1. What are the application deadlines?
2. What if I missed the deadline – do I have to wait for the next term to start my program?
3. What materials do I need to apply?
4. I took the GRE / GMAT but have not yet received the scores – does this mean I cannot apply?
5. How important is my undergraduate GPA?
6. When can I start taking the CPA exam?
7. What financial help is available?
8. What will I study in the MPAc program?
9. I don’t have an undergrad degree in accounting – should I get one before starting the MPAc program?
10. What are my job prospects with an MPAc degree?

1. What are the application deadlines?
   
   

   Starting term	U.S. Applicants	Int’l Applicants
   Fall Spring Summer	June 30 November 15 March 15	March 1 August 15 January 1

   
   
2. What if I missed the deadline – do I have to wait for the next term to start my program?
   
   Under some circumstances we will accept late applications. Also, if you are qualified for the program but not yet ready to apply, you can take up to 9 hours of classes as a non-degree student and have those hours count toward your MPAc requirements.
    
3. What materials do I need to apply?
    
   • Application form – available on-line
   • Application fee
   • Official transcripts
   • Essay – one page statement about your motivations for entering the program
   • 3 letters of recommendation – these can be from former professors, from supervisors at work, or personal references from people that know you well as a student / colleague
   • GRE or GMAT scores – the GRE is offered at MSU
   • TOEFL or IELT scores – required for international students only
      
4. I took the GRE / GMAT but have not yet received the scores – does this mean I cannot apply?
   
   You can submit your unofficial scores that you received at the end of taking the test. We will process your application using these scores, but will require your official scores as a provision of admittance.
    
5. How important is my undergraduate GPA?
   
   Very important! We recommend an undergrad GPA of 3.0 or better for admittance to the program. However, even when your GPA is 3.0 or better, we also consider program of study, strength of grades in your upper-level (junior and senior year) classes, and quality of the undergrad institution when we review GPAs and make admitting decisions.
   
   For applicants with GPAs that are less than 3.0, we also consider other factors such as grades in junior and senior-level classes, grades in accounting classes, work experience, and your motivation for the program. When students with previous GPAs of 2.8 – 3.0 are admitted, the admission will contain provisions that require the student to achieve acceptable levels of performance in specific MPAc classes taken.
   
   Potential applicants with less than a 2.8 GPA will not be accepted into the MPAc program. For these students, we recommend that you take additional undergraduate accounting classes to improve your overall GPA and to demonstrate your mastery of undergrad accounting material.
    
6. When can I start taking the CPA exam?
   
   You are eligible to begin taking the CPA exam after you have completed 24 hours of upper-level accounting classes and 24 hours of business classes. To establish your eligibility and register for the exam, you need to apply to the state board of accountancy. The CPA exam is a modular exam and you have 18 months from passing the first module to take all four modules.
    
7. What financial help is available?
   
   Numerous scholarships and loan programs are available through the university and through the College of Business. Additionally, there are numerous local organizations that have part time work opportunities. The Bracken Center actively solicits and promotes work opportunities for students. Also, each year a small number of highly-qualified MPAc students are selected as Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs). The job of a GTA is to provide support for faculty and tutoring services for students. In exchange, the GTA receives some tuition waiver credits and a small monthly stipend.
    
8. What will I study in the MPAc program?
   
   For students entering in Fall 2006, the MPAc program consists of 6 required classes (Advanced Auditing, Accounting Theory, Advanced Taxation, Legal Issues for Accountants, Research in Accounting, and Advanced Accounting). Students entering prior to Fall 2006 are not required to take Advanced Accounting, although it is a highly-recommended course.
   
   In addition to the six required classes (totally 18 credit hours), students must complete 12 elective credit hours (typically 4 classes). We offer a wide range of electives, including Estate and Gift Tax, International Accounting, Fraud Examination, Professional Services Management, Tax Practicum, Tax Research, and Advanced Governmental / Non-profit Accounting. Student may also elect to take upper-level classes in finance and management, or in another discipline that supports the student’s goals.
    
9. I don’t have an undergrad degree in accounting – should I get one before starting the MPAc program?
   
   While you have to decide for yourself what degree path creates the most value for you, we do not recommend that you supplement your existing undergrad degree with another undergrad degree. As preparation for the MPAc program, you can take the necessary undergrad courses without having to meet all undergrad requirements for a degree. Also, up to 6 hours of your undergrad accounting classes taken as MPAc pre-reqs can be counted toward your MPAc degree. If these same credits were to be used toward a 2nd undergrad degree, they could not also count toward your MPAc elective credits.
    
10. What are my job prospects with an MPAc degree?
    
    The accounting job market is extremely strong and we have a very active slate of recruiters who seek out MSU students. Our placement rates are excellent, and starting salaries are very strong. Our students are recruited by the large international CPA firms, by regional and state CPA firms, and by industry, governmental, and non-profit organizations.

Do you have questions that we have not answered (either here or on the website)? Send an email to Priscilla Wisner (pwisner@montana.edu).