[courtja]

Does anyone have any suggestions for completely online masters program? I’m open to either an MBA or an Accounting degree.I have all of my hours to sit for the CPA Exam, but I am still wanting to get a masters degree. I work full-time though in auditing and have to travel a lot so a traditional school isn’t really an option. Thanks!

[Lili]

I'm taking my Pre-MSA @ UMass Amherst this summer, then start MSA this fall. Their MSA is very flexible (on-campus, 100% online or hybrid). The professors are very knowledgeable, professional, nice, friendly and are doing everything to help you. I'm enjoying my classes very much… You should check it out…

https://www.isenberg.umass.edu/programs/masters/ms/accounting

And their Accounting Transitions Program: https://www.isenberg.umass.edu/programs/masters/ms/accounting/transitions

[Javilon]

I know this is a bit of an older post, but I thought I would chime in. I work in a private company in the finance group, that “prefers” to hire MBAs. Essentially my entire group has MBA's except me.

One gentlemen got his MBA online from Penn State University. Which is a relatively well known school, which adds some credibility. There is also a new online MBA program through the University of Illinois in partnership with Coursera.org. It sounds like a very innovative program and it might be worth looking into. It is very affordable, with a projected total cost at just over $22k. Link below.

https://www.coursera.org/university-programs/imba

Lastly, I do have a Masters, but mine is in Information Technology Management from the University of North Carolina – Greensboro. This gave me the 150 hours necessary to sit for the CPA exam in Illinois. I have an undergraduate degree in Accounting that met all the accounting requirements. Link for MSITM Degree.

There are a ton of options out there, it is mostly a matter of determining what fits best with your situation. Education is one of the few things that can never been taken from you, so it's not something I would discourage.

[Ne’O]

Clarify if you want a MBA or MSA (Accountancy).
At my level of experience, I thought an Executive MBA at Wharton was beneath or behind me a bit.
Things changed and I needed a masters despite my level of work experience, yet I was sort of stranded in a place where the nearest
Masters of any repute was going to be a several hour drive each week.

At the time there weren't many schools doing online masters in Accountancy. I ended up doing SUNY-IT, now rebranded SUNY Polytech, and being very happy with most of the program. There were 2 weak teachers but also a half dozen ones as competent as any professors I have ever had. Most of the classes were a lot more educational and thought provoking than I anticipated- worth the money.

I see Post University now offers a masters in Accountancy. They did not when I started. I had to take several post bacc classes there to satisfy SUNY requirements. It was a better and more rigorous school than I would have thought, but seems to be growing and changing each year. I moderately recommend them, but from experience 5 or 6 years ago.

Ne'O

Newbie CPA Candidate

[Author]

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