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The Degree

The student entering the MSA program within the Graduate School of Business is required to fulfill the degree requirements in effect when the student matriculated. All candidates who complete the degree requirements are conferred the Master of Science in Accounting degree from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business.

Graduation Requirements

In order to receive the Master of Science in Accounting degree from Indiana University Kelley School of Business  the candidate must fulfill the following requirements.

  1. Admission and Prerequisite Work.  The student must apply and be admitted into the MSA program.  For students who must complete prerequisite courses for admission to the program as identified in their letter of conditional admission, students normally must achieve a B or better in such coursework.
  2. Grades in Courses. The student must complete 30 semester hours of graduate work with no course grades below a "C-". Thus, if a student receives a "D+"/ "D"/"D-", the hours will NOT count toward graduation (see effect on required GPA below). Students who receive a grade in a required course below a C– normally must repeat the courses to achieve a grade of C- or better. For this purpose, required courses are: A511 Intermediate Accounting Theory and Problems II (or A512 if completed in lieu of A511), A514 Auditing, and A515 Federal Taxation. If the student's grade in a required course is below a C–, the course should be repeated during one of the following two semesters (including summer sessions). If a student does not achieve a C– or above when the required course is repeated, he or she may be dismissed from the program subject to review by the MSA Policy Committee. When a student is required to repeat a course, it is recognized that it will be necessary for a student to complete more than the 30 hours of credit normally required to graduate.
  3. Graduation Grade Point Average. The student must compile a 2.75 or better cumulative grade point average (GPA) in all graduate business course work. See Grading Systems and Standards below regarding how this calculation is to be made.
  4. Handbook Requirements. The student must meet all of the course requirements as stated in the MSA Student Handbook for the semester of matriculation.
  5. Time Limit. Meet all of the above requirements within seven (7) calendar years beginning with semester in which the student enrolls in his or her first graduate course at Indiana University that may be counted toward the graduation requirements.
  6. Application for Graduation. File an "Application for Graduation Form" in the MSA Office during the semester prior to the final semester before graduation.

The MSA Course of Study (beginning August 1999)

Prerequisites
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)

Registration for Prerequisites - The Graduate MSA Program (30 credit hours)

Accounting Courses
A511 Intermediate Accounting II (3 credit hours)
A514 Auditing (3 credit hours)
A515 Federal Taxation (3 credit hours)
A551 Tax Research (1.5 credit hours)
Accounting Electives
6 credit hours
Nonaccounting Business Courses
L503 Advanced Business Law (3 credit hours)
Electives (6 credit hours)
Other Accounting or Nonaccounting Electives
4.5 credit hours
Total
30 credit hours

Note that the student is normally required to complete 15 hours of accounting and/or systems coursework.

If a student has completed any required course or a potential elective course (or covered the material covered in a similar course), such course normally must be replaced by another suitable course. For example, if an undergraduate accounting major has completed a course in auditing or in not-for-profit accounting, such courses normally cannot be repeated as part of the MSA degree program except with approval of the MSA Chairperson.

Learning In a Professional Environment (Supervised Work Experience)

The MSA program allows students to earn up to three hours of credit for work experience they obtain while in the program. The work experience, referred to as Learning in a Professional Environment (LIPE) must be approved by the MSA Policy Committee. Qualified work experience normally must be in public accounting. In some circumstances, other work experiences where the student is directly supervised by a CPA(s) or other approved individual may be approved. To enhance the academic value of these work experiences, LIPE also requires students to attend approved workshops devoted to nontechnical skills demanded of accountants in their professional lives. These workshops examine a variety of topics such as leadership, ethics, time management, supervisory and mentoring skills, customer service and service quality, managing client relations, communications skills, and community service. To obtain 3 credit hours for this experience, the student must do the following:

  • Have the work experience approved.
  • Enroll in A529 Internship in Accounting (this can be done either during the semester in which the student completes the work or a subsequent semester).
  • Generally work at least 160 hours during the semester (e.g., 20 hours per week for 8 weeks or 10 hours per week for 16 weeks during the semester).
  • Attend an approved professional skills seminar (generally 8 hours scheduled on a Saturday; note that these seminars normally should be done prior to or during the semester that the work experience is completed).
  • Attend two MSA luncheons
  • Participate in two MSA function (there will be several opportunities during the semester).

Note: A529 is available to unconditional students during their second semester of 500 level MSA coursework.

Students transferring in up to 6 credit hours of course credit are not eligible for LIPE.

Grading Systems and Standards

The official grading system of the Graduate School of Business and the grade point values are:

A+ or A 4.0 C 2.0
A- 3.7 C- 1.7
B+ 3.3 D+ 1.3
B 3 D 1.0
B- 2.7 D- .7
C+ 2.3 F 0

No points are assigned for the following grade symbols: I (incomplete), NC (no credit), NR (no report filed by the instructor), S/F (satisfactory/failure), or W (withdrawn).

Computation of Grade Point Average.

Based on the grade point system a candidate must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 in all MSA course work to remain in good standing and to complete graduation requirements. The GPA is to be computed after the posting of grades each semester. While the Kelley School of Business will attempt to monitor the GPAs of all MSA students, it is the student's responsibility to know what his or her GPA and status are before enrolling in the following semester.

In computing the student's GPA, the following policies apply:

  1. In calculating the cumulative GPA, the following course grades are not included:
    • A529 Internship in Accounting (LIPE)
    • Courses not approved for credit
    • Transfer credits
    • Courses not a part of the student's MSA curriculum
  2. Only courses with grades of "C-" or better will count toward the necessary 30 hours for graduation; however, ALL grades (except ineligible course work defined above) are used in computing the GPA.
  3. If a "D+"/ "D"/ "D-" / "F" is earned, the hours will NOT count toward graduation, but the grade will be used in calculating the GPA.  Unless the course is a required course, the course cannot be repeated. Additional course work to replace the hours and review work will be recommended by the Director or Chairperson of the program.

Academic Probation

If a student's GPA falls below 2.75 (as determined at the close of the semester) or fails to make a C– in a required course, the student is notified in writing and placed on academic probation regardless of the number of units completed. When the student's cumulative GPA has fallen below 2.75, the student must meet the cumulative 2.75 standard within the next 12 hours of coursework, which must be completed during the following two semesters (summer I and II are treated as one semester for this purpose). Failure to meet this standard results in dismissal from the program. When a student's cumulative GPA fails to meet the 2.75, it is understood that it may be necessary for a student to complete more than the 30 hours of credit normally required to graduate.

As explained above, if the student's grade in a required course is below a C–, the student is placed on academic probation and the course should be repeated during one of the following two semesters (including summer sessions). If a student does not achieve a C– or above when the required course is repeated, he or she may be dismissed from the program subject to review by the MSA Policy Committee. When a student is required to repeat a course, it is understood that it will be necessary for a student to complete more than the 30 hours of credit normally required to graduate.

Pass/Fail Option
MSA students may not enroll in graduate course work for credit toward the MSA degree under the pass/fail option.
An Incomplete
An "incomplete" indicates that the work is passing as of the end of the semester but a relatively small part of the course has not been completed. In order to give a grade of "I", the faculty member must agree with a request for an incomplete. The faculty member must file an "Incomplete Form" which states the reason for the incomplete, the requirements for completion, and when the course is expected to be completed. An incomplete not removed within one year of assignment automatically converts to an "F."
  1. If the work required to remove the "incomplete" is not finished before the beginning of the subsequent semester enrollment in subsequent courses may not be approved. Approval to enroll in a subsequent semester with an "I" on the record must be obtained from the Chairperson of the MSA.
  2. If an "incomplete" ("I") is not removed within one year from its assignment, an "F" is automatically recorded for the course.
  3. A candidate cannot re-enroll in a course in which a grade of "I" has been received.
  4. A candidate cannot be certified for graduation until his record is cleared of all "Incompletes" in both elective and required course work.
Withdrawal "W"
There are times when the "W" is an appropriate grade. The "W" indicates that the course has not been successfully completed and therefore the student may not progress to the next semester's course work.
A grade of "W" is automatically assigned if withdrawal occurs during the first eight (8) weeks of a regular length semester. After that time, it is necessary to petition to withdraw. If the petition is granted, the student may withdraw and a "W" will be assigned for the course.
The grade of "W" is not counted toward the cumulative GPA requirement. Similarly, the hours for which the student receives a "W" are not counted toward completion of the 30 hour requirement to complete the program. It should be noted that the number of Ws that a student may receive is limited to 5 during the degree program.

Courses Taken in The Kelley School of Business

Accounting Courses in the KSB
Before registering, each student's schedule must be authorized by the Chairperson (or MSA adviser). For accounting courses, the student need not have instructor approval. However, students should be sure that they have completed any prerequisite(s) to the course. In addition, students interested in enrolling in A524 Managing Accounting Information for Decision Making (an MBA accounting course) should contact the instructor since this course is reserved first for MBAs and may cover topics an accounting student may have covered in previous courses. Independent studies (A590) require the approval of the course instructor.
Combined Graduate and Undergraduate Courses. Some MSA graduate accounting and systems courses (e.g., A511 Intermediate Accounting II, A514 Auditing, A515 Federal Taxation, A523 Business Information Systems) may be combined with undergraduate courses when there are insufficient graduate students to create a separate graduate section of the course. In such case, MSA students must register for the graduate number of such course or the course will not count toward the 30 hours required for the MSA degree. In addition, MSA students will normally be required to complete an additional project in the course.
Nonaccounting Business Courses in the KSB
MSA students normally must complete 9-12 hours of nonaccounting graduate business courses (including L503 Advanced Business Law). Acceptable courses do not include the basic business courses that MSA students completed as prerequisites, including F523 Financial Management, M501 Strategic Marketing Management, P501 Operations Management, G511 Microeconomics for Managers and G512 Macroeconomics for Managers. However, MBA electives are generally available for MSA students. For example, a student may wish to enroll in an advanced finance, management, marketing, operations or systems course. These courses are normally reserved first for MBA students. Therefore, before enrolling in these courses, the student should have completed any prerequisite course and contacted the instructor for his or her approval.
By approval of the MSA Coordinator or Chairperson, MSA students may enroll in certain upper division undergraduate business courses for graduate credit. Approval is given where the course serves a particular objective of the student's graduate program. In such case, the student completes the work required of undergraduate students as well as any additional work designated by the instructor. The student must enroll in the graduate number of such course in order to obtain credit toward the MSA degree.

Course Work Taken Outside of The Kelley School of Business

Transfer Credit
Transfer of credit may be requested for courses that meet ALL of the following conditions:
  1. The course was for graduate credit only.
  2. If taken prior to entering the IU program, the course was an elective course taken while the student was a regularly enrolled graduate student in a program leading to a Masters or similar advanced degree from an accredited institution. If the course was taken in a business school, the program must be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
  3. The grade earned was an "A" or "B". Pass/Fail and other such grades are not satisfactory. A grade of "B-" or lower is not acceptable.
  4. The course has not and will not count toward another degree at Indiana University or at another institution.

No more than six (6) semester hours of transfer credit will be granted for courses that meet the above criteria.

To request transfer of academic credit, an MSA student must (1) complete a "Request for Transfer Credit" form, (2) attach a course description and syllabus, and (3) file the form and documentation in the MSA Office. The request is forwarded to the appropriate department for a decision. The student will be notified in writing of the decision, which takes a minimum of two weeks.

Approval for transfer credit is conditional upon receipt, by the recorder in the MSA Office, of an official copy of the transcript. Grades received on courses granted transfer credits are not included in the computation of the Indiana University GPA.

Students transferring in up to 6 credit hours of course credit are not eligible for LIPE.

Courses in Other IU or Purdue Schools on the IUPUI Campus
MSA students may enroll in elective courses offered by other units on the IUPUI campus with the approval of the MSA Chairperson and the other unit. For example, courses may be taken in the School of Law after appropriate permission forms have been completed. Normally, only graduate courses may be taken unless the MSA Chairperson approves such course.
Courses in KSB-Bloomington Campus
MSA students may enroll in courses offered by the KSB on the Bloomington campus with the approval of the MSA Chairpersons on both campuses.
Audit Policy
Auditing of 500-level MSA courses is permitted with approval of the MSA Chairperson and the course instructor.  Audited courses do not count toward the MSA degree.

MSA Candidate Status

Candidate in Good Standing
Any candidate for an MSA degree that maintains a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 at the close of each semester is considered in good standing.
Academic Probationary Status
If a student's GPA falls below 2.75 (as determined at the close of the semester) or fails to make a C– in a required course, the student is notified in writing and placed on academic probation regardless of units completed. When the student's cumulative GPA has fallen below 2.75, the student must meet the 2.75 standard within the next 12 hours of coursework which must be completed during the following two semesters (summer I and summer II are treated as one semester for this purpose). When a student's cumulative GPA fails to meet the 2.75, it is recognized that it may be necessary for a student to complete more than the 30 hours of credit normally required to graduate.
As explained above, if the student's grade in a required course is below a C–, the student is placed on academic probation and the course should be repeated during one of the following two semesters (summer I and summer II are treated as one semester for this purpose). If a student does not achieve a C– or above when the required course is repeated, he or she may be dismissed from the program subject to review by the MSA Policy Committee. When a student is required to repeat a course, it is recognized that it will be necessary for a student to complete more than the 30 hours of credit normally required to graduate.
Failure to meet the enrollment and/or the minimum GPA requirement results in automatic dismissal from the program.
Dismissal
Dismissal will result from one of the following situations:
  1. A probationary candidate who fails to meet the conditions of probation (e.g., failure to receive a C– in a required course).
  2. A candidate whose cumulative grade point average falls below the required minimum of 2.75 and fails to meet the 2.75 cumulative requirement within the next 12 hours of coursework, which must be completed during the following two semesters. (For this purpose, summer I and summer II are considered a single semester).
  3. A candidate who does not complete all requirements within the seven-year limit, which begins in the first semester the student enrolls in a course that would count toward the MSA degree.
  4. A probationary candidate who fails to complete a prerequisite with a grade of B- or better.  The candidate may retake a prerequisite once to try to obtain the required grade.

Candidates subject to dismissal may petition the Associate Dean - Indianapolis Programs on an ad hoc basis. However, only in rare cases is continuation allowed.