Founded in 1900, the School of Business established one of the first five business programs in the nation. That entrepreneurial spirit remains strong.
As a student in the School of Business, you will find yourself inspired by peers, staff, alumni, business leaders, and world-renowned faculty who are focused, collaborative, and engaged in every aspect of the student experience. You will join a highly ranked program that equips you to meet both academic and career challenges. Employers value School of Business graduates because of the comprehensive preparation this learning environment provides. Graduates possess highly sought-after general management and specialized expertise in business.
Joining collaborative, inspiring, trustworthy, and progressive School of Business alumni, Business Badger graduates are prepared to lead their organizations to success and transform the world of business. Together Forward!
Master of Science in Accounting and Business Analysis
The MS in Accounting and Business Analysis (MSABA) degree helps students develop the advanced technical and analytical skills needed to succeed in a career in accounting. Students who earn the MSABA degree will qualify to sit for the CPA exam and explore a broad range of career opportunities in corporate accounting, public accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, government, nonprofit and beyond!
The program is open to students who have earned an undergraduate degree in accounting and MSABA students will choose to follow specific coursework in accounting, assurance and advisory (AAA) or tax. In addition to the advanced coursework in AAA or tax, students pursing the MSABA degree will complete coursework in a specialization area outside of accounting. The specializations that MSABA students can choose from include risk management, emerging technologies, sustainability, M&A deal advisory and wealth management. Each specialization will include specific coursework that students must complete.
In addition to building strong technical and analytical skills, this program will focus on overall professional development. Students will gain experience in public speaking and further develop skills in critical thinking, analysis, research, and writing.
All students are required to engage in an ethics and professionalism program aimed at preparing students to enter a profession where strong ethical standards are paramount.
While no prior professional work experience is required for admission to the MSABA program, students will have many opportunities to engage with our strong network of employers.
Admissions
Students apply to the Master of Science in Business: Accounting and Business Analysis through one of the named options:
Funding
Graduate School Resources
Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
Curricular Requirements
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 30 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 24 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | 15 credits must be graduate-level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244. |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. Refer to the Graduate School: Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203. |
| Other Grade Requirement | Grades of Incomplete are considered to be unsatisfactory if they are not removed during the first four weeks of the following semester. Students may be required to retake a course in which they receive a grade lower than a C. |
| Assessments and Examinations | No required assessments or examinations beyond course requirements. |
| Language Requirements | No language graduation requirement. |
Required Courses
Select a Named Option for courses required.
Named Options
A named option is a formally documented sub-major within an academic major program. Named options appear on the transcript with degree conferral. Students pursuing the Master of Science in Business: Accounting and Business Analysis must select one of the following named options:
Students in this program may not take courses outside the prescribed curriculum without faculty advisor and program director approval. Students in this program cannot enroll concurrently in other undergraduate or graduate degree programs.
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Learning Outcomes
- Implement IT governance, internal control, and technology practices to reliably generate, collect and process transactional data in accounting information systems to generate large datasets to support organizational strategies.
- Utilize advanced analytical techniques and emerging technologies used by accounting professionals to identify and address accounting and business questions with data-driven insights for decision-making.
- Apply professional judgements about the application of financial reporting, taxation, or audit regulations for business reporting and successful strategic and operational decision-making within organizations.
People
For more information about the faculty and their research interests, please visit the directory.
Accreditation
AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Accreditation status: Accredited. Next accreditation review: 2026–2027.
Certification/Licensure
The Master of Science in Business: Accounting and Business Analysis program meets the licensing requirements for the Certified Public Accountants exam in most jurisdictions, though students pursuing their license in California, Texas and Colorado are required to take a board-approved accounting ethics course (reflected on their transcript). Most graduate students complete this requirement post-graduation via an online course through a community college. While the Master of Science in Business: Accounting and Business Analysis curriculum integrates ethics throughout the curriculum (as validated by program accreditation), ethics is not reflected on a student’s transcript. Students are strongly encouraged to seek out advising early regarding CPA qualifications as they vary by state/jurisdiction.
Professional Certification/Licensure Disclosure (NC-SARA)
The United States Department of Education (via 34 CFR Part 668) requires institutions that provide distance education to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure. The expectation is that institutions will determine whether each applicable academic program meets state professional licensure requirements and provide a general disclosure of such on an official university website.
Professional licensure requirements vary from state-to-state and can change year-to-year; they are established in a variety of state statutes, regulations, rules, and policies; and they center on a range of educational requirements, including degree type, specialized accreditation, total credits, specific courses, and examinations.
UW-Madison has taken reasonable efforts to determine whether this program satisfies the educational requirements for certification/licensure in states where prospective and enrolled students are located and is disclosing that information as follows.
Disclaimer: This information is based on the most recent annual review of state agency certification/licensure data and is subject to change. All students are strongly encouraged to consult with the individual/office listed in the Contact Information box on this page and with the applicable state agency for specific information.
The requirements of this program meet certification/licensure requirements in the following states:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
The requirements of this program do not meet certification/licensure requirements in the following states:
California, Colorado, Texas
Updated: 1 June 2024