Online Master of Science in Accountancy, Foundations

Admissions

The Online Master of Science in Accountancy, Foundations is a 33- to 48-credit program designed for students missing at least one accounting prerequisite course. The program allows you to build a custom degree path that includes your outstanding foundational accounting courses.

More Information About MSA Foundations Admissions

Careers and Program Outcomes

The Online Master of Science in Accountancy, Foundations helps you develop your skills and fulfill academic credit requirements to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. The program utilizes the existing curriculum from the accelerated Online Master of Science in Accountancy and adds foundational accounting courses designed to prepare you for the more advanced topics.

These foundational courses train you on financial statement preparation and analysis, tax procedures and planning, information technology, data analytics, management decision-making and business processes. Learn how to independently research current accounting topics and stay up-to-date on new laws and technologies in your field.

This flexible, variable-credit program allows you to build a master’s degree that includes the foundational accounting knowledge you need without having to retake courses already completed at the undergraduate level.

Possible Careers

• Tax Manager
• Accountant
• Financial Analyst

More Information About Accountancy Careers

Classes and Scheduling

The Online Master of Science in Accountancy, Foundations is designed for students who did not earn an undergraduate degree in accountancy. The 33- to 48-credit program includes the following:

• Foundations Courses – 3 to 18 credits. You will work with your student success advisor to determine which foundations courses you need based on your prior accounting and business courses. Foundations courses must be completed with a C or better before taking other accountancy and taxation courses and electives.
• Required Courses – 12 credits.
• Accountancy and Taxation Courses – 18 credits. Choose six accountancy and taxation courses to meet this credit requirement. Courses are subject to change.

It is important to speak with your student success advisor regarding course offerings and scheduling to plan your path to graduation. Foundations courses are typically offered each semester. Accountancy and taxation courses and electives are offered once per year.

Review the following table for details on foundations courses, required courses and accountancy and taxation course options.

Online MSA Foundations Courses

*Students may earn up to three graduate credits in ACCT 590 with approval from the Department of Accountancy’s internship director. For the Online MSA, an “internship” can be a permanent, full-time job. You are not limited to a position that an employer designates as an “intern.” You may receive “internship” credit for full-time work that you do in accounting as long as the Department of Accountancy’s internship director deems it is graduate-level work.

Course Descriptions

Official course descriptions and degree plans are published on the graduate catalog website.

To find a course, click the “Courses” tab and select the drop-down list that aligns with your desired course prefix (e.g. ACCT 500). You may also use the search bar to search for the course prefix.

More Information About The Accountancy Degree Plan

Costs and Scholarships

Boise State Online offers reasonably priced tuition, ongoing support, financial aid options and degree paths that help ensure you reach your goals quickly and efficiently. Review the following table for details on program costs.

Online MSA Foundations Costs Without Scholarship

With 15% Per Semester Scholarship**

**The following table is an example of the total program cost for a student completing the 30-48 credits required to graduate with a Master of Science in Accountancy with a 15% per semester scholarship.**

*The per-credit fees listed are for the 2024-25 academic year. Future academic year per-credit fees may vary slightly and are finalized each May.

***Costs for room, board and transportation are used to calculate financial aid and are included to disclose the full cost of attendance. These costs are not required for students pursuing a fully online program.

Note to Boise State and other Idaho higher education employees: Fee waivers do not apply to this program.

Financial Assistance Options

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for qualified applicants. All scholarships offer the same discount—15% off tuition, saving students about $5,500. The 15% discount is applied incrementally to each course a student enrolls in; it cannot be applied all at once. Discounts and scholarships may not be combined.

With five scholarship options available, learn more about which one you may qualify for.

More Information About Online MSA Costs

Connect with a student success coach to see if you qualify.

CPA Licensure

If you plan to take the CPA exam, please view the licensure requirements for the state(s) you wish to obtain your license. If you have additional questions, contact your student success coach.

View CPA Licensure Disclosures by State

Student Support

We’re here to help! From deciding if an online degree is right for you to figuring out what credits transfer from previous schools, talking to a student success coach is the best place to start.

Contact the Accountancy Student Success Coach