The Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) program provides rigorous preparation at the graduate level for students to achieve success in their chosen career path in public practice, industry, or government.
The MPA program offers three concentrations for targeted future professional career
paths in accounting, including Assurance and Analytics, Taxation, and Corporate Accounting.
These concentrations provide opportunity for professional internship credit, and can
lead to qualification for the Certified Public Accounting exam.
Job prospects for graduates?
What can I expect?
What coursework is required for this degree?
How Much? How Long?
Who can enroll?
Admission to Walton College masters programs is selective. Enrollment in each program is limited.
One Year
Fall or Spring
New cohorts begin each semester for this program.
Do I Qualify to Enroll?
Complete your undergraduate degree and meet additional requirements. View Requirements
GMAT
Students may be eligible for a GMAT test waiver with a 3.2 undergraduate GPA or 3 years of applicable professional work experience.
March 1
$21,512.70*
*In-state tuition and fees. Additional tuition and fees applied for out-of-state and
international students.
View cost details
Current Students
View a listing of current Master of Professional Accounting Students.
The accounting department at the Walton College enjoys strong relationships with corporate partners. These corporate connections are enhanced through networking events, speaking events, and academic activities – culminating in employment opportunities.
A University of Arkansas Master of Accountancy degree qualifies you to sit for the CPA exam in Arkansas.
The CPA exam's primary purpose is to establish the technical credentials of those wishing to be licensed as public accountants. If you plan a career in public accounting, taking the CPA exam is a must. In addition, the CPA license is so widely recognized as a credential that many accountants who work in industry or government take the CPA exam as part of their effort to become licensed as CPAs.
While the CPA exam is the same across the nation, the requirements to sit for the CPA exam vary by state.
While your focus as a student is naturally on taking a certification exam, remember that this is just a step towards professional certification. In addition to passing a certification exam, there are additional requirements (e.g., experience requirements, continuing education requirements) for professional certification or licensing that you also must fulfill after graduation.
Learn more: Department of Accounting: Certification Exams
The MPA does not require a thesis or comprehensive exam. Successful completion of the Masters of Professional Accounting program from the University of Arkansas can qualify a student to take relevant professional examinations.
To obtain the Master of Professional Accounting degree, students must complete the following 30 hours of coursework.
Electives in the concentrations are chosen by the student in consultation with and approval of the MPA Program Director in the Department of Accounting (ACCT). With the approval of the MPA Program Director, senior-level (4000+) courses may be taken for graduate credit.
For a more in-depth listing, view the academic catalog.
Department of Accounting programs are accredited by the AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB accreditation assures quality and promotes excellence and continuous improvement in undergraduate and graduate education for business administration and accounting.
Students from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
After admission, the student must maintain a 3.00 grade-point average on all graduate coursework and all accounting coursework.
Prerequisites required for entry to the program include the following:
All students will take core classes related to accounting professionalism, analytic skillsets and advanced financial accounting. Students will take additional classes based on their chosen concentration:
Assurance & Analytics provides students with a foundation for applying technology and analytical methodologies to data-centric accounting environments. Students will be able to navigate data environments, employ analytical tools, and apply them to business decisions and risk analysis. View Catalog Listing.
Taxation provides students a broad foundation for understanding the taxation of entities and the relationship of taxes to the overall business decision process. Students will be able to analyze tax problems, interpret the relevant tax code, and identify tax strategies for complex tax situations and business scenarios. View Catalog Listing
Corporate Accounting provides students a broad foundation for understanding the production and use of accounting information in corporate business environments. Students in this concentration will acquire skills to navigate public reporting environments, internal business operations, and financial decision making.View Catalog Listing
Hosted by the accounting department, associate professors Jessica Watkins (Univ. of Notre Dame), John Donovan (Univ. of Notre Dame), and Michael Iselin (Univ. of Minnesota) presented their findings from recent research papers.
10/07/2025 | By Lori McLemore
“I chose the MPAcc program because the accounting professors at the U of A are the best in the business.”
06/23/2025 | By Lori McLemore
Join a supportive and engaging community located in the vibrant business network of Northwest Arkansas, with over 300 Fortune 500 companies with a presence in the region.
Business leaders and Walton alumni are closely connected to the college, not just during your studies, but throughout your career.
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