Contact:

Dr. Otto Martinson

Graduate Program Director, Old Dominion University, College of Business & Public Administration, Department of Accounting, Constant Hall #2157, Norfolk, Virginia 23529

Phone: 757-683-3505 Fax: 757-683-3258 E-mail: obmartin@odu.edu

Introduction

Accounting services are becoming both broader and more specialized. The major changes that have occurred in the accounting profession dictate expanded and updated educational programs. The minimum education necessary for the professional accountant cannot be achieved in four years of undergraduate study. For instance, the Virginia Board of Accountancy requires Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam candidates to have 150 semester hours of education to sit for the CPA examination. Therefore, the ideal model for a professional accounting education embodies a Master of Science in Accounting program that augments a broad undergraduate education.

The program is designed to accommodate both full-time and part-time students with courses offered in the evenings. Specialized tracks enable students to choose a course of study that best meets their educational and career aspirations. For instance, CPA candidates may prefer the Business Assurance Services track while experienced CPAs may prefer the Controllership Track.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Prospective students may apply for admission to the program for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The Department of Accounting welcomes applicants who have earned bachelor's degrees from accredited institutions. Admission to the program is competitive and is granted only to those who show high ability and likely success in graduate business study. Successful applicants will stand well above the average in most of the criteria used to measure graduate student promise.

Criteria used for admission include the candidate's score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), undergraduate grade point averages and the trendin grades during undergraduate work, one letter of reference, a goals statement, and previous work experience. Students must earn a grade of C or better in each undergraduate course used to satisfy the program's prerequisite courses.

The application process is as follows: submit to the Graduate Admissions Office (1) application forms (may be done on-line) for graduate study in business, (2) official transcripts of all previous college work, (3) one letter of recommendation, (4) anone-page essay setting forth the applicant's work experience, and goals and objectives for the program, and (5) scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Applicants whose native language is not English are also required to submit an acceptable score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam.

Prior to admission, each candidate must have completed six hours of financial accounting and three hours of management accounting courses. In addition, each candidate must have completed eighteen credit hours in economics, statistics, marketing, management, finance, and commercial law.

Application deadlines are July 1 for fall admission, November 1 for spring admission, and April 1 for summer admission. International student deadlines are April 15 (fall semester), October 1 (spring semester), and February 15 (summer semester).

Applicants who have not obtained an acceptable GMAT score, or an acceptable TOEFL score for those applicants whose native language is not English, will not be permitted to enroll in graduate accounting courses.

FAST-TRACK UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION

Undergraduate students majoring in Accounting at Old Dominion University may apply for conditional status in the Master of Science in Accounting program after completing ACCT 301, Intermediate Accounting I, with a minimum Overall and Accounting Grade Point Averageof 3.00. These students can then achieve regular admission status by completing their undergraduate degree with a minimum Overall and Accounting Grade Point Average of 3.00, and obtaining an acceptable GMAT score.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate courses are required to complete the Master of Science in Accounting. Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of a least 3.00 in all graduate work taken. Additionally, students must successfully complete at least one part of one of the following professional exams during the final two semesters of their graduate course work: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam, or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exam. Students who already hold one or more of these professional designations must successfully complete at least one part of one of the other professional exams during the final two semesters of the graduate work.

ASSURANCE SERVICES (aUDITOR) Track

This track is designed for the student interested in a career as an assurance services provider (auditor) either working for an organization as an internal auditor or for a public accounting firm. The curriculum meets the requirements of the Institute of Internal Auditors for an Endorsed Internal Auditing Program. In addition, the track prepares students to successfully complete the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and the CPA exams.

Controllership (MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING) Track

This track is for returning students who aspire to be controllers or chief financial officers (CFOs). Ideally, the student choosing this track should have between three to five years of experience and hold a professional accounting designation (CPA). The track also is designed to prepare students for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Financial Manager (CFM) exams.

STEPS TO APPLY!

Step 1: Take the GMAT*

"The Graduate Management Admission Test® (GMAT®) is a standardized assessment-delivered in English-that helps business schools assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management.Schools use the test as one predictor of academic performance in an MBA or in other graduate management programs." (www.mba.com)

Ø The GMAT consists of three parts: the Analytical Writing Assessment, the Quantitative section, and the Verbal section. For more information, visit www.mba.com.

Ø To schedule an appointment, visit www.mba.com, or call 1-800-GMAT NOW.

Ø For GMAT review and recommended websites, visit www.gmat-review.com

*If your native language is not English, you are required to take the TOEFL and the GMAT

Visit the official website for TOEFL: www.toefl.org .

Or visit the Office of International Admissions website http://www.odu.edu/intladm .

Or contact the Office of International Admissions at 757-683-3701.

Step2: Complete an ODU Graduate Application

To complete an on-line application or for a printable version, visit: http://admissions.odu.edu/graduate/.

Step 3: Make sure you have all the following documents:

1-Official scores for the GMAT, and TOEFL (if applicable)

2-Graduate Application

3-One letter of recommendation (see Application for further information)

4-Official Transcripts from each college or university attended

5-Written essay on personal and professional goals

6-Updated Resume

Step 4: Submit the above documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions

Old Dominion University

Office of Graduate Admissions

108 Alfred B. Rollins, Jr. Hall

Norfolk, VA 23529-0050

Phone: 757-683-3685 Fax: 757-683-3255

Email: admit@odu.edu

IMPORTANT DEADLINES to submit your application