Degree Requirements: 30 Credit Hours

Admission Requirements

The Web-Based Master of Accounting (WebMAcc.) program consists of ten 3-credit hour courses. The courses are offered to support the following progression: two courses each fall and spring term and one course each summer for two consecutive years. Georgia Southern University considers the WebMAcc to be a full-time program.

The WebMAcc program focuses on the knowledge and skills students need for careers in public accounting. The curriculum includes 30 credit hours of coursework. The 30 credit hours include 15 credit hours of required accounting and business law courses; the remaining 15 credit hours of electives must be approved by the MAcc Program Advisor. The Georgia Southern University WebMAcc program is designed to assist students in meeting Georgia’s 150-hour requirement to obtain a CPA License. A prospective student who has earned a baccalaureate degree and plans to take courses in the program must be admitted to the College of Graduate Studies as one of the following types: Degree Student Regular Admission, Degree Student Provisional Admission, Non-Degree Enrichment Student, or Non-Degree Limited Student.

Degree Student

Applicants who are admitted to the College of Graduate Studies with the expressed intent of following a program leading to a graduate degree are classified as degree students. When admitted as a degree student, the applicant will be placed in one of the following categories: Regular Admission or Provisional Admission.

Regular Admission

An applicant who meets all requirements for unqualified admission and has been recommended by the MAcc Program Advisor and approved by the College of Graduate Studies is classified as a regular degree student. The requirement to make up deficiencies in prerequisite courses is listed on the notification of acceptance as a condition of acceptance.

Provisional

Applicants may be approved for provisional admission based on the quality of the admission material presented. Provisional students must earn grades of “B” or higher in their first nine (9) credits of coursework after admission and meet other stipulations outlined by the School of Accountancy to be converted to regular status. The requirement to make up deficiencies in the prerequisite courses is listed on the notification of acceptance as a condition of acceptance.

Non-Degree Student

An applicant may be admitted to the College of Graduate Studies as a non-degree student to earn credit in graduate courses without working toward a degree. Admission as a non-degree student does not guarantee subsequent admission to a graduate degree program; that is a separate process and different criteria must be met. Applicants who are admitted in a non-degree category may apply to a degree program at any time. Upon the MAcc Program Advisor’s recommendation, non-degree courses may be included in the graduate degree program of study should the student gain reclassification as a degree student. An applicant may be admitted as a non-degree enrichment student or non-degree limited student.

Enrichment

Non-degree enrichment students may complete up to eighteen (18) graduate accounting credit hours with the approval of the MAcc Program Advisor on a space available basis. A student may count a maximum of nine (9) credit hours toward graduate degree program requirements if recommended by the Advisor and approved by the College of Graduate Studies.

Limited

Non-degree limited students may complete up to a maximum of nine (9) credit hours in graduate courses in any seven contiguous years. A student may count a maximum of nine (9) credit hours toward graduate degree program requirements if recommended by the MAcc Program Advisor and approved by the College of Graduate Studies.

Application Deadlines

The deadlines for completed applications are as follows:

Admission to the program is competitive and decisions are made shortly after a complete application has been received. Since seats are filled as decisions are made, applicants are encouraged to complete their application as soon as possible so that there is enough time to address any application deficiencies well ahead of the final deadline.

Graduate Transfer or Transient Credit

The Parker College of Business only accepts graduate transfer or transient credit hours from AACSB accredited programs not to exceed six (6) credit hours subject to review and approval by the MAcc Program Advisor. A student currently enrolled in the MAcc or WebMAcc program can, under special circumstances, apply for admission to the other program and request that credit hours be transferred. The request to transfer courses must be approved by the MAcc Program Advisor or the Graduate Curriculum and Programs Committee.

Admission Factors

Admission to the WebMAcc program is competitive. The MAcc Program Advisor reviews applications on an individual basis looking at both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the applicant’s academic background and professional experience (if applicable). The Advisor seeks to assess each applicant’s potential for academic success in a graduate program based on the following:

• Statement of Purpose Essay: Because the admissions process may not allow for personal interviews, this essay is a crucial reflection of the applicant’s written communication skills.
• Past Academic Performance: Current competitive GPA: While there is no minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) requirement, the MAcc Program Advisor views past grades as an important indicator of the applicant’s future academic performance. The Advisor may also consider the ranking and reputation of the applicant’s undergraduate institution.
• Professional Experience: There is no work experience requirement although work experience will be viewed positively by the MAcc Program Advisor.
• Letters of Recommendation: Letters are optional but may boost a candidate’s chances for admission. References should speak to the applicant’s personal qualities, career potential, and potential to succeed in the classroom.

In addition to the applicant’s potential for success, space availability in the program may also impact admissions decisions. Decisions are made in as timely a manner as possible. .

Admission Appeals

Applicants who are denied admission may appeal to the Parker College of Business Graduate Curriculum and Programs Committee (GCPC). Factors that the GCPC may consider for admission will include (but are not limited to) the following:

1. Probability of success in the program.
2. The diversity the applicant brings to the degree program.
3. Space availability in the program.

The GCPC will make its decision based on the best interests of the program. Its options include, but are not limited to, the following: admit with no restrictions, admit with restrictions, or deny.

Program of Study

Prerequisites

A student admitted to the College of Graduate Studies as a prospective candidate for the WEBMAcc. degree must present evidence of satisfactory completion (a minimum grade of “C”) of the following course content:

Accounting:

Intermediate Accounting
Managerial Accounting
Income Tax Accounting
Information Systems Auditing

General Business:

No general business courses are required for the WebMAcc. program, but individual elective courses may require prerequisite courses. Students are responsible for meeting course prerequisites prior to admission to the program. In addition, for candidates who plan to take the Uniform CPA Examination, most jurisdictions have general business course requirements as part of the education requirement to take this exam. Applicants should check with their respective jurisdiction (state boards, etc.) for particular requirements.