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 advisor 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 Competencies and Objectives
Graduates from the NIU Department of Accountancy Master of Accounting Science (Leadership) will fulfill the following learning competencies and objectives.
Learning Competency 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 Competency 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 Competency 3: Assess decision alternatives of ethical choices.
Learning Objective 7: Evaluate the ethical implications of increasingly complex and uncertain problems.
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