Accounting

Opportunities for graduate studies

Stricter government regulations have contributed to an increased demand for accounting graduates in public accounting firms, public and private business, and nonprofit organizations. The National Association of Colleges and Employers lists accounting among the top majors that are in demand, and demand is expected to remain high for years to come.

The mission of the accounting department at the University of North Texas is to prepare you to work in an area where an accounting background is needed or beneficial. The department accomplishes this by offering course work leading to Master of Science degrees in Accounting and Taxation, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Accounting.

The M.S. in Accounting offers concentrations in accounting information systems, audit/internal auditing, entrepreneurial perspective and managerial accounting. The M.S. in Taxation readies you to be a tax specialist in public accounting, industry or government.

The Ph.D. in Accounting prepares you for a career in teaching and research in an academic environment. However, this degree can be applied to positions outside academia. This degree program is highly competitive. You should begin the application process as early as possible.

The Department of Accounting currently has 136 students enrolled in its graduate programs. This is one of the highest graduate enrollments of any department in the College of Business.

The UNT College of Business is accredited at the undergraduate and graduate levels by AACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (777 South Harbour Island Blvd., Suite 750, Tampa, Fla. 33602-5730, telephone 813-769-6500). This means the college has passed strict academic standards for excellence in education.

Admission requirements

M.S.

You must meet admission requirements for the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies and submit the following items to the College of Business:

• current resume noting work and academic experience
• official GMAT scores
• transcript of bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA
• a 600- to 700-word essay
• three reference forms and/or letters of recommendation

Ph.D.

You must meet the admission requirements for the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies and submit the following items to the College of Business:

• three doctoral applicant evaluation forms and/or three letters of recommendation from college professors or professional colleagues who are familiar with your academic record
• statement of purpose with your reasons for pursuing doctoral study, personal objectives and career plans

Degree requirements

To earn an M.S. degree, you must complete 18 hours of 5000-level accounting courses and 18 hours of approved electives. The specific course work depends on your chosen specialty area. Master's program and specialty program advisors are available to help you with your class schedule each semester.

Required core courses (9 hours)

• ACCT 5110 Accounting Analysis and Reports (M.S. in accounting students)
• ACCT 5120 Using Information Systems in Accounting
• ACCT 5310 Tax Research and Administrative Procedure (M.S. in taxation students)
• ACCT 5760 Accounting, Business Analysis, and Valuation

To earn the Ph.D. degree, you must complete course work, written and oral qualifying examinations, pre-dissertation research, and a dissertation. The program includes a minimum of 69 graduate semester hours of course work beyond a master's degree or 99 hours beyond a bachelor's degree:

• Foundation courses (9 hours)
• Research track (12 hours)
• Major and minor areas (24 hours)
• Pre-dissertation research (12 hours)
• Dissertation (12 hours)

For specific course work and research requirements, please contact the accounting Ph.D. advisor.

Academic and research resources

The Institute of Petroleum Accounting is part of the Department of Accounting and conducts research in accounting, finance, taxation and economic problems of the extractive industries. It also is involved in educational programs. Graduate students support this institute by assisting with research in the extractive industries.

The department supports a National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) student chapter and Beta Alpha Psi, the national accounting honor society. Graduate students are encouraged to meet membership requirements and become actively involved in these organizations