Overview

This program is designed for J.D. students who have an interest in obtaining a masters in accounting.  These students may be interested in working for a public accounting firm or in the financial industry; or in financial/legal departments within a corporation.  Some will be interested in taking the CPA exam, while others may not since they plan to practice in law and use the M.S. as an additional credential.

Admissions Process

  • Students will be admitted to the Law School J.D. program and the MSA program separately.  Typically students will begin in the Law School and then start the master’s program in their second year of Law School.  However, it is possible for students in the MSA program to apply to the Law School, be accepted, and begin the joint degree program/first year of the J.D. program the following year.  (M.H.A. students need to save 6 credits to be completed after they begin their J.D. program.)
  • Applications to the MSA program are handled on a rolling basis; however, it is recommended that applications be submitted by March 15 for the fall semester.  The GRE or GMAT will not be required; the student’s LSAT scores will be used instead.  Once a student applies, the Business School will request the student’s Law School application from the Law School.  There are a set of prerequisites for the MSA program.  Students who complete their undergraduate degree in accounting from an AACSB-accredited institution (with 6 credits of tax courses offered by an Accounting department) will normally meet the prerequisites for the MSA program.  If not, it is possible to take an Accounting Summer Intensive Program to complete the prerequisites.  

Curriculum Requirements

J.D. Requirements including the following: 182
Required
LAW 100Business Associations4
LAW 105Federal Income Tax I4
Electives (at least 6 credits from the following list):
LAW 101Commercial Law: Secured Transactions4
LAW 102Commercial Law: Payment Systems and Negotiable Instruments4
LAW 103Corporate Tax3
LAW 104Securities Regulation3
LAW 109Banking Law3
LAW 110Bankruptcy3
LAW 127Partnership Tax3
LAW 140Taxation of Business Entities3
LAW 174Mergers and Acquistions3
LAW 185SEC Investigations: Ponzi Schemes, Stock Manipulations, and Insider Trading2
LAW 336International Finance3
M.S. Requirements24
Required: M.S. Assurance Track
ACC 522Advanced Issues in Auditing3
ACC 530International Financial Reporting Standards1
ACC 572Advanced Financial Analysis2
ACC 610Capstone: Financial Reporting Research2
ACC 622Advanced Issues in Auditing3
ACC 628Introduction to Accounting Analytics2
ACC 630International Financial Reporting Standards1
ACC 648Accounting for Income Taxes2
ACC 672Financial Statement Analysis2
BUS 300Critical Thinking and Persuasion for Business3
Required: M.S. Corporate Track
ACC 530International Financial Reporting Standards1
ACC 572Advanced Financial Analysis2
ACC 606Internal Auditing2
ACC 610Capstone: Financial Reporting Research2
ACC 628Introduction to Accounting Analytics2
ACC 630International Financial Reporting Standards1
ACC 648Accounting for Income Taxes2
ACC 672Financial Statement Analysis2
BUS 300Critical Thinking and Persuasion for Business3
Electives (at least 6 credits from the following list):
LAW 101Commercial Law: Secured Transactions4
LAW 102Commercial Law: Payment Systems and Negotiable Instruments4
LAW 103Corporate Tax3
LAW 104Securities Regulation3
LAW 109Banking Law3
LAW 110Bankruptcy3
LAW 127Partnership Tax3
LAW 140Taxation of Business Entities3
LAW 174Mergers and Acquistions3
LAW 185SEC Investigations: Ponzi Schemes, Stock Manipulations, and Insider Trading2
LAW 336International Finance3
Total Credit Hours106
1

Since all J.D. students are permitted to take up to 6 credits of non-law graduate level courses, the Law School will apply 6 credits of the M.S. courses to the J.D. for conferral of the J.D. degree. 

Sample Plan of Study

3-Year Program with 1 Summer

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
LAW 11 Civil Procedure I 3
LAW 12 Contracts 4
LAW 13 Elements 3
LAW 15 Torts 4
LAW 19 Legal Communication and Research I 2
 Credit Hours16
Spring
LAW 14 Property 4
LAW 16 Criminal Procedure 3
LAW 17 U.S. Constitutional Law I 4
LAW 29 Legal Communication and Research II 2
Law Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Summer
Upper Level Law Courses 6
 Credit Hours6
Year Two
Fall
Upper Level Law Courses 14
M.S. Courses 2
 Credit Hours16
Spring
Upper Level Law Courses 12
M.S. Courses 6
 Credit Hours18
Year Three
Fall
Upper Level Law Courses 10
M.S. Courses 8
 Credit Hours18
Spring
Upper Level Law Courses 8
M.S. Courses 8
 Credit Hours16
 Total Credit Hours106