Earn an online Master's of Accounting from top-ranked Illinois Gies
Prep for the CPA while earning your MSA
Elevate your credentials and become CPA-ready at a top-three business school for graduate accounting. You'll not only learn from our leading faculty, you'll interact with instructors and fellow learners in our highly engaging online format. Our online Master's in Accounting (iMSA) is designed for both seasoned accounting professionals and those looking to develop skills in this essential area of business.
- $24,000 average tuition and fees – pay as you go
- 18 - 60 months to complete – you set the pace
- Customizable curriculum – choose your path
- Fully online – no on-campus commitments
- GMAT/GRE – not required for admission
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Complete this form to receive information about curriculum, admissions, tuition, and upcoming events for the Gies online master of accountancy.
Be CPA-ready – even as the exam evolves
If you plan to sit for the CPA, we'll ensure you're confident and prepared. As the CPA has evolved to be more focused more on data analytics, we've been a step ahead. Not only is our data analytics curriculum unmatched in breadth and depth, we're continuing to update course content with the CPA evolution in mind.
Benefit from a deeply engaging learning experience
You deserve a flexible, online master's degree in accounting that delivers the level of rich interaction and impact you'd experience on campus.
That's why we've intentionally built engagement into the curriculum, structure, and interface of our online courses.
- Engage with top University of Illinois faculty, who lead lively discussions during class and connect with learners individually during office hours, where they focus on your goals and success.
- Engage with fellow learners around the globe in live class sessions and through regular team projects. Connect with your diverse cohort in ways that expand both your knowledge and your network.
Join an elite network
When you earn an MSA degree from the University of Illinois, you join an elite network of more than 25,000 Gies accounting alumni in 80+ countries around the world. Our accounting alumni are world-renowned founders of businesses, CEOs, CFOs, accounting firm partners, entrepreneurs, and other business leaders.
Start your journey towards a degree
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Meet faculty, ask questions, and discover the best path for your goals.
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Begin your application today
View admission requirements, application instructions, and upcoming deadlines.
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FAQs
Will my accounting degree say “online”?
No, it will say Master of Science in Accountancy from Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana.
What is the time commitment per week?
Generally, you will spend 10-15 hours per class, per week. The course load is flexible – you can take one or two courses, or skip a term on your capacity.
Will I be eligible to sit for the Uniform CPA exam after I complete the iMSA?
The University of Illinois has not made a determination as to whether the iMSA program satisfies the academic prerequisites for the CPA exam and licensure in all 55 U.S. jurisdictions. While the AACSB accredited iMSA program will help you meet the education requirement to sit for the CPA exam, specific requirements to be eligible to take the exam and requirements to become a licensed CPA vary from state to state. In some cases, you may need to take additional coursework or exams to meet individual state requirements and/or you may need to complete background checks to take the CPA exam.
Please review the requirements issued by the Board of Accountancy in your state prior to applying to the iMSA program. Visit the NASBA website for the contact information and a listing of statutes for the State Board of Accountancy in each of the 55 jurisdictions, or the AICPA website to find your state’s CPA resources and contact information. Becoming a certified public accountant, or CPA, carries numerous benefits such as opportunities to increase your authority and responsibility, and, typically, your salary.