation, or may work with an adviser to tailor a program of study to their specific academic and career goals.

Students must also complete:


Nine semester hours of additional graduate-level course work approved by the department (9)