This is a named option within the Business: Accounting and Business Analysis, MS.

For students interested in pursuing careers in public accounting firms’ audit, assurance, and advisory practices, and a variety of roles in corporate finance and accounting functions.

Admissions

Fall Deadline See program webpage: https://business.wisc.edu/graduate/masters/accounting-business-analysis/admissions/
Spring Deadline This program does not admit in the spring.
Summer Deadline This program does not admit in the summer.
GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) May be required in certain cases; consult program.
English Proficiency Test All applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Pearson Test of English (PTE), or the Intensive English as a Second Language (IELTS). A minimum iBT TOEFL score of 100 or equivalent, computer-based PTE score of 73 or equivalent, or IELTS score of 7.5 or equivalent, obtained within two years of the intended start term, is required. This requirement is waived for international applicants who have completed a four-year undergraduate degree and/or master’s degree (minimum of eight semesters total) with instruction in English or who will complete such a degree prior to matriculation into the program.
Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) GMAT may be required in certain cases; consult program.
Letters of Recommendation Required 0*
*

Submission of up to two letters of recommendation is optional.

The Master of Science in Business: Accounting and Business Analysis (MSABA) program is open to any student who has earned a four-year undergraduate degree, or the equivalent1, in accounting, from an accredited institution. The following will be required for admission to the MSABA program:  

  1. Undergraduate degree in accounting or equivalent1. Completion of an undergraduate degree is required prior to starting the program.  

  2. Resume  

  3. Response to essay question(s)  

  4. Completed application and payment of application fee

  5. Official transcripts

    1. All undergraduate and master’s degree transcripts will be evaluated. 

    2. Schools outside the U.S. may be verified by World Education Services (WES) at the individual class  level.  

  6. Interview (by invitation only)  

  7. The GMAT and GRE are optional for candidates who earned an accredited U.S. undergraduate degree.

  8. TOEFL, PTE or IELTS test scores, only for applicants whose native language is not English

1

Completion of the following courses is considered to be equivalent to an undergraduate degree in accounting:

  1. Introductory Financial Accounting (equivalent to ACCT I S 100 or ACCT I S 300)
  2. Introductory Managerial Accounting (equivalent to ACCT I S 211 or ACCT I S 300)
  3. Intermediate Financial Accounting (equivalent to ACCT I S 301 and ACCT I S 302)
  4. Advanced Managerial Accounting (equivalent to ACCT I S 310)
  5. Accounting Information Systems (equivalent to ACCT I S 340)
  6. Taxation (equivalent of ACCT I S 329, ACCT I S 620, or ACCT I S 621)
  7. Foundations of Auditing (equivalent to ACCT I S 630)
  8. Business Law (equivalent to GEN BUS 301)

​How to Apply

Students interested in business degrees do not apply through the Graduate School application system and should instead refer to the School of Business Admissions page.

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.

Named Option Requirements

Mode of Instruction

Face to Face Evening/Weekend Online Hybrid Accelerated
Yes No No No No

Mode of Instruction Definitions

Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.

Evening/Weekend: ​Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.  Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.

Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.

Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.  Contact the program for more specific information.

Online: These programs are offered 100% online.  Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

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

The Master of Science in Business: Accounting and Business Analysis requires all students to complete 3 foundational courses, 4 named option courses and complete 1 of 5 offered specializations.  

Core Courses
ACCT I S 406 Accounting and Analysis for Reporting Entities3
ACCT I S 640 Foundation in Accounting Analytics3
ACCT I S 740 Information Risk, Control, & Forensics3
Named Option Courses
ACCT I S 603 Financial Statement Analysis3
ACCT I S 730 Advanced Auditing: Analysis, Policy, and Judgment3
ACCT I S 770 Accounting Theory: Reporting Incentives and Consequences3
ACCT I S 771 Analysis of Performance Measurement & Control3
Students must complete 1 of the 5 specializations detailed below.9
Risk Management Specialization
R M I 300
 Principles of Risk Management
or R M I 700
 Principles of Risk Management
R M I 660
 Risk Analytics and Behavioral Science
R M I 670
 Cyber Risk & Regulations
Emerging Technologies Specialization
GEN BUS 760
 Data Technology for Business Analytics
MARKETNG/​OTM  727
 Information Technology in Supply Chains
R M I 670
 Cyber Risk & Regulations
Sustainability Specialization
M H R 310
 Challenges & Solutions in Business Sustainability
or M H R 710
 Challenges & Solutions in Business Sustainability
M H R 617
 Diversity in Organizations
R M I 650
 Sustainability, Environmental and Social Risk Management
Wealth Management Specialization
FINANCE/​ECON  320
 Investment Theory
FINANCE 365
 Contemporary Topics (Estate Planning for Financial Planners)
FINANCE 602
 Wealth Management & Financial Planning
MA Deal Advisory Specialization
ACCT I S 772
 Analysis of Taxes & Business Decisions
FINANCE 635
 Business Valuation
FINANCE 650
 Mergers and Acquisitions
Total Credits30

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.

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Named Option-Specific Policies

Prior Coursework

Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions

No credits of graduate coursework from other institutions are allowed to satisfy requirements.

Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison

No credits from a UW–Madison undergraduate degree are allowed to count toward the degree.

Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)

Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.

Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW–Madison

No credits from the UW–Madison University Special student career are allowed to satisfy requirements.

Probation

Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.

Advisor/Committee

Every graduate student is required to have an advisor. To ensure that students are making satisfactory progress toward a degree, the Graduate School expects them to meet with their advisor on a regular basis.

In many cases, an advisor is assigned to incoming students.  An advisor is a staff member from the program department responsible for providing advice and guidance regarding graduate studies.

Credits Per Term Allowed

15 credits

Time Limits

Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

Any student who feels that they have been mistreated by a faculty or staff member has the right to lodge a complaint. Complaints may concern course grades, classroom treatment, program admission, or other issues. To ensure a prompt and fair hearing of any complaint and to protect both the student's rights and the person at whom the complaint is addressed, the grievance procedures below are used in the School of Business.

The person against whom the complaint is directed must be an employee of the School of Business. Any student or potential student may use these procedures unless other campus rules or contracts cover the complaint:

  1. If the student feels comfortable/safe doing so, the student should first talk with the person against whom the grievance is directed. Most issues can be settled at this level. If the complaint is directed against a teaching assistant (TA) and the student is not satisfied after discussion of the grievance with the TA, the next step would be to talk to the TA's supervisor, who is usually the course professor. If the complaint is still not resolved satisfactorily, the student may continue to step 2.
  2. If the complaint involves an academic department, the student should contact the chair of the department. The chair will attempt to resolve the problem informally. If this cannot be done to the student's satisfaction, the student may submit the grievance to the chair in writing. This must be done within 60 calendar days of the alleged unfair treatment.
    1. If the complaint does not involve an academic department, the procedure outlined in Step 4 below should be followed.
  3. On receipt of a written complaint, the chair will refer the matter to a departmental committee, which will obtain a written response from the person at whom the complaint is directed. This response shall be shared with the person filing the grievance. The chair will provide a written decision within 30 days to the student on the action taken by the committee.
  4. If either party is not satisfied with the decision, they have five working days from receipt of the decision to contact the dean's office (at the number below), indicating the intention to appeal. If the complaint does not involve an academic department in the school, the student must contact the dean's office within 60 calendar days of the alleged unfair treatment.
  5. In either case, there will be an attempt to resolve the issue informally by the appropriate associate dean. If this cannot be done, the complaint can be filed in writing with the Office of the Dean. This must be done within 10 working days of the time the appealing party was notified that informal resolution was unsuccessful.
  6. On receipt of such a written complaint, the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer will convene a subcommittee of relevant stakeholders pending the nature of the issue. This subcommittee may ask for additional information from the parties involved and may hold a hearing at which both parties will be asked to speak separately. The subcommittee will then make a written recommendation to the dean of the School of Business who will render a decision. Unless a longer time is negotiated, this written decision shall be made within 20 working days from when the grievance was filed with the Office of the Dean.

Questions about these procedures can be directed to the School of Business, Office of the Dean, 4339 Grainger, 975 University Avenue, 608-262-7867.

State law contains additional provisions regarding discrimination and harassment. Wisconsin Statutes 36.12 reads, in part: "No student may be denied admission to, participation in or the benefits of, or be discriminated against in any service, program, course or facility of the system or its institutions or center because of the student's race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status or parental status." In addition, the UW System prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or gender expression. Students have the right to file discrimination and harassment complaints with the Office of Compliance, 361 Bascom Hall, 608-265-6018, uwcomplianceoffice@wisc.edu.

The Graduate School has procedures for students wishing to appeal a grievance decision at the school/college level. These policies are described in the Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures: https://grad.wisc.edu/documents/grievances-and-appeals/

Other

Department-sponsored funding is available on a competitive basis to all Master of Science in Business: Accounting and Business Analysis students. In addition, teaching assistantships may be available.  

Professional Development

Graduate School Resources

Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

People

For more information about the faculty and their research interests, please visit the directory.