Online Master's of Accounting (iMSA) | University of Illinois | Coursera For Individuals For Businesses For Universities For Governments Explore Degrees ​ Log In Join for Free Join for Free Master's of Accounting (iMSA) Apply now Request Info Master's of Accounting (iMSA)Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Accredited degree Offered by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 18-36 months 8 courses total, 10-15 hours per week $22,628 - $28,928 USD total cost Depending on elective course choices Flexible payment options available No accounting background required Designed for students of various backgrounds 100% online Mixture of self-paced content with engaging live classroom sessions Overview Admissions Academics Tuition & financing Careers Student experience Become an analytics-minded professional with a fully online master’s from a top-ranked accounting powerhouse Earn a highly respected accounting degree from the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, one of the nation’s top-ranked and globally recognized leaders in accounting education. The online Master of Science in Accountancy (iMSA) blends core accounting fundamentals with the analytical and technical skills needed in today’s data-driven profession. Designed for maximum flexibility, the iMSA lets you customize your learning to match your goals. Whether you’re preparing for the CPA exam, starting or advancing your career in accounting, or strengthening quantitative and analytical capabilities in a non-accounting role. You will build expertise in areas such as Python and R programming, data mining, and statistical analysis, alongside a strong foundation in financial reporting and assurance. Courses are taught by world-renowned Gies faculty who bring cutting-edge research and real-world insights into the classroom. Graduates are in high demand and go on to become leaders, innovators, and decision-makers across industries. With the iMSA, you gain the flexibility of an online degree backed by the prestige of a top-tier accounting program, empowering you to advance your career on your own terms.What sets this program apart? Join a top-ranked U.S. program Earn a degree from a program consistently ranked in the top 3 in the US. Master in-demand skills Master in-demand data analytics skills combined with core accounting courses. Comprehensive CPA preparation Prepare for the CPA exam through a comprehensive curriculum that fundamentally change how you collect, analyze, and interpret data. Flexible, interactive learning Learning takes place in a collaboration of modalities: online self-paced content, high-engagement live classes, and hands-on projects. Connect with peers worldwide Connect with peers around the world through numerous networking opportunities. Earn a fully accredited university credential 8 courses accredited by the Association for Advancing Colleges and Schools of Business (AACSB). Applications for Spring A 2027 cohort are open! Enrollment opens: July 6, 2026 Application deadline: November 5, 2026Upcoming Events July 21: iDegree Workshop: Maximizing Your ROI and Career Support with Gies Online - Register here Additional resources Questions? Please contact Gies College of Business at giesonline@illinois.edu or attend an upcoming event. Spring A 2027 applications are open Start your enrollment now or request more information. Apply nowRequest Info Accredited degree Offered by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 18-36 months 8 courses total, 10-15 hours per week $22,628 - $28,928 USD total cost Depending on elective course choices Flexible payment options available No accounting background required Designed for students of various backgrounds 100% online Mixture of self-paced content with engaging live classroom sessions Accredited degree Offered by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 18-36 months 8 courses total, 10-15 hours per week $22,628 - $28,928 USD total cost Depending on elective course choices Flexible payment options available No accounting background required Designed for students of various backgrounds 100% online Mixture of self-paced content with engaging live classroom sessionsView More Become an analytics-minded professional with a fully online master’s from a top-ranked accounting powerhouse Earn a highly respected accounting degree from the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, one of the nation’s top-ranked and globally recognized leaders in accounting education. The online Master of Science in Accountancy (iMSA) blends core accounting fundamentals with the analytical and technical skills needed in today’s data-driven profession. Designed for maximum flexibility, the iMSA lets you customize your learning to match your goals. Whether you’re preparing for the CPA exam, starting or advancing your career in accounting, or strengthening quantitative and analytical capabilities in a non-accounting role. You will build expertise in areas such as Python and R programming, data mining, and statistical analysis, alongside a strong foundation in financial reporting and assurance. Courses are taught by world-renowned Gies faculty who bring cutting-edge research and real-world insights into the classroom. Graduates are in high demand and go on to become leaders, innovators, and decision-makers across industries. With the iMSA, you gain the flexibility of an online degree backed by the prestige of a top-tier accounting program, empowering you to advance your career on your own terms.What sets this program apart? Join a top-ranked U.S. program Earn a degree from a program consistently ranked in the top 3 in the US. Master in-demand skills Master in-demand data analytics skills combined with core accounting courses. Comprehensive CPA preparation Prepare for the CPA exam through a comprehensive curriculum that fundamentally change how you collect, analyze, and interpret data. Flexible, interactive learning Learning takes place in a collaboration of modalities: online self-paced content, high-engagement live classes, and hands-on projects. Connect with peers worldwide Connect with peers around the world through numerous networking opportunities. Earn a fully accredited university credential 8 courses accredited by the Association for Advancing Colleges and Schools of Business (AACSB). Welcome back! 🎉 We’re glad that you’re interested in learning more about this degree’s admissions. Get started now! Request info now Applications for Spring A 2027 cohort are open! Enrollment opens: July 6, 2026 Application deadline: November 5, 2026Upcoming Events July 21: iDegree Workshop: Maximizing Your ROI and Career Support with Gies Online - Register here Additional resources Questions? Please contact Gies College of Business at giesonline@illinois.edu or attend an upcoming event. Welcome back! 🎉 We’re glad that you’re interested in learning more about this degree’s admissions. Get started now! Request info now Build toward a degree at your own pace Not sure if you’re ready to begin earning your degree? Start making progress by taking eligible content that aligns with your goals and interests. Gain in-demand skills while building towards a degree. These are some of the courses and specializations that are part of the degree program. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you. Accounting Data Analytics Introduction to Artificial Intelligence U.S. Federal Taxation Explore all the courses *Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information. An affordable pathway into one of the fastest growing occupations $21,916 - $28,096 USD total tuition Competitively priced against other top accounting schools, the iMSA provides a gateway into one of the fastest growing occupations. Pay-as-you-go You pay tuition only for courses you're enrolled in. If a scheduling conflict arises, you are free to take a term off and won’t be charged during that term. Financial aid & scholarships Gies College of Business and Coursera have partnered to offer a limited number of competitive scholarships covering 70% of tuition for select students. If you’re a U.S. resident, you may also qualify for student aid. Learn about tuition & financing Choose Your Path Ready to give the iMSA a try? Get started on your application today, or start with an open course. With an open course, you can try the asynchronous component of the program in advance. These open courses feature degree instructors, video lectures, and readings. Learn more about open courses related to this degree Spring A 2027 applications are open Don’t miss your chance to join the cohort! Apply now Request Info Not ready to enroll in the iMSA? Earn a credential that transfers credit into the degree. These graduate certificates stack directly into the Master of Science in Accountancy (iMSA). Each of the high engagement courses that comprise these certificates carry University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign graduate credit. Graduate Certificate in Accounting Data Analytics: Learn how to synthesize and communicate data-intensive information, findings and conclusions, and develop the job-ready skills to solve accounting and business challenges. CPA Pathways Graduate Certificate: Build technical knowledge and skills in financial accounting, taxation, and accounting data analytics as you prepare for the Uniform CPA Examination®. Accounting Foundations Graduate Certificate: Develop job-ready skills with the top accounting faculty in the nation in as little as eight months. Build toward a degree These courses are part of the degree program. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹ U University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Strategic Leadership and Management Leadership and Business Skill for Immediate Impact Beginner · Specialization U University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Accounting Data Analytics Develop Data Analytics Skills for Accountants Intermediate · Specialization U University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign U.S. Federal Taxation U.S. Federal Taxation of Individuals & Businesses Intermediate · Specialization Show 2 more ¹Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information. Frequently asked questions What prerequisites do I need, and do I need an accounting background? No prior accounting degree is required. Applicants must complete at least one course in Principles of Accounting and one course in Introduction to Finance before admission. Business Management and Statistics are recommended but not required. If you have not yet completed the required courses, you can fulfill these prerequisites through online coursework available on Coursera. For the principles of accounting course prerequisite, we offer the three courses below. The three courses, in combination, will satisfy the principles of accounting prerequisite. Financial Accounting: Foundations Financial Accounting: Advanced Topics Formal Financial Accounting An introductory finance will be required which can be satisfied by taking Introduction to Finance: The Basics. You will want to make sure that you earn a course completion certificate for each course so you can prove your successful completion of the courses. Can I apply if I do not meet the GPA requirement? Yes. Applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement may be considered through the Performance-based Admissions Track. Students admitted through this pathway complete two for-credit iMSA courses and automatically move into the degree program if they earn a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher, including a B or better in both courses. Can I earn credit before applying? Yes. Students can begin with selected Coursera courses and specializations, enroll as non-degree students in for-credit online courses, or take open courses separately. Eligible completed work can count toward degree learning after admission and enrollment. Can prior graduate credits transfer into the iMSA? Yes, up to 12 credit hours may transfer, subject to review. To be considered, transfer coursework must come from an AACSB-accredited institution, be completed within the past four years, be graduate-level, not have been applied to another degree, and have a grade of A- or higher. Transfer requests must be submitted with the application. How does the online format work, and how long does the program take? The iMSA is delivered 100% online through a mix of self-paced content, live class sessions, and hands-on projects. The program is designed to be completed in 18 to 36 months, with an estimated workload of 10 to 15 hours per week across 8 courses. What does the program cost, and do I have to pay the full amount upfront? Tuition is charged on a pay-as-you-go basis rather than upfront. Students pay only when they enroll in each course. Accountancy courses are at $850 per credit hour and non-accounting electives at $332 per credit hour, and total tuition varies depending on elective choices. Is financial aid or scholarship support available? Yes. Domestic degree-seeking students may qualify for student aid, and a limited number of competitive scholarships cover 70% of tuition for select students. The iMSA is a self-funded program and does not offer teaching or research assistantships. Do I need GMAT or GRE scores, and when are official transcripts required? GMAT and GRE scores are not required, although applicants may submit them to strengthen an application. Official transcripts and degree certificates are required only after admission; the application itself can be reviewed using unofficial uploaded copies. What degree will I earn, and will my diploma mention online study? Graduates earn a Master of Science in Accountancy from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The diploma does not indicate that the degree was completed online. Will the iMSA help me pursue CPA licensure? Yes, but CPA eligibility depends on the requirements of the specific U.S. jurisdiction. The iMSA can help satisfy the educational component for the CPA exam, but some states may require additional coursework, exams, or background checks. Students should review the rules of their own state board of accountancy or the AICPA website before enrolling. Show all 10 frequently asked questions More questions?Visit the learner help center Spring A 2027 applications are open Don’t miss your chance to join the cohort! 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