Master of Accountancy Program

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The Master of Accountancy & Data Analysis (MADA) program is designed for students who hold an undergraduate degree in accounting and seek advanced preparation for professional practice or career advancement in the accounting field. Applicants without an undergraduate degree in accounting may be considered but will be required to complete additional prerequisite coursework to ensure adequate preparation for graduate-level study.

The MADA program requires completion of 30 credit hours of graduate coursework, including a minimum of 18 credit hours in accounting.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting
• Minimum GPA of 3.25 on the final 60 hours of undergraduate coursework
• GMAT score of at least 500
• A grade of “C” or higher in all undergraduate accounting courses

International applicants must demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English and submit a course-by-course transcript evaluation prepared by WES or a comparable credential evaluation service. In accordance with the Kentucky State Board of Public Accountancy, international coursework must be certified by the Foreign Academic Credentialing Service or another member agency of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

Meeting these minimum requirements establishes eligibility for admission but does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Applicants who hold an undergraduate degree in a field other than accounting may be considered for admission upon successful completion of required foundation coursework at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.

Degree Requirements

Required Accounting Courses (18 Credit Hours)

• ACCT 500 – Advanced Financial Accounting and Reporting
• ACCT 510 – Advanced Accounting Information Systems and Data Analytics
• ACCT 530 – Special Topics in Tax Research and Planning
• ACCT 540 – Advanced Auditing Standards, Applications, and Fraud
• Two additional accounting electives

Graduate Electives (12 Credit Hours)

Students may select elective courses from graduate programs offered within the Gordon Ford College of Business or other graduate programs at WKU, subject to approval by the MADA Program Director. ACCT 515 may not be applied toward the 30-credit-hour degree requirement. All individual programs of study must receive prior approval. Elective coursework should align with the student’s professional goals and desired skill development.

Joint Undergraduate–Master’s Program (JUMP)

The Master of Accountancy & Data Analysis is also available through the Joint Undergraduate–Master’s Program (JUMP), which allows academically exceptional students to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees in an accelerated timeframe.

Contact Information

For additional information about the Master of Accountancy & Data Analysis or JUMP program, please contact the MADA Program Coordinator, Braden Grant, in the Department of Accounting.