Joint M.B.A./M.S.A. program requirements
Many courses will be offered online. However, a combination of both online and in-person courses are required for completion of the joint M.B.A./M.S.A. program. Students are encouraged to consult with the department chair as soon as possible to discuss possible elective courses and core substitutions.
Joint M.B.A./M.S.A. curriculum
Foundation courses
All foundation requirements for M.B.A./M.S.A. students are the same as foundation requirements for M.B.A. program. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B) is necessary for foundation courses. No individual grade below 2.0 (C) is acceptable. Foundation courses for the M.B.A. program are:
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BA 6000: Introduction to Accounting and Financial Reporting (3 credits)
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BA 6005: Basics of Financial Management (3 credits)
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BA 6015: Marketing Foundations (2 credits)
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BA 6020: Contemporary Principles of Management (2 credits)
Core courses
The M.B.A./M.S.A. core comprises a minimum of 54 credit hours, which must include each of the courses listed below under both the M.B.A. and M.S.A. requirements. If equivalent undergraduate or graduate courses have been completed within the preceding three years with a GPA of 3.0 or above, an advanced course in accounting may be substituted for those core courses. Another 7000-level ACC course should replace any core courses needing substitution. Core courses may require additional business prerequisites.
M.B.A. program requirements
The traditional (or online) M.B.A. program requires a minimum of 36 credit hours, or 12 courses, in addition to the completion of any required foundation courses. Core and elective courses are listed below.
Core requirements (27 credit hours - 9 courses)
M.B.A./M.S.A. financial accounting concentration electives (9 credits)
To complete the financial accounting M.B.A. concentration, students must complete the following course:
and at least two of the following courses:
M.S.A. program requirements (18 credits)
To earn the M.S.A. degree, the students must take at least 18 credits from courses offered by the M.S.A. program (including capstone course ACC 7998). The joint degree program may confer diplomas either sequentially or simultaneously, depending on the student's preference and academic progress. The program does not require a thesis.
A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher is required for graduation.
Graduation requirements
To earn both the M.B.A. and M.S.A. degrees, students must successfully complete a minimum of 54 total credits. Students lacking a sufficient accounting background may be required to complete additional foundation courses.
A total of 12 credits from the below list may be applied to both programs, significantly reducing the number of credits were each degree pursued separately:
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BA 7000: Managerial Accounting (3 credits)
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ACC 7100: Financial Accounting for Decision Making (3 credits)
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ACC 7120: Introduction to Taxation: Individuals (3 credits)
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ACC 7180: Auditing (3 credits)
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ACC 7145: Accounting Systems: Design and Control (3 credits)
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ACC 7188: Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting (3 credits)
CPA exam requirements
According to Michigan law, CPA candidates must meet the following education requirements (MICPA as of September 8, 2023).
General business coursework requires 24 credit hours in the following subjects: business law, marketing, management, business communications, and economics.
In addition, CPA candidates must complete 24 credit hours in the following accounting areas:
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Auditing
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Financial accounting and accounting theory
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Managerial accounting, including cost accounting
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Accounting systems and controls
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Taxation
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Governmental/fund accounting
