| 1. |
Is the online Master of Science in Accounting an accredited program?
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Yes, the business degrees offered by the University of Connecticut are accredited by AACSB International. According to its website (http://www.aacsb.edu/aboutus.asp), "AACSB International is the premier accrediting agency for bachelor?s, master?s and doctoral degree programs in business administration and accounting. Its founding members include Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, New York University, Northwestern University, The Ohio State University, Tulane University, University of California at Berkeley, University of Chicago, University of Illinois, University of Nebraska, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, The University of Texas, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Yale University." There are 531 Schools of Business that have programs accredited by AACSB International. A smaller number (161) have separate accreditation for their accounting programs. UConn is among this elite group of schools, and is the only one to have an online Master of Science in Accounting program.
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| 2. |
Is the degree that is conferred identified as being "online"?
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No. The degree and transcript identify the degree as a Master of Science in Accounting and do not refer to "online."
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| 3. |
What are the admissions requirements and target criteria for the program?
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The minimum requirements are 500 GMAT, 3.0 GPA, and for international students 560 (230) TOEFL paper exam (computer exam) score. Prospective applicants who don't meet these targets can contact the Program Manager to discuss their individual situation.
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| 4. |
Do I need to take the GMAT or can the GMAT be waived?
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The University of Connecticut's School of Business requires GMAT scores for all students, regardless of work experience, unless s/he has already completed a law or medical degree at an accredited university.
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| 5. |
How do I register for the GMAT?
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See information at http://www.mba.com.
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| 6. |
Is there a deadline for applying to the program?
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Yes, the program starts once per year in May. The application deadline is April 1st. You may send in application material at any time, although decisions will not be made until the committee has received transcripts through at least the seventh semester of an undergraduate program.
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| 7. |
How are admission decisions made?
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Admission decisions are made by a committee of accounting faculty and are done on a rolling basis. The committee evaluates the applicant's resume, transcript information (GPA and course mix), GMAT and TOEFL scores, and six short answer essays.
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| 8. |
When do classes start and when are they held during the year?
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Classes start one time per year, usually the third week in May, with a one-week in-residence class (Acct 5505) held at the Storrs campus. The one-week course is followed by a 12-week semester in the summer that typically ends in the second full week of August. The12-week fall term begins after Labor Day and the spring semester starts in mid-January.
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| 9. |
Does the MS program guarantee that I can sit for the CPA exam in all 50 states?
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No. The requirements to sit for the CPA are determined by each state. We advise each student to become familiar with the appropriate state requirements.
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| 10. |
Can I do the program full-time or only part-time?
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Students can complete the program full-time or part-time. In the full-time option students take 4-5 courses in the summer term beyond the in-residence course (Acct 5505) and 4-5 courses in the fall term finishing the degree in 7 months. There are several part-time options including completing the degree over two summers, spreading courses over three semesters (summer/fall/summer), or taking multiple semesters to get in the ten courses required for degree completion.
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| 11. |
Is the program offered in a live format as well as the online?
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No, the program is only offered in an online format except for the one-week in-residence course (Acct 5505).
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| 12. |
What does 'asynchronous' mean?
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Asynchronous refers to fulfilling course objectives through activities that do not need to take place at the same time for all students. An example of an asynchronous activity is the discussion board or threaded discussion, where students post to the board when it is convenient to them as long as the activity is completed by a pre-determined date. This contrasts to synchronous, which means that the activity takes place at the same time for all students. An example of a synchronous activity is an exam that must be completed by all students in a class during a 3-hour window. Our program is primarily asynchronous.
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| 13. |
Does online mean that I will not have contact with professors?
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We have designed an online community, which means that there is significant interaction among students and between students and faculty. Our faculty interact by phone and email, participate actively in discussion boards and chat rooms, and provide extensive feedback on assignments.
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| 14. |
Is the first course mandatory (Acct 5505 in residence)?
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Yes, the first course (Acct 5505) is mandatory and is in-residence at the Storrs campus. It is the course that will provide the cohort group of students and faculty a sense of community and shared expectations, and will help students become familiar with the technology used in the program. Those students who are not from the local area will be expected to stay in the area for the week with friends, relatives, or at a local hotel. Applicants with an academic conflict (e.g. finals or commencement) need to contact the program manager.
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| 15. |
Does the program have a work experience requirement?
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No. There is no work experience requirement.
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| 16. |
Do I need to have an undergraduate accounting degree before I can apply to the program?
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No, but you need to have completed the accounting coursework equivalent to that taken in a traditional undergraduate degree (introductory financial, introductory managerial, intermediate financial I & II, advanced financial, cost accounting, US federal income tax, and auditing) because these courses are pre-requisites to our MSA courses.
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| 17. |
How much does the program cost?
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The cost is the same for residents, non-residents, and international students. The 2008-2009 tuition and fees for MS in Accounting courses are as follws:
| Fall 2008: |
$590 per credit hour ($1770 per course)
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| Spring 2009: |
$590 per credit hour ($1770 per course)
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| Summer 2009: |
$650 per credit hour ($1950 per course)
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| Fall 2009: |
$650 per credit hour ($1950 per course)
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| 18. |
Does the program offer financial assistance?
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No, the program does not offer financial assistance in the form of assistantships or scholarships. Students, however, may be eligible for financial aid.
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| 19. |
Can I be admitted to the program at different times in the year (e.g., fall, spring, and summer)?
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The program only starts once per year in May.
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| 20. |
Can international students obtain a student visa if admitted to the program?
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No, student visas cannot be issued for online education. International students can only participate if doing so from their home country.
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