If you’re a future Falcon pursuing a career in accounting, you have multiple program options. The University of Texas Permian Basin offers two online graduate-level programs: the Master of Professional Accountancy and a Master of Business Administration with accounting emphasis (also called the MBA in Accounting). Which program is right for you? That depends on your professional goals. Let’s outline the differences and commonalities between these programs to help you decide which program you should pursue.

Master of Professional Accountancy

The Master of Professional Accountancy is solely focused on CPA certification and prepares you to sit for the CPA exam. This degree is a must if you wish to work as a certified public accountant and advance into management-level roles.Our program is geared toward accounting undergraduates who need to get their 150 hours for the CPA exam and individuals with a non-accounting bachelor’s degree who wish to transition into an accounting career.

Career Potential: Where You Can Go With This Degree

A Master of Professional Accountancy and CPA certification set you up for success in roles including certified public accountant (BLS.gov median annual pay estimate: $73,560) and even chief financial officer (BLS annual estimate: $107,680). The BLS also states that some employers give preferential treatment to job candidates who’ve completed a master’s degree, which, in combination with a CPA license, can give you an even greater competitive advantage in the working world.

CPA Certification and Beyond

Our Master of Professional Accountancy program offers courses on all the CPA exam topics. It also provides a comprehensive grounding in accounting standards and business applications. During your course of study, you’ll become proficient in traditional and contemporary accounting practices as you build skills that will enable you to expertly navigate today’s quickly changing business landscape.

When you finish our Master of Professional Accountancy program, you will have fulfilled the main requirements to sit for the CPA exam and gained a respected master’s degree that will bolster your resume and your employment potential.

The Program at a Glance

  • 36 credits
  • Prepares you to sit for the CPA exam
  • Can be completed in as little as one year

MBA in Accounting

Our MBA in Accounting program is geared toward working professionals and recent college graduates and provides a functional knowledge of accounting principles and business applications. This degree is a must if you want the flexibility to work in a variety of business-oriented careers. It provides a broader business focus with an emphasis on accounting that gives you the ability to choose what you want to do. To that end, it has two tracks that you can choose from based on your career goals:

  • The CPA track is recommended if you’re considering a future role in public accounting.
  • The non-CPA track is recommended for a general path of accounting study that can lead to a position in business.

Career Potential: Where You Can Go With This Degree

Graduates of this program have gone on to pursue roles such as financial manager (BLS annual estimate: $134,180) and financial analyst (BLS annual estimate: $83,660).

The Program at a Glance

  • 33 to 42 credits
  • Provides broad knowledge of accounting and business principles
  • Can be completed in as little as four semesters

Both Programs Offer Quality, Convenience, and Professional Benefits

Both of UT Permian Basin’s accounting master’s degree programs are offered online through our AACSB-accredited College of Business. Each is taught by the same doctoral-level professors and CPAs who teach the programs on campus, and your online curriculum will be identical to the on-campus version. When you enroll in either of these programs, you will experience the benefits of 100% online, asynchronous learning, which allows you to complete coursework on your own schedule from virtually any location in the world—from Texas to Tasmania. This flexibility is a tremendous advantage when you’re simultaneously juggling professional, personal, and educational commitments.

Both programs help you develop skills that will benefit you in an assortment of rewarding jobs in accounting and related fields. Compensation is generally higher in these jobs, too. According to the BLS, as of 2020, professionals who have completed a master’s degree typically earn about 20% more than those who have earned a bachelor’s degree alone.

Which Program Should You Choose?

If you plan to pursue a career as a CPA, the Master of Public Accountancy is your best bet. If you want to build a foundation in accounting as part of a broader business career, choose the MBA in Accounting. Again, it’s all about your professional goals.

We’d be happy to tell you more about these programs and what they can do for you! Reach out to us anytime.