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FAQs

Below is a list of the most commonly asked questions. Please click on one of the questions to jump to the answer further down on the page.

Who do I contact to get more information about the program?
While much of the information about our program can be found on this website, we encourage you to contact us so that we can communicate directly and tell you more about what we have to offer. When you e-mail or call you will get a response from live people knowledgeable about the program.
Contact:

Master of Science in Accounting
Kelley School of Business
801 West Michigan Street, BS 3024
Indianapolis, Indiana  46202-5151

William Kulsrud, Chairperson
317-274-3422
wkulsrud@iupui.edu

What are the prerequisites for the MSA program?
The following courses are prerequisite courses. These courses or their equivalent normally must be completed prior to admission to the MSA program. You will need to describe the courses you have completed or plan to complete to meet the requirements for admission. The IUPUI undergraduate equivalent course numbers are given in parentheses.
  • Finance (F301)
  • Marketing (M301)
  • Operations Management (P301)
  • Economics (E201)
  • Statistics (E270)
  • Business Law (L203)
  • Accounting Principles (A201)
  • Intermediate Accounting I (A311)
  • Cost Accounting I (A325)
When should I take the GMAT?
Foreign students not living in the U.S. must submit an acceptable GMAT score prior to admission. Other applicants who are U.S. residents (including foreign students who live in the U.S.) may be granted conditional acceptance for one semester during which they may take prerequisite and/or graduate courses. However, students who receive conditional acceptance are not allowed to register for a second semester containing 500 level courses unless an acceptable GMAT score is received prior to the beginning of that semester.
How do I register for the GMAT?
The GMAT can now be taken on computer at any time during the year and scores are mailed about two weeks after testing. More information on the GMAT can be found on the Internet at http://www.gmat.org/ or by calling 317-257-7546 in Indianapolis or 1-800-462-8669.
How long is my GMAT score valid?
The GMAT score is valid indefinitely.
How do I apply for admission to the program?
You may apply by completing an online application by going to our online application page.
When should I apply?
Applications should be submitted in the semester prior to the term you wish to begin graduate studies. You can enter the program in the Fall, Spring or Summer semesters.
What is the application fee?
A nonrefundable application fee of $50.00 must be paid when you submit your application.
How do I apply if I am a foreign student?
International applicants should use the online application. If completion of the application is not possible, a separate international admission application must be completed in addition to the MSA application. An international application can be obtained by visiting www.iupui.edu/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/oia/wrap? or by contacting International Affairs Office at 317-274-7000 if you have questions regarding your status here at IUPUI. Students out of the country requiring an F-1 Visa must start the program in the fall or spring sessions.
What is the application fee for foreign students?
The international application fee is $60.00.
How long will it take to complete the program?
The length of the program depends on whether you are a full-time or part-time student. If you attend full-time and, if you have met all prerequisites, you can complete the required 30 hours in about a full calendar year. If you attend part-time and take two courses during the Fall and Spring and Summer sessions, the program will take about 18-24 months, depending on how many courses you take each semester and during the summer.
How important are undergraduate grades and GMAT scores?
The Admissions Committee looks first at an applicant's undergraduate grade point average especially accounting courses and GMAT score.
If I take the GMAT more than once, which score do you use?
We use your best score.
When can I expect a decision on my application?
Applications are reviewed as they are received and it takes about two weeks for a decision to be made.
How do I apply for financial aid?
You must complete the Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ after January 1 as well as a loan application at the University's Office of Student Financial Aid Services at www.iupui.edu/~finaid.
Can I transfer courses?
If a required course will substantially duplicate a course you have previously completed and passed from another graduate program, that course may be waived pending the approval of the program chairperson. Normally, no more than six semester hours of transfer credit will be granted. Courses which have been used to meet the requirements of another degree program cannot be transferred. A waiver of a required course does not decrease the number of MSA hours required for graduation.
Do graduate courses count toward continuing professional education credit?
Yes. Graduate-level courses in accounting, business administration, and economics will count for continuing education if the individual obtains a C or better. Individuals are entitled to 15 CPE hours for each credit hour. Thus, a 3 hour course is 45 hours of CPE. There is no limit on the number of graduate courses that can be used.
What are the guidelines for sitting for the Indiana CPA exam?
Under the final regulations, compliance with the new educational requirements for first time applicant will normally be met by completing all of the following:
  1. At least 150 semester hours of college education including a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university.
  2. A minimum number of accounting courses: 24 hours at the undergraduate level or 15 hours at the graduate level. If the accounting hours are a mixture of graduate and undergraduate hours, the 24 hour requirement is imposed. For this purpose, graduate courses count 1.6 credit hours. Accounting hours must consist of courses in financial accounting, auditing, tax and managerial (cost) accounting.
  3. A minimum number of nonaccounting business courses generally 24 hours or a BS or MBA in business from an accredited institution.
Are internships available?
We encourage and help students find relevant work experience. Employers regularly interview on campus for interns. In addition, three hours of credit may be earned toward the MSA degree for approved working experiences (e.g., working for a public accounting firm).
Do you have a career placement service that will help me find a job?
We have a Career Placement Office (CPO) that is responsible for recruiting solely for the Kelley School.If you are interested in public accounting, all of the national public accounting firms recruit on campus. The national firms hire not only for Indianapolis but also other areas of the country. If you are interested in staying in Indianapolis, virtually all of the local and regional firms in the Indianapolis area interview on campus. Last year, 29 accounting firms interviewed. In addition, you will find that many of your fellow students are working for accounting firms and going to school part-time.
Do graduates of your program pass the CPA exam?
Although we do not have any official statistics, virtually all graduates of the MSA program have passed the CPA exam. In recent years we had the fifth highest score and the third highest score in the state twice.