Accountancy Curriculum

Minnesota Carlson’s Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree offers a cutting-edge curriculum of graduate accountancy classes to help you build the critical thinking and analytical skills needed to excel in today’s fast-evolving accounting landscape. Designed to shape future leaders, this program provides an understanding of the full business spectrum and the essential role accountants play in driving organizational success.

Beyond the classroom, you’ll gain access to an influential network of peers, faculty, alumni, and industry advisors—plus Minnesota’s dynamic business hub of Fortune 500 giants and medium to small businesses. With flexible full- and part-time options, this master’s in accountancy program is designed to fit your schedule, allowing you to elevate your career on your terms.

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Minnesota Carlson's Master of Accountancy Earns STEM Designation

The Carlson School of Management is proud that our Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree is STEM designated. This prestigious recognition underscores the program’s cutting-edge, data-driven curriculum of accountancy courses. Each accountancy course of this cutting-edge MAcc program is designed to sharpen critical thinking and analytical skills essential for success in today’s evolving accounting industry.

Master of Accountancy Curriculum Tracks

Our Master of Accountancy program offers 2 STEM-designated tracks tailored to your background and career goals:

30-credit track – Designed for students with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
44-credit track – Ideal for those with non-accounting undergraduate degrees.

Both tracks feature a leading-edge curriculum of MAcc course offerings that build in-demand analytical skills. Whether you choose to study full-time or part-time, you'll meet the 150-credit-hour requirement to qualify for the CPA exam in most states. Plus, the STEM designation allows eligible international students to apply for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension, providing valuable career opportunities after graduation.

Accounting Undergraduate Track

You’ll take this track if…
You studied accounting as an undergrad. This track helps you understand the whys of accounting and build deeper field knowledge. Finance undergrads may also apply.

Track requirements
You’ll complete a minimum of 30 credit hours. Fourteen credits cover seven required accounting courses. The remaining 16 credits are electives. This track is typically completed in two semesters.

Full-Time Sample Program Sequence

Below is an example of a typical program sequence for accounting undergrad students.

Course number	Title	Required or Elective	Term	Credits
ACCT 6161	Financial Statement Analysis	Required	Fall Term A	2
ACCT 6602	Securities & Exchange Commission	Required	Fall Term A	2
ACCT 6601	Internal Control	Required	Fall Term B	2
ACCT 6606	Financial Reporting Data Analytics	Required	Fall Term A or B	2
ACCT 5236	Introduction to Taxation of Business	Required	Fall Term A or B	2
ACCT 5181	Consolidations & Advanced Reporting	Required	Fall Term B	2
ACCT 6003	Accounting & Information Systems	Required	Spring	2
N/A	Elective	Elective	Fall	4
N/A	Elective	Elective	Spring	12

Graduates typically take and pass the CPA exam shortly after completing this track.

Part-Time Sample Program Sequence

Track Requirements

You’ll complete a minimum of 30 credits hours.16 of those hours cover the 8 required accounting courses; the remaining 14 credit hours are for elective courses. It is encouraged that you focus on the core requirements first (2-6 credits per semester) and then complete your electives. You will work with your academic advisor to find a timeframe to complete the program that works best for you.

Sample Curriculum Sequence

Courses offered Monday-Friday; Mix of day and night and in person and online.

Course number	Title	Required or Elective	Term	Class day & time	Credits
ACCT 6161	Financial Statement Analysis	Required	Fall A Term	Online	2
ACCT 6602	Securities & Exchange Commission	Required	Fall A Term	T 5:45–9:05 PM	2
ACCT 6601	Internal Control	Required	Fall B Term	T 5:45–9:05 PM	2
ACCT 6606	Financial Data Analytics (Only 2x/week for 7 weeks)	Required	Fall B Term	TTH 3:45-5:25 PM	2
ACCT 5236	Introduction to Taxation of Business (Alternative - Online MBT 6231 Course)	Required	Fall B or Spring A Term	MW 11:50-1:30 PM	2
ACCT 6003	Accounting & Information Systems	Required	Spring A Term	M 5:45–9:05 PM	2
ACCT 5181	Consolidations and Advanced Reporting	Required	Spring B Term	M 5:45–9:05 PM	2
ACCT 6603	Advanced Auditing	Required	Spring B Term	TBA 5:45-9:05 PM	2
N/A	Electives	Elective	Fall or Spring	Varies	16

Non-Accounting Undergraduate Track

You’ll take this track if...
You did not major in accounting during your undergraduate studies, but this track will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to pivot into the field.

Track requirements
You’ll complete a maximum of 44 credit hours. Twenty-eight of those hours cover 11 required courses, and the remaining 16 credit hours are electives. This track is typically completed in three or four semesters.

Full-Time Sample Program Sequence

Below is an example of a typical program sequence for non-accounting undergrad students.

Year 1

Course number	Title	Required or Elective	Term	Credits
ACCT 5111	Intermediate Accounting II	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 5112	Intermediate Accounting III	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 5121W	Auditing Principles and Procedures I	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 5122	Auditing Principles and Procedures II	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 5151	Fundamentals of Federal Income Tax	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 5235	Federal Taxation of Individuals	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 6003	Accounting & Information Systems	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 5201	Intermediate Management Accounting	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
MBA 6231	Financial Management	Required	Fall & Spring Term	3
N/A	Elective	Elective	Fall & Spring Term	4
N/A	Elective	Elective	Spring Term A	2
N/A	Elective	Elective	Spring Term B	2
N/A	Elective	Elective	Spring Term B	2

Summer

Break, May - Mid-June

Course study

Accounting Internship
Study for and pass the CPA Exam

Year 2

Course number	Title	Required or Elective	Term	Credits
ACCT 6601	Internal Control	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 6602	Securities & Exchange Commission	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 6161	Financial Statement Analysis	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 5181	Consolidations & Advanced Reporting	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 5236	Introduction to Taxation of Business	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 6606	Financial Data Analytics	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 6603	Advanced Auditing	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
N/A	Elective	Elective	Fall & Spring Term	4
N/A	Elective	Elective	Spring Term B	2
N/A	Elective	Elective	Spring Term B	2

Part-Time Sample Program Sequence

Most class dates & times are already solidified and cannot be changed.

Track Requirements

You’ll complete a maximum of 44 credits. 33 of those cover 16 required courses; the remaining 11 credit hours are for elective courses. It is encouraged that you focus on the core requirements first (2-6 credits per semester) and then complete your electives. You will work with your academic advisor to find a timeline that works for you in completing this coursework.

Sample Curriculum Sequence

Courses offered Monday-Friday; Mix of day and night and in person and online.

Course Number	Title	Required or Elective	Term	Class Day & Time	Credits
ACCT 6161	Financial Statement Analysis	Required	Fall A Term	Online	2
ACCT 6602	Securities & Exchange Commission	Required	Fall A Term	T 5:45-9:05 PM	2
ACCT 6601	Internal Control	Required	Fall B Term	T 5:45-9:05 PM	2
ACCT 6606	Financial Data Analytics	Required	Fall B Term	MW 3:45-5:25 PM	2
ACCT 5151	Fundamentals of Federal Income Tax	Required	Fall or Spring A Term	(F) MW 10:10-11:50 AM or 11:50-1:30 PM or 12:20-2:00 PM (S) MW 12:20-2:00 PM or 3:45-5:25 PM	2
ACCT 5111	Intermediate Accounting II	Required	Fall or Spring A Term	(F) MW 9:55-11:35 AM or 11:50-1:30 PM or 3:45-5:25 PM TTH 8:00-9:40 AM (S) MW 11:50-1:30 PM or 1:45-3:25 PM TTH 9:55-11:35 AM	2
ACCT 5112	Intermediate Accounting III	Required	Fall or Spring B Term	(F) MW 9:55-11:35 AM or 11:50-1:30 PM or 3:45-5:25 PM (S) MW 11:50-1:30 PM or 1:45-3:25 PM or TTH 9:55-11:35 PM	2
ACCT 5235	Federal Taxation of Individuals	Required	Fall or Spring B Term	(F) MW 10:10-11:50 AM or 12:20-2:00 PM (S) MW 12:20-2:00 PM or 3:45-5:25 PM	2
ACCT 5121W	Auditing I	Required	Fall or Spring	(F) MW 3:45-5:25 PM TTH 1:45-3:25 PM or 3:45-5:25 PM (S) MW 8:00-9:40 AM TTH 3:45-5:25 PM	2
ACCT 5122	Auditing II	Required	Fall or Spring	(F) TTH 1:45-3:25 PM or 3:45-5:25 PM (S) MW 8:00-9:40 AM TTH 3:45-5:25 PM	2
ACCT 6603 This course should be taken after the first two audit courses (ACCT 5121W and ACCT 5122)	Advanced Auditing	Required	Fall B Term	TTH 3:45-5:25 PM	2
ACCT 5201	Intermediate Management Accounting	Required	Fall or Spring	(F) A & B Term TTH 11:50-1:30 PM (S) A & B Term MW 9:55-11:35 AM	2
MBA 6231	Financial Management	Required	Fall or Spring	(F) M 5:45-9:05 PM (S) Online	3
ACCT 5236	Introduction to Taxation of Business	Required	Fall B or Spring A Term	(F & S) MW 11:50-1:30 PM	2
ACCT 6003	Accounting & Information Systems	Required	Spring A Term	M 5:45-9:05 PM	2
ACCT 5181	Consolidations & Advanced Reporting	Required	Spring B Term	M 5:45-9:05 PM	2
N/A	Electives	Elective	Fall or Spring	Varies	13

Most class dates & times are already solidified and cannot be changed.

Accounting Undergraduate Track
Non-Accounting Undergraduate Track

You’ll take this track if…
You studied accounting as an undergrad. This track helps you understand the whys of accounting and build deeper field knowledge. Finance undergrads may also apply.

Full-Time Sample Program Sequence

Below is an example of a typical program sequence for accounting undergrad students.

Course number	Title	Required or Elective	Term	Credits
ACCT 6161	Financial Statement Analysis	Required	Fall Term A	2
ACCT 6602	Securities & Exchange Commission	Required	Fall Term A	2
ACCT 6601	Internal Control	Required	Fall Term B	2
ACCT 6606	Financial Reporting Data Analytics	Required	Fall Term A or B	2
ACCT 5236	Introduction to Taxation of Business	Required	Fall Term A or B	2
ACCT 5181	Consolidations & Advanced Reporting	Required	Fall Term B	2
ACCT 6003	Accounting & Information Systems	Required	Spring	2
N/A	Elective	Elective	Fall	4
N/A	Elective	Elective	Spring	12

Graduates typically take and pass the CPA exam shortly after completing this track.

Part-Time Sample Program Sequence

Track Requirements

Sample Curriculum Sequence

Courses offered Monday-Friday; Mix of day and night and in person and online.

Course number	Title	Required or Elective	Term	Class day & time	Credits
ACCT 6161	Financial Statement Analysis	Required	Fall A Term	Online	2
ACCT 6602	Securities & Exchange Commission	Required	Fall A Term	T 5:45–9:05 PM	2
ACCT 6601	Internal Control	Required	Fall B Term	T 5:45–9:05 PM	2
ACCT 6606	Financial Data Analytics (Only 2x/week for 7 weeks)	Required	Fall B Term	TTH 3:45-5:25 PM	2
ACCT 5236	Introduction to Taxation of Business (Alternative - Online MBT 6231 Course)	Required	Fall B or Spring A Term	MW 11:50-1:30 PM	2
ACCT 6003	Accounting & Information Systems	Required	Spring A Term	M 5:45–9:05 PM	2
ACCT 5181	Consolidations and Advanced Reporting	Required	Spring B Term	M 5:45–9:05 PM	2
ACCT 6603	Advanced Auditing	Required	Spring B Term	TBA 5:45-9:05 PM	2
N/A	Electives	Elective	Fall or Spring	Varies	16

You’ll take this track if...
You did not major in accounting during your undergraduate studies, but this track will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to pivot into the field.

Full-Time Sample Program Sequence

Below is an example of a typical program sequence for non-accounting undergrad students.

Year 1

Course number	Title	Required or Elective	Term	Credits
ACCT 5111	Intermediate Accounting II	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 5112	Intermediate Accounting III	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 5121W	Auditing Principles and Procedures I	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 5122	Auditing Principles and Procedures II	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 5151	Fundamentals of Federal Income Tax	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 5235	Federal Taxation of Individuals	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 6003	Accounting & Information Systems	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 5201	Intermediate Management Accounting	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
MBA 6231	Financial Management	Required	Fall & Spring Term	3
N/A	Elective	Elective	Fall & Spring Term	4
N/A	Elective	Elective	Spring Term A	2
N/A	Elective	Elective	Spring Term B	2
N/A	Elective	Elective	Spring Term B	2

Summer

Break, May - Mid-June

Course study

Accounting Internship
Study for and pass the CPA Exam

Year 2

Course number	Title	Required or Elective	Term	Credits
ACCT 6601	Internal Control	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 6602	Securities & Exchange Commission	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 6161	Financial Statement Analysis	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 5181	Consolidations & Advanced Reporting	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 5236	Introduction to Taxation of Business	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 6606	Financial Data Analytics	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
ACCT 6603	Advanced Auditing	Required	Fall & Spring Term	2
N/A	Elective	Elective	Fall & Spring Term	4
N/A	Elective	Elective	Spring Term B	2
N/A	Elective	Elective	Spring Term B	2

Part-Time Sample Program Sequence

Most class dates & times are already solidified and cannot be changed.

Track Requirements

Sample Curriculum Sequence

Courses offered Monday-Friday; Mix of day and night and in person and online.

Course Number	Title	Required or Elective	Term	Class Day & Time	Credits
ACCT 6161	Financial Statement Analysis	Required	Fall A Term	Online	2
ACCT 6602	Securities & Exchange Commission	Required	Fall A Term	T 5:45-9:05 PM	2
ACCT 6601	Internal Control	Required	Fall B Term	T 5:45-9:05 PM	2
ACCT 6606	Financial Data Analytics	Required	Fall B Term	MW 3:45-5:25 PM	2
ACCT 5151	Fundamentals of Federal Income Tax	Required	Fall or Spring A Term	(F) MW 10:10-11:50 AM or 11:50-1:30 PM or 12:20-2:00 PM (S) MW 12:20-2:00 PM or 3:45-5:25 PM	2
ACCT 5111	Intermediate Accounting II	Required	Fall or Spring A Term	(F) MW 9:55-11:35 AM or 11:50-1:30 PM or 3:45-5:25 PM TTH 8:00-9:40 AM (S) MW 11:50-1:30 PM or 1:45-3:25 PM TTH 9:55-11:35 AM	2
ACCT 5112	Intermediate Accounting III	Required	Fall or Spring B Term	(F) MW 9:55-11:35 AM or 11:50-1:30 PM or 3:45-5:25 PM (S) MW 11:50-1:30 PM or 1:45-3:25 PM or TTH 9:55-11:35 PM	2
ACCT 5235	Federal Taxation of Individuals	Required	Fall or Spring B Term	(F) MW 10:10-11:50 AM or 12:20-2:00 PM (S) MW 12:20-2:00 PM or 3:45-5:25 PM	2
ACCT 5121W	Auditing I	Required	Fall or Spring	(F) MW 3:45-5:25 PM TTH 1:45-3:25 PM or 3:45-5:25 PM (S) MW 8:00-9:40 AM TTH 3:45-5:25 PM	2
ACCT 5122	Auditing II	Required	Fall or Spring	(F) TTH 1:45-3:25 PM or 3:45-5:25 PM (S) MW 8:00-9:40 AM TTH 3:45-5:25 PM	2
ACCT 6603 This course should be taken after the first two audit courses (ACCT 5121W and ACCT 5122)	Advanced Auditing	Required	Fall B Term	TTH 3:45-5:25 PM	2
ACCT 5201	Intermediate Management Accounting	Required	Fall or Spring	(F) A & B Term TTH 11:50-1:30 PM (S) A & B Term MW 9:55-11:35 AM	2
MBA 6231	Financial Management	Required	Fall or Spring	(F) M 5:45-9:05 PM (S) Online	3
ACCT 5236	Introduction to Taxation of Business	Required	Fall B or Spring A Term	(F & S) MW 11:50-1:30 PM	2
ACCT 6003	Accounting & Information Systems	Required	Spring A Term	M 5:45-9:05 PM	2
ACCT 5181	Consolidations & Advanced Reporting	Required	Spring B Term	M 5:45-9:05 PM	2
N/A	Electives	Elective	Fall or Spring	Varies	13

Most class dates & times are already solidified and cannot be changed.

MAcc Degree Electives

MAcc students must complete at least 16 elective credits to reach their total credits required (30 or 44), selected in consultation with the advisor, from the following list. In some cases, graduate-level courses from outside this list may be taken with prior approval from the MAcc Director.

View all electives

Accountancy Credit Waiver Pathways

If you completed accounting coursework at the University of Minnesota with a B or better, you may waive 10 to 14 credits in the MAcc program, depending on your undergraduate background. This reduces your total credits and can help you graduate in fewer semesters.

Explore MAcc Pathways

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Preparing You for Your Future MAcc Career

The Master of Accountancy faculty and curriculum prepares you to succeed in accounting careers after graduation and beyond.

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Master of Accountancy Tuition & Aid FAQs

What courses are required and how many credits is the program?

The program requires either 30 credits (accounting majors) or 44 credits (non-accounting majors). The curriculum includes financial reporting, auditing, managerial accounting, data analytics, internal controls, and SEC regulation.

Are there opportunities for electives, concentrations or certifications?

No formal concentrations are offered, but you’ll have elective credits (requirements vary by curriculum track) to customize your studies with options like finance, taxation, and more.

The program is designed to support CPA licensure preparation while welcoming students **pivoting into accounting** or looking to deepen their technical and analytical expertise.

Is there a capstone, practicum or internship requirement?

Internships are common and available to all students. The Carlson Business Career Center helps coordinate these opportunities. The program does not require a capstone or practicum.

What kind of real-world, experiential learning is included?

Real-world learning includes strong employer partnerships, dedicated recruiting events, and opportunities for internships in the Twin Cities, all coordinated by the Carlson Business Career Center (CBCC).

How flexible is the course schedule (evening/weekend/online options)?

Classes are offered in person on campus, typically Monday through Thursday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For detailed schedules, including the part-time program sample with specific day/time offerings each semester, visit the curriculum webpage.