MSA General Information

Starting fall semester 2010, the MSA program is being incorporated into the MBA program.  A student can develop a path that will prepare and qualify them for the CPA exam/license plus they can complete their MBA.  This path will allow a candidate to comply with the new 24 units of accounting and 24 units of business related courses under the new guidelines for a CPA license.   The Craig School of Business Accounting Program is one of the select accounting programs in California.   As part of the Craig School of Business it shares and adds to an MBA program that is continuously rated as one of the best business programs by the students as published by the Princeton Review.  The Craig MBA program is the first choice and the only choice for students seeking their MBA and those wanting to return to complete their accounting credential in the Central California Region and for many students from around the world.  The big four accounting firms select students from this program as well as many regional accounting firms. 

Summary of the program:

The program is flexible and suits the needs of continuing students, international students and the working professionals.   Required classes are conveniently scheduled through the week, allowing students to schedule classes while maintaining employment or scheduling an internship.  All MBA classes are scheduled in the evening and accounting classes are offered in the evening and during the day for a flexible schedule.

The program is for students who want to extend their accounting education and for business majors or non business majors who want to pursue an accounting as a career.

To complete the degree a student must take 36 units for their MBA degree plus it is recommended the students take 20 units of upper division accounting courses (up to 10 of the upper division accounting units may be used toward the 36 unit MBA.  This assumes a student has already taken eight units of accounting principles and when added to the courses taken in the MBA program they  will surpass the 24 units of accounting courses for the CPA license.  Prerequisite classes are required for non-business undergraduate degree applicants (3-15 units). 

There is an emphasis on developing good accounting skills plus general business acumen that lead to knowledge and careers in both business and public accounting.

For students seeking a CPA, this MBA path will give them enough accounting units and total business course units to qualify plus help them prepare for the CPA exam/license. 

Summer abroad programs are available for elective course and we encourage students to take part in these to develop their international skills (several weekends on campus and then two weeks abroad).

Also we emphasize networking while in the MBA program and have developed a network process that keeps you in touch with the Graduate Business Program students and faculty after graduation as well as other MBA alums. Additionally we suggest that a student participate in our accounting organization that connects students with the accounting professionals.   

A candidate completing their MBA and finalizing their CPA will have some of the most competitive credentials as compared to others in the job market.  Plus these credentials will have been acquired from a highly respected and AACSB accredited institution.