STEM Designation
An MSA, or MSA Essentials Plus, with a concentration in Information Systems and Controls is a graduate degree with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) designation. Due to the demand of graduates with expertise in STEM fields, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) permits international students graduating from STEM programs to apply for a 24-month extension of their initial year of Optional Practical Training (OPT). Please be advised that DHS is the ultimate and deciding authority on all OPT applications and STEM extensions. For more detailed information, please visit the ISSO webpage.
MSA Curriculum
10 Courses
30 Credits
Program Length:
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)
Students must declare 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 may also elect to complete a second concentration in Business Analysis and Reporting, Information Systems and Controls, or Tax Compliance and Planning. 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
Information Systems and Controls
Capstone Course (3 credits)
Should be taken as late in the program as possible.
| ACCT-861 | Leadership in the Financial Professions | 3 |
Elective Courses (9 credits)
If a second concentration is not declared, choose three (3) electives from the approved MSA electives list below.
MSA Essentials Curriculum
11 Courses
30 Credits
Program Length:
Preparation Courses (3 credits)
Must be taken in the first semester of the program.
| MBA-641 | Financial Information for Business Management | 1.5 |
| MBA-651 | Financial Management for Business Decisions | 1.5 |
MSA Core Courses (24 credits)
Capstone Course (3 credits)
Should be taken as late in the program as possible.
| ACCT-861 | Leadership in the Financial Professions | 3 |
MSA Essentials Plus Curriculum
14 Courses
39 Credits
Program Length:
Preparation Courses (3 credits)
Must be taken in the first semester of the program.
| MBA-641 | Financial Information for Business Management | 1.5 |
| MBA-651 | Financial Management for Business Decisions | 1.5 |
MSA Core Courses (24 credits)
Capstone Course (3 credits)
Should be taken as late in the program as possible.
| ACCT-861 | Leadership in the Financial Professions | 3 |
MSA Concentration (9 credits)
Choose a concentration in either Business Analysis and Reporting, Information Systems and Controls, 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 |
Information Systems and Controls
Tax Compliance and Planning
Transfer Policy
Review of any coursework taken previously from an AACSB-accredited MSA program will be completed on a case-by-case basis. The credits cannot apply to a previously completed degree and must be substituted with an approved MSA elective. Only courses for which an earned grade of "B" or better and taken within seven (7) years prior to enter the MSA program will be considered. Students must provide official transcripts (with English translation, if applicable). All waiver requests are evaluated upon a student's acceptance into the MSA Program.
All MSA students must complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits (10 courses) in the Sawyer Business School
Students Who Leave Boston Before Their Degree is Complete
Occasionally, Suffolk MSA students must leave the Boston area having not yet completed their degree. Students who leave the area may be able to complete a portion of their Suffolk MSA on a part-time basis online.
Accounting Learning Goals and Objectives
| Learning Goals |
Learning Objectives |
| Demonstrate ability to apply analytical reasoning skills to accounting problems, including financial statement analysis. (Analytical Reasoning) |
1. Identify the problem and related issues.
2. Identify key assumptions.
3. Generate salient alternatives.
4. Examine the evidence and source of evidence.
5. Identify conclusions, implications, and consequences. |
| Discipline Knowledge |
1. Students demonstrate that they are knowledgeable about current theory, concepts, methodology, terminology, and practices in financial accounting, managerial accounting, federal taxation, auditing, and accounting information systems. |
| Effectively articulate the role of ethics in management. (Ethics) |
1. Identify conflicts of interests and pressures that could lead to unethical conduct.
2. Understand what kinds of questions are helpful to ask oneself when confronting an ethical dilemma.
3. Demonstrate the ability to identify and take into account the interests of different stakeholders.
4. Understand how business strategies that facilitate “doing good” can be made consistent with profitability.
5. Understand that what is legal may not always be ethical and that what is ethical may sometimes not be legal.
6. Appreciate that ethical norms vary across different countries and cultures. |
| Indicate an understanding of how culture, economic and political issues affect accounting and business decisions. (Global Awareness) |
1. Articulate fundamental challenges of global business.
2. Analyze financial impacts of operating a global business.
3. Demonstrate awareness of the existence and applicability of alternate (non US GAAP) accounting standards, such as IFRS, for financial reporting for global (non-US) businesses.
4. Apply alternate accounting standards.
5. Identify the sources of IFRS.
6. Recognize the importance of IFRS in the future for US companies. |
| Demonstrate effective oral communication skills. (Oral Communication) |
1. Organize the presentation effectively.
2. Deliver the presentation with attention to volume, clarity, grammatical correctness and precision.
3. Develop the topic.
4. Communicate with the audience.
5. Use communication aids effectively.
6. Summarize the presentation. |
| Demonstrate effective written communication skills. (Written Communication): |
1. Organize the presentation effectively.
2. Deliver the presentation with attention to volume, clarity, grammatical correctness and precision.
3. Develop the topic.
4. Communicate with the audience.
5. Use communication aids effectively.
6. Summarize the presentation. |