No. The MAC is designed for students with a non-accounting undergraduate degree. If you already hold an accounting degree, the Master of Accounting Science (MAS) is NIU's hybrid (online and in-person) program built for you.
Master of Accountancy (MAC)
The Master of Accountancy (MAC) program at Northern Illinois University (NIU) is backed by the College of Business's long-standing reputation for excellence in accounting education, built around a curriculum developed with faculty who bring real-world accounting experience to the classroom.
Accounting is a field of constant growth. Accountants are in high demand in the areas of taxation, financial reporting, data, analytics and even law enforcement. As the economy grows in complexity, it will need more accountants to analyze and explain vast amounts of information.
The program is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than accounting. Courses are 100% online and part time, built around working commitments. Graduates are prepared to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination in Illinois.*
*Out-of-state students will have a master's degree that fulfills the requirements to take exams in most states. Check your state's requirements for details.
MAC or MAS? Find the Right Fit
The MAC is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in a field other than accounting. If you already hold an accounting degree, the Master of Accounting Science (MAS) is NIU's hybrid (online and in-person) program built for you.
Plan Your Path to Enrollment
Get program costs, application deadlines and one-on-one guidance from an enrollment advisor.
View Online Program Details Request InformationProgram Highlights
8
Week Courses
100%
Online Program
AACSB
Dual-Accredited in Business and Accounting
- Courses taught by faculty who bring real-world experience to the classroom and are among the top professionals in the Chicago area.
- The CPA pass rate for NIU MAC students is above the national and state rate.
- Students benefit from competitive tuition.
Curriculum for NIU's Online Master of Accountancy
The courses in this program are designed to provide graduate students with foundational knowledge for success in the accounting field. No matter what you studied as an undergraduate, the MAC will help you develop industry-standard skill sets and enhance your understanding of accounting's role in successful organizations. The curriculum was created alongside expert faculty to help students meet CPA exam requirements.
Most of our faculty practiced accounting before coming to NIU, making them uniquely qualified to bring real-world accounting skills into the classroom. They have a firsthand understanding of what it's like to work as a professional accountant, and they bring that practical experience — in the form of technical skills, interpersonal communication, time management and more — to their teaching.
Core Courses (27 Credits)
- ACCY 510 - Accounting Information Systems
- ACCY 622 - Managerial Accounting Information Systems
- ACCY 531 - Financial Reporting I
- ACCY 532 - Financial Reporting II
- ACCY 550 - Principles of Taxation
- ACCY 560 - Assurance Services
- ACCY 633 - Advanced Financial Reporting
- ACCY 650 - Advanced Issues in Taxation
- ACCY 670 - Accounting Research
Electives (6 Credits)
- ACCY 664 - Financial Statement Auditing
- ACCY 675 - Data Analytics and Decision Making in Accounting
- ACCY 679 - Seminar in Accountancy
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common MAC questions below, organized by topic.
Is This Program Right for You?
You'll need a two-course Principles of Accounting (financial and managerial) sequence and general business courses in finance, statistics and economics completed before starting the MAC program.
These requirements can be fulfilled with a C or better in a corresponding undergraduate course, or a B or better in an equivalent graduate course, and may already be satisfied through your undergraduate coursework.
Your Financial Accounting prerequisite course should have been completed within the last five years; if it's been longer, you can demonstrate competency through relevant work experience, a passing score on a competency exam, or by repeating the course.
These requirements can be met through coursework at a university, community college or select online provider.
Yes. Completing the MAC fulfills the requirements to be eligible to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination in Illinois, and prepares you to pursue licensure in Illinois and most other states. Check your specific state's requirements for details.
Program Format and Timeline
The MAC is 100% online and asynchronous, with courses delivered in 8-week terms.
Yes. You'll enroll in 3 to 6 credit hours per semester.
The MAC is 33 credit hours, and you can expect to complete it in two years if you take two courses each semester. You can also extend beyond the two-year plan if needed, for example by taking one course per semester and finishing in four years.
Your first three semesters (six courses, 18 hours) are primarily sequential and should be completed before most of your final three semesters (six courses, 18 hours). Work with an academic advisor to build a course plan if you're deviating from the standard two-year timeline.
The 33-hour cohort program starts in the fall and spring.
See the degree requirements in the NIU Catalog.
Admissions and Applying
Admission to the graduate accountancy program is competitive, and you'll need to demonstrate strong potential for success in a graduate business program. Specific requirements depend on your academic background:
If you have a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, you'll need:
- A strong academic record demonstrated by cumulative GPA. The NIU Graduate School requires a minimum 2.75 overall GPA in your baccalaureate program, or a 3.2 or higher GPA in 15 or more hours of graduate-level coursework. The MAC program typically looks for a 3.0 or better cumulative undergraduate GPA and evaluates your full application to reach an admission decision. Note: The GMAT is no longer required, but you may submit a score to supplement your academic record if your GPA doesn't fully demonstrate your ability.
- Positive recommendations, preferably from an academic source.
If you don't have a baccalaureate or higher degree from a U.S. college or university, you'll need:
- A strong record of academic potential demonstrated by your GMAT score.
- Command of both oral and written English. If English isn't your first language, you'll need a minimum TOEFL (IBT) score of 80 or IELTS score of 6.5, unless you hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited institution.
- Positive recommendations, preferably from an academic source.
Contact a graduate accountancy advisor if you have questions about these requirements.
You'll submit the following to the Graduate School:
- Your online application and application fee.
- Your résumé.
- A career goal statement: two to three paragraphs on how the MAC will help you meet your career goals.
- Unofficial transcripts. You only need unofficial transcripts to apply; once accepted, you'll submit official transcripts to the Graduate School (NIU students don't need to submit transcripts). If you're transferring, submit an official transcript from each school you attended; if you're an international student, submit both English and native-language copies.
- Official test scores: a GMAT score if you don't have an undergraduate or graduate degree from a U.S. institution (allow two to five weeks for your official score to reach NIU), and TOEFL or IELTS scores if you're an international applicant.
Deadlines vary by term and are listed on the online Master of Accountancy program page, which maintains the most current dates.
Cost and Career Support
Current tuition rates and fees are listed on the online Master of Accountancy program page, which maintains the most up-to-date cost information.
NIU Online's Costs and Financial Aid section outlines your options, including federal aid and other funding resources available to graduate students.
Yes. As a MAC student, you'll be eligible and encouraged to attend the accountancy career fairs held each fall and spring semester on the DeKalb campus, which are held specifically for accountancy majors with firms recruiting for full-time and internship positions. You can also use NIU Career Services' Huskies Get Hired to search for jobs and internships.
