Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA)
The Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) prepares students for a wide range of employment opportunities in public accounting, industry, finance, government and nonprofit organizations, and higher education. The program is designed to prepare graduates who 1) possess knowledge and skills in professional accounting, 2) can successfully pursue professional certifications (e.g., CPA, CMA, etc.), 3) are capable of becoming leaders who exhibit high standards of professional ethical conduct, and 4) are interested in pursuing doctoral and research studies.
The Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) online Option delivers the regular MSA program in an online mode and is offered through the College of Extended and Global Education.
The Master of Science in Accountancy-CAPE Blended Program Option is a variant of the regular MSA program. It provides CSUSB accounting students with an accelerated route to a graduate degree, with simultaneous awarding of both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The option allows transfer of nine credits from BA in Accounting to MSA and provides a seamless process whereby students can progress from undergraduate to graduate status.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) & Educational Requirement
California Board of Accountancy shows that to qualify to take the CPA Exam, you must meet the following minimum educational requirements:
A baccalaureate degree or higher conferred by a degree-granting college or university (or foreign equivalent evaluated by a CBA-approved foreign academic credentials evaluation service) accredited by a United States regional institutional accrediting agency or national accrediting agency
- 24 semester units of accounting subjects
- 24 semester units of business-related subjects
Once you have successfully passed all four parts of the CPA Exam, you can consider one of the
following options to be a license holder:
(1) Additional educational requirements and one year work-experience (e.g., attesting)
- 20 semester units in accounting study subjects
- 10 semester units in ethics study subjects
(2) Two years work-experience (under discussion)