Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall, Spring
On-Campus
About the Master's in Accountancy (MSA) at Loyola
With its emphasis on accounting and responsible leadership, Loyola’s Master’s Degree in Accountancy (MSA) gives you the foundation you need to excel in today’s constantly changing regulatory environment.
Successful MSA students come from a variety of backgrounds. Many of our graduate students come from undergraduate programs in accounting and business. Others are working professionals looking to advance their careers or professionals who are considering a career change into accounting.
Program Structure
The MSA degree is a 12-course evening program taught on a 10-week quarter system. Students may enter the program at the start of the Fall or Spring quarter.
Classes are held weekday evenings at Loyola's Water Tower Campus, which is conveniently located off the Red Line in the heart of Chicago. Some courses are offered online.
Are you a current Loyola undergrad?
This program is eligible for an Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's degree. Earn a Master’s with only one extra year of study following the completion of your eligible undergraduate degree.
LEARN MOREWhy Choose Loyola for Your Master's in Accountancy?
The Quinlan School of Business is among the 5% of the world's business schools that meet the rigorous standards of AACSB international accreditation.
- Nationally ranked, student-focused
- Highly-rated and professionally-connected faculty
- CPA preparation and success
- Location: Chicago hub of opportunity
- A focused degree
- An emphasis on ethics and responsible leadership
- Networking opportunities
- Non-degree option to test your interest
Quinlan has the exceptional technological resources and reputation of a big business school, with the warmth and attention to the individual of a small school. Earning your MSA degree from a nationally ranked business school with a tradition of academic excellence delivers an outstanding return on investment. You'll earn a degree — and gain experience — that will transform your career.
MSA faculty are involved in researching current and applied topics and are engaged in the professional community in meaningful board positions (ICPAS, IMA, FEI etc.). Given Loyola’s central location within the city of Chicago, Department faculty can call on alumni from various firms and bring speakers into the classroom or seek placement opportunities for our accounting graduates.
The MSA will prepare you to pass the CPA exam by building on lower-level accounting knowledge.
Loyola students have access to firms and corresponding networking and employment opportunities that cannot be replicated by most other schools. The world's top accounting firms — along with many other companies — are based in Chicago, providing excellent access to internships and jobs.
The MSA degree offers emphasis in three areas: Audit/Forensics, Tax, and Financial Reporting. Access to specialized institutional areas in Loyola, such as family business, social enterprise and responsibility, supply chain and sustainability, etc. allow you to increase your knowledge base and tailor your degree.
Professors encourage and challenge students to become agents for positive change in society and ethical leaders in every profession.
Small class size helps create long-lasting student-faculty relationships and valuable peer networks.
Not ready to commit to a degree? You can sample classes as a non-degree-seeking student. The non-degree-seeking option allows you to sample classes before applying to a degree program, transfer credit to another institution, or obtain professional or personal enrichment. You can apply up to three courses toward a degree at Quinlan if you later decide to apply and are admitted to the master’s program.
Meet the Faculty
The Accountancy Department’s strength lies primarily in our faculty and the dedication they bring to the accounting profession. The quality of our faculty bears out in the national ranking that the MSA degree program has achieved.
The Department’s faculty members are ranked highly by students; some are consistently ranked within the top-10 or -15 Quinlan faculty. Many of our faculty members have been recipients of the Illinois CPA Society outstanding educator awards and Loyola awards for Undergraduate or Graduate Faculty Members of the Year.
Accounting faculty members are passionate about maintaining positive relationships with accounting students during their Loyola education and beyond. Many accounting students continue to return to Loyola after graduation as classroom speakers, professional mentors, BAP luncheon attendees, Advisory Board members, or simply to come by and visit.
Master’s in Accountancy: Career Connections
MSA degree graduates have been hired by top accounting firms, including Deloitte, PwC, RSM, EY, Grant Thornton, Plante Moran, Baker Tilly, and more.
Specific job options include:
- Public accounting tax or audit associate
- Consulting
- Tax or audit analytics
- Forensic accountant
- Not-for-profit/governmental accounting
- Corporate accounting/corporate controller
- Information and technology accountant
- Financial analyst
- Forensic accountant
- Managerial accountant
- Chief financial officer (CFO)
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can receive career services at Quinlan's Business Career Services, as well as at career centers at U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for specific careers and fields that interest you.
Loyola Stories
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Accountancy MS program may vary from quarter to quarter, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Accountancy MS learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2024-2025 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogMSA Degree Results and Skills
- Deep and broad understanding of accounting and business
- Ethics and values in accounting and business
- Decision-making and problem-solving skills
- International implications of accounting and business decisions
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Tuition and Costs
The estimated tuition and fees for the Accountancy MS totals $60660.00, or 36 credit hours at a cost of $1,685.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
Quinlan School of Business Scholarships
Dean’s Merit Scholarship
The Quinlan School of Business automatically considers each student admitted into Quinlan’s Next Generation MBA and MS programs for a Dean's Merit Scholarship. Eligibility is determined through a holistic review at the time of admission.
Graduate Business Student Scholarship
The Graduate Programs Office at Loyola University Chicago awards scholarships to Quinlan graduate students who demonstrate proven academic success and financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Please visit the Scholarships page on the Quinlan School of Business website for more detailed information about scholarships.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe Quinlan School of Business offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsVisit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Accountancy MS are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.
Fall & Spring: Rolling admission
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Accountancy MS include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
Resume/CV
Prerequisite Course Requirements
This program requires preparation courses in accounting before beginning the curriculum, but students who have not completed the designated courses may be admitted to the program and take additional courses to fulfill prerequisite requirements. Learn more about the Accountancy MS curriculum and prerequisite courses on the Accountancy MS Academic Catalog page.
Statement of Purpose Details
Recommended for applicants with a cumulative GPA under 3.0 and for applicants who may feel that one or more parts of their application is weak, the personal statement provides the admission committee with more insight on your candidacy.
Please discuss how Loyola’s Quinlan School of Business degree program and our focus on responsible leadership will prepare you to achieve your career goals. Your statement should be 2-3 pages in length, double-spaced.
Official Documents
Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.
International Applicant Requirements
An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived.
Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.
Start Your Application
Applying online to the Accountancy MS program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
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