Graduate Degrees & Certificates in Accounting & Finance

Get a Seat at the Table with a Master’s Degree in Accounting

��Ƶ��’s Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) program prepares working professionals for management-level careers in accounting. Students develop a blend of skills – both strategic and tactical – and learn to view the accounting function within the larger scope of the business or organization. You’ll learn to analyze data so you can solve problems and make informed business decisions. In a competitive marketplace, these skills enable you to advance in your career and pursue new professional opportunities.

��Ƶ�� positions you well for a career in business, with three graduate-level programs:

Master of Science in Accounting
Graduate Certificate in Accounting
Graduate Certificate in Finance

Under the guidance of dedicated faculty members with extensive experience in the field, and with hands-on learning and practical application, you’ll gain the analytical and critical thinking skills to help you make it to the short list for top accounting and finance jobs.

Accounting & Finance Program Highlights

Professor Mark Crowley talking to a student during Accounting class

Small classes, big learning opportunities

With as few as 20 students per class in the graduate accounting programs, you can count on personalized attention from faculty. We’re committed to ensuring you advance your knowledge, abilities and career path.

a BSU student sitting at a classroom table smiling as he works on his laptop

Time is on your side

Whatever your schedule, whether you’re pursuing an MSA or graduate certificate in accounting, we can work with you. We offer full- and part-time program options for master’s degree in accounting courses and certificate programs, including day, evening and hybrid options. It’s our way of helping you add an MSA degree or graduate certificate to your credentials while you balance other responsibilities.

Professor Mary Beth Tobin helping a student in Accounting class

Professors who have walked the walk

What better way to learn about accounting and finance than from the pros? BSU faculty have extensive practical experience in accounting, economics, law and finance. You not only get book knowledge but also a real-world “take” on the field as you pursue your Master of Science in accounting or graduate certificate in accounting or finance.

Exclusively BSU — sit for your CPA exam

Is taking the CPA in your future? Your Master of Science in accounting degree will prepare you for management-level careers in accounting. As a grad student, you’ll also be well-positioned to pursue a career as a CPA. That’s because Bridgewater has the only southeastern Massachusetts master’s degree in accounting program that meets the Option One (Level 1) educational requirement to sit for the CPA exam.

The focus is on skills development in your master’s degree in accounting courses

Whether you’re pursuing a master’s degree in accounting or graduate certificate in accounting or finance, you’ll find our focus is on developing your professional leadership skills, as well as decision-making, communication and analytical skills. Our master’s degree in accounting courses or graduate certificate programs will instill a wealth of technical and industry knowledge. After all, we want you to walk out a well-rounded professional, ready to take on the world of business as an MSA degree program graduate or accounting certificate holder.

Financial aid, student loans, and more

Tuition at BSU is affordable, yet if paying for college is a challenge, it doesn’t have to derail your plans for an MSA degree or graduate certificate. BSU offers many funding opportunities, such as graduate assistantships, fellowships, and conference awards, as well as student loans and federal financial aid.

Update to Admissions Requirements

The MSA program now only requires 2 letters of recommendation, one each from academic and professional references.

Program of Study for Accounting & Finance Graduate Students

Our master’s degree in accounting program courses set you up to work in top companies. As you pursue your Master of Science in Accounting, you’ll gain competence in preparing financial statements and notes for publicly held companies. Our MSA covers a variety of topics, such as ratio analysis and written and oral presentation of financial data.

Your graduate certificate in accounting can help fast track your career with a solid foundation in financial accounting. A graduate certificate in finance offers a strong background in managerial finance, international finance, insurance and risk management.

Admission Requirements and Program Details

Click any link below to reveal each program's admission requirements and program description.

Program details from 2024-2025 Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog

Graduate Program Coordinator: Dr. Patricia Bancroft

Careers in Accounting & Finance

Your master’s degree in accounting courses put you in an enviable position, career-wise. After graduation, you may have a host of job opportunities, even at the C-suite level, including:

auditor
financial analyst
forensic accountant
CFO

Earning a graduate certificate in accounting or finance can be equally rewarding, leading to careers in:

risk management
private equity
nonprofit management

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for accountants and auditors was

$74,000

in May 2020. However, salaries can top more than $129,000. Financial advisors can earn $89,000 annually, while financial managers can take home upward of $135,000.

Graduate Funding Opportunities

The College of Graduate Studies provides various opportunities for graduate students to receive funding while working towards their degrees. Appointments are competitive and are determined by undergraduate and/or graduate grade point averages, pertinent experience, educational preparation and interviews. For information on assistantships, fellowships and conference funding awards, please visit our Graduate Funding Opportunities page.

The MSA program is eligible for unsubsidized student loans and applicants are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. For more specific questions, please visit the Financial Aid Office website or contact them directly at finaid@bridgew.edu.

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