Admission to the Master of Professional Accounting program does not require an undergraduate degree in accounting, but it does require certain undergraduate accounting courses. If the undergraduate degree is not in accounting, an applicant must have successfully (with a grade of B or better) completed or be enrolled in course work in financial accounting, managerial accounting, intermediate accounting I and II, U.S. federal taxation, and auditing from a regionally-accredited university prior to submitting an application. Applications are only considered for the fall and spring semesters.
To be considered for admission, applicants will need the following:
- A copy of your official transcript from all institutions attended. Penn State alumni do not need to provide transcripts. Applicants should hold either a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or a tertiary (post-secondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.
- A grade point average of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) is recommended.
- A copy of the applicant's current resume.
- A one-page written statement of intent to highlight one’s academic background, work experience, skills, strengths, academic interests, and professional goals.
- Contact information for one reference.
- Official GMAT or GRE results. Applicants may request a GMAT/GRE waiver if they meet specific criteria. Applicants must indicate the basis for their waiver request on the online application. We also offer a GMAT Preparation Course.
- A $65 application fee. The fee will be waived if the applicant attended an in-person admission event or a personal appointment with an Academic Program Manager.