Overview

The Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAcc) at the Crowell School of Business is a 33-credit program specifically designed to help you become a certified public accountant (CPA). Crowell’s MPAcc program will prepare you with the knowledge and skills you need to be a highly qualified professional in accounting and business.

This program can be taken part or full-time and be completed in two years or less. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in accounting or business, you can complete this degree in as quickly as one year. Pursue your calling in business by pursuing your degree today.

Why Pursue a Master of Professional Accountancy at the Crowell School of Business?

Crowell’s MPAcc program has a successful record of producing graduates who are now working at a variety of firms, including the Big Four, and living out their calling to business as a ministry. Here are other program distinctives:

High Success Rate for Career Placement. Biola’s accounting graduates have a strong record of career placement in this highly competitive, demanding field, including placement with the Big Four national accounting firms. In one of the largest international accounting firm’s recent starting class, Biola graduates accounted for more of the audit staff than all but one other school.

Specialized CPA Preparation. Most states require students to earn 150 college credits before passing the CPA exam — more than is required by a typical bachelor’s degree. With an undergraduate degree, the MPAcc allows you to earn the additional number of college credits necessary to qualify for a CPA license in California and most other states. In the process, you will receive advanced career preparation in areas such as auditing, taxation and accounting information systems.

Outstanding Networking Opportunities. As part of the Biola Accounting Society, you will benefit from mock interviews, resume coaching, social events and meetings with local professionals. The Society also provides opportunities to network with alumni, mentorship, job postings and other resources to jumpstart your career. Its signature event, "Meet the Firms," features representatives from the Big Four accounting firms and other national, regional and local CPA firms. The annual event has an attendance of about 250 students, including students from other universities in the area.

Biblical Integration to Develop Your Biblical Values in Accounting. Biola believes the Bible has much to teach about all aspects of business, so every class you take integrates scriptural principles and will develop your Christian worldview. Required courses for MPAcc students includes ethics and theology, helping you effectively articulate biblical values in discussions on workplace ethics.

A Professional Degree Program With Other Christ-Followers. Because you, your fellow students and professors share the same faith in Jesus Christ, you will have opportunities to discuss how a calling to business is a ministry to God.

A Seamless Transition for Biola University Graduates. Students who graduated from Biola with degrees in business or accounting can receive a GMAT waiver, and can fill out a shortened application. Also, because Biola students graduate having completed the required 3-credit theology course, the MPAcc program is 30 credits (reduced from the regular 33 credits). Learn more about the MPAcc admissions process for both new applicants and Biola graduates.

What Will I Study?

The Master of Professional Accountancy program consists of prerequisite coursework (for those without a bachelor’s degree in business), a common core of graduate courses, a theology course and a few accounting electives. Core graduate course topics and electives include:

Issues in financial accounting

Advanced taxation of business entities

Accounting research and communication

Ethics in accounting

Government and nonprofit accounting

Advanced taxation of individuals

International accounting

Financial statement analysis and valuation

Advanced topics in California industries

Accounting analytics

Advanced auditing