MSA Transitions Frequently Asked Questions

Fall Start

Priority: June 1

Final: July 15

Spring Start

Priority: October 1

Final: November 15

Summer Start

Priority: February 1

Final: March 15

Yes - you may be able to take up to 6 credits as a non-degree student (try-a-class option); however, certain prerequisites may apply so please reach out to us before registering. Find more details here.

Once you access the online application, under the “Objectives” tab in the “Degree(s)” section, please choose “Accounting (M.S. Acctg) and select the “Transitions” track.

All applicants will receive an acknowledgement letter via email from the Graduate Admissions Office which includes your Admissions ID and Access Code. This will enable you to keep track of application materials that have been received. Additionally, the Isenberg Graduate Programs office will be in touch about incomplete materials and next steps.

Acceptance decisions are posted in SLATE with instructions to confirm acceptance and an electronic acceptance letter will be posted by the UMass Graduate School. The Associate Dean and your academic advisor will email you with additional information to get started.

Accepted students can defer their acceptance once, for up to one year. Contact your academic advisor to discuss further.

Graduate School application and $85 application fee (waived for military and current UMass Amherst undergraduates)

Personal statement

Graduate School short essay  

Resume/CV 

Official transcripts of all universities/colleges attended

Two letters of recommendation

GMAT/GRE score (only required at the request of the Program Director)

TOEFL/IELTS score (for international applicants only)

A personal statement should be one to two pages in length and include information about your past and current academic and professional history, your future goals and reasons for pursuing the MS in Accounting, and other pertinent details that will help us evaluate you as a candidate.

*Not required for the following application terms: Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025.   

Please take the time to answer all parts of the following question. 600 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but do not feel obligated to do so. 

At UMass Amherst, no two students are alike. Our communities and groups often define us and shape our individual worlds. Community can refer to various aspects, including shared geography, religion, race/ethnicity, income, ideology, ability, sexuality, gender, and more. 

Please choose one of your communities or groups and describe its significance. Explain how your experience in this community or group would enable you to enrich the following: 
        1. Your department/program/our campus 
        2. Your field/discipline 

Please submit your transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, undergraduate and graduate, where nine (9) or more credits were earned. Unofficial transcripts uploaded to the Additional Materials page of your application are acceptable. Upon admittance, official transcripts will need to be submitted, either electronically or in paper format, directly by each institution's Registrar to the Graduate Student Service Center. Review After You Apply for instructions on submitting official transcripts.

If your current transcript has all of the courses and grades (GPA-based) from the previous institutions included, you are not required to submit the transcripts. We highly encourage you to double-check with the University Registrar’s Office. Otherwise, you are required to submit transcripts from all previous institutions where 9 credits or more were earned.

Recommendations should be requested from individuals who know you on either a professional or academic level and well enough to provide specific examples and details regarding your past performance and competencies. If you are a recent college graduate, you are welcome to provide two academic references.

GMAT/GRE scores are only required at the request of the Program Director. If you have a score that you would like to submit, we will include it in our overall review of your application. A solid GMAT/GRE score enhances any application. Instances where the Program Director will ask for a score are when an applicant has both below a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA and completed their bachelor’s degree within only one to two years of applying.

School Code: Isenberg-UMass Amherst - 3917

The MSA Transitions track requires completion of anywhere between 33 - 45 credits, depending on previous academic coursework in accounting.

Yes, you can choose elective courses that will help you get ahead in a particular area of accounting. An academic advisor can assist you in developing a tailored concentration which would strengthen your skill set in areas of your choice. Nine elective credits establish a focus area.

Focus areas are available in: Data Analytics, Forensic Accounting, and Taxation.

No, students do not need to choose a focus area to complete their degree.

Yes, as an MSA student, you are allowed to take 6 credits of elective coursework within the Online MBA curriculum.

Yes! Look into our independent study option.

We follow a typical semester system – fall and spring semesters are 14 weeks, summer semester is 10 weeks (no classes offered during August), and the winter session is typically 5 weeks. Some courses (based on credit hour) may vary from the traditional semester structure.

Courses are conducted through Blackboard Learn, utilizing an asynchronous presentation style including recorded lectures, discussion groups, readings, and exams/papers. (Please note that each class varies and the presentation methods/materials are at the discretion of the professor).  

The MSA program does not allow for Pass/Fail and SAT/UNSAT grading.

Due to the ever-changing evolution in business education, MS in Accounting courses which were taken more than six years ago cannot be counted toward your degree and will need to be retaken. We strongly recommend that students complete the MS in Accounting program within three years, but the majority of students complete the program within 2.5 years.

Yes, you can. The four core certificate courses (12 credits) will transfer directly into the MSA program. Taking the certificate before the MSA program does not guarantee admission to the MSA program. There are separate application processes for each program. Taking the certificate program before the MSA is not required.

Congratulations on reaching your goal of completing your MSA! If you are enrolling in your last class this semester, you must complete the Degree Eligibility Form and submit it to your academic advisor.

Note: An overall 3.0 GPA (B) must be maintained in order to graduate. Once your Degree Eligibility Form has been processed by the Graduate Office, details about commencement will be both emailed and mailed to your current address (listed on SPIRE).

Yes, you will receive the same exact diploma. Whether you take the program online or in-person, it will not be specified on the diploma.

The diploma will not reveal your focus area, but the transcript will.

Yes, students in the top 10% are inducted into Phi Kappa Phi.

YES! All eligible MSA students can participate in graduation ceremonies and receptions. You are eligible to participate in graduation ceremonies and receptions if you complete your MSA credits by May of the same year as graduation.

Your confer date will be posted to your transcript in the weeks following your semester's confer date. Confer dates for each semester are February for fall and winter graduates, May for spring graduates, and September for summer graduates. 

Official Transcripts will not be available right after you complete your coursework. You will know that your transcript is finalized when you see “Degree Conferred” at the end of your transcript. If you completed a focus, you will see it with the Degree Conferred. 

Diplomas will be mailed two to three months after your degree has been conferred, to the Diploma Address listed on SPIRE at the time of mailing.

Your UMass email is viable up to six months after graduation. You will always have access to your SPIRE account. You’ll be able to request your official transcripts online and/or change your contact information. Do make sure your address is updated so the current year's W2’s will reach you.

All transitions foundation courses are completed 100% online in an asynchronous manner. You can take classes from any place at any time, so you can complete your assignments at a time that works for you.

Once you move into the core MSA curriculum, we offer the option for students to take some of their classes in-person at UMass Amherst. Classes are offered on-campus at Isenberg in the fall and spring semesters. Classes are typically held Monday to Thursday. If you wish to combine on-campus and online classes, you may. Or, you can continue to take advantage of our completely online option.

The program is meant to be flexible and to meet the needs of our students, so the length it takes to complete is really up to you. For the Transitions track, the minimum length of time to complete the program will be 4 semesters. Those working full time can expect to complete the program in 2.5 years.

Yes, we are accredited by AACSB, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. We have the distinction of having earned separate AACSB accreditation for our accounting department and programs – only 1% of business schools in the world have this distinction.

No, the MSA program is not STEM certified.

If you are interested in taking the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, required courses vary by state. For specific CPA requirements by state, please visit the "Exams" section of the NASBA website.

Yes, we offer many events including networking events, discussion panels, as well as social gatherings. If you’re in the area, we welcome you to attend our events. Events may be offered both virtually and in-person.

Isenberg Resources:

• IConnect (tools, tips, tricks, recruitment, events, connections, etc.)
• Isenberg Alumni LinkedIn Group (Join at student level)

UMass Resources:

• Connect UMass
• UMass Handshake (UMass Amherst wide resource to connect with recruiters and view job openings)
• UMass Alumni Association (Students can request an Alumni ID using first time registration access as an accepted student)

Our MSA Program - Transitions track is designed for students who did not complete their undergraduate degree in accounting and are seeking to move into the accounting profession.

You most likely need to take additional accounting courses. Please contact our office for a preliminary review of your transcript: grad@isenberg.umass.edu 

The accounting classes required for entry into our program are as follows:

• Intermediate Financial Accounting I/Financial Reporting I

• Intermediate Financial Accounting II/Financial Reporting II

• Cost Accounting

• Audit

• Individual/Federal Taxation

Residency is not a part of the requirement as the MSA program can be completed 100% online and can be done from anywhere in the world.

No, the MSA program does not require any work experience for its incoming students. Upcoming and recent graduates are encouraged to apply.

UMass undergraduate students (non-Isenberg) may be eligible to take undergraduate accounting courses. Please contact grad@isenberg.umass.edu for more information.

Undergraduate students at UMass Amherst and other colleges in the Five College Consortium can pursue a 4+1 option, completing their undergraduate degree and their master's degree in 5 years. The 4+1 option can also be accelerated, allowing students to complete both their undergraduate and master's degrees in fewer than 5 years. Interested students should apply to a master's degree program in their junior year or early in their senior year.

No. Our transitions track is designed for students with non-accounting backgrounds.

You need to activate your Student IT Account to get access to SPIRE, UMass Email, and Online library resources. On the SPIRE Logon page, click Activate Your Account under IT Accounts.  You will need your NetID and temporary password sent to you via email or regular mail.

All students can use the Browse Courses tool to review Isenberg course offerings. To register, login to SPIRE and click on Main Menu > Enrollment > Add Classes. Online courses will be designated as “UWW”.

To enroll in a winter class, you must activate your Enrollment Appointment in SPIRE.

Log into SPIRE and request a UWW Enrollment Appointment by navigating to Main Menu > Enrollment > Summer/Wtr/Non-deg Enroll Appt. This appointment represents the time period during which you will be able to enroll in UWW classes in SPIRE.

To access your online class for the first time, use your UMass login credentials to sign-in to Canvas.

Yes! The University uses an Online Learning Management System called Canvas. Canvas courses are available a week prior. This is a great opportunity to introduce yourself and start to learn the navigation before having to learn the course content.

You can find out what course materials will be required by looking at the course notes and/or course syllabus all available in SPIRE.

If you are unable to take a class in a fall or spring semester, register for continuous enrollment. Contact your advisor for more details.

If you do not enroll in a minimum of one course in the spring and fall semesters by the add/drop deadline OR do not apply for continuous enrollment, you will be withdrawn from the University for “failure to enroll.” Should this happen and you wish to be readmitted, you must contact the Graduate Programs Office, pay the program fees and a readmit fee. Readmission is not guaranteed.

Graduate courses, taken within three years of admission into the program and with a grade of B or better, and that were not used to satisfy another degree, are eligible for transfer. You can transfer up to 6 credits from another accredited university toward your Isenberg MSA. Courses and their respective credits that transfer will reduce the number of credits required to complete your Isenberg MSA degree. 

For courses to be considered for transfers, please send us a course description and a syllabus for each course. Please be specific about which Isenberg course you are requesting to have reviewed. If approved, you will need to have your official transcript sent with the courses listed to gradadm@grad.umass.edu.

Occasionally, students in the MSA Transitions track may have completed an upper-level accounting course that qualifies them for an exemption from a foundation course. Current MSA students should contact their advisor for more information. Applicants should email grad@isenberg.umass.edu for more information.

The Graduate Programs Office will contact you to let you know which course(s) has been approved for transfer or waiver.

Yes, the performance in your non-degree courses will be reviewed as part of your admissions process.

Yes, 6 credits of non-degree courses are eligible for transfer into the MSA program. A grade of “B” or better is required for transfer.

Individuals interested in taking non-degree courses must first complete the non-degree student enrollment application. Please follow this link for the instructions.

Please email grad@isenberg.umass.edu for course enrollment options and permission.

Non-degree registration typically opens two weeks after registration opens for our matriculated students. Please contact a staff member for course recommendations with open seats: grad@isenberg.umass.edu

Please refer to the Academic Calendar to see the last day of registration, as well as the first and last day of classes of each semester. 

Yes, tuition is the same for online courses regardless of state or even country residency. To find current tuition rates, please go here.

You will be billed directly by the University Bursar's Office. Billing information will be sent to your UMass email account. Paper bills will not be generated. The bill can be viewed within SPIRE and paid directly online, or it can be downloaded and mailed with a check. If your employer is paying for your tuition, you may also use Agency or Corporate Billing. Bills are generally posted on the 15th of the month. Any questions related to your bill should be directed to the Bursar’s Office.

No, we do not require any deposit payment for the MSA.

MSA students are not eligible for graduate assistantships. We offer a limited number of scholarships worth $2500 each. You would be eligible to apply once you have matriculated in the MSA program.

MSA students (online or in-person) may be eligible for student loans. Please refer to the UWW Financial Aid page for more information regarding eligibility and policies.

For specific partnership benefits, please reference your individual educational partnership page:

You will need to complete and sign the Extended Payment Plan agreement found here.