An accelerated program for accounting majors.

Incoming Freshman 25-45 (AP/IB) interested in accounting can choose to enroll as 3+1 Accounting Scholars, an accelerated program which allows students to complete both the bachelor's degree in accounting and the master of accounting degree in four years. Through an evaluation of college-ready credits (e.g., advanced placement and international baccalaureate), these high-achieving students are fast-tracked for admission to the Lundquist College of Business one full year before their contemporaries. Students in this program can complete their undergraduate degree in three years, with the fourth year used to complete the Master of Accounting program.

Highlights

• The business college's most experienced and widely recognized faculty teach in the MAcc program.
• Our students are highly sought after, and their placement is nearly 100 percent at graduation.
• It completes the package of preparation for a career in accounting.
• The master of accounting degree is STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) certified, meaning international students who earn the degree are eligible to work in the United States for up to 36 months after graduation (instead of the standard 12-month optional practical training period). 

Sample Timeline*

*The timeline is flexible, and this table does not reflect every scenario. Students must work with an advisor to map out an individual plan that is particular to their academic schedules.

See Sample Academic Plans

3+1 Application

Application Deadline

Applications open on February 1. Students must submit applications for admission to become 3+1 Accounting Scholars by midnight of February 15 during the winter term of their first year.

Apply to Become a 3+1 Scholar

Application Materials

• General contact and demographic information
• Experience statement – List volunteer, work, academic, and extracurricular experience
• Scholarship essay (500 words or less) – Describe why you would like to pursue your master's degree at the University of Oregon. Tell us not only what you hope to gain from the master's program but also what you will bring to the program and to the Lundquist College of Business learning community.
• High school transcript
• UO transfer evaluation report
• UO transcript

Qualifications for Admission to 3+1 Scholar Candidacy

• At least 25 credit hours of Advanced Placement and/or International Business or transfer credit upon admission to the University of Oregon
• Must be an enrolled student at the University of Oregon
• Must apply to become a 3+1 Accounting Scholar during the winter term of your first year

Why Get Your Master's Degree in Accounting?

Accounting majors typically seek certified public accountant (CPA) licensure after college. The CPA credential distinguishes accounting professionals and opens many doors during a career.

225-Credit CPA Exam Educational Requirements Background

In the late 1990s, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants encouraged individual states to add 30 semester (45 quarter) hours beyond the usual 120 semester (180 quarter) hours that the undergraduate accounting degree provides, as part of the educational requirements to qualify for licensure as a CPA. This became known as the fifth-year requirement. The goal of these additional credits is to include curriculum that deepens knowledge and improves critical thinking and communication skills. Almost all states and territories of the United States require the fifth year in credits. However, states vary in the content of that fifth year.

UO's Response to the Fifth-Year Requirement

The University of Oregon's Master of Accounting program is a high-quality way to earn the additional credits. The MAcc program's curriculum broadens aspiring accountants' scope of knowledge and strengthens their critical thinking and communication skills, ultimately preparing them to enter the business world as professionals with a specialization in accounting. Moreover, people who have a specialized master’s degree are more likely to be promoted faster than those who do not have an advanced degree. The 3+1 Accounting Scholar program is designed to fast-track students through the undergraduate curriculum and allow them to use the fourth year to pursue a master's degree, effectively earning their fifth year in four years and maximizing the value to their careers while they are in college. It's a win-win.