MS in Accounting

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Why Get An M.S. In
Accounting At Dolan?

Fairfield’s Master of Science in Accounting program offers a 30-credit master’s in accounting. Students can choose between three tracks: assurance, business analytics or taxation. Coursework covers accounting in governments, hospitals, and universities; ethics, financial statement analysis, and entity taxation.

The program not only meets these professional needs, it also addresses the educational requirements of most states for CPA certification. Students who choose the taxation track must complete at last six courses in tax (though seven are strongly advised). In addition, all students complete research coursework. The curriculum includes off time to take the CPA exam and complete paid internships. This program must be completed on a full-time basis, beginning in the summer and ending the following May. This cohort model insures a strong sense of community among all the students, as well as opportunities to work closely with the Dolan School’s accounting faculty.

Fairfield Dolan | MS in Accounting

Fairfield Dolan Rankings

U.S. News & World Report Rankings Badge
#26
Accounting
U.S. News & World Report Rankings Badge
#15
Marketing
U.S. News & World Report Rankings Badge
#17
Finance
U.S. News & World Report Rankings Badge
#18
Business Analytics
– U.S. News & World Report

Accounting Students At A Glance

21 - 24
Age Range

22
Average Age

3.82
Average GPA

48%
Female

52%
Male

Undergraduate Majors: Accounting / Business Administration / Finance / Economics

Working at: Blum Shapiro / Bregman & Company / CA Technologies/ CA Technologies / Deloitte / EY / KPMG / NFP / P.C / People's United Bank / PwC / Prudential Financial / Xerox

Requirements & Curriculum

Required Courses

Accounting for Governments, Hospitals, and Universities
Issues in Accounting Ethics
Financial Statement Analysis
Entity Taxation
One (1) Accounting or Taxation Fondation 6000-level course
One (1) International course
One (1) Designated Research course
Three (3) elective courses

A detailed list of course requirements, offerings, and more can be viewed in the University’s course catalog.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting is for working professionals or lifelong learners who have earned a bachelor's degree but seek to enhance a resume, improve skills, prepare for a job change, or continue to learn in a field they did not major in at college.

Dolan Admission

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent) or have completed the equivalent coursework prior to beginning the program.

Graduate Fellowship

Fairfield Dolan offers merit-based graduate fellowships that provide substantial financial support towards the cost of tuition. In addition, students who qualify can apply for a competitive scholarship that covers much of the cost of attending. Admitted students are eligible to apply for a limited number of entrance scholarships. These one-time awards are applied to offset the cost of the first semester of study. As these are very competitive, it is best to apply early if you wish to be considered for this form of support.

Please contact Leanne De Los Santos at ldelossantos@fairfield.edu for additional information.

More About MS in Accounting

The Fairfield Dolan Experience

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The Fairfield Dolan Experience

Diversity and Inclusive Excellence

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Diversity and Inclusive Excellence

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As a Jesuit, Catholic university, Fairfield is dedicated to diversity and inclusion; to radical hospitality in service of racial, social, and economic justice.

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Career & Professional Development

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Career & Professional Development

Today's graduate student must be prepared with skills to last a lifetime of job searches and career shifts. Dolan’s close partnerships with nationally recognized companies and successful alumni will open the door to top notch learning opportunities and lifelong connections. Whether students are looking to start their career, advance their career within their current organization, or pivot to another career, Dolan will provide students with the necessary skills and resources needed to succeed.

Engaged Alumni Network

Alumni play a significant role in the mentoring and advocacy of current students by helping our students gain industry or company insight through informational interviews, mentorship, and more.

Executive Series and Leadership Opportunities

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Executive Series and Leadership Opportunities

Complementing Fairfield Dolan’s traditional pedagogical mission is a series of diverse and distinctive events designed to enrich graduate student coursework including the Dolan Lecture, Dean’s Executive Forums, Fairfield StartUp Showcase, and Professional Development Series Events.

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Future-Ready Facility

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Future-Ready Facility

Fairfield Dolan’s 80,500 square foot, $40 million facility gives Fairfield business students every advantage they need to make them future ready.

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Diversity and Inclusive Excellence

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Diversity and Inclusive Excellence

Four Students sitting together talking to each other in common srrea 

As a Jesuit, Catholic university, Fairfield is dedicated to diversity and inclusion; to radical hospitality in service of racial, social, and economic justice.

Learn More

Dolan Newsletter

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Dolan Newsletter

Learn more about what our faculty and students are doing, as well as stay up-to-date on our rankings and accolades, programs, and more.

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Dolan Report

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Dolan Report

We invite you to view the Dolan Update, a year in review of Charles F. Dolan School of Business News.

Read the Dolan Report

Advisory Board

Meet the Advisory Board Members

Advisory Board

Our Accounting programs benefit from strong connections with accounting firms and employers. Executives from various accounting firms serve on the Advisory Board to provide advice on our curricula, program designs, internships and mentoring, and recruit our graduates.

Stephen Allegretto, Sr. ‘81
Vice President - Financial Planning
Yale-New Haven Hospital

Tessa Criticos
Managing Director, Business Tax Services
KPMG

Scott Davis
Stamford Market Managing Partner
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Patrick Dunleavey ‘08
Auditor
BlumShapiro & Co, P.C.

Lawrence Dunn ‘00
Senior Accountant
Ernst & Young LLP

Jennifer Holland ‘07
Program Manager
Google Apps for Education at Google Inc.

Edward Kingsley
Partner
Deloitte

Sheri Lamont Fabian ‘88
Partner
Grant Thornton

Robert Nardone ‘92
Partner
KPMG

Brandyn Schmelzer
Director
BDO

Thomas Sciametta
Partner
Ernst & Young LLP

Evron Trim
Manager
PwC

Faculty & Administration

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Faculty & Administration

Fairfield University’s Charles F. Dolan School of Business boasts experienced faculty who teach students the fundamentals, ethics, and new developments in business on a local and global scale.

Meet the Faculty & Administration

Frequently Asked Questions

A bachelor’s degree in accounting is strongly recommended. Candidates who lack sufficient accounting coursework may consider our Post-Baccalaureate Accounting Certificate program.

The MSA program is a full-time, one year degree program beginning each May.

  • Traditional: 14-week
  • Accelerated: 7-week
  • Intensive
  • Summer: 7-week accelerated
  • Online or hybrid formats of any of the above schedules

Traditional courses are taught as lectures/seminars. Courses offered in other formats are designed to offer the same type of classroom experience as the traditional format. Some classes use online discussion, chats, blogs, electronic portfolios, and more as ways to enhance the course experience. Classes taught fully online deliver lectures through a variety of means, and use any or all of the above methods to ensure student participation, comprehension, and performance.

Tuition and fees for Fairfield's graduate programs.

Priority deadline is January 15. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the cohort is full.

The GMAT/GRE exam is required for applicants to the MSA program. This requirement may be waived. Please refer to our waiver policy here.

Yes, please review the application requirements for international students.

For information, please contact Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs Leanne De Los Santos at ldelossantos@fairfield.edu or 203-254-4000 x3219 or Director of Graduate Accounting Programs Kathi Mettler at kmettler@fairfield.edu.

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