Master of Accounting Science

Accountant, consultant, lawyer, entrepreneur: MAS graduates do some impressive things.

The Master of Accounting Science (MAS) is a 9 month program for accounting undergraduates interested in any facet of accountancy, including both public and non-public practice. 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 also qualifies you for Illinois' CPA requirement of 150 total credit hours, including 30 accountancy credit hours. View more program highlights.

The MAS program is now offering a Spring or Fall start. Contact your academic advisor for more details or see application requirements below.

Connect with current MAS students
Email mascohort@business.illinois.edu or follow #GiesAccountancy on social media through Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter to gain an insight on classes, careers, faculty and more. The MAS program also offers a number of information sessions each year - check your email or Gies Groups for upcoming events.

Tuition & Fees/Financial Assistance Opportunities
Tuition and fees for the 2022-2023 academic year can be found here. For more information on tuition and fees, please visit the Office of the Registrar. The MAS program offers numerous opportunities for tuition assistance through teaching assistantships, accountancy fellowships and scholarships - learn more about these opportunities and how to apply.

 

Curriculum and concentrations to create industry leaders

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 corporate governance & international business, information technology & control, finance, and supply chain management.

 

Data Analytics in Accounting
Sample Schedules

Finance
Sample Schedules

Supply Chain Management
Sample Schedules

Information Technology & Control
Sample Schedules

Corporate Governance & International Business
Sample Schedules

MAS Application Process

The following are application requirements for undergraduate students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign pursuing a bachelor's in accounting (Gies) or agricultural accounting (ACES). If you are pursuing a bachelor's degree in accounting from another accredited institution, please click here for requirements.

For University of Illinois accounting and agricultural accounting students, applying to the MAS program is rather quick and simple, but it is important to understand the process.

  • The 1st Stage of the BSA/MAS program is highly recommended and allows students to show their initial interest in applying for the MAS program, plan ahead on their coursework, get a jumpstart on their graduate studies by taking up to 8 credit hours of graduate level coursework (4 hours for agricultural accounting students) during their final semester of undergrad (if time and space allows), plus have access to apply for additional scholarship funds. Students can apply for the 1st Stage if they are currently taking, or have completed, ACCY 303 and ACCY 304 at the time of the application.
  • The 2nd Stage/Graduate College application is required for formal admissions into the MAS program. This application is typically submitted during a student's final semester of undergrad. Students do not have to apply or be admitted to the 1st Stage of the program to apply for the 2nd Stage. Once students have been admitted to the 2nd Stage, they will receive a formal admissions offer from Department of Accountancy and the University of Illinois' Graduate College. See below for more details on each stage and application.

  • 1st Stage Application Process

    Ensure your eligibility:

    • Admission to the University of Illinois, in good standing with a declared major in accounting or agricultural accounting.
    • ACCY GPA of at least 3.0. Accountancy major GPA includes all accounting courses, including 201/202.
    • Overall GPA of at least a 3.0 for the last three semesters (including summers) of undergraduate coursework.
    • Currently enrolled in, or have completed, ACCY 303 and ACCY 304 at the time of application.

    Meet the deadline:

    • September 1: For students enrolled in ACCY 303 and ACCY 304 during the Summer or Fall semester of their junior or senior year.
    • February 1: For students enrolled in ACCY 303 and ACCY 304 during the Spring semester of their junior or senior year.
      • *If you are interested and eligible to apply for 1st stage, but the deadline has passed, please reach out to us at accy-mas@illinois.edu for guidance.

    Complete the checklist:

    • Complete the MAS 1st Stage application: All of the steps below will be done through the Graduate College Application. At the start, be sure to select "2024 Pre-Graduate Programs Application" and then '2024 MAS 1st Stage Application'.
      • Please use the current semester when asked "date most recently attended"
    • Choose your references: Choose two references who can speak to your ability to complete the MAS program while maintaining a 3.0 GPA. You only need to list the name and email address of your references, no letter of recommendation is required.
    • Upload your resume: Your resume should include work or internship experience, education and any achievements.
    • Apply for 1st Stage Scholarships (optional): The Department of Accountancy has scholarships available specifically for 1st Stage MAS students. Select 'yes' to apply for these opportunities within the application.
    • Complete the short answer questions. If your accountancy, or cumulative GPA is below 3.0, please explain.
    • See PowerPoint below for step-by-step instructions for filling out the 1st Stage Application.
    If you can't view this Powerpoint, you may need to log-in to your @illinois.edu Microsoft 365 account or go to this link to view: https://uillinoisedu.sharepoint.com/:p:/s/BSAMASTeam/EVuPgflcA4tOs0QgdF9_JncBhwIvDTxMtLsSxsFAiCesrQ?e=1bp5t5

  • 2nd Stage/Graduate College Application Process

    Ensure your eligibility:

    • Admission to the University of Illinois, in good standing with a declared major in accounting or agricultural accounting and at least 120 semester hours of credit by the start of the term for which the student seeks admission, including ACCY 405.
    • ACCY GPA of at least 3.0. Accountancy major GPA includes all accounting courses, including 201/202.
    • Overall GPA of at least a 3.0 for the last three semesters (including summers) of undergraduate coursework.

    Meet the deadline:

    • Deadlines for Spring MAS Admissions.  Applications and all supporting materials must be received by final deadline, December 1,  to be considered.
      • October 1- Priority deadline for financial aid consideration
      • November 1- Priority deadline for international students
      • December 1- Final deadline for all applicants
    • Deadlines for Fall MAS Admissions.
      • February 1: Priority deadline for financial aid consideration
      • March 1: Priority deadline for international students
      • April 1: Final deadline for all applicants

    Complete the checklist:

    1. Start a Graduate College application: All of the steps below will be done through the Graduate College Application.  At the start, be sure to choose 2024 Graduate Application.
    2. Select your desired concentration: MAS students can select their preferred concentration from data analytics, corporate governance and international business, finance, information technology and control, and supply chain management. Space may be limited in certain concentrations. The concentration admission process occurs separately from program admissions.
    3. Upload your unofficial transcripts: Unofficial transcripts can be downloaded through Self-Service.
    4. Choose your references: Choose two references who can speak to your ability to complete the MAS program while maintaining a 3.0 GPA. You only need to list the name and email address of your references, no letter of recommendation is required.
    5. Upload your resume: Your resume should include work or internship experience, education and any achievements.
    6. Upload your academic statement and answer personal statements:
      • Academic statement: Please write and upload a statement that answers the following questions (500 words max):
        • How has your academic and professional background, including any professional training, prepared you for graduate study?
        • How will our program help you achieve your intellectual and professional goals?
        • What are your academic interests, and why do you wish to pursue graduate studies in this specific program?
      • Personal statements: Please write short answers in the text boxes that are in your application page. Statements 1 and 2 are required from all applicants, while Statements 3 and 4 will appear as optional to all applicants:
        • (Required) - Please describe any experiences and/or challenges that may have shaped your intellectual and personal development.
        • (Required) - Provide insight into your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect in which scholars with diverse perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and collaborate productively and positively.
        • (Optional) - Please address any concerns you may have in your application. If, for example, you do not believe that your academic credentials demonstrate your true capabilities, please explain why. Also, describe any gaps in your academic career and work experience or any extenuating circumstances in your profile of which the admissions committee should be made aware.
        • (Optional) - If there is something that you would like to highlight that you have yet to discuss in other areas of the application, please do so here.
    7. Apply for MAS scholarships or financial aid (optional): The Department of Accountancy has numerous scholarships and teaching assistantships available specifically for MAS students. Select 'yes' to apply for these opportunities during your application process.
    8. Application fee: $70 (Domestic Students), $90 (International Students)
    9. No GMAT/GRE is required for Gies/ACES undergrads!

    Additional 2nd Stage Requirements for International Students:

    • Provide proof of funding and Declaration and Certification of Finances Form: This document should be uploaded directly into your Graduate College application. Click here for more details.
    • TOEFL Scores: A new TOEFL score is not required for admissions, but a valid TOEFL score is required to apply for a teaching assistantship. Official test scores are due by the application deadline, and a minimum speaking score of 26 is required to obtain a teaching assistantship. Scores can be sent to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign using our institution code, 1836.