MAcc Admissions

Admission Criteria

In order to pursue a program leading to an advanced degree, you should meet the criteria for both the University of Nevada, Reno Graduate School and the ACC & IS Department MAcc program. 

Graduate School Requirements:

  1. Grade Point Average of 2.75 on a scale of 4.0, or an average of 3.0 or higher for the courses taken during the last half of the undergraduate program.
  2. A baccalaureate (or an advanced) degree from an accredited four-year institution; any major is acceptable.

ACC/IS Department MAcc Requirements:

  1. Completion of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) with a minimum score of 500. Students must also place in the 20th percentile or higher in each portion (verbal, written, and quantitative) of the exam. These minimum scores are subject to change. (Unless the GMAT exam is waived.)
  2. All students are expected to be proficient with using word processing (Word), spreadsheet (Excel), and presentation (Powerpoint) software.
  3. If the applicant does not meet all of the preceding requirements, admission to graduate standing on a carefully prescribed basis may sometimes be considered.
  4. International student applicants must submit satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an equivalent exam, indicating an ability to speak, write and understand the English Language sufficiently. The minimum TOEFL score accepted is 550. International students may be required to complete additional Intensive English courses during their first semester in the program.
  5. One of the following:
    1. A bachelor degree completed with a minimum 2.75 GPA on a scale of 4.0, or a GPA of at least 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 for courses taken during the last half of the undergraduate program. An international student, who is not a University of Nevada, Reno graduate, must have an undergraduate GPA of at least a 3.0 on a scale of 4.0.
    2. If the applicant does not meet the preceding requirement, admission to graduate standing on a prescribed program may be considered. A prescribed program consists of the completion of one semester or summer session of full-time study in 9 credits, or 12 credits over two consecutive semesters for those working full-time, with a grade of "B" or above in each course taken. The courses prescribed may be undergraduate or graduate courses. These courses may or may not apply to the graduate program of study.

Applicants to the MAcc degree program generally fall into three different categories:

  • Students with an undergraduate accounting degree from an AACSB-accredited university earned within 10 years of the application date.
    • Direct admission to the graduate accounting program is available to students having a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.3. The requirement to take the GMAT exam is waived. Thirty more credits of courses in the MAcc curriculum are needed to obtain the MAcc.
  • Students with an undergraduate business degree.
    • The GMAT exam is required. Students will have to complete 30 units from the MAcc curriculum plus additional courses from the core accounting curriculum to earn their Masters degree.
  • Students with an undergraduate degree that is not in business.
    • The GMAT exam is required. Students will have to complete 30 units from the MAcc curriculum with additional courses from the core accounting curriculum, and core business courses to earn their Masters degree.

Application Deadlines

To be considered for Fall semester, all materials must be received by February 1 for early admission or April 15 for late admission.
To be considered for Spring semester, application materials must be received by October 1 for early admission or November 15 for late admission. Prospective students who want to be able to apply for a graduate assistantship, financial aid as well as applicants who will need to apply for a visa are encouraged to apply early.

Application Procedure

The Master of Accountancy program is governed by University of Nevada, Reno Graduate School requirements. All material should be submitted online through the graduate school. Applicants should submit the following:

  • All required application materials as required by the Graduate School admissions requirements, including official transcripts from all previous educational institutions and GMAT scores. (unless GMAT is waived).
  • Current detailed resume
  • Personal statement expressing your career interest

All applications are reviewed by the MAcc admission committee. Only complete applications will be reviewed by the committee. Applications approved by the committee are forwarded to the Graduate School for final disposition. Applications will be screened and admissions decisions will be made by an admissions committee shortly after the two deadlines for application materials. Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions by the Graduate School.

International Students

For international student information, please consult the Office of International Students and Scholars.

Questions?

Contact the MAcc Director, Sonja Pippin
sonjap@unr.edu (preferred)
(775) 784-1337