MSA Curriculum

A representative wearing a sleeveless navy dress with gold buttons gestures while speaking to incoming students at a welcome event. Behind her, a large digital display shows the Notre Dame Golden Dome alongside text reading "Welcome MSA, MSBA, MSDM & MNA Class of 2026!" In the background, wooden display cases feature Notre Dame "Mendoza Mission" branding.

Earn a top-ranked MSA in just one year.

In two semesters and 30 credit hours, you’ll build the accounting expertise, analytical skills and professional judgment to prepare for what’s next in your career. Choose a curriculum tailored to your goals, with options spanning assurance, tax, data analytics and more.

Choose Your Path

Start with a major.
Choose from:

Traditional MSA
The traditional MSA provides the most flexibility, allowing you to build on your foundational MSA courses with your choice of electives.
Data Analytics (STEM-designated)
Develop the technical and analytical skills to use data to solve business and accounting challenges.

Then customize your experience.
Add a concentration in Assurance & Advisory or Tax, with the option to pursue a Deal Advisory concentration as well.

MSA Major & Concentration Requirements

Data Analytics Major Requirements

Students will complete 8 credit hours from the following courses:

Data Exploration & Visualization
Accounting Data Management
Spreadsheet Analytics and Statistics
Accounting Analytics with Python
Fraud and Audit Analytics

Assurance and Advisory Concentration Requirements

Students will complete the following courses:

Advanced Assurance Services
Analysis and Valuation Using Financial Statements
Taxes and Business Strategy
Topics in Accounting Measurement and Disclosure

Tax Concentration Requirements

Students will complete the following courses:

Taxes and Business Strategy
Partnerships and Passive Activities
Tax Research
Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders

Deal Advisory Concentration Requirements

Students will complete 8 credit hours from the following courses:

Taxes and Business Strategy
Analysis and Valuation using Financial Statements (for Tax Services students only)
Accounting for Mergers & Acquisitions
Taxation of Corporations and S/H (for Assurance and Advisory students only)
Mergers & Acquisitions
Mergers & Acquisitions Practicum
Financing the Corporation
Financial Policy
Bond Issue Process

Grow Irish

Grow Irish stands out as a premier highlight of the Mendoza experience. Held twice a year—following Mod 1 in mid-October and Mod 3 in early March—these intensive, one-credit, weeklong courses bridge the gap between theory and practice. MSA students have the unique opportunity to solve real-world client challenges in the first session, followed by an advanced skill-building bootcamp in the second, all while expanding their professional networks.

MSA Electives

In addition to your major and concentration requirements, students have the option to select from a diverse array of electives in order to meet the requirement of 30 credit hours.

The table below outlines the electives you can select from based on your chosen primary concentration.

	Assurance and Advisory Concentration	Tax Services Concentration
Concentration Requirements	12 Credits	11 Credits
Accountancy Electives	2 Credits	-
Tax Electives	-	3 Credits
Analytics & Finance Electives	2 Credits	2 Credits
Communication Electives	2 Credits	2 Credits
General Electives	12+ Credits	12+ Credits

Elective Curriculum

Please note: Our curriculum is always evolving to reflect industry standards, student feedback, and market trends. Consequently, specific classes and content may be subject to change.

Accountancy Electives

Students will complete 2 credit hours of the following Accountancy Electives:

Accounting for Mergers & Acquisitions
Fraud & Audit Analytics
Ethics in Accounting
Accounting for Income Taxes
Academic Research in Accounting
Corporate Sustainability Reporting

Tax Electives

Students will complete 3 credit hours of the following Tax Electives:

International Taxation
State & Local Taxation
Ethics in Tax
Accounting for Income Taxes
Tax Assistance Program (TAP)

Analytics and Finance Electives

Students will complete 2 credits from the following Analytics and Finance Electives:

Data Exploration & Visualization
Accounting Data Management
Data Analytics in Accounting
Advanced Accounting Analytics
Fraud and Audit Analytics
Business Forecasting
Behavioral Finance
Bond Issue Process
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers and Acquisitions Practicum
Financial Policy
Financing the Corporation
Fixed Income Securities I
Equity Valuation
Strategic Finance & Valuation
Options & Futures
Applied Investment Management
Investments
Multinational Financial Management
Options and Futures
Private Equity
Real Estate Finance
Real Estate Development Process
Real Estate Fundamentals
Real Estate Valuation and Income Property Investments
Working Capital Management

Communication Electives

Students will complete 2 credits from the following Communication Electives:

Strategic Writing
Advanced Speaking for Business
Change Communication
Negotiation
Corporate Communication
Strategic Leadership Communication

Research Electives

In addition, those interested in pursuing a PhD may participate in a 3 credit hour Academic Research in Accounting course.

Additional Electives

Students may use any of the following options to help fulfill the 30 credit-hour requirement for the Notre Dame MSA:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Accounting
Business Law: Property & Neg. Instr.
Tax Research
Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders
Partnership & Passive Activities
Intro International Taxation
State & Local Taxation
Tax – International Individuals
Entrepreneurship
International Management
Launching New Ventures
Innovations in Healthcare

If the MSA is right for you but you need additional accounting coursework to prepare, our Accounting Immersion Program (AIP) can help you get ready for the Master of Science in Accountancy through an eight-week summer immersion.

Learn More About AIP