MSA Curriculum
We can pack a top MSA program into one year.
One academic year—that’s two semesters and 30 total credit hours—is all it takes to receive a degree from a top ranked Master’s in Accountancy program and accelerate your career path. Whether you’re interested in public accounting, corporate finance, or working for a government agency, there’s a path for you in the MSA program at Notre Dame.
M.S. in Accountancy candidates will first select one of two majors:
- Traditional MSA: the traditional MSA provides the most flexibility, allowing you to build on your foundational MSA courses with your choice of electives.
- Data Analytics (STEM-designated): the MSA Data Analytics Major provides candidates with a deeper knowledge of the in-demand skillset of data analytics.
After selecting a major, MSA candidates enter one of two concentration options:
- Assurance and Advisory: ideal for those preparing for a career in public accounting, consulting, corporate finance, or with financial institutions.
- Tax: designed to prepare students for careers with public accounting firms, business enterprises, and governmental agencies.
After selecting either the Assurance and Advisory or Tax concentration, MSA candidates have the opportunity to add an optional Deal Advisory concentration.
- Deal Advisory: ideal for those preparing for a career in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and corporate restructuring.
MSA Major & Concentration Requirements
Students will complete 8 credit hours from the following courses:
- Data Exploration & Visualization
- Accounting Data Management
- Spreadsheet Analytics and Statistics
- Accounting Analytics with Python
- Fraud and Audit Analytics
Students will complete the following courses:
- Advanced Assurance Services
- Analysis and Valuation Using Financial Statements
- Taxes and Business Strategy
- Topics in Accounting Measurement and Disclosure
Students will complete the following courses:
- Taxes and Business Strategy
- Partnerships and Passive Activities
- Tax Research
- Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders
Students will complete 8 credit hours from the following courses:
- Taxes and Business Strategy
- Analysis and Valuation using Financial Statements (for Tax Services students only)
- Accounting for Mergers & Acquisitions
- Taxation of Corporations and S/H (for Assurance and Advisory students only)
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Mergers & Acquisitions Practicum
- Financing the Corporation
- Financial Policy
- Bond Issue Process
MSA Electives
In addition to your major and concentration requirements, students have the option to select from a diverse array of electives in order to meet the requirement of 30 credit hours.
The table below outlines the electives you can select from based on your chosen primary concentration.
| Assurance and Advisory Concentration | Tax Services Concentration | |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements | 12 Credits | 11 Credits |
| Accountancy Electives | 2 Credits | - |
| Tax Electives | - | 3 Credits |
| Analytics & Finance Electives | 2 Credits | 2 Credits |
| Communication Electives | 2 Credits | 2 Credits |
| General Electives | 12+ Credits | 12+ Credits |
Students will complete 2 credit hours of the following Accountancy Electives:
- Accounting for Mergers & Acquisitions
- Fraud & Audit Analytics
- Ethics in Accounting
- Accounting for Income Taxes
- Academic Research in Accounting
- Corporate Sustainability Reporting
Students will complete 3 credit hours of the following Tax Electives:
- International Taxation
- State & Local Taxation
- Ethics in Tax
- Accounting for Income Taxes
- Tax Assistance Program (TAP)
Students will complete 2 credits from the following Analytics and Finance Electives:
- Data Exploration & Visualization
- Accounting Data Management
- Data Analytics in Accounting
- Advanced Accounting Analytics
- Fraud and Audit Analytics
- Business Forecasting
- Behavioral Finance
- Bond Issue Process
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Mergers and Acquisitions Practicum
- Financial Policy
- Financing the Corporation
- Fixed Income Securities I
- Equity Valuation
- Strategic Finance & Valuation
- Options & Futures
- Applied Investment Management
- Investments
- Multinational Financial Management
- Options and Futures
- Private Equity
- Real Estate Finance
- Real Estate Development Process
- Real Estate Fundamentals
- Real Estate Valuation and Income Property Investments
- Working Capital Management
Students will complete 2 credits from the following Communication Electives:
- Strategic Writing
- Advanced Speaking for Business
- Change Communication
- Negotiation
- Corporate Communication
- Strategic Leadership Communication
In addition, those interested in pursuing a PhD may participate in a 3 credit hour Academic Research in Accounting course.
Students may use any of the following options to help fulfill the 30 credit-hour requirement for the Notre Dame MSA:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Accounting
- Business Law: Property & Neg. Instr.
- Tax Research
- Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders
- Partnership & Passive Activities
- Intro International Taxation
- State & Local Taxation
- Tax – International Individuals
- Entrepreneurship
- International Management
- Launching New Ventures
- Innovations in Healthcare
Please note: Our curriculum is always evolving to reflect industry standards, student feedback, and market trends. Consequently, specific classes and content may be subject to change.
If this is the program for you but you need more course prep, our Accounting Immersion Program will get you ready for the Master of Science in Accountancy.