For Miriam Hayashi ’23, an office manager for a busy company and a mother of four, the days were full, from handling accounting, payroll, and HR at work to filling the fridge both at the office breakroom and at home. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and she left her job to care full time for her father, Miriam began to re-examine her goals, which led her to the online Master of Accountancy degree program at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
“What I enjoyed the most [as an office manager] was at the end of the month doing the books, doing the accounting, and seeing all of that come together,” Miriam said.
She decided to pursue CPA licensure in Texas.
“I knew that I needed a finance degree, which I didn’t have. I had an MBA, but it wasn’t specific enough to even qualify for the jobs that interested me, so I knew I had to go back to school.”
After considering numerous universities, she determined that the Master of Accountancy online program at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was the best choice for her.
“It was a fully online program starting that month,” she explained. “It was affordable for me. And it also came from a big school, a well-known school, and I trusted the program, the brand, the culture.”
She began in January 2022, initially taking two courses each seven-week term. Three months into the program, she was hired to lead the accounting department at a Dallas-based wealth management firm. She adjusted her school schedule to take just one course at a time, which accommodated her typical 50-hour work week, and she completed her MAcc degree in December 2023.
“One of the [CPA] requirements, which I didn’t find out until after I accepted my job, is to work for one year under the supervision of a licensed CPA, which [my manager] is,” Miriam said. “Being enrolled in this program absolutely changed the path of my life. With every class I learned something big and I was immediately able to apply it in my professional life.”
Program Delivers Exceptional Value and Cutting-Edge Skills
Affordable tuition was critical.
“I wanted it to be something that I could pay and not incur debt,” Miriam said.
Miriam paid for her classes for the first three months, then was pleasantly surprised when her new employer offered to pay for all her remaining courses.
She also appreciated that the curriculum is aligned with contemporary knowledge and skillsets.
“An education that integrates technology and software and tools that are being used or that need to be used by businesses is critical for being able to help your employer reach that next level,” Miriam said.
She gained proficiency in Access, QuickBooks and Excel and learned how to use AI and Big Data to increase quality and efficiency.
Miriam always felt very connected to TAMU-CC even though all her courses were 100% online.
“There’s something about this program and its faculty,” Miriam said. “They are so knowledgeable and so good at what they do, but also so humble and down to earth.”
She highly recommends Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s online programs to others.
“You can have a full-time job and a family and an active role and easily do it,” she said. “Not because they’re easy classes, but because it’s online. You choose what you do and when, and you can fit it into your life.”
Choose Your Pathway Toward an Advanced Accounting Career
At Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, online programs are tailored toward working adults with affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, and a flexible schedule that enables you to balance professional, personal, and academic responsibilities.
For those interested in a career in accounting, TAMU-CC offers both an online Master of Accountancy program and an online MBA with a Concentration in Accounting program.
How an MAcc Differs From an MBA in Accounting
Consider your professional goals when choosing between an MAcc and an MBA in Accounting. For Miriam, the choice was easy, as she’d already earned an MBA. Program differences vary by university, but an MBA in Accounting typically provides a generalized background in core business functions with some concentration courses in accounting and is popular with those who want the knowledge to manage accounting departments. The Master of Accountancy is best for those seeking in-depth expertise in accounting and financial decision-making.
Career opportunities are similar for the two programs and include:
• Certified Public Accountant
• Auditor
• Financial Analyst
• Corporate Controller
• Chief Financial Officer
Other factors to consider:
Accreditation – Accreditation indicates the quality of a program and is important to employers. The MAcc and the MBA in Accounting at TAMU-CC are accredited by AACSB. TAMU-CC is one of only 193 business schools worldwide holding dual AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting programs.
Curriculum – The MAcc program consists of 10 courses, which include eight accounting courses, three of which are accounting electives. The remaining two courses can be additional accounting courses or can be other graduate-level business courses.
The MBA in Accounting program consists of 12 courses. The eight core courses include one accounting course and seven business function courses, such as economics, finance, marketing, operations, and more. The four remaining courses are accounting concentration courses.
Undergraduate Major – For both programs, students with a non-business undergraduate degree may be required to take up to three foundational business courses. In addition, for the MAcc, students without an undergraduate degree in accounting may be required to take up to four accounting foundation courses. Check with your advisor for more information.
Length and Cost of Program – At TAMU-CC, the Master of Accountancy program is 30 credit hours and can be completed in 12-20 months. The MBA in Accounting program is 36 credit hours and can be completed in 12-24 months. Both programs are affordable. Because the MBA program is longer, the cost is approximately 20% more than the MAcc.
Preparation for CPA Exam – The MAcc program can be applied to the 150 hours required to take the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination.
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi offers multiple start dates throughout the year so you can begin your online program when it’s most convenient for you. Learn more about the online business programs at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi.
