Accounting

Students seeking degrees in accounting can pursue the Bachelor of Business Administration degree (B.B.A.) with a professional specialization in accounting (see the “Business Administration” section of the catalog). Additionally, there are two alternative paths to a Master of Accountancy degree (MAcy) which will qualify graduates to take the Certified Public Accountancy (CPA) exam. The mission of TLU’s MAcy program is to prepare students for successful accounting and passing the CPA exam. The program focuses on the development of technical knowledge and professional skills to facilitate graduates’ ability to make professional judgments, to communicate effectively and to make ethical decisions.

Professional Program with Concurrent Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

Students currently enrolled and pursuing the B.B.A. with an accounting specialization can apply for admission to the Master of Accountancy (MAcy) program. In this program, both the B.B.A. and the MAcy are granted simultaneously at the completion of the program.

Admission to the Professional Program with concurrent Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

Students currently enrolled and pursuing a B.B.A. with an accounting specialization may apply for admission to the Master of Accountancy (MAcy) program. In this program, both the B.B.A. and the MAcy are granted simultaneously upon completion of the program. The program has been designed to meet the requirements of the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) to sit for the CPA examination.

Application occurs during the second semester of a student’s junior year. The student’s application file will be reviewed by a faculty admission committee to determine suitability for the program. Criteria for admission are:

Be a declared accounting major
Have completed a minimum of 6 semester credit hours of upper level undergraduate accounting including Intermediate Accounting 1
Have a minimum GPA of 3.00 in accounting coursework and in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work
Have a grade of at least a “C” in Intermediate Accounting

Application for admission to the MAcy program is made to the Office of Admissions. Materials needed to complete one’s application file include:

A concurrent graduate student application provided by the Office of Admissions
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended NOT listed on the TLU transcript
Letter providing additional information to be considered by the admissions committee (optional)

Satisfactory GMAT scores taken within the last five years and recommendation letters may be requested at the discretion of the admissions committee.

A maximum of six graduate credit hours may be transferred from other regionally accredited universities.

Direct Admission to MAcy program

Applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university may apply for admission to the MAcy program. The program has been designed to meet the requirements of the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination.

Students applying for direct admission will need to meet the following criteria to be considered for admission:

Have completed a minimum of 6 semester credit hours of upper-level undergraduate accounting, including Intermediate Accounting I
Have a minimum GPA of 3.00 in accounting coursework
Have a grade of at least a “C” or better in Intermediate Accounting

Application includes:

TLU Application completed at apply.tlu.edu
Official transcripts from all universities attended
Supplemental Program Form: This includes an essay on your professional goals
Graduate Addendum Form
Letter providing additional information to be considered by the admissions committee (optional)

Satisfactory GMAT scores taken within the last five years and recommendation letters may be requested at the discretion of the admissions committee.

Applicants are evaluated by the MAcy admissions committee. All materials should be submitted to the TLU Office of Admissions.

Master of Accountancy Degree Requirements

Students must complete the requirements listed for the B.B.A degree in business administration (professional specialization in accounting). In addition, students must also take the graduate courses listed below. No graduate course in which a grade of less than “C” (below 2.0 on a 4.0 scale) is earned may be applied toward completion of the graduate degree in accounting.

Advanced Accounting (ACCT 533 ), Accounting Theory & Research (ACCT 536 ), Contemporary Accounting Topics (ACCT 537 ), Advanced Financial Reporting (ACCT 538 ), 18 additional graduate hours (12 hours of which must be in accounting (ACCT) and 6 hours may be in business, economics or accounting).

Applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university may apply for admission to the MAcy program. If the applicant’s bachelor’s degree is not equivalent to a B.B.A. in accounting, the applicant must complete certain additional courses. In some circumstances, other courses may be necessary to meet CPA exam eligibility requirements. No graduate course in which a grade of less than “C” (below 2.0 on a 4.0 scale) is earned may be applied toward completion of the graduate degree in accounting.

The following courses or their equivalents are required for students with undergraduate deficiencies:

Principles of Accounting I and II (BUSI 231 -BUSI 232 ), Accounting Information Systems (BUSI 332 ), Intermediate Accounting I and II (BUSI 343 -BUSI 334 ), Individual Income Tax (BUSI 336 ), Auditing Principles (BUSI 478 ), Business Law (BUSI 335 or BUSI 339 ), Principles of Marketing (BUSI 337 ), Principles of Management (BUSI 373 ), Business Finance (BUSI 377 ), Information Systems (ISYS 231 ), Principles of Economics (ECON 237 ), Statistics or Quantitative Methods.

Students must also complete the following master’s program requirements:

Academic Probation

An accounting graduate student is placed on academic probation from the graduate program if the student has a cumulative graduate grade point average below 3.0 or if the student has a grade of “D” or “F” in any graduate accounting class. The student will be removed from academic probation at the conclusion of the next term of study (probationary semester) if the student has achieved a cumulative graduate GPA of at least 3.0 without a “D” or “F” in any graduate class.

Academic Dismissal

A graduate accounting student on academic probation will be dismissed from the graduate program if the student fails to achieve a cumulative graduate GPA of at least 3.0 at the conclusion of the probationary semester.

Appeal Procedures

Students who are dismissed from TLU’s graduate accounting program may appeal the dismissal to the Master of Accountancy Admissions Committee, whose decision is final. The written statement of appeal should detail the reasons why circumstances of the case warrant special consideration. If the appeal is denied, one semester must elapse before students may apply for readmission.

Readmission

A student who withdrew from the graduate accounting program or who was dismissed from the program may reapply under the current catalog. Readmission is not guaranteed and is considered on a case-by-case basis by the MAcy admissions committee.

Programs

Graduate Programs

Master of Accountacy, MAcy

Courses

Accounting