Fairfield University's Dolan School of Business to offer new Master of Science degree in Accounting | Press Releases

In response to industry demand, the Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University will offer a Master of Science degree in Accounting starting this summer.

This full-time one-year cohort program is designed to prepare individuals for a career in accounting. The M.S.A. degree fulfills the 150-credit hour requirement in most states to take the C.P.A. examination.

The M.S.A. is preferable to a general M.B.A. with a concentration in accounting because it's specialized and the knowledge is more technical, said Paul Caster, C.P.A., Ph.D., director of the graduate accounting program. "Firms are most concerned that students have the educational qualifications to sit for the C.P.A. exam when they come to work for them," he said.

The program consists of 10 courses, including seven required courses and three 500-level graduate business electives. The M.S.A. joins a myriad of graduate programs at the Dolan School of Business, which include the new Master of Science in Taxation, the Master of Science in Finance and the M.B.A. with concentrations available in Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, Information Systems, International Business and Taxation.

The University announced the addition of a Master of Science degree in Taxation to the Dolan School of Business this past summer.

"This program is a great addition to our current suite of graduate offerings and will fill an important need for graduate education in Accounting in our area," said Norman Solomon, Ph.D., dean of the Dolan School of Business.

The M.S. in Taxation, also a specialized degree, offers in-depth training for business professionals who wish to examine financial situations from a tax-oriented perspective. This program may also qualify the individual to sit for the C.P.A. examination depending on their undergraduate accounting background.

"I'm excited about this," said Dr. Caster. "I think these are the right programs for accounting and taxation professionals."

Admission requirements for the M.S.A are the same as those for the M.B.A. program. Students who plan on applying this summer can take the GMAT this spring. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in accounting or have completed the required coursework.

The Charles F. Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University is a leader in business curriculum innovation. An AACSB International-accredited program, The Dolan School annually serves 1,500 students in its undergraduate and graduate programs, preparing students to advance within their professions and empowering them to become leaders in their fields. In addition to substantial professional business experience, faculty members are recognized nationally and internationally for their scholarship. The School, which is profiled in The Princeton Review's prestigious "Best 237 Business Schools" graduate program guide for 2006, is housed in a technology-rich building dedicated to excellence in a business-learning environment - a facility that is among the best in the nation. For more information on the new Master of Science in Accounting degree program, or Dolan School of Business graduate program offerings, call (203) 254-4070 or e-mail gradadmis@mail.fairfield.edu.