Master of Accountancy - FORVIS Accountancy Program

Almost half of our students receive some sort of financial assistance. Full-time students (enrolled in a minimum of 9 credit hours) may qualify for graduate assistantships, which require 10 or 20 hours of work per week assisting WCU faculty with teaching, research, and administrative duties for a monthly stipend. Graduate assistants may not hold other employment and may not take more than 12 hours graduate coursework.

Other assistance in the form of awards and scholarships are as follows:

• Full and partial tuition waivers
• University and Graduate School tuition awards
• Beegle Scholarship
• Swanger Scholarship
• Advisory Board Scholarships
• NCACPA (Western Carolina Chapter) Scholarship
• Dixon Hughes Goodman Scholarship
• Gould Killian Scholarship
• NC State Board of CPA Examiners

MAcc departmental scholarship funds are available to qualified applicants. Scholarship applications are reviewed on a continuous basis, however most funds are committed to students who have their applications completed by March 31 of each year.

See the general scholarship form

There are several organizations to serve the personal and professional needs of our Master of Accountancy students:

The Cullowhee-based Nu Delta Chapter of Beta Alpha Psi is an internationally-recognized honors business organization for accounting, finance and information systems students and professionals. Dr. Jane Livingstone serves as faculty advisor.

Many students participate as student members of the North Carolina Association of CPA’s (NCACPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).  Student memberships of both organizations are free of charge.

Where is the Master of Accountancy Program based?

Our graduate center is located in Biltmore Park, 28 Schenck Parkway, Suite 300, just off Exit 37 on Interstate 26 in south Asheville. The program consists primarily of evening, face-to-face courses, with occasional hybrid and online course offerings.

How long will it take to complete the Master of Accountancy Program?

That depends. Being a 30-hour program, full-time students who begin the program in the summer or fall semester can complete the entire program in one calendar year by taking 12 hours each in the fall and spring semesters and 6 hours during the summer. Part-time students, and those requiring completion of prerequisites, will take longer.

Is there a time limit for completing my degree?

Yes. All courses taken at WCU and/or transferred in from another institution must be completed within six years.

Can I take classes at another institution and transfer them to apply toward degree at WCU?

Yes, with certain limitations. With advance approval of the Program Director, students may transfer in up to 6 hours of graduate level credit from another regionally accredited institution. Forms are available by request to the Program Director.

Can I take just a class or two, or do I have to be enrolled as a degree-seeking student?

Individuals may be admitted as "non-degree seeking" by applying to the graduate school and providing official transcripts showing completion of an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Upon formal application and acceptance into the program, up to twelve hours of graduate courses (with a grade of "B" or better) may later be transferred to apply toward a degree.

• Accounting Career Day – During fall semester each year WCU hosts employers for an interview day. Employers from business, government, and not-for-profit organizations come to campus to interview both undergraduate and graduate students for full-time, part-time, and internship positions.
• Accountancy Fall Banquet – Sponsored by many of the companies that recruit our students, the Fall Banquet is an opportunity to recognize our scholarship and award recipients, meet fellow students, alumni, advisory board members, faculty and university administration, as well as just have some fun.
• Meet the Firms Night – During spring semester each year, WCU hosts an "information fair" in the greater Asheville area where students can informally chat with company representatives.
• Center for Career and Professional Development – The resources of the WCU Center for Career and Professional Development office is fully available to all WCU students. These include resume preparation, interviewing skills, and job search assistance.

WCU Accounting Programs Fall Kick-off Reception
Friday, September 23, 2022,  5:00-7:00
Wells Conference Center, Waynesville, NC
Registration
FORVIS Recognition Event,
Friday, December 2, 2022
Time/Location TBD
Meet the Firms Night
Spring 2023
Date/Time/Location TBD