Earning a master’s in accounting is one of the most direct educational routes toward advancing one’s career as an accountant. For those who wish to earn this degree, the online Master of Accountancy program from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) offers both convenience and flexibility. Plus, the accelerated online format of this program allows students to complete their degree in 12 to 20 months. With the potential of such rapid degree attainment, working professionals can pursue their career goals efficiently and effectively.
How Can This Master’s Program Be Completed in Under 2 Years?
It takes 30 credit hours to complete this master’s degree program. This represents 10 courses worth three credit hours each. Each accelerated course is seven weeks long — less than half the duration of most traditional semester-long courses. There are six course start dates per year, and students can vary their course load.
A full-time course load allows students to earn their master’s in as few as 12 months. Logically, a lighter course load leads to degree completion over a longer period. However, this period would typically still be shorter than the full-time two-year commitment of most traditional master’s degree programs. For instance, students who average one to two courses per course session can complete their degree in roughly one-and-a-half years.
Students who did not major in accounting during their undergraduate studies may need to complete up to 18 additional credit hours of undergrad accounting courses, according to the streamlined admissions requirements for this program. But these courses are also available in an accelerated online format, so students can complete them during seven-week mini terms. Again, with effort and determination, even students required to take these additional accounting courses can complete the degree in less than two years.
How Can the Convenience and Flexibility of TAMU-CC’s Online Master of Accountancy Expedite Earning My Degree?
Online learning allows students to schedule their studies during their free time, so if you have work, family obligations or other time commitments, you can still fit in coursework on your schedule whenever and wherever is convenient. Concentrating course loads on specific course start dates also means being able to schedule your other commitments around course session periods, allowing you to plan and manage your time appropriately. In this way, the inherent convenience and flexibility of this program’s online model enable you to expedite degree completion as your schedule allows.
How Can the Accelerated Nature of This Program Move My Career Forward?
An essential step in advancing your accounting career is earning your Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. As the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) puts it, “CPA certification opens the kinds of doors that can fast-track you into influential jobs in every industry.”
According to Becker, all 50 states require individuals to complete 150 credit hours of undergraduate and/or graduate-level education before applying for a CPA license. That said, some “two-tier” states allow individuals to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination with only 120 credit hours of collegiate study, yet full CPA licensure is still contingent on completing the full 150 credit hours.
A substantial number of these credit hours must focus on advanced accounting coursework. Many states specify detailed accounting coursework requirements or will soon do so. Texas, for instance, will update coursework requirements as of January 1, 2024, reflecting the increasing importance of current topics like accounting information systems. Students can complete a portion of these required hours through TAMU-CC’s online Master of Accountancy program.
By accelerating this necessary component of your education through earning an online Master of Accountancy from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, you can accelerate your CPA licensure and the career advancement opportunities that this license affords. Plus, the flexibility of online learning allows professionals to continue working while earning their degree. This can mean sustaining one’s income and not missing out on career advancements while applying new knowledge and skills on the job. This is a good option for accountants looking to earn an advanced degree in the field and increase their potential for upward career mobility.
Learn more about TAMU-CC’s online Master of Accountancy program.
