M.S. PA Degree Options

Learn about dual-degree programs, opportunities to start work toward an M.S. PA while completing undergraduate studies, and more.

We will review your application to the M.S. PA program on the basis of the required profile material. The requirements outlined below represent the minimum criteria that you must meet to be considered for admission into the program. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee your admission.

Traditional M.S. PA
In order to be accepted in the Traditional M.S. PA, you must meet the general requirements for admission with the following exceptions:

A Traditional M.S. PA consists of 19 hours of required courses and 15 hours of elective courses for a total of 34 hours. If you have no undergraduate accounting degree from an accredited domestic university, you will take up to 18 hours of accounting prerequisite (or leveling) courses and 15 hours of business leveling courses, dependent upon undergraduate curriculum.

If you have an undergraduate degree in accounting from an accredited domestic university, you must have earned a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in all undergraduate accounting courses and a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 to be admitted to the Traditional M.S. PA program. You will be granted a waiver for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and admitted to the M.S. PA program.

If you have no undergraduate accounting degree from an accredited domestic university and want to be admitted directly into the M.S. PA program, you must take the GMAT. We consider your undergraduate GPA and GMAT score when granting you admission into the M.S. PA. You must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all undergraduate accounting courses taken before and after acceptance into the program.

Pre-MSA

The pre-M.S. PA program allows domestic students to take the accounting prerequisite courses and business leveling courses as well as up to six graduate credit hours in elective courses towards the MSA as a post baccalaureate student.

In order to qualify for pre-M.S. PA admission, a student must have a bachelor's degree and meet the general university requirements for admission. If a student maintains a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in accounting leveling courses and an overall 3.0 cumulative GPA, the student may apply for admission into the M.S. PA program and the GMAT will be waived. Post-baccalaureate students are not permitted to enroll in business courses for graduate credit without prior consent of the M.S. PA Director.

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Dual M.S. PA / MBA
The dual M.S. PA/Master of Business Administration (MBA) program awards both degrees, typically after 52 hours of coursework.
Requirements for admission to the dual M.S. PA/MBA program:
1. Complete an application for the M.S. PA Program, including completion of the GMAT, if required.
2. Schedule a meeting with the MBA office to add the MBA as a dual major.
3. Meet the prerequisite requirements for application to both the MBA program and the MSA program individually.
4. Meet the graduation requirements of each program individually including minimum grade point average and time-limit policies.
5. Take particular note of the deadline dates for applications to each program and schedule the GMAT accordingly.
Remember that:

The requirements for earning the MBA degree and the policies of the program (schedule adjustment, time limit for degree completion, etc.) are contained in the MBA Student Handbook.

GPAs in both programs are computed separately. You will be enrolled as a student in the dual degree program as long as you meet minimum standards for continuation in each program. In the rare case that you are dismissed or withdraw from one program, you may continue and complete the other program as long as you meet the minimum standards in that program. However, you would need to fulfill all requirements for regularly admitted students in the remaining program.

In order to begin the certification process within each degree program, you must notify each program regarding your intent to graduate and apply for graduation separately, according to each program's deadlines and policies.

Dual M.S. PA/MBA degree plan for those students already earning an MSA with at least six hours of electives from the MBA (34 Hours) + an additional 18 Hours of MBA Core Courses (Must take MGMT 5380) Total: 52 Hours

If interested in the dual MSA/MBA, call the M.S. PA office at (409) 880-8610 to discuss specifics.

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Integrated BBA / M.S. PA
For current Lamar University business students

Current law requires 150 college-credit hours to sit the Uniform CPA Examination in the state of Texas.To help you meet this requirement, the Graduate School provides for dual enrollment in the BBA/M.S. PA. This enables a timely completion of internships and offers greater opportunities for initial employment and career success.

In addition to the exceptions to the graduate bulletin outlined above, those seeking an integrated BBA/M.S. PA may apply and be admitted to the M.S. PA prior to completing a bachelor degree. You must:
- Complete at least 75 hours (must complete 12 hours of upper level accounting courses including ACCT 3320)
- Have a 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA in all accounting courses and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
The M.S. PA degree will not be conferred prior to completion of an undergraduate degree. No course will be double-counted in meeting requirements of the undergraduate degree and the M.S. PA degree.

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Dual M.S. PA / M.S. MIS
The dual M.S. PA/Master of Science in Management Information Systems (M.S. MIS) program awards both degrees, typically after 52 hours of coursework.

Requirements for admission to the M.S. PA/M.S. MIS dual-degree program:
1. Complete separate applications for the M.S. PA and M.S. MIS programs, including completion of the GMAT, if required.
2. Meet the prerequisite requirements for application to both programs individually.
3. Meet the graduation requirements of each program individually, including minimum grade point average and time limit policies.
4. Take particular note of the deadline dates for applications to each program and schedule the GMAT accordingly.
Remember that:

The requirements for earning the M.S. MIS degree and the policies of the program (schedule adjustment, time limit for degree completion, etc.) are contained in the M.S. MIS Student Handbook.

GPAs in both programs are computed separately. You will be enrolled as a student in the dual degree program as long as you meet minimum standards for continuation in each school. In the rare case that you are dismissed or withdraw from one program, you may continue and complete the other program as long as you meet the minimum standards in that program. However, you would need to fulfill all requirements for regularly admitted students in the remaining program.

In order to begin the certification process within each degree program, you must notify each program regarding your intent to graduate and apply for graduation separately, according to each program's deadlines and policies.

Dual degree plan for those students already earning an M.S. PA with at least 12 hours of electives from the M.S. MIS including ACCT 5390 Data Analytics (34 Hours) + an additional 18 hours of M.S. MIS Courses (15 hours of M.S. MIS core courses and three hours of M.S. MIS elective courses). Total: 52 Hours

If interested in the dual M.S. PA/M.S. MIS, call the M.S. PA office at (409) 880-8610 to discuss specifics.
Graduate Certificate
The Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting program allows you to take 15 hours of advanced accounting and other coursework that helps you satisfy the requirements of the CPA examination established by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

You must meet the general university requirements for admission. In addition, this program is only available to students who have completed an undergraduate degree in accounting from a domestic accredited university or students currently enrolled as an undergraduate accounting student at Lamar University.

If you successfully complete the GCPA with a minimum letter grade of “C” in each certificate course and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the five certificate courses, you may be admitted to the M.S. PA program and apply your certificate courses toward an M.S. PA.

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