Connect with us!
Discover the benefits of earning your degree from Sacred Heart University.
MS in Accounting (MSA)
Gain cutting-edge skills. Lead the future of accounting.
Begin Your Journey Take the Next Step
Earn your MS in accounting at Sacred Heart and develop the expertise employers need to meet evolving regulations and growing integration of accounting across key business functions in today's global economy.
At a Glance
- Duration: 1 year
- Credits: 30
- Cost Per Credit: $1,010
- Modality: Hybrid (Online courses with monthly Saturday seminars)
- Start Terms: Fall (September) & Spring (January)
- Test Requirements: No GRE/GMAT required
- STEM-Designated: No
Learn more about tuition rates and payment options for the MSA program.
Why Study Accounting at Sacred Heart?
A Sacred Heart accounting degree is built for the future-ready professionals like you—driven, career-focused and eager to bring expertise to accounting and financial firms big and small, startups, and growing businesses. Whether you pursue Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure, forensic accounting or another specialized role, you'll graduate with critical-thinking, analytical, and communication skills that provide an edge in the job market. You will:
- Learn from accounting faculty who are recognized experts in their fields and actively engaged in the industry
- Access meaningful internships and job opportunities by taking advantage of Sacred Heart's prime location in Fairfield County, close to New York City
- Study at the AACSB-accredited Welch College of Business & Technology, placing you in one of the elite business schools worldwide
Find a Path that Fits Your Professional Goals
Benefit from a rigorous curriculum, aligned directly with the new CPA exam, that features core courses in foundational concepts and two career-focused concentrations, including:
Forensic Accounting
- Gain the skills to spot, investigate, and prevent financial fraud and wrongdoing
- Study real-life cases in fraud detection, compliance, and legal support
- Learn how professionals examine financial transactions, identify problems, and encourage ethical financial practices in private and public organizations
Tax Compliance & Planning
- Understand state and federal tax laws for individuals and businesses
- Learn through hands-on coursework and real-life examples
- Acquire the knowledge to understand complex tax rules, ensure compliance, and help clients with tax planning and risk management
Prepare for the CPA Exam
Take important steps toward CPA licensure with a program designed to support you in achieving your professional goals:
- Master the skills and knowledge tested on the CPA Exam
- Apply SHU's 30-credit master's degree to complete the 150 hours necessary as part of CPA licensure
- Students may be eligible to receive Becker CPA review at no cost
Upcoming Events
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Graduate grant-in-aid
- Veteran benefits
- Graduate assistantships
- Residence hall director positions
Career Outlook
Accounting professionals with advanced credentials typically earn $80,000 to more than $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and specialization, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Accounting Career Paths
You'll graduate prepared for the roles that keep organizations strong and compliant. You'll also join a community of accounting professionals who keep opening doors for one another.
Career paths you can pursue include:
- CPA
- Tax accountant
- Forensic accountant
- Internal auditor
- Governmental accountant
- Certified management accountant (CMA) pathway roles
- Certified valuation analyst (CVA) pathway roles
- Accounting information systems manager
- Financial planner
Our graduates have worked at firms, corporations, and government agencies including:
Lifetime Career Support
Accounting students benefit from a dedicated career team with industry experience and employer partnerships that connect top talent to major companies. Students and alumni enjoy lifetime access to the Center for Career & Professional Development, where expert coaches provide personalized support with résumés, interview, and job placement.
Degree Options for Incoming Students & Current SHU Undergraduates
Incoming First-Year Students: 4+1 Dual Degree Program
Students may apply directly to the Bachelor’s-Master of Science in accounting (MSA) 4+1 dual degree program as incoming first-year students for a streamlined path to earning both degrees.
Students begin with an undergraduate major in one of the following areas:
- Accounting
- Business Economics
- Finance
Through this integrated program, you'll build a strong foundation in business and accounting while progressing seamlessly into advanced accounting coursework—saving you time and accelerating your path to a master's degree.
Current SHU Undergraduates: 4+1 Combined Degree Program
Sacred Heart undergraduates can fast-track their future by earning a bachelor's and a master's degree in just five years. You'll work with your adviser to develop your 4+1 plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You’ll follow a hybrid format designed with working professionals in mind, including online coursework and monthly Saturday seminars (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) on the Fairfield campus. Many students balance coursework with part-time or full-time roles by planning ahead and staying consistent week to week.
You can complete the program in one year in the recommended cohort model. If you prefer a lighter course load, you can choose a part-time option, typically two years with six-credit terms.
Yes. You’ll earn 30 hours in accounting courses that may count toward CPA education requirements. When combined with a bachelor’s degree, this can support the 150-hour pathway. Additionally, the program is designed to help prepare you for the CPA exam.
You’ll choose based on the work you want to do next. Forensic Accounting fits goals tied to fraud detection, compliance, and investigative work, while Tax Compliance & Planning supports goals in tax law, planning, and risk management.
You’ll join the Sacred Heart University alumni community of more than 61,000 alumni worldwide, plus career resources that support your résumé, interview preparation, and networking as you pursue internships and full-time roles.
Sacred Heart offers services that help you stay on track, including advising, career coaching, and wellness resources, so you can bring your whole self, mind, focus, and confidence into the program.
More Information
Associate Director of Graduate Admissions
The flexibility of the MSA program and the extensive instruction enabled me to secure a job and a master’s degree while successfully attaining my CPA credential! The MSA program is so much more than just a degree—it is an essential puzzle piece to your future. The MSA taught me more about myself and what I wanted for my future than any textbook could. SHU's MSA program positively shaped my career trajectory. I couldn’t be prouder or more grateful to have been a part of it.
Accounting
Exterior view of Sacred Heart University’s West Campus, home of the Welch College of Business & Technology
Students and faculty engage in a program overview seminar
Faculty, staff and students gather during orientation
Mahfuja Malik, Ph.D., is one of the exceptional faculty members who teach in the MSA program
MSA graduates beam with pride as they hold their degrees at Commencement
MSA graduates celebrate with their degrees in hand at Commencement
The Latest in Accounting & Information Systems
View More News-
SHU Recognizes 23 Faculty Members with Tenure, Promotions
Academics, Faculty & Staff SpotlightPublished:Professors from a wide range of fields across the University were acknowledged for their ongoing impact on the Sacred Heart community and the betterment of its students -
What If Accountants Ruled the World? Real-Life Ways Accounting Shapes Our Daily Lives
AcademicsPublished:As Tax Day approaches, let’s consider the many ways accounting powers the systems that keep our world moving. -
Why Today’s Accountants Need a Master’s Degree
AcademicsPublished:AI, machine learning and sustainable and responsible business practices require new roles and skills
