Master of Accountancy - Admissions Requirements

When you're ready to apply to the College of Business Master of Accountancy, we're here to help. We want your application process to be smooth and successful, so please reach out to us.

When you’re ready to translate your academic skills into professional success, the Master of Accountancy program at the CSU College of Business is here for you. Position yourself as a strategic member of any organization by transforming business practices, exploring new ways to use accounting and creating lasting change.

Our program is designed for professionals at every stage in their accounting career. As part of the Master of Accountancy program, you’re giving yourself every advantage on the National Uniform CPA Exam. Starting a career in accounting means immersing yourself in accounting theory and technology while also sharpening your communication and business leadership skills. In response to major changes across the world, the field of accounting has become more dynamic than ever before. As an accounting professional, you recognize that a specialized Masters degree is an excellent way to refine your skills and stay ahead of the myriad of recent changes that have occurred.

If you're looking to pass your industry exams with confidence or looking to take the next step in your career as an accounting professional, our program is for you. By completing the Master of Accountancy program, you’ll become a part of a community that’s made up of more than 35,000 alumni. Shape your career and apply.

Eligibility and Requirements

We know you're more than a test score or a grade. The admissions committee takes a holistic approach when considering applications, which means we look at who you are as a person and what you would bring to our program and campus community. While we encourage our applicants to meet the minimum criteria, the inability to meet one may be offset by strengths in other areas. Generally, Master of Accountancy applicants must meet or exceed the following criteria:

An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited four-year institution in any field with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher

We review each applicant’s undergraduate academic record, taking into consideration the difficulty of the curriculum and the scholastic quality of the school attended.

Prerequisite coursework (if you did not major in accounting), or waiver

The following 3-credit courses, or their equivalent, are required prior to beginning the program. You may request a waiver if you have extensive, relevant work experience. Please see the Colorado State University catalog or contact us to discuss your educational background.

ECON 202 - Principles of Microeconomics
STAT 204 - Statistics for Business Students
FIN 300 - Principles of Finance
ACT 210 - Introduction to Financial Accounting
ACT 220 - Introduction to Managerial Accounting
ACT 311 - Intermediate Accounting I
ACT 312 - Intermediate Accounting II
ACT 321 - Cost Management
ACT 330 - Introduction to Taxation
ACT 350 - Accounting Information Systems
ACT 441 - Auditing Practices

Satisfactory GMAT score or waiver

The GMAT must have been taken within the past five years. If the applicant takes the GMAT more than once, the Admissions Committee will only consider the applicant’s highest total score.

The Admissions Committee will waive the GMAT for an applicant that meets any one of the following three conditions:

The applicant is no more than 15 credit hours away from earning their undergraduate degree in Accounting from an AACSB-accredited business school, and holds the following GPAs:
1. a cumulative GPA of at least 3.000; and
2. a GPA in accounting coursework of at least 3.000.*
The applicant has passed all parts of the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination.
The applicant has earned a graduate degree in any field from a Carnegie Research I (R1) or Research 2 (R2) Institution.

In addition, the Admissions Committee will consider waiving the GMAT requirement for an applicant with an undergraduate degree from a U.S. four-year institution with at least five years of full-time relevant work experience, and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.300.

* Only courses taken at the degree-granting institution will factor into the calculation of both GPAs. We encourage applicants to still take the GMAT if they believe their performance in undergraduate coursework does not accurately reflect their aptitude for graduate study.

Written communication skills

We evaluate your written communication skills via the statement of purpose and resume that you'll supply with your application.

Demonstrated capability, skills, and goals

We evaluate your capability, skills, and goals via the professional recommendations, resume, and statement of purpose that you'll supply with your application.

International applicants: satisfactory English proficiency test scores

If you are an international applicant, you should have one of the following: Internet-based TOEFL score of 95 or higher, an IELTS score of 7.0 or higher, a minimum of Duolingo score of 120, or a PTE score of 70 or higher. The test must have been taken within the past two years.

Other TOEFL testing formats may be accepted. Please contact us for information.

Application Deadline

Fall AdmissionEarly applicants
apply by Jan 1International applicants
apply by May 1 All remaining applicants
apply by July 1
Spring AdmissionInternational applicants
apply by Oct 1 All remaining applicants
apply by Dec 1

Please be aware that deadlines for financial aid may occur before the admission deadlines.

Application Process

The time it takes to complete the application process mostly depends on how long it takes you to gather your materials. Completing your portion quickly will allow us to give you a decision sooner. The information below should help you with the application process, but please contact us if you have any questions.

We strongly suggest that you not wait until the deadline, but submit your application well in advance. Admissions are competitive and made on a rolling basis.

Submit CSU Graduate School Application online
- Visit gradadmissions.colostate.edu/apply to start your application.
- Under "Select an application type," choose the term that you are applying to.
- Under "Program," choose from: Accountancy (M.A.C.C.), Accountancy/Taxation (M.A.C.C.), Accountancy/Data Analytics and Systems (M.A.C.C.), or Accountancy/Financial Analysis, Auditing, and Reporting (M.A.C.C.).
- Request/upload application materials directly to your online application and then submit.
  As soon as you have completed the required information, please submit your application. You do not need to wait for recommendations, scores, or transcripts to move your application forward.

Official transcripts

Unofficial transcripts are accepted. You may be admitted and registered in the first semester of courses with unofficial transcript(s). You must upload the front and back of transcripts and include any grading scale provided.

Original and official transcripts must be received from each institution you attended, including the institution from which you received your degree. Institutions may mail or email transcripts directly to the address below. If you already have sealed, official copies of your transcripts, you may mail those directly to us. (Student copies are not accepted.)

Transcripts are required for study abroad if the courses, grades, and credits are not recorded on the transcript of the university that sponsored the study abroad.

However, official transcripts must be provided within the first semester before you can register for your second semester of graduate work. Admission may be rescinded, if you fail to meet this condition and will result in your dismissal from your graduate program.

International applicants: You must submit one set of official transcripts and a degree statement with a certified translation into English from each college or university attended. Documents must show courses and final examinations taken, marks received for each year, and degree or diploma received. These must be mailed to us.

Mail transcripts to:
Graduate Admissions
Colorado State University, Office of Admissions
1062 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062
gradadmissions@colostate.edu

Academic performance explanation (if GPA is below 3.00)

If your undergraduate or graduate* cumulative GPA is below 3.0, explain the circumstances relating to your past academic performance on your online application.

* A cumulative GPA is a calculation of the average of student’s grades for courses taken at all institutions attended.

Professional recommendations

Recommendations provide insight into your skills and expertise in the professional environment and areas where a graduate degree can help you improve. Two professional recommendations are required for your application to move forward and be reviewed. You will provide three recommenders' contact information in the online application. CSU will email them and provide a link to a secure form where they will submit a recommendation on your behalf.

A professional reference is typically a current or former employer, colleague, client, supervisor, or someone who has first-hand knowledge of your professional background. Please request that your recommender provide specific examples of past interactions with you.

GMAT or waiver form

Take the GMAT and have scores sent electronically to Colorado State University directly from the testing service (school code 4075). Or, if you qualify and want to petition for a GMAT waiver, complete the waiver form, which will be available after you submit your online application. See eligibility section for more information.

English language proficiency test (if needed)

International applicants must complete the TOEFL or IELTS or PTE or Duolingo if the official language of your country is not English or if you did not earn your undergraduate or graduate degree from a U.S.-accredited institution. A minimum Internet-based TOEFL score of 86 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or a minimum of PTE score of 58 or a minimum of Duolingo score of 120 is required.

Test scores must be submitted directly to Colorado State University (school code 4075) from the testing centers.

See eligibility section for more information.

Statement of purpose

A statement of purpose is a one-page letter addressing 1) why you chose our program, 2) what you hope to do with the knowledge and skills you would learn, and 3) what value you and your background would bring to the program. You will upload this document to your online application.

Current resume

Describe the responsibilities of your professional experience and what you accomplished while in those positions; show the length of time for each position (including the month and year). International applicants, please provide the city, state, and country for your employment and academic history. You will upload this document to your online application.

Pay the application fee
Use a credit card to pay your application fee ($60 for domestic applicants, $70 for international applicants).
Submit the online applicant data sheet
Use your CSU ID number to complete and submit the College of Business applicant data sheet. After you submit your application online, you will receive a CSU ID number in approximately two to three days, unless you already have one (alumni and current students).
Check your status
We know you are eager to hear about your application status, so you can check it any time to make sure your application is complete or to keep an eye on updates. You will receive a confirmation email once your application is complete.
Schedule an Admissions Interview (invitation only)
You will be invited to complete an admissions interview. Interviews are conducted by invitation only. You are selected based on the quality of the completed application. We will only offer admission to a candidate once they have completed an interview with a member of the Program Admissions Committee and a completed application has been received.
Apply for Scholarships, Assistantships, and Fellowships
To increase your chance for funding, you are encouraged to apply for funding as soon as you submit your application. More information about assistantships can be found here.
Accept your admission
Confirm your decision to attend through your admissions application.

Interview Policy and Process

Interviews are conducted by invitation only. Applicants to the graduate program are selected to interview based on the quality of a completed application. We will not offer admission to a candidate until they have completed a personal interview with the Program Director and a completed application has been reviewed.

If you are chosen to interview, we will send you an email message that describes the process for scheduling an interview. Interviews may be conducted virtually via Slate Scheduler.

Interviews are typically conducted with the applicant and Program Director. Interviews usually take approximately 20 minutes and include questions focused on career goals, and professional/academic experience. If time allows at the end, applicants are welcome to ask questions about the program and admission process. The suggested attire for the interview is business casual. Unless otherwise notified, applicants do not need to bring any materials to the interview.

Master of Accountancy: Admissions

Eligibility and Requirements

Application Deadline

Application Process