Chances are, if you are searching for accounting master degrees with the best graduation rates, you understand that certain numbers can clearly communicate important information that aids those people paying attention in making the smart choice. A graduation rate can give prospective students a feel for a school’s academic culture and the difficulty of its programs, allowing them to calculate their own likelihood of successfully earning a degree there. Best Choice Schools were selected for this list because they are accredited schools with a high graduation rate that offer a degree in Accounting. Six of Alabama’s colleges and universities, including some of the nation’s top ranking schools, made the cut.
Auburn University
Raymond J. Harbert College of Business
At Auburn University, excellence is a proud tradition. Established in 1856 as the South’s first land-grant college, this distinguished institution has consistently appeared on U.S. News and World Report’s list of the nation’s 50 best public universities for nearly a quarter of a century. In 2014, the publication ranked it 40th among public universities in the United States. As one of the South’s largest universities, Auburn University is home to 13 schools and colleges and nearly 150 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Its Raymond J. Harbert College of Business, ranked 36th among undergraduate business colleges and 12th among online graduate programs by U.S. News and World Report, offers 13 undergraduate degree programs and 7 graduate degree programs.
Master of Accountancy
With one of the nation’s best pass rates for the Uniform CPA exam, Auburn University’s Master of Accountancy degree program polishes students’ communication, research and technical skills while further expanding their knowledge base. Students can choose between on-campus and online formats. On-campus participants have the chance to study abroad with their classmates and can complete the program in three semesters. Online students may complete the program full-time in three semesters or part-time in five semesters; a five-day on-campus residency is required during the final weeks of this non-thesis program. To receive their master’s degrees, students must earn 30 credits in graduate-level accounting coursework. When combined with a bachelor’s degree, this fulfills the education requirement for the Uniform CPA exam in most jurisdictions, including Alabama. After graduation, students will be prepared to seek accounting positions with various businesses, nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies.
Contact
251 South Donahue Drive
Auburn, AL 36849
Phone: 334-844-4000
amy.murphy@auburn.edu
Website
Graduation Rate: 68%
Columbia Southern University
College of Business
Created in 1993 to fill the need for alternatives to traditional university programs, Columbia Southern University was among the United States’ first totally online universities. A private institution with open enrollment, the university strives to make learning affordable and flexible, enabling even those with busy, unpredictable schedules to avail themselves of higher education and fulfill their maximum potential. The university offers a broad range of professional certifications and associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees through its three colleges: the College of Business, the College of Arts and Science, and the College of Safety and Emergency Services. Its College of Business combines a vibrant curriculum with the latest technology to offer programs in the areas of accounting, finance, sports management, marketing, international management, human resources, information technology, organizational leadership, public administration, healthcare, and hospitality and tourism.
Master of Business Administration in Finance
Designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to obtain, administer and manage organizational funding, the Master of Business Administration in Finance degree program at Columbia Southern University emphasizes research ability, practical skills and professional behaviors. In order to complete their master’s degrees, students must earn a total of 37 credits. This includes 25 credits in business core coursework covering topics like strategic management, advanced marketing, international business, management information systems and business ethics. The remaining 12 credits come from finance coursework in corporate finance, international business, international finance, and public budgeting. The program typically requires three years to complete and, when combined with a suitable bachelor’s degree, provides sufficient credits to meet the educational requirements for the Uniform CPA exam in most states. Graduates will be qualified to seek positions as accountants, auditors, and financial professionals in an assortment of business settings.
Contact
21982 University Lane
Orange Beach, AL 36561
Phone: 251-981-3771
accounting@columbiasouthern.edu
Website
Graduation Rate: 47%
Samford University
Brock School of Business
Ranked third in the South by U.S. News and World Report in 2014, Samford University is the state of Alabama’s highest-ranking university. Established in 1841, this private Christian institution has a long history of providing students with quality educational opportunities. It offered its first business and commerce degrees in 1922 and awarded Alabama’s first Master of Business Administration degrees in 1967. Today, its Brock School of Business offers top-notch undergraduate and graduate degree programs in areas like accounting, management information systems, administration, entrepreneurship, economics, marketing, management, finance, and qualitative analysis.
Master of Accountancy
Samford University’s Master of Accountancy degree program readies students for professions in today’s complex global business environment by honing their skills in communication, analysis, critical thinking, research, teamwork and interpersonal relations. The program also instills an understanding of ethical issues in accounting and a thorough comprehension of technical knowledge in the various areas of accounting, including financial, tax, managerial, nonprofit and governmental functions. To make the program more accessible to professionals already busy with full-time positions, it is offered online or with special evening and summer classes. To earn their master’s degrees, students must complete 30 credits of approved graduate-level coursework with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0. This coursework, which is made up of 24 accounting core credits and six business core credits, provides the additional credits needed to meet the educational requirements of the Uniform CPA exam in most areas.
Contact
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229
Phone: 205-726-2011
samfordbusiness@samford.edu
Website
Graduation Rate: 71%
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Collat School of Business
Originally an academic extension center, the University of Alabama at Birmingham in now one of three autonomous universities that comprise the University of Alabama System. The university’s twelve divisions offer nearly 150 programs resulting in undergraduate and graduate degrees. In 2014, its nationally recognized Collat School of Business has the distinction of being named to both U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Business Schools” and the Princeton Review’s “Best 295 Business School” lists. The school offers seven top-quality Bachelor of Science degree programs in the areas of accounting, information systems, industrial distribution, economics, finance, marketing and management. It also hosts two master’s degree programs in accountancy and business administration.
Master of Accountancy
Intended for people who already possess a strong foundational knowledge of accounting and business, the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Master of Accountancy degree program focuses on sharpening its participants’ technical, applied research, interpersonal and communication skills with the goal of better preparing them for accounting careers. Students may opt to take classes online, in the evening or in a blended format; some motivated undergraduate students can participate in this program through the university’s Fast-Track plan. This 30-credit program includes 21 credits in required coursework and 9 credits of electives. When combined with the credits tallied in an appropriate bachelor’s degree program, this master’s degree will meet the 150 credit education requirement for the Uniform CPA exam. After completing their master’s degrees, students will be prepared to pursue professional positions as accountants, auditors, consultants and financial officers in public, private and nonprofit entities.
Contact
1720 2nd Ave South
Birmingham, AL 35233
Phone: 205-934-4011
lcowart@uab.edu
Website
Graduation Rate: 48%
University of Alabama at Huntsville
College of Business Administration
Another member of the University of Alabama System, the University of Alabama at Huntsville is found near the southern edge of the Appalachian Mountains. The university, which offers over 60 degree programs resulting in bachelor’s and master’s degrees through it five colleges, strongly emphasizes experiential learning. By involving students in role playing, projects with local companies, co-op jobs and internships, the university highlights the intersection between theory and practice and launches students into the real world experience, giving them a competitive edge after graduation. Named to U.S. News and World Report’s list of “Best Business Schools,” the respected School of Business Administration stresses critical thinking and pragmatic problem solving with academically rigorous curriculums that focus on the application of knowledge and skills in traditional, technical and scientific business environments.
Master of Accountancy
The Master of Accountancy degree program at the University of Alabama at Huntsville uses an academically challenging curriculum to prepare students for both the Uniform CPA exam and career success in the areas of management accounting, assurance, budget analysis, tax accounting, financial reporting and federal contract accounting. Allowing students to tailor their education to best suit their career goals, this program allows them to choose between four areas of emphasis: CPA preparation, assurance and financial reporting, information systems audit and control, and taxation. To earn their master’s degrees, students are generally required to complete 33 credits, including 18 credits of graduate-level accounting coursework. A thesis option, which requires 30 credits, is also available. After completing their degrees, students will be prepared to sit for the Uniform CPA exam and to embark on professional accounting careers with public and private businesses, nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies at the local, state and federal levels.
Contact
301 Sparkman Drive
Huntsville, AL 35805
Phone: 256-824-1001
gradbiz@uah.edu
Website
Graduation Rate: 47%
University of Mobile
School of Business
Ranked 27th in the South by U.S. News and World Report, the University of Mobile is one of the country’s top Christian universities. Affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention, the university integrates personal growth, Biblical and spiritual awareness, and the pursuit of knowledge into rigorous academic programs with the goal of preparing students to be conscientious global citizens. Its six divisions offer undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programs in more than 40 areas on a picturesque 880 acre campus. Guided by Christian values, the School of Business endeavors to prepare students for professional success in a global environment by building a strong business foundation that includes practical applications, leadership opportunities and service experience.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Master of Business Administration (integrated degree program)
Rather than offering a Master of Accountancy program, the University of Mobile provides students with the opportunity to earn both their Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business administration degree in a five-year integrated program. With a focus on experiential learning, students develop the skills and knowledge necessary for success in public and private accounting. Students spend three years completing 113 credits at the undergraduate level. The remaining two years, they complete 39 credits of graduate-level coursework to finish fulfilling the requirements for their bachelor’s degree and to meet the requirements for their master’s degree. Students must successfully complete an oral and written comprehensive exam to finish the program. The 151 credits earned while completing these two degrees satisfies the educational requirement for the Uniform CPA exam in Alabama and most other jurisdictions. After graduating, students will be well prepared to seek a variety of accounting positions with churches, private businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
Contact
5735 College Parkway
Mobile, AL 36613
Phone: 251-675-5990
kdunning@mobile.edu
Website
Graduation Rate: 43%
With nationally recognized colleges and universities that boast top-notch business programs, Alabama is a state sure to catch the eye of many prospective college students. For people interested in a profession that is devoted to analyzing numbers and using the information gained to guide decision-making, it just makes sense to look for the accounting master degrees with the best graduation rates when contemplating which program is the best fit.
For more information on getting your degree, please see The 20 Most Affordable Colleges with High Four-year Graduation Rates.
