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 ethics, 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 (2023)
$73,000
Median Salary (2023)
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.
Targeted Majors and Concentrations
Be on the leading edge of modern accounting with a STEM-designated major in Data Analytics, or choose our Traditional MSA path. Further specialize your skillset with a concentration in either Tax Services or Data Analytics, with the opportunity to add a second concentration in Deal and Advisory to excel in mergers and acquisitions. The role of today’s accountant is evolving and is in need of the next generation of accounting 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.
Hear From Our Students
Learn more about the student experience from current MSA candidates:
Accounting Immersion Program
MSA Class Profile – Class of 2024
68
Total Students
51%
Female Students
13%
Domestic Minority Students
10
Non-accounting Bachelor Degrees
19%
International Students
46
Undergraduate Institutions Represented
Career Development
Career Development 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 2023 graduates have started their careers at the following companies
- Andersen Tax
- Baker Tilly
- BDO
- Crowe Horwath LLP
- Deloitte
- EY
- General Motors
- Goldman Sachs
- Grant Thornton
- KPMG
- PwC
- RSM US LLP
- TM Financial Forensics
100% of MSA Class of 2023 graduates accepted fill-time offers within six months of graduation with a $73,000 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.
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.
Round | Application Deadline | Decision Release | Confirmation Deadline (typically 30 days) |
---|---|---|---|
Early Action | Sept. 5, 2024 | Oct. 18, 2024 | Nov. 18, 2024 |
Round 1 | Oct. 15, 2024 | Dec. 13, 2024 | Jan. 13, 2025 |
Round 2 | Jan. 7, 2025 | Mar. 14, 2025 | Apr. 15, 2025 |
Round 3 | Mar. 17, 2025 | May 2, 2025 | Jun. 2, 2025 |
Spring Applicants
Spring 2025 applicants need to apply by October 15 to allow for processing before January.
AIP Applicants
Accounting Immersion Program candidates are required to submit their application and all supporting credentials by March 17.
International Applicants
International candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by January 7, 2024, 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)
- Audit & Assurance Services
- Federal Taxation
Are you missing prerequisite courses? No problem! Complete them the summer before the program starts with the Accounting Immersion Program.
Tuition & Aid
Tuition for the 2024-2025 MSA program is $51,710.
All qualified candidates, regardless of citizenship, have the opportunity to receive merit-based scholarships. To be considered, please ensure you complete the scholarship section of the application before submission.
Decisions on merit-based MSA scholarships will be provided at the time of admission.
MSA Voices
Hear from the M.S. in Accountancy community featuring insights about life as a student, experiences that shape your Mendoza journey, and the impact a Notre Dame MSA can have on your career.
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
Register for an Upcoming Campus 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: