Axe ’Em, Jacks!
MPA
An advanced degree in accounting
As a student in the Master of Professional Accountancy (M.P.A.) degree program, you’ll gain advanced accounting training that can prepare you for a successful accounting career in a variety of settings, from corporations and accounting firms to government entities and nonprofit organizations.
The M.P.A. program is open to students of all educational backgrounds, and it provides a solid foundation for students entering the program without a background in business.
Prepare for the CPA exam
Many students who pursue an M.P.A. degree at SFA are planning a career in accounting and go on to take the CPA exam. The 36-hour M.P.A. program fulfills all of the eligibility requirements for the CPA exam, and students who complete the program are 100% qualified to take the exam upon graduation.
A useful degree for non-business majors
Some students choose to pair the M.P.A. degree with an undergraduate degree in an area outside of business and finance. The advanced accounting knowledge gained in the program has a wide range of applications beyond accounting, and many M.P.A. graduates find satisfying careers in industries like health care, education, government and nonprofit.
Graduate program requirements
Students with a non-business background
Students who enter the program with a non-business undergraduate degree must complete the following courses or their equivalents:
- ACC 231, 231, 331, 332, 333, 343, 437 and 465
- ECO 231 or 232
- FIN 333
- MTH 220 or ECO 339
With departmental approval, one or more of these foundation course requirements may be waived on a case-by-case basis. Waivers are granted based on the applicant’s educational and professional background.
All M.P.A. students
All M.P.A. students are required to complete 36 hours of graduate-level coursework. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for all graduate coursework. All classes must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher, and no more than two “C” grades will be counted toward the degree requirements.
How to apply
An undergraduate degree in business or finance is not required for admission to SFA’s M.P.A. program. Students with a degree in any field can apply, as long as they meet the program’s admissions requirements.
To be considered for admission, M.P.A. applicants must fill out and submit an application, plus their GMAT scores and official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. A GMAT score of 420 is required for admission. You can apply for a waiver for the GMAT requirement if you meet one of the following requirements:
- You have a GPA of 3.5 or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university
- You have more than 3 years of professional management experience
International students must submit TOEFL scores in addition to GMAT scores. Applicants must score a minimum of 213 on the computer-based test; 80 on the Internet-based test; or 550 on the paper-based test.
The 5-year integrated M.P.A.
If you’re an undergraduate student interested in an accounting-focused career path with opportunities for advancement and earning potential, this unique degree is a perfect fit. When you complete this 5-year, 156-credit program, you’ll graduate with two degrees:
- A Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A)
- A Master of Professional Accountancy (M.P.A)
Graduate 100% qualified for the CPA exam
SFA’s 5-year integrated B.B.A./M.P.A. program satisfies the requirements of the 1999 Public Accountancy Act, which mandates that students complete 156 hours of coursework before taking the CPA exam. The integrated program ensures that, when you graduate, you will be fully qualified to sit for the CPA exam in Texas.
5-year program requirements
Integrated B.B.A./M.P.A. coursework
Students enrolled in the 5-year B.B.A./M.P.A. program complete 156 hours of coursework, comprising undergraduate business and accounting courses as well as graduate-level accounting courses.
Program requirements include:
- 48 hours of general undergraduate courses
- 39 hours of undergraduate business courses
- 33 hours of undergraduate accounting courses
- 21 hours of general graduate courses
- 21 hours of graduate accounting courses
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required on all graduate-level work.
How to apply
Students in the 5-year B.B.A./M.P.A. program must be accepted to SFA’s graduate school before enrolling in any graduate-level courses. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 is required for admission to the graduate portion of the program.
Students with a GPA below 3.5 will be required to submit GMAT scores as part of the application process. If you need to submit GMAT scores, you should plan to take the exam during the first semester of your senior year.