Skip to Main Content
Florida International University

Search

Menu

College of Business Homepage
  • About Us
  • Hire our Students
  • Contact Us
  • Give
  • Apply now
    • Overview
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Graduate Programs
    • Business Certificates
    • Global Initiatives
    • Departments
    • Doctoral Programs
    • Overview
    • Paying for School
    • Career Services
    • Resources
    • Student Databases
    • Overview
    • Alumni Board
    • Alumni Groups
    • FIU Alumni Events
    • Contact Us
    • Overview
    • For Students
    • For Employers
    • Internships
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Global Scholars Program
    • Overview
    • Academic Departments
    • Centers and Institutes
    • Expert Guide
    • Faculty Awards and Honors
    • Office for Research and Doctoral Studies
    • Eminent Scholar Chairs and Professorships
    • College Committees
    • Faculty & Staff Intranet
    • Overview
    • BizNews
    • FIU Business Now Magazine
    • In the News
    • For Media
    • Public Meetings
    • Wertheim Lecture Series
    • Jobs at FIU Business
    • Overview
    • Give Now
    • Ways to Give
    • Contact Us
Close
  • Home
    • Overview
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Graduate Programs
    • Business Certificates
    • Global Initiatives
    • Departments
    • Doctoral Programs
    • Overview
    • Paying for School
    • Career Services
    • Resources
    • Student Databases
    • Overview
    • Alumni Board
    • Alumni Groups
    • FIU Alumni Events
    • Contact Us
    • Overview
    • For Students
    • For Employers
    • Internships
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Global Scholars Program
    • Overview
    • Academic Departments
    • Centers and Institutes
    • Expert Guide
    • Faculty Awards and Honors
    • Office for Research and Doctoral Studies
    • Eminent Scholar Chairs and Professorships
    • College Committees
    • Faculty & Staff Intranet
    • Overview
    • BizNews
    • FIU Business Now Magazine
    • In the News
    • For Media
    • Public Meetings
    • Wertheim Lecture Series
    • Jobs at FIU Business
    • Overview
    • Give Now
    • Ways to Give
    • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Hire our Students
  • Contact Us
  • Give
  • Apply now
Close
Search this website
Quick Links
  • Phonebook
  • Parking & Transportation
  • Wellness & Recreation Centers
  • Campus Maps
  • Libraries
  • Wi-Fi/Internet Access
  • University Calendar
  • Dining & Shopping
  • Course Catalog
  • FIU Police
  • Bookstore
  • A to Z Index
Resources
  • Future Students & Parents
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Graduate Programs
  • Overview
  • Programs Directory
  • International Students
    • Overview
    • Admissions Requirements
    • English Proficiency
    • Visa Documents
    • Assistance & Scholarships
    • Arriving in Miami
    • FAQs
  • Financial Aid
  • Florida Residency for Tuition
  • Scholarships
  • Insights
  • Contact Us
    • Overview
    • Program Directors
    • Enrollment Advisors
    • Leadership Team
  • Joint Graduate Degree Pathways
  • Global Opportunities
  • More
    • Loading...
Post Thumbnail
 Chapman Graduate School Insights
Accounting

Pursuing a Master of Accounting (for non-accounting degree holders)

By Emily Rodriguez

Prospective students who come to us interested in graduate accounting education come from a variety of backgrounds:

  • Undergraduate accounting majors preparing for their certification exams or seeking to accelerate their career
  • Individuals with business education, like finance or international business, who want to complement their education with specialized knowledge in accounting
  • Graduates from overseas with accounting or business degrees who need to enhance their credentials in the U.S. to advance their careers
  • Professionals with no business education at all who are interested in a complete career change

As interest and demand for accounting roles continue to grow, so has the need to pursue a Master of Accounting (MACC) degree or Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) degree. You might be in the situation where a MACC program seems like the perfect option to continue advancing your career or you might be wondering if switching to this path is even possible for you.

Whatever the reason for earning a graduate-level accounting degree, universities are adapting to make their MACC programs more inclusive and accessible even for those with no previous accounting or business education.

Why switch to accounting

Accounting can lead to plenty of promising career positions ranging from auditors, tax specialists, controllers, CPAs and analysts to even CFOs in companies that are big or small, public or private. Every business needs a skilled accountant, from nonprofits to multinational corporations - providing plenty of jobs available in the market.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for the next decade is at a steady rate of 6%, and the median pay is close to $72,000 for accountants and auditors. The high demand and substantial compensation for these roles make them a great choice for those interested in pursuing something new.

Pursuing a MACC degree is a great way to break into the field while equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue the upper-management or executive positions.

How to start your MACC program if you have a non-accounting business degree

Most MACC programs require you to have an undergraduate degree in accounting from an accredited institution because a graduate program builds on the knowledge taught in undergraduate accounting courses.

Some universities provide a specialized path for those with a business degree that isn’t accounting to be eligible to enter their MACC program. This path consists of prerequisite courses that build a strong foundation in accounting principles.

Some institutions call these prerequisite courses "bridge programs." At FIU, our path for business majors is a prerequisite program that includes introductory courses on topics like:

  • The principles of accounting
  • Financial accounting
  • Managerial accounting
  • Taxation
  • Auditing

After completing these courses, students are better prepared to move into advanced accounting education and successfully complete their master's degree program.

How to start your MACC if you do not have a business degree

The path to enter a Master of Accounting program for those that do not hold a business degree is not that straight forward. It may vary by institution, but on top of the prerequisite accounting courses mentioned above, you will need to fulfill various foundational business classes at the undergraduate level.

Depending on the options available, you could complete these at a smaller college or your university. These courses will provide you with a well-rounded curriculum of business principles that will prepare you to understand the language and ideas of the advanced classes. These undergraduate courses must be completed to qualify for a graduate program.

We recommend working with the enrollment advisor for your MACC program to learn what support programs are offered for those who do not hold a business degree. Be sure to ask for a list of required courses and instructions on how to transfer those credits if needed.

Accounting is a complex and ever-evolving field. Our complex economy comes with continually changing regulations, standards, and tax laws. It is vital to build a solid foundation of business and accounting knowledge to succeed in your master's program and beyond.

Are you interested in pursuing an accounting degree?

If you are interested in earning a Master of Accounting degree, attend an information session to learn more about the prerequisites needed if you do not have an undergraduate accounting degree from an accredited institution.


Share Post

Choose how to show this post:

About the Author

Emily Rodriguez is a content strategist and creator. Passionate about higher education, she has worked with institutions like Hult International Business School, Nova Southeastern University, and her alma mater Florida International University.

Related Posts

FIU Business

Modesto A. Maidique Campus
11200 S.W. 8th Street
Miami, FL 33199
cobquestions@fiu.edu

Connect with us

  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Follow us on YouTube
  • Follow us on Flickr

Quick Links

Apply
Academics
Business Certificates
News & Events
Privacy Policy
Contact Us
Website Feedback

Faculty & Staff Resources

Technology Center
Faculty and Staff Intranet
College Directory
Office of Marketing and Communications

Florida International University Homepage

Connect

  • Contact FIU
  • FIU News

Explore FIU

  • About FIU
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Locations
  • Research
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • Alumni and Giving
  • Careers at FIU
  • Estimate Cost of Attendance

Tools & Resources

  • Phonebook (Directory)
  • University Calendar
  • Campus Maps
  • MyFIU
  • Canvas
  • FIU Email
  • System Status
  • Reserve Space
  • Nondiscrimination
  • Title IX
  • Report Discrimination or Harassment

© 2025 Florida International University | Website by Digital Communications | Website Feedback | Web/Accessibility | Sitemap