STEM Designation
The MSBA/MSA is a dual degree program with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) designation. Due to the demand of graduates with expertise in STEM fields, the Department of Homeland Security permits international students graduating from STEM programs to apply for a 24 month extension of their initial year of Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more detailed information, please visit the ISSO webpage.
MSA/MSBA Curriculum
16 Courses
46 Credits
Program Length:
Full-time in as few as 16 months
Part-time in as few as 33 months
Required Introductory Course (1 credit)
Must be taken in first semester of program.
| ISOM-700 | Preparing for Your Professional Future | 1 |
MSA Core Courses (9 credits)
| ACCT-801 | Graduate Financial Accounting II | 3 |
| ACCT-802 | Graduate Financial Accounting III | 3 |
| ACCT-824 | Big Data and Financial Statement Analytics | 3 |
MSA Concentration (9 credits)
Choose a concentration in either Business Analysis and Reporting or Tax Compliance and Planning. To declare a concentration, students must submit an SBS Graduate Program Concentration Request Form. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor before they declare a concentration.
Business Analysis and Reporting
| ACCT-803 | Advanced Topics in Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT-871 | Not-For-Profit and Governmental Accounting | 3 |
| ACIB-872 | International Accounting | 3 |
Tax Compliance and Planning
Business Analytics Core Courses (18 credits)
If ISOM-801 is waived, must substitute with an ISOM elective.
| ISOM-631 | Data Analytics with SAS Base | 3 |
| ISOM-801 | Solving Business Problems Using Advanced Excel | 3 |
| ISOM-821 | Data Management and Modeling | 3 |
| ISOM-825 | Enterprise Data Management | 3 |
| ISOM-827 | Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence | 3 |
| ISOM-835 | Predictive Analytics | 3 |
Capstone Courses (6 credits)
Should be taken as late in the program as possible.
| ACCT-861 | Leadership in the Financial Professions | 3 |
| ISOM-837 | From Data Mining to Business Insights | 3 |
Elective Course (3 credits)
Select one elective course from the Approved ISOM Electives list below.
Approved ISOM Electives
| ISOM-829 | Advanced Data Management Leveraging ETL Tools | 3 |
| ISOM-839 | Prescriptive Analytics: Modeling & Optimization | 3 |
| ISOM-840 | Security and Privacy | 3 |
| ISOM-845 | Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, and Storytelling | 3 |
| ISOM-851 | Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| ISOM-861 | Project Management: Gaining Competitive Advantage | 3 |
| ISOM-910 | Directed Individual Study | 3 |
| ISOM-920 | ISOM Internship | 0-3 |
MSA/MSBA Accounting Essentials Curriculum
19 Courses
52 Credits
Program Length:
Full-time in as few as 16 months
Part-time in as few as 33 months
Required Introductory Course (1 credit)
Must be taken in the first semester of the program.
| ISOM-700 | Preparing for Your Professional Future | 1 |
Preparation Courses (3 credits)
| MBA-641 | Financial Information for Business Management | 1.5 |
| MBA-651 | Financial Management for Business Decisions | 1.5 |
MSA Core Courses (24 credits)
Business Analytics Core Courses (18 credits)
If ISOM-801 is waived, must substitute with an ISOM elective.
| ISOM-631 | Data Analytics with SAS Base | 3 |
| ISOM-801 | Solving Business Problems Using Advanced Excel | 3 |
| ISOM-821 | Data Management and Modeling | 3 |
| ISOM-825 | Enterprise Data Management | 3 |
| ISOM-827 | Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence | 3 |
| ISOM-835 | Predictive Analytics | 3 |
Capstone Courses (6 credits)
Should be taken as late in the program as possible.
| ACCT-861 | Leadership in the Financial Professions | 3 |
| ISOM-837 | From Data Mining to Business Insights | 3 |
Approved ISOM Electives
An ISOM elective is only taken if ISOM-801 has been waived.
| ISOM-829 | Advanced Data Management Leveraging ETL Tools | 3 |
| ISOM-839 | Prescriptive Analytics: Modeling & Optimization | 3 |
| ISOM-840 | Security and Privacy | 3 |
| ISOM-845 | Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, and Storytelling | 3 |
| ISOM-851 | Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| ISOM-861 | Project Management: Gaining Competitive Advantage | 3 |
| ISOM-910 | Directed Individual Study | 3 |
| ISOM-920 | ISOM Internship | 0-3 |
Course Substitution Policy
If waived, ISOM 801 needs to be substituted with an approved ISOM elective. To waive ISOM 801, a student must have successfully completed equivalent academic coursework at the undergraduate/graduate level in the seven (7) years prior to MSA/MSBA matriculation and earned a grade of "B" or better, and provide official transcripts (with English translations, if applicable). Students may also elect to take a proficiency exam, for a fee, to gain a waiver. Proficiency exams must be taken in the first semester and are administered on the Boston Campus.
To substitute an approved elective for another core course, a student must have successfully completed equivalent academic coursework at the graduate level in the seven (7) years prior to MSA/MSBA matriculation, “B” or better, and provide official transcripts (with English translations, if applicable).
All substitutions are evaluated upon a student's acceptance into the MSA/MSBA Program.
All MSA/MSBA students must complete a minimum of 46 graduate credits in the Sawyer Business School (15 courses and ISOM-700). All MSA/MSBA Accounting Essentials students must complete a minimum of 52 credits in the Sawyer Business School (18 courses and ISOM-700).
Transfer Policy
For any candidate seeking transfer credits, courses taken at the graduate level from an AACSB accredited graduate program in business will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. These credits may be considered for transfer if the credits do not apply to a previously completed degree.
MSA specific Transfer credits must have an earned grade of "B" or better and have been taken within five (5) years prior to entering the Suffolk MSBA/MSA program. However, at the discretion of the MSA program director, accounting core courses may not be transferred if the subject material has changed significantly since completion. MSBA transfer credits must have an earned grade of "B" or better and have been taken within the seven (7) years prior to entering the Suffolk MSBA/MSA program. If a course is approved it must be substituted with an ISOM elective. A maximum of six (6) credits may be considered for transfer.
Students Who Leave Boston Before Their Degree is Complete
Occasionally, Suffolk MSBA/MSA students must leave the Boston area having not yet completed their degree. The Business School has several options available to ensure completion of the Suffolk MSBA/MSA. You may be able to transfer six (6) credits of elective courses from an AACSB-accredited program close to your new place of residence. Courses must be pre-approved by Suffolk's Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs and have a grade of "B" or better.
Students may also be able to complete a portion of the MSBA/MSA degree on a part-time basis online.