MAcc Academics Frequently Asked Questions
The MAcc program is designed to be flexible for people with full-time obligations during the day or for the students who are able to attend class full-time. MAcc required classes meet once a week, Monday–Thursday, from 5:45 to 9:05 p.m. Elective classes held during the day (8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) typically meet twice a week. Evening elective classes meet once a week, Monday through Thursday from 5:45 to 9:05 p.m., Saturday mornings from 8:00 to 11:20 a.m., and Saturday afternoons from 12:30 to 3:50 p.m. Four-credit classes meet for the full term, three-credit classes meet slightly less than a full term, and two-credit classes meet for a half-semester during either the A term (first half) or B term (second half).
All MAcc students are required to complete 30 credits.
Most students enter the program as full-time students and complete the program in one year. International students must remain full-time students throughout their time in the MAcc and usually take three semesters to complete the program. Students entering the program as part-time students control how quickly they move through the curriculum by tailoring their course load each semester. Some part-time students are able to graduate in two years, though the average is three years. Students are allowed to take up to five years to earn a MAcc. The program is very flexible, allowing students to accelerate or decelerate their program as needed.
Full-time students who want to complete the program in two semesters generally take 14–16 credits per semester. International students who want to complete the program in three semesters generally take 10 credits per semester. Part-time students may take as many or as few credits per semester as they feel they can handle. Most students start by taking two classes to see how that works; they then adjust their course loads accordingly in future semesters. To stay active in the program, students must register in fall and spring semesters each calendar year. However, those who need a term off may apply for a leave of absence.
Many part-time students travel for work, and our faculty are aware of the tensions and difficulties that come with balancing a busy career and a graduate business education. Our faculty tries to be flexible about students needing to miss occasional sessions due to professional travel; such situations are resolved in advance on a case-by-case basis with the professor and student team. In some courses, it is more of a problem to miss a session than in others.
Students are able to choose from more than 25 elective courses in finance, marketing, supply chain and operations management, information systems, and taxation to develop specific skill sets that meet their individual career goals.
How much time will I need to spend outside of class to complete my work?
The amount of time students spend outside class on readings, assignments, and team projects depends on the course, but the general guideline is that you will spend approximately three to five hours per class per week.