Graduate Catalog | 2005-2007
Red McCombs School of Business

Accounting

Master in Professional Accounting
Doctor of Philosophy

Facilities for Graduate Work

The physical facilities, computing systems, and research centers that support graduate work are contained within the McCombs School. Of particular relevance to accounting students is the Center for Business Measurement and Assurance Services. The center supports research and curriculum development aimed at developing and disseminating knowledge about optimal decision making in a technology-driven business environment.

Areas of Study

The objective of this program is to provide the student with a sound foundation in the body of knowledge of business administration, broad exposure to the discipline of accounting, and the greater depth in accounting required to specialize and to enter the profession with the prospect of rapid career progress, high-level responsibility, and future leadership. The program is designed to provide outstanding students with the educational foundation for successful careers in public accounting, industry, consulting, not-for-profit organizations, and educational and financial institutions.

The faculty has designed three concentrations within the MPA program: financial reporting and assurance, taxation, and managerial accounting and control. Each concentration is a sequence of courses that offers strong preparation for a particular career path. In addition, the student may choose a generalist curriculum.

Graduate Studies Committee

The following faculty members served on the Graduate Studies Committee in the spring semester 2004-2005.

Admission Requirements

Master in Professional Accounting

Applications to the MPA program are accepted for the fall semester only.

The Admissions Committee considers each completed application, giving particular attention to the statement of purpose, prior academic performance, letters of recommendation, extracurricular and community activities, honors and achievements, test scores, and work history (if applicable). Personal characteristics that add to the diversity of the class may also be considered, such as country of citizenship, family background, gender, multilingual skills, and socioeconomic history.

The MPA program is sufficiently flexible to accommodate students with bachelor's degrees in any field of study. However, students without a sufficient background in financial accounting may be required to complete undergraduate coursework before they begin the MPA curriculum.

Upon admission to the program, the student must pay a nonrefundable enrollment deposit to indicate that he or she accepts the offer of admission. The deposit is applied to the payment of fees when the student enrolls. Students who demonstrate financial need may qualify for assistance to cover the deposit. All fees and deposits are subject to change with appropriate approval. Students should consult General Information for the current amount of the enrollment deposit.

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission to the PhD program is based on a holistic review by the PhD Admissions Committee of several factors, including the applicant's motivations for doctoral study, academic and work experience, and academic credentials. The number of applicants admitted is limited by the faculty's commitment to provide financial assistance, excellent teaching, and expert guidance to each student.

Degree Requirements

Master in Professional Accounting

The core of the MPA curriculum consists of twenty-five semester hours of coursework. Three of the core courses may be waived if the student has completed equivalent undergraduate work. In addition to the core, students complete eighteen hours in more specialized courses. They may choose one of the three tracks designed by the faculty--financial reporting and assurance, managerial accounting and control, and taxation--or they may choose courses to meet their specific academic and professional goals.

Depending on their undergraduate backgrounds, students must earn from thirty-five to forty-three semester hours of credit to complete the program; all MPA students must complete at least nineteen semester hours in accounting.

Doctor of Philosophy

The coursework for the doctoral degree includes four nonaccounting core courses, five accounting seminars, and coursework in two supporting fields outside accounting. Students also write first-year and second-year research papers. Those without teaching experience complete Accounting 398T and teach an entry-level accounting course. Four or five years are generally needed to complete the coursework and dissertation phases of the degree program.

For More Information

MPA Program

Campus address: College of Business Administration Building (CBA) 2.302, phone (512) 471-6559, fax (512) 471-3365; campus mail code: B6400

Mailing address: The University of Texas at Austin, MPA Program, Department of Accounting, 1 University Station B6400, Austin TX 78712

E-mail: texasmpa@mccombs.utexas.edu

URL: http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/dept/accounting/mpa/

PhD Program

Campus address: College of Business Administration Building (CBA) 4M.202, phone (512) 471-5508, fax (512) 471-3904; campus mail code: B6400

Mailing address: The University of Texas at Austin, Doctoral Program, Department of Accounting, 1 University Station B6400, Austin TX 78712

E-mail: accounting.phd@mccombs.utexas.edu

URL: http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/dept/accounting/phd/