The 30-credit hour MAcc program was designed with two options, a 1-year track and a 2-year track. Due to the importance of completing the degree in a timely fashion and time limits established by the Tennessee Society of CPA’s for completing the CPA Exam, it is important that the discipline of either a 1-year or 2-year timeline be imposed on applicants. The disciplined time-line will also contribute to lowering the attrition rate and increasing the likelihood of graduation.

The MAcc is a 100% online program with limited face-to-face interaction. While the coursework will be online, there is a provision in the program for two residency experiences. These residency experiences will be required components of the program and, combined with the online pre-work, will count for 1 credit hour each. Students will attend two live weekend sessions that will include group project work, group presentations, seminars and networking opportunities. The residency experiences will also provide vital “touch points” in the program that will allow students and faculty to communicate in a one-on-one exchange of thoughts and ideas related to the program and course materials.

The following are the MAcc degree requirements:

  • Core Required Courses: 24 hours

  • Advisor Approved Electives: 6 hours

  • Total Degree Requirement: 30 hours

Departmental Mission

The Department holds separate AACSB Accounting Accreditation. Accordingly, our mission is "to graduate students characterized by a commitment to professional competence, ethical conduct, excellent communication skills, and critical thinking." Toward that end, we strive to provide students access to advanced knowledge in the field of accounting and we emphasize the importance of life-long learning and continuing professional development.

We strive to adhere to a set of values that embraces our commitment to a standard of excellence. Those values include:
• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Diversity of Thought
• Excellence
• Team Collaboration

The purposes of the MAcc Program at TTU include delivery of: (1) strong, masters-level education that provides accounting students with advanced academic knowledge, requisite professional skills, and a relevant, high-quality pathway to the profession and associated certifications", (2) high-quality programming that facilitates students' development and growth as successful, ethical business leaders, (3) appropriate graduate-level degree programming to meet the needs of aspiring professional accountants and their prospective employers that is not currently available to TTU accounting graduates, and (4) using online and associated technologies to increase Tennesseans' access to graduate accounting education.

Departmental Admission Requirements

Tennessee Tech's AACSB-accredited Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program maintains an admission process that considers applicants' total academic and work-life achievements. The Master of Accountancy does not require the GMAT or GRE for admission to the program.

Pre-Requisites: Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in business with a major in Accounting (or the equivalent) from an accredited school or university, or be in their final semester of undergraduate coursework. Accounting major equivalency can be achieved by presenting evidence of successful completion of two courses in Intermediate Financial Accounting and one course each in Cost Accounting, Taxation, and Auditing.

While it is not required, it is helpful if students have successfully completed at least one undergraduate course in business or accounting analytics.

To Apply:
Complete the application, and upload the following required documents:
• Official transcripts from all institutions where you took classes or received a degree. You may provide copies of transcripts to speed the application process, but official transcripts will be needed to finalize admission.
• A current resume. Make sure your resume contains dates for all work experience and degrees received.

Factors that may be considered in the admission decision are:
• Undergraduate GPA*,
• Professional or Accounting Work Experience or Internships,
• Other Graduate Degrees and Relevant Achievements, and
• Significant leadership roles.

*Although not required, a strong score on the GMAT can be a positive factor in an admission decision for students with a GPA that is below our average GPA. We recommend that you consider preparing for and taking the GMAT if your undergraduate GPA is below 3.0.

Note: Annually, the MAcc seeks to fill a cohort of 25-30 students each Fall term. Admission can be competitive. We advise you to submit your completed application and all required documentation as early as possible. We begin reviewing applications on January 31 each year.

Visit the Graduate Admissions Calendar for a complete list of application deadlines. MAcc admission is open to qualified students with a bachelor's degree and a major in accounting or coursework in accounting that gives students an academic foundation to be admitted into the MAcc program. The degree and coursework must be from an accredited institution. Consideration is given to the applicant's work experience and other activities that demonstrate potential for successful completion of the program.

Applications for admission are accepted for all semesters. Candidate screening and admission decisions will be made as applications are completed by the applicants.

Fast Track Program

Generally, the Fast Track program allows selected undergraduates to enroll for up to six (6) hours of graduate courses that will count at both the undergraduate and graduate level prior to formal admission to the MAcc program. Participation does not change the requirements for the student's undergraduate or MAcc program. Currently, the MAcc only allows students to Fast Track the six hours of electives in the MAcc program. Accounting courses (designated with the ACCT prefix) are not allowed to be Fast Tracked.

Admission to Fast-Track

Minimum requirements for admission are:
• 90 hours of undergraduate work in an AACSB accredited College of Business and successful completion of the required prerequisites
• Recommendation of a faculty member in the student's major
• Overall GPA of 3.2 and GPA of 3.2 in the student's major
• Program participants should consult with their future MAcc advisor regarding appropriate graduate courses to take during their junior/senior year.
• All requirements for full admission to Graduate School must be met upon graduation.
• Students who do not succeed in their first graduate course (B grade or better) will be advised to withdraw from the Fast Track program and complete their B.S. degree in a normal manner.

Fulfilling the above minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the MAcc Fast Track program or the MAcc program. Students who meet the above minimum requirements must consult with the College of Business for eligibility and acceptance.

Minimum Retention Requirements

A MAcc student is required to maintain a cumulative grade average of at least B (3.0) in all courses taken for degree purposes. Not more than six (6) hours of credit below a B grade will be allowed. If a grade of C is assigned in a MAcc-related course, the course may be repeated. However, both the original grade and the grade for repeat will be counted in the cumulative average. A MAcc degree course may be repeated only one (1) time and no more than two (2) MAcc degree courses may be repeated. In addition, any student receiving a D or an F in a MAcc degree course shall be dismissed from the program.

Probation for Unsatisfactory Performance

A graduate student is required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least "B" on all graduate courses taken as a graduate student. When a student's cumulative average on courses falls below 3.0, but not less than 2.00, the student will be placed on probation. If the cumulative average falls below 2.00, the student will be dismissed.

If the term average, on all courses presented as part of the hours required for graduation, during any semester is less than 2.00, the student's record will be reviewed and the student may be placed on probation.