About this Program
Old Dominion University's Master of Science in Accounting is offered through the AACSB-accredited Strome College of Business and the School of Accountancy. The program prepares students to thrive in a dynamic and evolving profession. Building on a strong undergraduate foundation, the program deepens expertise in auditing, taxation, managerial accounting, data analytics, and fraud examination.
Through rigorous coursework and hands-on learning, students strengthen their professional judgment, analytical thinking, and communication skills while developing the ethical decision-making essential for leadership in accounting. The 30-credit-hour MSA program prepares students to sit for the CPA, CMA, and other professional certification exams.
Graduates gain a clear competitive advantage: they are better prepared, more adaptable, and positioned for long-term career success and faster advancement in the accounting profession.
Designed for flexibility, the program accommodates both full-time and part-time students with evening courses that fit the schedules of working professionals.
Program Highlights
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AACSB-accredited for rigorous accountancy preparation
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Curriculum prepares students for the CPA, CMA, and other professional certification exams. Coursework helps fulfill Virginia's 150-credit-hour requirement for CPA licensure.
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Evening courses designed for working professionals; full-time and part-time pacing supported.
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Coursework spans auditing, taxation, managerial accounting, data analytics, and fraud examination.
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Faculty teach with practitioner experience across public accounting, industry, government, and non-profit sectors.
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Hands-on learning with current-generation accounting analytics and data visualization software.
Featured Courses
Requirements
Program Careers
Accountants and auditors are consistently in high demand as influential analytical roles. Accounting master's graduates pursue careers across public accounting, corporate finance, government, and consulting. Common roles include:
- Public accounting
- Corporate finance
- Tax
- Forensic accounting and fraud examination
- Government
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5% growth for accountants and auditors through 2033, with median annual wages of $81,680. CPAs typically command a salary premium; the AICPA reports that CPAs earn 10-15% more than non-certified accountants on average, with senior CPAs and partners earning substantially more.
Analyze financial information and prepare financial reports to determine or maintain record of assets, liabilities, profit and loss, tax liability, or other financial activities within an organization.
Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
Cost of Attendance
Tuition is charged per credit hour. Amounts shown are tuition only and do not include mandatory fees, technology-delivered course fees, course-specific fees, books, housing, meal plans, or other costs. Campus-based students may take technology-delivered or online courses. Tuition is based on student classification. Fees for technology-delivered courses and other costs are listed on the ODU tuition and fees page.
Ways to Fund Your Degree
There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending Old Dominion University, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. ODU's M.S. in Accounting is structured to prepare students for all four sections of the CPA exam: Auditing and Attestation (AUD), Business Environment and Concepts (BEC), Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR), and Regulation (REG). The program also helps students complete the 150 credit hours of college-level education required for Virginia CPA licensure.
No. The M.S. in Accounting is currently delivered on-campus only at ODU's Norfolk, Virginia, location. Evening courses are scheduled to accommodate working professionals.
The GMAT is required for all applications. To qualify for admission, the sum of the student’s GMAT score plus 200 times the upper-level accounting curriculum GPA should equal 1,000.
Yes. The Strome College of Business is accredited by AACSB International. This designation is held by less than 6% of business schools worldwide. AACSB accreditation is a significant credibility signal for accounting programs and indicates that the curriculum, faculty qualifications, and learning outcomes meet rigorous international standards.
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