MS Accounting
MS Accounting: CPA-Ready in as Few as 12 Months
Land the career you're aiming for. Saint Mary's MS Accounting graduates reach 100% job placement, from the Big Four to private industry, corporate finance, and government. With dedicated Graduate Career Services and recruiting events like Meet the Firms opening doors, you build toward a career that moves. And under California's modernized CPA licensure rules, a qualifying master's can replace a full year of required experience, so you reach licensure sooner, in a hybrid program built to fit around the job you already have, in as few as 12 months.
Take a closer look. Register for an info session or speak with an advisor to see if Saint Mary's is your fit.
At A Glance
Degree: Master of Science in Accounting
Accreditation: AACSB
CPA Pathway: Meets California's 150-hour CPA licensure requirement
Program Length: 12 months standard, up to 15 with summer bootcamp
Structure: Cohort-based; two entry tracks
Modality: Hybrid, evenings and alternate Saturdays
Cost / tuition: $33,900 | With bootcamp $37,900
What Sets It Apart
Big Four and beyond: Meet the Firms brings KPMG, Deloitte, Moss Adams, Armanino, and 25-plus firms to campus each year to recruit directly. And demand is climbing fast in private industry too, widening where a Saint Mary's MSA can take you.
A faster path to CPA licensure: Under California's new licensure rules, our MSA degree can substitute for a full year of the required experience, cutting it from two years to one. You reach licensure sooner than you would on your own.
Prepared, not on your own: The curriculum is built around what the CPA Exam tests, with faculty support through evening Zoom classes and alternate Saturdays on campus, so you prepare within a structured program rather than studying solo after graduation.
Deadlines & Starts
SUMMER BOOTCAMP
App Deadline: Domestic - June 1st | International - April 1st
Start: June 21st
FALL:
App Deadline: Domestic - August 1st | International: June 1st
Start: August, 31st
Program Details
Learn about admissions, costs, the MS in Accounting program curriculum, and more.
Meet the Firms
Over 100 students participate annually in this signature job and internship recruiting event - which is held exclusively for Accounting majors and attended by representatives from KPMG, Deloitte, Moss Adams, Armanino, Johnston Gremaux & Rossi, Sensiba San Filippo, and more than 25 other public, private, government, and forensic firms. Along with a Saint Mary's career specialist, reps from these top accounting firms network with students to help them build their resumes and advance their careers.
The Saint Mary's MS Accounting costs $33,900 for the standard 12-month track. For students who complete the summer bootcamp, the total is $37,900. Scholarships are available for qualified candidates, and graduate students may be eligible for federal financial aid. Contact our admissions team to talk through your options.
Yes. The curriculum is built around what the CPA Exam tests, so you prepare within a structured program rather than studying on your own. Under California's modernized licensure rules, a qualifying master's degree can substitute for a full year of the required experience, moving you toward CPA licensure sooner. You complete your degree, pass the exam, and fulfill the remaining experience requirement.
Not necessarily. If you majored or minored in accounting, you enter the standard 12-month track. If you are new to accounting, the summer bootcamp builds the foundation you need before the program begins, opening the path to the CPA for career pivots from any field. Both tracks lead to the same degree.
AACSB Accredited Business School
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| Among the Top 6% of Business Schools WorldwideBeing among the top 6% of business schools worldwide reflects more than just academic excellence—it embodies Saint Mary’s deep commitment to its Lasallian roots. AACSB accreditation ensures that undergraduate and graduate Gaels receive a rigorous, globally recognized education grounded in ethical leadership, innovation, and service to others. This distinction aligns with our mission to prepare future business leaders who are not only skilled professionals but also compassionate changemakers, dedicated to creating a positive impact in their communities and beyond. |
From the Alumni
"The hybrid program offers an environment for working adults that still allows time to calendar business trips. I have listened to sessions while in Michigan visiting my daughter and also from a hotel room while attending a professional conference"
SHARON ALBERTS, PRESIDENT, TALUS CONSTRUCTION
AVERAGE GRAD
SALARY INCREASE
FULFILL 150-HR
CA CPA REQS
