Accountancy Requirements & Deadlines

Prerequisites

If you have an accounting undergraduate degree, you do not need to take any prerequisite classes.

If you do not have an accounting undergraduate degree, you must have/meet the following requirements before starting the program:

  1. An undergraduate degree (in any field). You may apply during your senior year but must complete the baccalaureate degree before entering the MAcc program.
  2. If you do not have an accounting undergraduate degree, you must complete or are in the process of completing these courses (or equivalent):
  • ACCT 2051 Introduction to Financial Reporting;
  • ACCT 3001 Introduction to Management Accounting;
  • ACCT 5101 Intermediate Accounting 1

We will consider and admit you before you've taken all of these courses, but you must complete the above courses before taking any MAcc program courses.

  • If you are planning for Fall (September) start and have no prerequisites completed when you apply, plan to take:
    • ACCT 2051 Introduction to Financial Reporting in the spring
    • ACCT 3001 Introduction to Management Accounting and ACCT 5101 Intermediate Accounting 1 in the summer
  • If you are planning for Spring (January) start and have no prerequisites completed when you apply, plan to take:
    • ACCT 2051 Introduction to Financial Reporting in summer
    • ACCT 3001 Introduction to Management Accounting and ACCT 5101 Intermediate Accounting 1 in the fall


Register for accounting courses as a non-degree-seeking student.

You can take prerequisite courses outside the university of Minnesota. Our program faculty have approved two online courses that are considered sufficient to cover two of the three prerequisite courses. You can find those below:

Financial Accounting Fundamentals on Coursera for ACCT 2051 Introduction to Financial Reporting

Managerial Accounting Fundamentals on Coursera for ACCT 3001 Introduction to Management Accounting

While an equivalent to ACCT 5101 Intermediate Accounting 1 can be taken outside of the University of Minnesota, it is expected that you take an equivalent course at a university. To check whether a given course you have found qualifies for any of the prerequisites or if you have any additional questions, please email the Master of Accountancy program to talk to someone about your options.

Application Checklist

The following materials are needed to complete a complete application.

Reminder: GRE/GMAT score is not required.

You must submit a completed application. 

Additional application information can be found on the Graduate School website, view application instructions.

Your personal statement should be no more than 1000 words (2 pages), that address the following questions:

  • Why are you choosing to pursue a MAcc degree at this time in your career? What are you hoping to accomplish by doing so? Briefly describe your work experience, if any, and short-term (upon graduation from the program) and long-term (5-10 years after the program) career goals. Please be as specific as possible with roles, companies and/or industries.
  • What excites you about being part of the Carlson School MACC program?
  • Describe your current thinking about diversity, equity, and inclusion. How has your thinking changed over time?

List each institution of higher learning from which you have earned credit in your application.

 

Unofficial Transcripts

You will need to submit a transcript from each college or university where you have completed coursework before your application will be considered complete and reviewed by the admissions committee.

Unofficial transcripts must include your name and the name of the institution. Third Party credential evaluation reports and degree planning documents are not accepted. Visit the Graduate School website for additional information.

International credentials much include both the original language document and an English translation. Include original language diplomas if a degree was conferred.

Please do not mail in paper copies of your transcripts. There is no need for official transcripts or academic records for initial review.  

 

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts/academic records are required after you are admitted to a graduate program. At the time of admission, you will receive a list of the specific credentials we require from you. These must be submitted before you register at the University of Minnesota. All transcripts and academic records uploaded to the online application are considered unofficial.

It is your responsibility to request official transcripts/credentials from the original institution. Official transcripts must be sent directly to the University from the issuing institution. Do not send official transcripts to yourself first.

For electronic transcripts: use gsquest@umn.edu as the recipient.

For a hard copy transcript, use the following address:
Graduate School
University of Minnesota
Attn: Transcripts
309 Johnston Hall
101 Pleasant St. SE
Minneapolis, MN  55455-0421

The University of Minnesota reserves the right to require the submission of official transcripts or credentials any time during the admission review process.

More information about Official Transcripts

You are not require to submit a GMAT or GRE score for the Master of Accountancy program.

Prepare a current resume that includes a detailed education and employment history in no more than 3 pages.

Resume guidelines:

  • List both employer(s) and official position(s) held.
  • Specify both month and year for dates of employment in each role.
  • Detail job responsibilities and accomplishments in approximately 3-5 bullet points.
  • You may include a separate section for academic projects with significant quantitative and/or technical components.
  • Do not worry about exceeding 1 page.

For additional guidance, visit our Carlson Business Career Center's resume advice webpage, and feel free to use their resume template to simplify the process.

Upload your completed resume in the online application where prompted for your Resume or CV.

Two (2) letters of recommendation are required from persons qualified to evaluate your most recent work and potential for graduate study. These recommendations can be from any combination of academic and professional recommenders.

Please note that you personally do not need to solicit letters of recommendations. However, we do recommend that you contact them ahead of time and ask if they would be willing to provide a recommendation. In the online application, you simply provide their names and contact information and a link will be automatically routed to them via email for completion. When they submit their recommendation using that link, it will be uploaded into your application.

More information about recommendation letters including waiving your right to view recommendation letters.

International applicants

You must provide proof of English language proficiency. Please note that the exam date should be within two years of graduate program start date. The requirement may be waived if you have completed post-secondary coursework (16 semester credits or 24 quarter credits) in a designated country (i.e., United States; Canada, except Quebec; UK/Ireland) within two years of the program start date.

 

View the details under Education.

 

Domestic applicants

If your first language is not English, you must provide proof of English language proficiency.

The minimum score requirements for admission are:

  • TOEFL iBT: 79 (with section scores of 21 on writing and 19 on reading)
  • IELTS: 6.5 (with section scores of 6.5 in both reading and writing)
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced: 180 (with section scores of 180 in both reading and writing)

More information on English language proficiency and how to submit test scores.

The video essay is a required component of the application that provides you an opportunity to show the admissions committee the authentic you.  Think of this video essay as if you were answering an interview question with a member of our admissions committee. 

Equipment & Practice

  • You will need to use a computer with camera and microphone capabilities. You will have the ability to test your technology before starting the video essay and submit a practice video essay. 
  • You can test your technology and run the practice simulation as many times as you wish to be comfortable with the format and technology.  You will be able to review your practice video essay(s) and your recording(s) will not be saved beyond the testing phase and will never be reviewed.
  • You can also practice responding to impromptu questions offline with a friend or colleague before completing the video essay portion of your application.

Submitting your video essay

  • You will be prompted to click "Ready" once you are prepared to submit an official video essay.  You will be asked one impromptu question from a bank of imaginative or behavioral questions selected by our admissions team. 
  • Two minutes (120 seconds) will be provided to prepare an answer and two minutes (120 seconds) to record an answer. Recording will automatically stop after two minutes.  You are not required to use the full two minutes.  If you have time remaining once complete with your response, click the "Stop Recording" button to end the recording. 
  • You will only be provided one attempt to record your official video essay.

You must submit the application fee via the online application.

Learn more about the application fee on the Graduate School's website.

Application Deadlines

Apply early and give yourself the best chance to join the Carlson School's Master of Accountancy program.

Spring (January) Start

  • September 15 - Priority deadline for international applicants

    Decision Notification: October 7

  • October 15 - Final deadline for international applicants

    Decision Notification: November 6

  • November 15

    Decision Notification: December 6

  • December 15

    Decision Notification: January 5

Fall (September) Start

  • April 15 - Priority deadline for international applicants

    Decision Notification: May 6

  • May 15 - Final deadline for international applicants

    Decision Notification: June 5

  • June 15

    Decision Notification: July 6

  • July 15

    Decision Notification: August 7

 

We will accept applications after these deadlines if space is available.

Deadlines that occur on a holiday or weekend will be extended through the next business day. Please reach out to macct@umn.edu if you have questions/concerns on your timeline.

Explore ways to fund your degree.

Contact Master of Accountancy