Skip to main content

Is a Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) a STEM Degree?

Two people working in accounting

For prospective students looking to pursue graduate studies in finance or business, the Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) is a highly valued degree. However, students frequently ask whether this program falls under the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) category.

The answer, supported by leading institutions, is a resounding yes: the Master of Science in Accountancy is STEM Certified. This designation signifies the degree’s quantitative rigor and offers significant professional advantages, particularly for international students.

The Importance of the STEM Certification

The official recognition as a STEM degree confirms the analytical and technical demands of the Master of Science in Accountancy program.

For graduate students, the most significant benefit of this certification is that the program is OPT Extension Eligible. Optional Practical Training (OPT) provides temporary employment authorization for F-1 visa students, and the STEM designation allows eligible international graduates to extend this period, enhancing career opportunities in the U.S.

Curriculum and the Application of STEM Principles

While Accountancy may traditionally be seen as a business discipline, the modern MSA curriculum is heavily centered on quantitative analysis, data management, and problem-solving—skills foundational to the STEM field.

The MSA curriculum incorporates a cutting-edge analytics focus. The program is structured to accept graduates, regardless of their undergraduate major, who already possess a quantitative foundation. In fact, students who lack prerequisite knowledge are often required to complete foundational courses, including Introductory Statistics.

Advanced coursework within the MSA program reinforces these analytical skills, specifically through courses such as Forensic Accounting and Business Analysis and Valuation.

Merits and Career Acceleration at Wake Forest

Beyond its technical recognition, the MSA degree at the Wake Forest University School of Business is designed as a powerful career accelerator, especially for those aiming for compliance and advisory roles in the financial sector:

  • CPA Success: The program is recognized for providing some of the best CPA exam preparation in the country, achieving the #1 CPA PASS RATE more often than any other school in the past twenty-five years
  • Top Job Placement: Graduates have an outstanding track record of career success, with 100% employment for the Class of 2024 (at six months). Furthermore, MSA graduates are ranked #1 in “Big Four” job placement and are more likely to land positions in the Big Four than those from any other school.
  • Career Customization: The curriculum, which requires 30 hours of graduate coursework over two semesters, allows students to tailor their accounting classes towards their career interests. These specialized tracks include Assurance Services, Tax Consulting, and the unique Financial Markets & Transactions track, which is designed for careers in financial transaction and advisory services.
  • Experiential Learning: Students have the option to pursue an optional third semester to participate in a paid nine-week internship, often gaining first-hand accounting experience during the busy tax season.
  • MBA Advantage: MSA graduates can potentially shorten the time required to complete an MBA degree, completing it in as few as 12 months as part of the MBA Advantage program, by receiving credit for substantially equivalent coursework.

In conclusion, the Master of Science in Accountancy is formally recognized as a STEM degree, combining specialized technical training in accounting, compliance, and valuation with strong quantitative skills. This STEM-certified foundation accelerates professional careers in financial services and auditing.

Learn more about the MSA program at Wake Forest University today.