Accountancy and Analytics (MS)
This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2026-Spring 2027 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.
Master of Science in Accountancy and Analytics
Unit: College of Business (GB)
Department: Accountancy
Academic Plan Code(s): ACANMS
Program Information
The Master of Science in Accountancy and Analytics (MSAA) is a full-time, accelerated, cohort-based 13-month, three-semester program that includes courses in managerial analytics. The program is STEM-designated and students work both collaboratively and independently, and the program is delivered in close collaboration with accounting practitioners, oversight organizations, and local business partners.
The MSAA develops a broad professional toolkit by equipping graduates with advanced technical accounting knowledge grounded in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), preparing graduates for leadership roles in accounting and related fields, and providing functional knowledge of data science from a managerial perspective. The curriculum emphasizes the effective communication of data-driven insights, including data visualization and data storytelling, to support managerial and strategic decision-making.
Preparation for professional certification exams is not the primary objective of graduate education, and the MSAA is not structured solely as an exam-preparation program. The program is aligned with the content areas of the CPA Exam and helps students meet the educational requirements to sit for the CPA licensure exam in the Commonwealth of Kentucky; requirements may vary by jurisdiction. While the program includes Becker CPA Exam Preparation for academic credit, students are not required to sit for any portion of the CPA exam while enrolled. In most jurisdictions, licensure requires a combination of education, examination, and relevant professional experience.
Admission Requirements
- Completion of a graduate application along with application fee
- Provision of two letters of reference, a resume, and a personal statement
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and submission of official transcripts. Applicants without an undergraduate degree in accounting or equivalent accounting coursework are subject to additional review.
-
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (Optional)
International Applicants
We welcome international applicants. Please be aware there are documents required in addition to the above list. Visit the graduate admissions page of the College of Business website and open the International Applicant Checklist.
Program Requirements (typical course sequencing)
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| MAC 610 | Commercial Law for Professional Accountants | 3 |
| MAC 620 | Advanced Audit and Assurance Services | 3 |
| MAC 640 | CPA Preparation and Review AUD | 1 |
| MAC 660 | Financial Statement Analysis | 3 |
| MAC 668 | Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| ANLY 610 | Database | 1.5 |
| ANLY 625 | Spreadsheet Modeling for Analytics | 1.5 |
| MAC 622 | Advanced Accounting Information Systems | 3 |
| MAC 626 | Advanced Corporate Financial Reporting | 3 |
| MAC 632 | Leadership | 1.5 |
| MAC 642 | CPA Exam Preparation REG | 1 |
| MAC 644 | CPA Exam Preparation BEC | 1 |
| Hours | 12.5 | |
| Summer | ||
| ANLY 615 | Predictive Modeling through Machine Learning | 1.5 |
| ANLY 620 | Advanced Business Analytics | 1.5 |
| ANLY 630 | Blockchain | 1.5 |
| ANLY 635 | Storytelling with Data | 1.5 |
| MAC 646 | CPA Preparation and Review FAR | 1 |
| MAC 680 | Capstone Project I | 1.5 |
| Hours | 8.5 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 34 | |
The Master of Accountancy and Analytics program prepares students to meet the requirements for certification and/or licensure. If you plan to pursue professional licensure or certification you should first determine your state’s criteria for examination and licensure to see how/if our program meets those requirements prior to enrollment. We recommend that you also contact your state’s licensing board directly to verify that the requirements have not changed recently and to answer any questions especially those regarding additional requirements beyond the degree.
More information about certification or licensure is available at the following website: https://louisville.edu/about/departments/academic-planning-accountability/disclosures/professional-licensure.
For programs with an online option, more information about certification or licensure is available here:
https://online.louisville.edu/resources/compliance/license.