Professional Accountancy Program Overview
Our AACSB-accredited online Master of Professional Accountancy program uniquely prepares you to become a certified public accountant (CPA) by providing a broad foundation in accounting principles and business applications.
This flexible and cost-effective online program enables you to master both traditional and contemporary accounting practices and provides you with the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills required to adapt and thrive in rapidly changing business environments.
This 100% online program requires only 36 credit hours*, all of which can be completed at your own pace in as little as a year. Each online course is taught by the same PhD business professionals who teach on campus.
*The above does not apply to non-business majors.
CPA Preparation
Our Master of Professional Accountancy program provides 150 semester hours and has college credits available in three specific areas – business ethics, accounting research, and business communication. This program meets national CPA certification eligibility and meets the state requirements for Texas. If you live outside of Texas, please visit your state’s board of public accountancy to ensure that this program meets any requirements specific to your state.
In January 2024, the CPA will introduce a new format called the “core + discipline” model. This will allow candidates a greater ability to gear their exam toward their areas of interest. Our online Master of Professional Accountancy program prepares students for this upcoming change.
Alumni Pathways
As a graduate of our online Master of Professional Accountancy program, you’ll have the skills and qualifications needed to excel at domestic and international business. Mastery of accounting, auditing, and management will make you highly sought after in a wide variety of industries, and those who earn their CPA certification will only improve their employment prospects.
Below are just a few of the businesses our alumni work for:
- Wells Fargo
- Chevron
- Whitley Penn
- Haynie & Company
- Ernst & Young
- Texas Education Agency
- Saulsbury Industries
Careers for Master of Professional Accountancy Graduates
Earning your Master of Professional Accountancy not only prepares you to sit for the CPA exam; it can also unlock opportunities for financial positions in a wide variety of industries. Some of the roles available for professionals with a Master of Professional Accountancy include:
Upon admission (regular and conditional), students will be evaluated for statistical literacy. Students who need additional skills in this area are referred to BUSI 2342 (statistical literacy) until the literacy requirement is fulfilled. Statistical literacy (BUSI 2342) must be remedied in the first semester in which the student is accepted into the program and must be taken before the student enrolls in courses.
Students without an academic background in accounting must demonstrate their knowledge in accounting by completing 15-18 hours of accounting coursework. Students without an academic background in business must demonstrate their knowledge of the basic fields of business by completing leveling course work in the foundation disciplines that include statistics, economics, management, and marketing.
24 Hours Required
6 Hours Required – Please consult with your faculty advisor regarding courses.
6 hours are required. Select from the courses listed below or select any other graduate level School of Business course, except leveling classes, with approval of the student’s advisor. ACCT6301 Accounting Analysis is a prerequisite to FINA6320 Financial Management.
Admission Requirements
The Master of Professional Accountancy program admits students who have completed a baccalaureate degree in accounting, business or any other undergraduate field and students who are currently pursuing a BBA in accounting at UT Permian Basin.
Students without an academic background in accounting must demonstrate their knowledge in accounting by completing 15 - 18 hours of accounting course work. Students without an academic background in business must demonstrate their knowledge of the basic fields of business by completing leveling coursework in the foundation disciplines that include statistics, economics, management, and marketing.
Regular Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- GPA of 3.00 or better in the last 60 credit hours
Conditional Admission
- Official transcripts certifying a bachelor’s degree awarded by an accredited college or university
- GPA between 2.99 and 2.5 in the last 60 credit hours of coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree
- 2 letters of recommendation or professional email references
- Allowed to take up to 12 credit hours of graduate work as advised, one course at a time, and must earn a B or better
- If student earns below a B, GMAT is required for readmission
- No elective course may be taken by a student in conditional status
Conditional Admission With Dean’s Approval
- Official transcripts certifying a bachelor’s degree awarded by an accredited college or university
- GPA between 2.49 and 2.25 in the last 60 credit hours of coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree
- GMAT with minimum score of 500 (based on GPA)
- Essay expressing interest may be requested
- 2 letters of recommendation or professional email references
- Allowed to take up to 12 credit hours of graduate work as advised, one course at a time, and must earn a B or better
- No elective course may be taken by a student in conditional status
Students granted conditional status will be changed to regular status upon successful completion of a minimum of 12 semester credit hours of Master of Professional Accountancy coursework with a grade of B or better in each course taken.
Official Transcripts
Copies of official transcripts must come directly from the school in a sealed envelope and can be mailed to:
UT Permian Basin
Graduate Studies Office
4901 E. University Blvd.
Odessa, TX 79762
Official transcripts in electronic format can be sent to gradstudies@utpb.edu.
Supporting Documents
All supporting documents related to a graduate program, such as letters of recommendation, essays, statements of interest, resumes, professional work experience, and awards should be sent to the Graduate Studies Office:
UT Permian Basin
Graduate Studies
4901 E. University Blvd.
Odessa, TX 79762-0001
Electronic versions of supporting documents may be emailed to gradstudies@utpb.edu.
Application Fee
The application fee is $40.
Veterans and Active Duty Military: Your application fee is waived for this program. Get details now.
We’re pleased to offer program admission on a rolling basis.
Rolling admission refers to our process of accepting and evaluating applications as we receive them and moving any applications that miss the deadline to the next semester. However, if you want to enroll in courses for a specific semester, you will need to make note of the application deadlines found below. If you don’t complete your application and submit the required materials by the deadline, your application will be rolled over to the next semester.