Accountancy (MSA)
Top-ranked MSA degree. Top-ranked career.
The Public Accounting Report credits Notre Dame as having one of the top four Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) and Master of Accounting (MAcc) programs in the nation. Known for its quality, rigor and focus on ethicsm, our program will help you grow the good in business and yourself. What’s more, with a flexible curriculum loaded with electives, you can customize your learning experience to best suite your needs.
Start Date
Mid-August OR January
100% Accepted Job Offers
within 6 months of graduation (2022)
#2 Alumni Effectiveness
The Economist (2022)
What You’ll Learn
One academic year — that’s two semesters and 30 total credit hours — is all it takes to receive a Notre Dame MSA degree and change the trajectory of your career forever.

Add Analytics to Your Accounting Toolkit
Be on the leading edge of modern accounting by adding a STEM-designated concentration in data analytics to your studies. The role of today’s accountant is evolving and needs qualified professionals to lead the way.

Flexible Curriculum
Notre Dame's MSA curriculum is comprised of 60 percent elective courses, affording students the opportunity to pursue their interests while also meeting the requirements for graduation. Whether you want to dive into additional accounting courses, take a finance course alongside our MBA students, or hone in on your analytical framework, our flexible curriculum will provide you with the necessary skills to launch your career.

Grow the Good
At Notre Dame, one of the first things you’ll learn is that being ethical and being profitable are not mutually exclusive. Here we ask more of business by challenging our students to become ethical leaders who make decisions for the greater good.
Choose a Track Tailored to Your Career Goals
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- The Assurance and Advisory Services track will prepare you for a career in public accounting, corporate finance or with a financial institution.
- The Tax Services track will prepare you for a career with a public accounting firm, business enterprise or governmental agency.
In either track, you have the opportunity to add a STEM-designated concentration in Data Analytics to your studies to prepare you for an analytical accounting career.

Hear From Our Students
Learn more about the student experience from current MSA candidates:
Accounting Immersion Program
Missing the prerequisites needed for the MSA program? Complete them the summer before the program starts with the Accounting Immersion Program (AIP).
Designed for non-accounting majors, this program equips you with core accounting knowledge, so you’re ready to start a successful accounting career.
MSA Class Profile – Class of 2023
84
Total Students
44%
Female Students
12%
Domestic Minority Students
3.64
Mean GPA
15%
International Students
64
Undergraduate Institutions Represented
Career Development
Career Services provides a CPA academic adviser and one-on-one career coaching connecting you with unparalleled networking and job opportunities you won’t find anywhere else. Historically, more than 80% of our MSA students accepted employment offers with one of the Big Four accounting firms. Other graduates accepted opportunities with a variety of firms or chose to pursue further education. All of them were prepared to do exactly what they wanted upon graduation.
MSA Class of 2022 graduates have started their careers at the following companies
- Andersen Tax
- BDO
- Deloitte
- Eide Bailly
- EY
- Grant Thornton
- KPMG
- PwC
- Workiva
100% of MSA Class of 2022 graduates accepted fill-time offers within six months of graduation with a $66,000 average base salary.
The MSA program has a designated Faculty CPA Advisor on hand to assist you in selecting courses that are right for certification in your state.
The connection among MSA students doesn’t end at commencement. You’ll find that your peers and classmates become your professional support network and your lifelong friends.
The MS in Accountancy Association, Beta Alpha Psi and the renowned Notre Dame alumni network present a wide range of professional networking opportunities.
Join a Community Committed to Your Success.
With the help of one-on-one career coaching, 100% of our graduates secured employment within six months of graduation.

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Student Life
MSA students are passionate about more than just accounting, and their interests extend beyond relentless career preparation. Rest assured, there’s a vibrant student life at Notre Dame waiting for your distinctive contributions.
As an MSA student, you will have the opportunity to:
- Participate in a variety of clubs, recreational sports and honor societies, such as Beta Alpha Psi and the MS in Accountancy Student Association (MSASA).
- Serve with Habitat for Humanity, the Tax Assistance Program (which provides free income tax services to low-income families) or tutor and mentor students at local schools.
- Attend a Notre Dame Graduate Alumni tailgate and mix with alumni, professors and recruiters in a casual setting, then watch the game from the graduate student section at Notre Dame Stadium.
Our Community
You will be challenged by world-class faculty and inspired by accomplished alumni. You will collaborate with students from a wide range of personal and professional backgrounds.

Alumnus "The combination of Notre Dame’s academic reputation and being a Catholic University made the decision simple for me. It was a great privilege to study and receive a degree from Notre Dame."

Alumna "During my career, I always knew I'd be able to achieve what I want and Big Four accounting was what I wanted. Notre Dame helped me shorten the process of getting there."

Student "I chose Notre Dame because of the countless opportunities available to students inside and outside of the classroom, as well as the outstanding alumni network. Being a student in the MSA program has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth and has brought me lifelong friendships. I feel blessed to be a member of the ND family!"
Admission
The next step you take in your academic and professional life could be the one that accelerates your career, lifts your organization to the next level and changes the way you see the world. Students can start the program in either the Spring or Fall semester, but keep in mind the following dates.
GMAT/GRE Waivers
Notre Dame’s MSA program does not require the GMAT® for students who have or are expected to have an undergraduate degree from a U.S. college or university prior to enrollment. Applicants from colleges and universities outside the U.S. are required to submit a valid GMAT® score or apply for a GMAT waiver. The GMAT waiver may be approved for students who have demonstrated quantitative and academic readiness. To be eligible for a test score waiver, you must first submit an application.
An approved GMAT waiver is not an admission decision or an indication of an admission decision.
Application Deadlines
Round | Deadline | Virtual Interview Dates | Decision Release |
---|---|---|---|
Early Decision | Sept. 13, 2022 | Oct. 5-6, 2022 Oct. 11-12, 2022 | Nov. 4, 2022 |
1 | Nov. 1, 2022 | Nov. 16-17, 2022 Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2022 | Dec. 16, 2022 |
2 | Jan. 10, 2023 | Jan. 31-Feb. 1, 2023 Feb. 14-15, 2023 | Mar. 17, 2023 |
3 | Mar. 14, 2023 | Mar. 28-29, 2023 Apr. 4-5, 2023 | Apr. 28, 2023 |
4 | May 2, 2023 | May 16-17, 2023 | Jun. 2, 2023 |
Spring Applicants
Spring 2023 applicants need to apply by Nov. 1 to allow for processing before January.
AIP Applicants
Accounting Immersion Program candidates are required to submit their application and all supporting credentials by March 14.
International Applicants
International candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by January 10, 2023, to allow time for visa paperwork and processing.
MSA Prerequisites
The following prerequisite coursework is required by applicants to the program:
- Accountancy I (Financial Accounting)
- Accountancy II (Managerial Accounting)
- Measurement and Disclosure I (Intermediate Accounting I)
- Measurement and Disclosure II (Intermediate Accounting II)
- Strategic Cost Management (Cost Accounting)
- Audit & Assurance Services
- Federal Taxation
Need accounting core classes or missing prerequisites? Complete them the summer before the program starts with the Accounting Immersion Program.
Tuition & Aid
Tuition for the 2023-2024 MSA program is $49,720.
Decisions on merit-based MSA fellowships will be provided at the time of admission. A fellowship evaluation is completed in conjunction with the admissions decision with no extra paperwork required. Be sure to check the box on the application to be considered for a fellowship.
Visit Us
When considering a decision as important as where to pursue your master’s degree, a campus visit will help give you the insight you need to make the right choice.
It’s a chance for you to get to know Notre Dame and for us to get to know you.
Our students tell us that visiting the campus greatly impacted their decision to attend Notre Dame. Your visit can include:
- Connecting with the admissions team
- A tour of the Mendoza College of Business
- A University of Notre Dame campus tour
Contact msa.business@nd.edu to schedule a time for you to visit.
Let’s get to know each other.
There are a number of ways to learn more about the MSA program—and for us to get to know you better. Start now by introducing yourself.
Events
Webinars & Information Sessions
Throughout the year, our admissions team and current students offer webinars, information sessions, and Q&A opportunities to help you understand our community and the opportunities the MSA program offers.
Request Information
Ready to learn more? Tell us about yourself: