If you earned a bachelor’s degree, but didn’t do as well as you would’ve liked, you can still apply to an online master’s in accounting (MAcc) low GPA programs .
At these universities, hitting the 3.0 mark on your GPA may not be an issue for getting in. Discover some partner programs below, learn about the master’s in accounting at each school, and discover how to apply.
In order to meet the needs of all students, there are both on-campus and online Master’s in Accounting low GPA programs. Some of our sponsored programs include:
- Northcentral University (online)
- Utica College (online, New York)
- Seton Hall University (online, New Jersey)
- Seton Hall University
- Villanova University (online, Villanova PA)
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (online)
- St. John’s University (online)
What is a Low GPA for a Master’s in Accounting?
Many accounting master’s programs look for those who earned their bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA. Often, anything less than that may be considered low. At the following partner grad schools, the minimum acceptable GPA usually ranges from 2.75 to 2.80 on a scale of 4.0.
If your overall GPA is below 2.75, some programs offer provisional acceptance, where you have to meet certain requirements to earn full-time status.
It is worth noting that some universities do not mention specific GPA scores as part of their admissions requirements. As such, it is suggested that if you have any questions that you direct them to an admission’s counselor at each school before applying.
Types of Master’s in Accounting Programs
In addition, many of these schools offer part-time programs as well to allow you the option to earn your degree at your pace. Some schools may offer accelerated or one-year programs as well, but you should check with each school individually.
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7 Accounting Masters Programs with Low GPA Requirements
The sponsored programs listed below all accept students with low GPAs while earning an undergraduate degree. In addition, several of the Accounting Masters programs below match their curriculum to professional certification requirements and exams, such as:
- Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Exam
- Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Exam
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Exam
If one or more of these certifications are your goal, make sure your program’s curriculum aligns before applying.
GPA Requirement: No Minimum Listed
Northcentral’s Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program makes use of the Wiley CPAexel® Platinum exam prep. One of its assets is the 100% online format, which may help those with full-time jobs prepare for CPA certification without having to relocate.
Students may build accounting, auditing, and tax skills to better grasp today’s regulatory environment. In tandem, Northcentral’s curriculum highlights related business functions through topics such as:
- Cost accounting
- Budget control
- Reporting procedures
2. Utica College
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Utica’s College Online MBA or Online Executive Master of Science in Financial Crime and Compliance Management analyzes key concepts and current research in pursuing economic criminals. The program is multi-faceted and exposes students to the complex regulatory environment.
Graduates may build skills in the areas of:
- Management
- Information security
- Compliance
- Analytics
For management-minded students, Utica also offers an MBA in Finance and Accounting. The accounting component intends to prepare students to take the CPA exam (New York State). It also fulfills the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) requirements for new members.
GPA Requirement: 3.33
Seton Hall’s Master of Science in Accounting program is offered on campus and online in both full-time (12 months) and part-time (2-year) formats. It is tailored for the person without a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
The program’s core courses examine topics such as accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting. These fulfill the educational requirements to be eligible to sit for CPA, CIA, and CMA exams. Seton Hall also offers a variety of electives, which include:
- Forensic accounting
- Not-for-profit accounting
- Tax problems of Partners and Partnerships
5. Villanova University
GPA Requirement: No Minimum Listed
LLM in Taxation
Villanova offers a Master of Laws in Taxation (LLM) through the Charles Widger School of Law. The 24-credit program examines taxation from both accounting and legal points of view.
One of the potential benefits is that students may take one course at a time and still complete their degree in under two years.
In contrast, their Master of Taxation (MT) degree is a 30-credit program. It stresses real-world education and professional responsibility in tax practice. The MT curriculum is also responsive to changes in the field. Students choose electives on top of core topics from options that include:
- Survey of tax
- Professional responsibilities in tax and research & writing
- Taxation of corporations and shareholders
- Partnership taxation
Both the LLM and MT degrees are offered online at Villanova.
GPA Requirement: No Minimum Listed
Saint Mary’s Master of Science in Accountancy online (MSA) program is more than technical. It aims to ready grads with soft skills through courses such as:
- Leadership
- Financial communication
- Strategic management
- Ethics
Their online MSA also helps fulfill the 150 credits required to become a CPA and prepare for the CPA and CMA exams.
7. St. John’s University
GPA Requirement: No Minimum Listed
St. John’s University offers an MBA with a technical focus in taxation. The program is not intended to ready students for the CPA exam in New York. Instead, the curriculum analyzes expert taxation and decision skills for corporate management.
Students also have the choice to earn their MBA online or on campus. In addition, an online Master of Science in Taxation is also available.
For those who want to prepare for the CPA exam, St. John’s MSA program may be the answer. Also available online and at the Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island campuses, students in this program examine a professional curriculum (tax, accounting, auditing). Plus, there is a wide selection of electives to choose from, such as:
- Enterprise resource planning
- Fraud examination
- Financial statement analysis
- Business valuations
- Investment company accounting, reporting, and audit
- Sustainability accounting
DID YOU KNOW?
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), accountants and auditors who have earned professional recognition, such as certification, including the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential, and those who have a master’s degree, should have the best job prospects.
Even if you had a low undergraduate GPA, the sponsored listings above show that there are plenty of options available to you.
And, while every school has different admissions requirements, and you should check with each school before applying, the most common include:
- Completed application and application fee (if applicable)
- Professional resume
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- GRE and GMAT scores
Depending on the school, the GMAT or GRE may be optional, as well as the specific number of letters of recommendation. However, some universities do recommend that you submit standardized test scores, especially if you have a non-technical background or an undergraduate GPA lower than 3.0.
Apply to Master’s in Accounting Low GPA Programs Today
Don’t let a low undergraduate GPA stand in the way of pursuing a master’s in accounting! Click any of the links above to learn about a specific program.
Or, complete the form on this page and we’ll match you to the perfect program for you.
