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Master of Science in Accounting (MS), University of Colorado Denver Business School (CU Denver)

Business School, University of Colorado Denver
 

MS in Accounting

Tailor your career with our Accounting Degree
Accounting

The University of Colorado Denver Business School's MS in Accounting is highly respected for the breadth of knowledge it provides in both financial and managerial accounting.

Whether you want to expand your career as an external auditor in public accounting, an internal auditor in private accounting, a government auditor, or a tax consultant, we are here to educate you.

Our curriculum includes financial reporting and analysis, with concentrations on U.S. GAAP and international financial reporting standards and practices. The MS in Accounting also covers consolidated financial reporting for multinational corporations; such industry specializations as oil and gas; and government and nonprofit accounting. If tax is your interest, you will study foundational and in-depth analyses of U.S. federal income tax issues and transactions affecting corporations, partnerships, and individuals.

If you are a CU Denver Undergraduate Accounting student thinking of applying to our MS Accounting program and want to bypass the GMAT admission test. If so, you must:

  • Graduated within the last five years or have senior status as a CU Denver Undergraduate Accounting major
  • Have a 3.50 or higher cumulative GPA at the end of your junior year (90 credits or more)
  • When you apply for admission select a semester following completion of your undergraduate degree
  • Send an email to grad.business@ucdenver.edu requesting a waiver of the GMAT admission test

Flexibility

Classes are held in the day, evenings and online so students can attend classes at times that work for them. Students can blend campus and online courses within a semester if the online option is available for your program.  Our MBA degree is available completely online.  Our class sizes are smaller so students can learn from expert practitioner faculty and network with other seriously motivated students. Students develop relationships that last for a lifetime. ​

Specializations

Your MS in Accounting degree can be unique by selecting one of several specializations that will give you an edge in the job market. Modern career paths are in constant flux, so it is an advantage to have a degree that grows with you.

Auditing and Forensic Accounting Specialization

The Auditing and Forensic Accounting Specialization is intended for students who want to begin or expand their careers as external auditors in public accounting, internal auditors in private accounting, or auditors in government. The curriculum includes fraud examination, forensic accounting, basic audit techniques, and U.S. GAAP and international financial reporting standards and practices, including consolidated financial reporting for multinational corporations. Emphasis is placed on acquiring relevant knowledge and on research and analytical skills.

Financial Accounting Specialization

The Financial Accounting Specialization is intended for students who want to expand or begin their careers in industry, government, or nonprofit accounting. The curriculum includes financial reporting and analysis, with concentrations on U.S. GAAP and international financial reporting standards and practices, including consolidated financial reporting for multinational corporations, industry specializations such as oil and gas, and government and nonprofit accounting. Emphasis is placed on acquiring relevant knowledge and on research and analytical skills.

Taxation Specialization

The Taxation Specialization is intended for students who want to begin or expand their careers as tax consultants in public or private accounting. The curriculum allows foundational and in-depth analyses of U.S. federal income tax issues and transactions affecting corporations, partnerships, and individuals. Emphasis is placed on acquiring relevant knowledge and on research and analytical skills.

Accounting and Information Systems Audit Control(AISAAC)

Information Systems Audit Control gives you specialized knowledge of:

  • business-process management and security
  • the strategies for integrating governance and compliance
  • the IT organization's financial and business intelligence services

*This specialization is specific and contains changes to the original Accounting requirements. Please see an advisor for details on AISAAC Specialization degree plan

The dual degree allows students to obtain the generalist MBA degree and the specialization of the MS with fewer courses than it would take to earn them separately. This is accomplished by recognizing required and elective courses common to both programs.

As the largest graduate Business School in the region, we offer seven different choices for a dual degree within the Business School and several others in collaboration with other schools and colleges. Work toward both an MBA and a specific master of science degree. Dual degree programs combine the career advantages of the MBAs broad knowledge base with the specialized skills of an MS degree.

To earn a dual MBA/MS in Accounting degree, you will complete the required background accounting courses, as necessary, the accounting courses plus the following MBA requirements. Contact your graduate advisor for details.

  • Managing Individuals and Teams BUSN6520
  • Legal and Ethical Environment of Business BUSN6540
  • Analyzing and Interpreting Accounting Information  BUSN6550
  • Marketing Management BUSN6560
  • Information Systems Management and Strategy BUSN6610
  • Applied Economics for Managers BUSN6620
  • Financial Management BUSN6640
  • Strategic Management BUSN6710
  • International Business Elective

When pursuing a dual degree, you are not permitted to waive any of the MBA core classes.

If you want both your MS in Accounting and the career advantages of an MBA's broad knowledge base consider doing both.

Note: Each course is typically three semester hours.

Admission standards are specific and varied for each degree.  Therefore, applicants must meet specific admission standards for the degree for which they apply. 

 If students choose to pursue a dual degree after they have joined a graduate program, they must meet the admissions requirements of the degree they intend to add, irrespective of their performance in their current program.

 

Faculty in the accounting program include nationally recognized scholars who produce theoretical and applied research in academic journals in their fields. This cutting-edge research guarantees that the accounting curriculum reflects the impact of that research. You will learn in our classrooms what other students will read in a textbook next year. Many of our faculty also have real-world experiences that bring relevance to the curriculum.

A graduate degree in accounting is a significant asset to any senior accountant. The curriculum of accounting, management, finance and marketing gives me exposure to business techniques and their successful implementation. The Business School allows me to learn from the finest teachers, interact with the brightest students and broaden my goals, ideas and perspectives.

Haiyan Pan,
MS Accounting Student

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