If you want to make a career change to accounting, CSUN Nazarian's Master of Professional Accountancy program is for you. Become a CPA with our 1-year or 2-year options.
Why Earn a Master's in Professional Accountancy?
Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) are an essential part of our economy. They advise people, business and other organizations on many financial issues, including accounting and taxes.
A professional accountancy degree takes you beyond traditional accounting and prepares you to become a licensed CPA. You will develop an understanding of accounting theory, technical procedures, and the professional standards and ethics essential to becoming a successful CPA. With these skills, you will be prepared for a career in public, industry, government, and not-for-profit accounting.
Why Study Professional Accountancy at CSUN?
CSUN's Master of Professional Accountancy program meets California's 150-hour requirement for CPA licensure, and it will prepare you to pass the CPA exam.
Flexible Programs
Earn your degree quickly through our full-time 1-year program or choose to balance work and life with our part-time 2-year program. For either track, our classes meet in the evenings and on Saturdays.
Affordable
With tuition under $22,108 for the entire program, this graduate degree provides the most return on your investment. You will also receive the Becker CPA review course free of charge.
Bigger and Better
We are one of the largest business schools in the country, with 7,000 students and an alumni network of more than 50,000. You will have access to more resources, world-class faculty and state-of-the-art facilities. Plus, our Los Angeles location means we have connections to top players and exciting newcomers in nearly every industry imaginable.
AACSB Accredited
The David Nazarian College of Business and Economics is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the highest standard in business and management education. Only 25 percent of business schools nationwide and 5 percent of business schools worldwide receive this distinction.
What You'll Learn
By earning your master's in professional accountancy, you'll attain the necessary knowledge and skills required to pass the CPA examination.
You will learn to identify, analyze and propose solutions to solve complex problems in accounting and related business matters. You will also recognize ethical and professional responsibility issues, such as avoiding potential conflicts of interest or overlooking documents for the sake of time.
You'll learn to use data analysis tools and accounting information systems to audit, analyze and improve business practices.
This fully accredited program meets California's 150-hour requirement for the California CPA-licensure.
Careers & Outcomes
CSUN has professional connections to more than 75 accounting firms and organizations. This includes the Big Four firms—Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG and PwC.
You will also be connected with recruiters from mid-tier, regional and local accounting firms. You will also meet representatives from corporations with in-house accountants, government departments and other organizations.
Of our professional accountancy graduates who reported working full-time one year after graduation, 80 percent obtained their full-time offer before the end of the program. The remaining 20 percent obtained a full-time offer within six months after graduation.
Our professional accountancy graduates go on to work in public, industry, government, and not-for-profit accounting.
Employers of recent alumni include:
- PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
- Deloitte
- Ernst & Young
- KPMG
- Grant Thornton
- BDO USA
- RSM US
- Crowe
- Moss Adams
- CohnReznick
- CBIZ
- Armanino
Positions of recent alumni include:
- Audit staff
- Tax staff
- Consulting staff
We'll help you find the career that's right for you.
The Ernst & Young Center for Careers offers Information Systems majors a vast array of resources, from a dedicated recruiting boot camp to individual guidance on career opportunities.
Gain hands-on experience and help your local community.
Provide free representation to low-income taxpayers facing disputes with the IRS at the Bookstein Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. At the CSUN VITA Clinic, you will provide free tax preparation services to low-income taxpayers.
Admission Information
To be considered for admission to CSUN as a master’s student, you will need to:
- Meet university requirements.
- Meet department requirements for the Master of Professional Accountancy.
- Apply to both the university and the specific graduate program of interest.
Learn more about applying for a master's program at CSUN