Master of Professional Accountancy

Why an MPA?

The Augustana University Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) Program will prepare students to enter the accounting field as Certified Professional Accountants (CPAs) and qualified business leaders.

In addition to coursework, high-impact internship experiences with industry leaders give students an edge.
Graduates will enter a growing career field, as demand for CPAs and auditors is rising, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics forecast.
This program meets the requirements of the CPA licensing exam in South Dakota and most other states.
Augustana CPA exam pass rates exceed state and national averages.

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Beyond AU

Maddy Deetz '23 (center), who earned an MPA, as well as a bachelor’s degree in accounting, is an audit associate at Eide Bailly in Sioux Falls. Deetz completed two internships with the accounting firm while she was a student at Augustana. She is also a certified public accountant (CPA).

Accreditation

Application Requirements

Applications for the Augustana University Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) Program are reviewed monthly for admission. Applications are given preference if received by March 15 for fall admittance and Oct. 15 for spring admittance.

Transcript and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required to apply.

Prerequisite Course Requirements

Acct 210 Principles of Accounting I
Acct 211 Principles of Accounting II
Acct 322 Intermediate Accounting I
Acct 324 Intermediate Accounting II
Acct 326 Intermediate Accounting III
Acct 344 Income Taxation
BSAD 205 Management Information Systems
BSAD 340 Business Law I

Contacts

Program Director of Master of Professional Accountancy Dr. Laura Hybertson

Latest News

Dr. Roxanne Stevens Named Dean of the Augustana School of Business

Augustana is proud to announce that Dr. Roxanne Stevens has been named the university’s new dean of the School of Business. Stevens began serving in her role in mid-August. Stevens is working on both a short- and long-term plan for the School of Business that includes growth initiatives, community partnerships and student engagement opportunities — such as additional internships, student organizations and honor societies.

Beyond the Books at AU: Triple Major, MPA Program Student Building Professional Network Through Ernst & Young Internship

Meghan Harold ‘22, of Parker, South Dakota, is triple majoring in accounting, business and finance, and plans to graduate from the Augustana Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) Program in December. In part due to connections at Augustana University, the Air Force veteran was able to land an internship at Ernst & Young, LLP this summer in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Highlights

Why choose the Augustana University Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) Program?

At the end of five years, students graduate with two degrees — a bachelor’s and master’s degree and hold the 150 credits required to sit for the CPA exam.
Through applied learning, working in teams and a combination of technical accounting skills with broader business knowledge, students achieve skills sought by employers.
The accounting faculty have spent time in the industry, bringing first-hand experience to the classroom.
Students have interned at a variety of organizations — many of which have led to full-time employment opportunities.

This 3+2 degree means students spend the first three years in undergraduate classes, transition to some graduate-level courses in year four and finish the fifth year with all graduate classes.

For those who already have a bachelor’s degree, the MPA can be completed in 1.5 years, starting in the fall.

Augustana MPA students have the opportunity to:

Apply theories of accounting to real-world experiences
Develop in-depth knowledge of current issues within the accounting industry
Critically analyze the codifications for the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code
Effectively write business communications and present to peers
Demonstrate advanced skills in critical thinking by solving unstructured problems
Work with emerging accounting technologies and topics
Network with professionals from premier accounting firms at the Meet the Firms event each fall on campus

STEM & Technology in Accounting

The demand for STEM-based, analytical accountancy has been driven by employers and the CPA exam.

The CPA exam changes in January 2024 to have a greater focus on a CPA's ability to analyze accounting data and use new technologies.
This emphasis on new technologies better reflects that this demand is being met through courses and with specific course elements.
The MPA program’s classification as a STEM program allows international students to receive an extra two years of work experience through their student visa.

FAQs

How long is the program?

The Augustana MPA Program is designed as a 3+2 track. The first three years of the program will be spent working at the undergraduate level with the fourth year designed as a transitional year with some graduate-level coursework. Students will spend their fifth year working at the graduate level.

For those who already have a bachelor’s degree, the MPA can be completed in 1.5 years, starting in the fall.

How do I apply?

At the completion of this program, will I be a certified public accountant?

Does the program accept transfer credits?

A maximum of nine semester hours of graduate credit earned at other accredited institutions may be transferred to Augustana and applied to a student’s graduate program providing that:

An official transcript is provided
The credit is approved by the program director and director of Graduate Education
The credits have not been utilized in earning an undergraduate degree
A grade of B- or better was earned for the credits
The credits are not outdated (more than seven years old)

What are the admission requirements?

The program requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA, 3.0 accounting course GPA and 90 hours of completed coursework. Contact the MPA Program Director Laura Hybertson for more information regarding Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or GRE scores.

Prerequisite Courses

Principles of Accounting 1 & 2 (ACCT 210 & 211)
Intermediate Accounting 1, 2 & 3 (ACCT 322, 324 & 326)
Income Taxation (ACCT 344)
Management Information Systems (BSAD 205)
Business Law 1 (BSAD 340)

Is financial aid available?

What types of internships and hands-on learning opportunities are included in the program?

An internship is required for the program. The accounting faculty and Student Success Center have many connections in the accounting industry to help students obtain an internship. Some internships may lead to full-time positions after graduation. Opportunities to volunteer for the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, nonprofits and new business start-ups are also available.

Internship opportunities include:

KPMG
EY (Ernst & Young)
RSM
Eide Bailly
Woltman Group
Ketel Thorstenson, LLP
Williams and Company
Weisser Distributing
First PREMIER Bank

Do I need an undergraduate degree in accounting?

Why should I choose to get an MPA at Augustana?

In addition to being located in Sioux Falls, the state's largest city — home to hundreds of businesses and organizations who have high demand for CPAs, and with whom Augustana has countless partnerships — the following points illustrate why you should choose the Augustana MPA Program:

At the end of five years, you will graduate with two degrees: a bachelor's degree and a master's degree and hold the 150 college credits required to sit for the CPA exam.
Students complete real-world activities in class, such as mock tax returns, tax and audit memorandums, deep analysis of publicly traded companies’ 10K reports, extensive analysis of governments’ CAFR reports and use of sampling software for audits , where students will gain the experience of working on a team and the application of the theories they talk about in the classroom.
A variety of opportunities exist in Sioux Falls and across the country thanks to the Augustana network.
The accounting faculty have spent time in industry allowing them to bring first-hand experiences into the classroom.
The program was developed in consultation with employers into a combination of technical accounting skills, broader business knowledge and a variety of electives providing skills sought by today’s employers.

What positions do graduates obtain?