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Admissions

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the MSA graduate program are required to submit the following to the UNCW Graduate School:

  • An official application for graduate admissions
  • Official transcripts of all college work (graduate and undergraduate). Note that if you attended UNCW, you do not have to request UNCW transcripts.
    • Transcripts from foreign institutions must be evaluated by, a credentials agency before submission to UNCW.  UNCW only accepts evaluations from the World Education Service or Educational Credential Evaluators.
    • Official paper transcripts should be mailed to The Graduate School, UNCW, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403-5955 or electronic transcripts (password protected)can be e-mailed directly by the institution to gradtranscripts@uncw.edu. 
  • Official test scores:
    • Graduate Management Admissions Test ( GMAT)
      • On-campus GMAT Preparation Course at the Swain Center
      • Note that scores more than five years old will not be accepted
      • The UNCW institution code for the GMAT is 5907
      • Economically distressed applicants may contact  Sarah Smith to request an application for GMAT fee waiver
      • Merit based scholarships are offered to students with high overall GPA’s (starting at 3.50) AND high GMAT scores (starting at 600). The amount of the scholarships vary depending on how high these two numbers are. The scholarships are “guaranteed” for students that apply by our Feb. 1 priority deadline.
      • The GMAT is not required for Accountancy applicant meeting the criteria below:
        • Overall cumulative bachelor's GPA of 3.4 or higher from a regionally accredited institution. The GPA applies to the last attended institution where the undergraduate degree was conferred, OR
        • Successful completion of the UNCW MSA Internship program
  • TOEFL (79 points on iBT) or IELTS (6.5 points) (required for non-native English speakers)
  • Three letters of recommendation by individuals who can comment on the applicant's potential for successful completion of a master's degree program.
    (only electronic references submitted as part of the on-line application process will be accepted)
  • Applicant's resume (curriculum vitae)
  • A non refundable application fee of $75.00
  • International students requiring visa sponsorship must also complete the  international student forms and provide  proof of financial support
Prerequisites

Persons entering the MSA program must have completed 4 core accounting courses prior to beginning the program. Following are options for completing the pre-requisites:

  1. Complete pre-requisite courses in residence at UNCW during the summer prior to admission to the MSA program. Additional core requirements may be completed during the first semester in residence in the MSA program.
  2. Complete pre-requisites at another accredited university. The MSA Director should approve the university and specific courses in advance to ensure they will be accepted for pre-requisite credit.
  3. Pre-requisites can completed during the regular academic year at UNCW or at another accredited university. The applicant would then be eligible to apply for the MSA program the following year.

Prerequisite Courses

  • *ACG 301 External Financial Reporting I (Intermediate Financial Accounting I)
  • *ACG 302 External Financial Reporting II (Intermediate Financial Accounting II)
  • *ACG 306 Accounting Information Systems
  • *ACG 404 Federal Income Tax
  • *FIN 335 (offered as ACG 495) Principles of Financial Management 
  • ACG 305 Advanced Managerial Accounting (Cost Accounting)
  • ACG 406 Internal Control Systems (Audit)

*These courses must be completed prior to starting the MSA program.

UNCW Graduate School
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