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Academic Catalog

Accountancy Graduate Programs

Admission Requirements

Admission will be granted to students showing high prospects of success in graduate accounting study as indicated by the applicant’s previous academic record.

MAcc 3+2 Program

To be considered for admission, an applicant must:

  • Currently be a senior undergraduate accounting student at Washburn University or have previously been awarded a Washburn University accounting degree and:
    • Have completed AC 224 Financial Accounting, AC 225 Managerial Accounting, AC 321 Intermediate Financial Accounting I, AC 322 Intermediate Financial Accounting II, AC 325 Cost Accounting and AC 330 Accounting Information Systems with a minimum of 2.8 GPA on a 4 point scale.
    • Have earned a minimum undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4 point scale.
    • Have been admitted to the Washburn University School of Business.
    • Submit a completed application to the Washburn MAcc Program. This application is completed online.  A link to the application can be accessed via the Master of Accountancy webpage: https://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/business/MAcc/index.html.  There is no application fee.
    • Request that official transcripts be sent directly to the Director of the Master of Accountancy Program, School of Business, Washburn University, for any coursework taken after graduation from Washburn.

MAcc 30-hour Flexible Program

To be considered for admission, an applicant must:

Hold a baccalaureate degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution of higher education equivalent to an undergraduate accounting degree, or hold a baccalaureate degree and:

  • Have completed AC 224 Financial Accounting, AC 225 Managerial Accounting, AC 321 Intermediate Financial Accounting I, AC 322 Intermediate Financial Accounting II, AC 325 Cost Accounting and AC 330 Accounting Information Systems (or equivalent from AACSB accredited colleges or universities) with a minimum of 2.8 GPA on a 4 point scale. Students who need to complete undergraduate accounting prerequisites prior to graduate accounting study may be offered conditional admission until the accounting requirement is met.
  • Earned a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Submit a completed application to the Washburn MAcc Program. This application is completed online.  A link to the application can be accessed via the Master of Accountancy webpage: https://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/business/MAcc/index.html. The application form will provide for the submission of the academic transcripts.
  • Request that official transcripts be sent directly to the Director of the Master of Accountancy Program, School of Business, Washburn University, from the institution conferring your bachelor's degree.
  • Evidence for the potential for success in the MAcc program based on the applicant’s professional and managerial experience, superior academic achievement, or previous graduate degree.
  • Students not meeting the GPA requirements may achieve admission based on additional evidence for the potential for success in the MAcc program such as references from academic mentors or work supervisors, a statement of intent, or satisfactory GMAT, GRE, or LSAT score.

Provisional Admission

By individual application review and based on space availability and the applicant’s previous academic record, a limited number of applicants of outstanding promise, but whose applications are incomplete, may be granted provisional admission to the MAcc program for one semester while their application files are completed. During the semester of provisional admission, the applicant is required to complete the application file and may enroll in up to two MAcc courses for a total of no more than six semester hours. No further enrollment is possible without full admission to the MAcc program.

MAcc Application Procedures

MAcc 3+2 Program

  • Submit a completed application to the Washburn MAcc Program. This application is completed online.  A link to the application can be accessed via the Master of Accountancy webpage: https://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/business/MAcc/index.html. 
  • Request that official transcripts be sent directly to the Director of the Master of Accountancy Program, School of Business, Washburn University, for any coursework taken after graduation from Washburn.

MAcc 30-hour Flexible Program

  • Submit a completed application to the Washburn MAcc Program. This application is completed online.  A link to the application can be accessed via the Master of Accountancy webpage: https://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/business/MAcc/index.html. 
  • Request that official transcripts be sent directly to the Director of the Master of Accountancy Program, School of Business, Washburn University, from the college conferring the bachelor’s degree.  For students with international transcripts, but who have a visa other than F-1 or J-1, request an official ECE or WES course-by-course evaluation be sent to the MAcc Director.
  • Request that GMAT scores be reported to the School of Business, Washburn University, if necessary. The GMAT Code Number for Washburn University is 6928.

Application Schedule

Applications are processed on a continuous basis. Priority for acceptance will be given to applicants whose file is complete by November 15 (for spring enrollment); April 15 (for summer enrollment); and July 1 (for fall enrollment). Files are considered complete when the applications and all supporting documents have been received by the Director of the Master of Accountancy Program. International applicants, or applicants applying from outside of the United States, should start the application process early in order to meet the application deadlines.

International Admission and Application Procedures

To be considered for MAcc admission, an international student must:

  • Submit official transcripts to Washburn University, from institutions granting the undergraduate degree or graduate degree.
  • Request an official ECE or WES course-by-course evaluation be sent to the Office of International Admissions, unless applying through an approved partner program.
  • Request the results of a TOEFL iBT or an IELTS or a Duolingo English proficiency examination be sent to the Office of International Admissions.
  • Submit a completed application to the Washburn MAcc Program. This application is completed online and is found at: https://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/business/MAcc/index.html. The application form will provide for the submission of the unofficial academic transcript.
  • The application to the Office of International Admissions and application to the MAcc program can be done simultaneously through a single application (link listed above); however, admission to the MAcc Program will not take place until admission to Washburn University has first been granted through the Office of International Admissions, the applicant’s English proficiency has been determined (if applicable), and either an ECE or WES course-by-course evaluation of the applicant’s transcripts has been completed (if applicable).

Admission will be granted to students showing high promise of success in graduate business study. Professional work experience, managerial experience, and professional certifications may be taken into consideration in the admissions decision at the discretion of the School of Business/MAcc Director. Professional work experience is defined as business-relevant and typically consists of full-time, salaried work.

To be admitted, international students must satisfy the following:

  1. Hold a university credential that is equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate (Bachelor’s) degree.
  2. Achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in a baccalaureate or graduate degree program.
  3. Have completed AC 224 Financial Accounting, AC 225 Managerial Accounting, AC 321 Intermediate Financial Accounting I, AC 322 Intermediate Financial Accounting II, AC 325 Cost Accounting and AC 330 Accounting Information Systems (or equivalent) with a minimum of 2.8 GPA on a 4-point scale. Students who need to complete undergraduate accounting prerequisites will be classified as undergraduate students until foundation classes are completed.
  4. Balanced TOEFL iBT score of 80 or greater OR balanced IELTS score of 6.5 or greater OR Duolingo English Test score of 105 or greater.

*Note: Applicants from English speaking countries, as determined by the Washburn University Office of International Admissions, are not required to provide English proficiency test scores.

The GMAT or GRE will be waived for students that meet or exceed the requirements for admission listed above. Significant professional/ managerial experience and/or prior graduate degrees earned may also be considered for a GMAT waiver decision. Students who do not meet the above requirements could be eligible to apply for provisional admission. See below for provisional admission criteria based upon English proficiency needs.

Foundational-level courses are not required of students with a BBA Accounting degree that is equivalent to the Washburn BBA Accounting and who also meet or exceed English proficiency standards (if applicable) and GPA requirements listed above These students will advance directly into the 10 course/30 credit hour upper-level core MAcc program.

Students may need foundational-level coursework in business or accounting, based on the student’s incoming transcripts.  The MAcc Director will determine the additional requirements needed prior to taking 600-level courses in the MAcc program with these prerequisites.

Provisional Admission Due to English Proficiency Needs: International Students

*Note: Applicants from English speaking countries, as determined by the Washburn University Office of International Admissions, are not required to provide English proficiency test scores.

Students applying to the MAcc program with the following OVERALL English proficiency score ranges may be considered for provisional admission: Overall Balanced TOEFL iBT Score Range: Minimum 72 – 79 OR Overall Balanced IELTS Score Range: Minimum 6.0 – 6.4 OR Overall Duolingo English Test Score Range: Minimum 95 – 104.

English Proficiency Exams: Section / Minimum Score

  • IELTS Listening: less than or equal to 6.4
  • IELTS Reading: less than or equal to 6.4
  • IELTS Writing: less than or equal to 6.4
  • IELTS Speaking: less than or equal to 6.4
  • TOEFL iBT Listening: less than or equal to 19
  • TOEFL iBT Reading: less than or equal to 19
  • TOEFL iBT Writing: less than or equal to 19
  • TOEFL iBT Speaking: less than or equal to 19
  • Duolingo Average of Conversation + Comprehension Scores: less than or equal to 104
  • Duolingo Average of Literacy + Comprehension Scores: less than or equal to 104
  • Duolingo Average of Literacy Scores + Production Scores: less than or equal to 104
  • Duolingo Average of Conversation + Production Scores: less than or equal to 104

Some or all of the following three English proficiency preparatory courses could be required of a student scoring at or below the listed sub-scores for listening/speaking, reading, or writing listed in the table above. These courses will be determined and assigned by the MBA Director in conjunction with the Office of International Programs. Any assigned English proficiency preparatory course(s) must be satisfactorily completed with a grade of ‘B’ or better prior to taking 600-level courses in the core MBA program. A 3.0 or greater GPA must be attained during the provisional semester(s) and in the first 18 hours of coursework, with no grade below ‘B’ permitted.

English Preparatory Courses:

  • Listening and/or Speaking: CN150 – Public Speaking or TH103 - Voice, Diction & Interpretation
  • Reading: EN103 - Reading and Research or an appropriate upper level research methods course.
  • Writing: EN 101 – First Year Writing or EN 208 – Professional Writing

OR

  • In place of English preparatory courses, a student may opt to take the GMAT or GRE exam with the following minimum scores: GMAT minimum score of 450 OR GRE minimum score of 300.

* Students admitted provisionally due to English proficiency needs who opt to take English proficiency courses and do not meet satisfactory academic performance requirements during the first provisional semester will be dismissed from the program at the end of that semester.

Provisionally admitted students will not have the option to re-take any course assigned during the provisional semester(s). In the case that a second provisional semester is necessary, after satisfactorily completing the first, then the original academic performance standards must again be met during the second semester; otherwise the student will be dismissed from the program at the end of the second semester. Upon successful completion with a ‘B’ or better in any assigned English preparatory course(s) and any foundational-level business courses taken simultaneously during the provisional semester(s), and a 3.0 or greater GPA in the first 18 hours of coursework, the student will then be fully admitted and eligible to continue into 600-level MBA courses. Only foundational-level (below 600-level) courses can be taken simultaneously with any English preparatory course.

Transfer Credit for Prerequisite Courses

For a prerequisite requirement to be met the course or courses offered for prerequisite credit must have been successfully completed with a grade of “C” or better at an AACSB accredited institution. We reserve the right to evaluate the equivalence of any course offered for prerequisite credit. Students offering courses taken outside the U.S. may be subject to specific course equivalency evaluation before courses can be accepted as prerequisites.

Graduate Transfer Credit

A maximum of 9 hours of graduate credit in the MAcc program may be transferred from AACSB-accredited business schools and posted to the candidate’s Washburn transcript. Requests to transfer courses must be made in writing. Requests to substitute transfer credit for required courses will be evaluated by a designated faculty committee.

Law School Courses

Up to six hours of credit from an ABA-accredited law school may be applied towards the 30-hour upper-level MAcc requirement. The law school credit must be in business-related, non-required law school courses approved by the School of Business. Washburn University offers a dual J.D./MAcc degree. A statement of that degree is provided at the following link: https://www.washburn.edu/academics/college- schools/business/MBA/Dual-MBA-Degrees.html

Programs

Course Offerings

MAcc Accounting Courses

AC 524  Accounting Concepts  (3)  

Accelerated and in-depth introduction to conceptual accounting foundations. Presents accounting as a dynamic information system for communicating and measuring use of financial data for planning and control purposes. Primary focus is to provide background for upper-level graduate courses. Prerequisite: College Algebra

AC 621  Advanced Financial Accounting  (3)  

Concepts and procedures related to business combinations - domestic and foreign, foreign currency transactions, partnerships, and other related financial reporting topics. Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Accountancy program and AC 321 and AC 322.

AC 624  Tax for Business Entities  (3)  

Income tax laws, regulations, and procedures pertinent to partnership, corporation, and fiduciary reporting. Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Accountancy program and AC 224, AC 225, and BU 250.

AC 625  Advanced Auditing  (3)  

Concepts of, and approaches to, auditing & assurance services in a computerized environment, including skill development to apply the underlying concepts and approaches to these professional services. Development of professional judgment through analysis and discussion of real company cases covering complex topics in assurance services. Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Accountancy program and AC 425.

AC 626  Contemporary Issues Accounting  (3)  

Current and emerging issues in accounting and accounting standards from theoretical and accounting practice perspectives. Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Accountancy and AC 321 and AC 322.

AC 627  Advanced Managerial Accounting  (3)  

Assignment and control of organizational costs including decision making and reward structures. Application of concepts in academic readings to organizational case scenarios. Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Accountancy program and AC 325.

AC 628  Government/Not for Profit Accounting  (3)  

Methods and procedures used in fund accounting with emphasis on state and local governmental units and not-for-profit organizations. Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Accountancy program and AC 224, AC 225, and BU 250.

AC 629  Accounting Research Seminar  (3)  

Based on review of research literature in the diverse areas of accounting, the development and design of an accounting research project in the student's area of choice employing relevant technology and statistical analysis. Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Accountancy program and AC 621, AC 624, and AC 627.

AC 630  Advanced Accounting Information Systems  (3)  

Integration of accounting systems in support of organizations in global business environments including end-to-end cross-functional business processes. Application and extension to the professional environment of technology knowledge and skills in Microsoft computer operating systems and applications. Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Accountancy program and BU 250 and AC 330 or Admission to the MBA program, BU 522, BU 526 (Accounting) and AC 654.

AC 639  Accounting Theory and Ethics  (3)  

Major and alternative ethical models and the historical development of financial accounting theory. Analysis of cases that illustrate ethical failures and dilemmas in accounting practice. Current and proposed accounting standards. Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Accountancy program and AC 621.

AC 654  Management Accounting Analysis  (3)  

In-depth study of the uses of management accounting tools and their impact on the contemporary business organization. Includes evolution of cost and decision models and the management accounting function, as well as the application of fundamental methods. Emphasis on case studies and research and the development of written and oral communication skills in a management accounting context. Prerequisite: BU 522, BU 526 (Accounting) or equivalent, and admission to the MBA program.

AC 699  Internship in Accounting  (3)  

Professional work experience in accounting with a business firm, governmental agency, or not-for-profit organization. The work experience must create a new learning experience for the student. Credit hours may only be used as elective hours and will not count toward the minimum 21 hours of accounting and economic hours required of the MAcc candidate. Grades for this class are awarded on a pass-fail basis. Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Accountancy program and Consent to Internship Director.

Other Courses

See also MBA course list for more elective options.

EC 652  Managerial Economics  (3)  

Management problems from an economic point of view. The content focuses on the applications of economic theory to day-to-day managerial decision making. Prerequisite: EC 525 and Admission to the MBA program or Admission to the MAcc program.

BU 616  Commercial Transactions  (3)  

Nature and sources of commercial law, legal process, common, and statutory law as they pertain to sales, negotiable instruments, secured transactions, suretyship, insurance and bankruptcy. (Not available to those who have taken BU 416.). Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Accountancy program and BU 315 or Admission to the MBA program and BU 526.