Application and Admission Process

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. 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. Admission requirements, procedures and deadlines are described below.

Quick Links:

Application Deadlines
Application Procedure
Admission Criteria
Program Prerequisites
International Students

Application Deadlines:

Students may apply for admission into the MAcc program for either the fall or spring semesters.

In order to be considered for the fall semester, all application materials must be received
by February 1.
To be considered for spring admission, application materials must be received by October 1.

Application Procedure:

The following documents must be submitted to the Graduate School, University of Nevada, Reno:

• A completed and signed Application for Admission form.
• A $60.00 non-refundable application fee.($40 non-refundable fee for UNR Grads)
• Two official transcripts from each college or university where work has been completed or is in progress.
• The official report of the GMAT.

The following documents must be submitted to the MAcc Program Director:

• Current detailed resume.
• Personal statement expressing your career interest.

Admission Criteria:

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.]
   

   The GMAT exam is not required for MAcc admissions if:

   1. A student has an undergraduate business degree with a major in accounting from a business school accredited by the AACSB at the time the degree was granted, and
      
   2. An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher.
      
2. All students are expected to be proficient in word processing, and are also expected to be able to use computers to analyze and solve business problems using software such as spreadsheets, statistical packages, and databases.
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) 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.

6. Students whose undergraduate degree is not in business administration with a major in accounting [or its equivalent] must complete:
   

   1. 21 credit hours of specified undergraduate accounting coursework above the Introduction to Accounting level with a minimum 2.75 GPA on a scale of 4.0 (i.e., the core accounting courses). These courses can be taken concurrently with non-accounting graduate level courses. Various course waiver rules are applicable.
   2. The MAcc Common Body of Knowledge core business courses. These courses can be taken concurrently with other graduate level courses. Various course waiver rules are applicable.

Program Prerequisites

The Faculty of Accounting requires each new graduate student to satisfy the following MAcc pre-enrollment requirements:

• Proficiency in Mathematics: Students should complete a calculus-based course at the college level prior to enrollment in the MAcc program.
• Spreadsheet Proficiency: Students should be knowledgeable of computer spreadsheet software, such as Lotus 1-2-3 or Excel prior to enrollment in the MAcc program.
• Proficiency in English: If an international student's verbal score on the GMAT, TOEFL, or other evaluation measure is below an acceptable level, a student may be required to enroll in English language development classes either prior to enrollment in the MAcc program or during the first semester of his/her academic program.

 

Specific Prerequisites

A bachelor degree in business or accounting is not required for admission. Students without an undergraduate degree in accounting or business normally earn the MAcc degree by completing a designated set of six core business courses and eight core accounting courses (including Law) plus the requirements for one of the accounting tracks and the requirements for a graduate business administration minor. Many students with undergraduate degrees in accounting or business from accredited institutions waive most of the core business and core accounting courses. Students who waive the entire set of core courses must complete a minimum of thirty graduate credit hours to earn the MAcc degree.

International Students:

For international student information, please consult the Office of International Students and Scholars at www.unr.edu/oiss/.