The Master of Accounting Science Program (MAS) is our graduate degree for students who have completed their bachelor's in accountancy. The program provides an opportunity to obtain a more comprehensive foundation in accounting and, through electives, advanced knowledge in areas such as data analytics, finance, taxation, information systems, and more. The MAS program also fulfills Illinois' CPA requirements for those interested in pursuing this prestigious license.
Students will select either Financial Reporting & Assurance (FRA) or Tax as a core accounting concentration and then have a wide choice of graduate electives. By design, the program emphasizes the emerging trend of data analytics in the practice of accounting, with a standard course plan that leads to a graduate concentration in data analytics in accountancy to fulfill the graduate electives. Elective concentrations are also available in information technology & control, finance, and supply chain management. For more information about our concentrations, please see our drop down menu below. To see sample plans for all combinations of our concentrations, please click here.
Data Analytics
The Data Analytics in Accountancy Concentration is designed to develop leaders who understand (1) how to apply data analytics in a variety of accounting and business contexts, (2) critically solve business problems using data-intensive business and accounting information, and (3) synthesize and effectively communicate data-intensive information, findings, and conclusions to other environment-constituents, including supervisors, peers, and subordinates, clients, and regulatory agencies. This concentration will not only provide a strong foundational knowledge of data analytics, but also provide students multiple opportunities to apply this knowledge via experiential learning opportunities.
Finance
Accountants with expertise in finance are increasingly highly valued by many employers. The graduate concentration in Finance is designed to allow students in the MAS program to demonstrate substantive competency in the field of Finance through courses in advanced corporate finance, derivatives, and investments.
Information Technology and Control
The concentration in Information Technology and Control is designed to develop leaders in various business fields who understand (1) how to leverage information technology to create value for customers, external partners, and shareholders by designing better information systems to improve business processes and controls; and (2) how managers can assess the strategic, financial, and economic benefits of investing in advanced information systems. The concentration will provide not only a strong foundation in the IS/IT area but could be tailored to fit the specific career needs of our students.
Supply Chain Management
The concentration in Supply Chain Management is designed to develop leaders who understand (1) how to assess the trade-offs and make the decisions necessary to sustain high quality products and services at lower costs while maintaining the flexibility necessary to adapt and to respond to evolving market trends; and (2) how to coordinate and integrate supply chain solutions across various intra-organizational and inter-organizational interfaces in any business or organization. The minor or concentration not only will provide a strong foundation in supply chain management principles and practices, but also can be tailored to fit the specific needs of students interested in careers across a wide variety of industries
The MAS 1st stage is a phenomenal opportunity for University of Illinois accounting and agricultural accounting students interested in pursuing the MAS program. This program allows these students to take up to 8 credits of MAS coursework (4 credits for agricultural accounting) in their final semester of their undergraduate degree, time and space permitting. In fact, getting into the MAS 1st stage does not require you to take MAS courses in your final semester, so we recommend speaking with an advisor to see what you have room in your schedule for.
Also, although this program is optional, we still strongly recommend prospective MAS student consider entering this program as it is a great way to demonstrate your interest in the MAS program, get a head start on your MAS coursework, and you would then qualify for the MAS 1st stage scholarship. However, it is important to note that getting into the MAS 1st stage does not guarantee a spot in the MAS program, and students in the 1st stage will still need to complete the MAS 2nd stage application (the Graduate College Application).
MAS 1st Stage Application Process
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MAS 2nd Stage Application Process (Graduate College Application)
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Essay Prompts
Academic Statement (Required - 500 Words Max):
Please write and upload one (1) statement that answers the following questions:
Personal Statement (Optional - 250 Words Max for Each):