Master's of Accounting (iMSA)

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Master's of Accounting (iMSA)

Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois

Accredited degree

Offered by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

18-36 months

8 courses total, 10-15 hours per week

$22,628 - $28,928 USD total cost

Depending on elective course choices Flexible payment options available

No accounting background required

Designed for students of various backgrounds

100% online

Mixture of self-paced content with engaging live classroom sessions

Become an analytics-minded professional with a fully online master’s from a top-ranked accounting powerhouse

Earn a highly respected accounting degree from the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, one of the nation’s top-ranked and globally recognized leaders in accounting education. The online Master of Science in Accountancy (iMSA) blends core accounting fundamentals with the analytical and technical skills needed in today’s data-driven profession.

Designed for maximum flexibility, the iMSA lets you customize your learning to match your goals. Whether you’re preparing for the CPA exam, starting or advancing your career in accounting, or strengthening quantitative and analytical capabilities in a non-accounting role. You will build expertise in areas such as Python and R programming, data mining, and statistical analysis, alongside a strong foundation in financial reporting and assurance.

Courses are taught by world-renowned Gies faculty who bring cutting-edge research and real-world insights into the classroom. Graduates are in high demand and go on to become leaders, innovators, and decision-makers across industries. With the iMSA, you gain the flexibility of an online degree backed by the prestige of a top-tier accounting program, empowering you to advance your career on your own terms.

What sets this program apart?

Join a top-ranked U.S. program
Earn a degree from a program consistently ranked in the top 3 in the US.
Master in-demand skills
Master in-demand data analytics skills combined with core accounting courses.
Comprehensive CPA preparation
Prepare for the CPA exam through a comprehensive curriculum that fundamentally change how you collect, analyze, and interpret data.
Flexible, interactive learning
Learning takes place in a collaboration of modalities: online self-paced content, high-engagement live classes, and hands-on projects.
Connect with peers worldwide
Connect with peers around the world through numerous networking opportunities.
Earn a fully accredited university credential
8 courses accredited by the Association for Advancing Colleges and Schools of Business (AACSB).

Applications for Fall A cohort are open!

  • Priority deadline: May 7, 2026
  • Applications deadline: June 4, 2026

Upcoming Events

  • May 5: Gies Online Applicant Office Hours - Register here
  • May 7: iDegree Workshop: Networking and Immersion Opportunities within Gies Online - Register here
  • May 12: iDegree Webinar: iMSA - Register here

Additional resources

Questions? Please contact Gies College of Business at giesonline@illinois.edu or attend an upcoming event.

Fall A cohort priority deadline: May 7

Start your application or request more information.

Accredited degree

Offered by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

18-36 months

8 courses total, 10-15 hours per week

$22,628 - $28,928 USD total cost

Depending on elective course choices Flexible payment options available

No accounting background required

Designed for students of various backgrounds

100% online

Mixture of self-paced content with engaging live classroom sessions

Accredited degree

Offered by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

18-36 months

8 courses total, 10-15 hours per week

Become an analytics-minded professional with a fully online master’s from a top-ranked accounting powerhouse

Earn a highly respected accounting degree from the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, one of the nation’s top-ranked and globally recognized leaders in accounting education. The online Master of Science in Accountancy (iMSA) blends core accounting fundamentals with the analytical and technical skills needed in today’s data-driven profession.

Designed for maximum flexibility, the iMSA lets you customize your learning to match your goals. Whether you’re preparing for the CPA exam, starting or advancing your career in accounting, or strengthening quantitative and analytical capabilities in a non-accounting role. You will build expertise in areas such as Python and R programming, data mining, and statistical analysis, alongside a strong foundation in financial reporting and assurance.

Courses are taught by world-renowned Gies faculty who bring cutting-edge research and real-world insights into the classroom. Graduates are in high demand and go on to become leaders, innovators, and decision-makers across industries. With the iMSA, you gain the flexibility of an online degree backed by the prestige of a top-tier accounting program, empowering you to advance your career on your own terms.

What sets this program apart?

Join a top-ranked U.S. program
Earn a degree from a program consistently ranked in the top 3 in the US.
Master in-demand skills
Master in-demand data analytics skills combined with core accounting courses.
Comprehensive CPA preparation
Prepare for the CPA exam through a comprehensive curriculum that fundamentally change how you collect, analyze, and interpret data.
Flexible, interactive learning
Learning takes place in a collaboration of modalities: online self-paced content, high-engagement live classes, and hands-on projects.
Connect with peers worldwide
Connect with peers around the world through numerous networking opportunities.
Earn a fully accredited university credential
8 courses accredited by the Association for Advancing Colleges and Schools of Business (AACSB).

Applications for Fall A cohort are open!

  • Priority deadline: May 7, 2026
  • Applications deadline: June 4, 2026

Upcoming Events

  • May 5: Gies Online Applicant Office Hours - Register here
  • May 7: iDegree Workshop: Networking and Immersion Opportunities within Gies Online - Register here
  • May 12: iDegree Webinar: iMSA - Register here

Additional resources

Questions? Please contact Gies College of Business at giesonline@illinois.edu or attend an upcoming event.

Build toward a degree at your own pace

Not sure if you’re ready to begin earning your degree? Start making progress by taking eligible content that aligns with your goals and interests. Gain in-demand skills while building towards a degree.

These are some of the courses and specializations that are part of the degree program. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.

Explore all the courses

*Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information.

An affordable pathway into one of the fastest growing occupations

  • $21,916 - $28,096 USD total tuition

    Competitively priced against other top accounting schools, the iMSA provides a gateway into one of the fastest growing occupations.

  • Pay-as-you-go

    You pay tuition only for courses you're enrolled in. If a scheduling conflict arises, you are free to take a term off and won’t be charged during that term.

  • Financial aid & scholarships

    Gies College of Business and Coursera have partnered to offer a limited number of competitive scholarships covering 70% of tuition for select students. If you’re a U.S. resident, you may also qualify for student aid.
Learn about tuition & financing
[Featured image] Man at a desk working on taxes on a computer

Choose Your Path

Ready to give the iMSA a try? Get started on your application today, or start with an open course. With an open course, you can try the asynchronous component of the program in advance. These open courses feature degree instructors, video lectures, and readings.

Learn more about open courses related to this degree

[Featured image] Man at a desk working on taxes on a computer

Fall A priority deadline: May 7

Don’t miss your chance to join the cohort!

certspechero (1)

Not ready to enroll in the iMSA? Earn a credential that transfers credit into the degree.

These graduate certificates stack directly into the Master of Science in Accountancy (iMSA). Each of the high engagement courses that comprise these certificates carry University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign graduate credit.

certspechero (1)

Build toward a degree

These courses are part of the degree program. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹

  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    Leadership and Business Skill for Immediate Impact

    Beginner · Specialization

  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    Develop Data Analytics Skills for Accountants

    Intermediate · Specialization

  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    U.S. Federal Taxation of Individuals & Businesses

    Intermediate · Specialization

¹Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information.

Frequently asked questions

No prior accounting degree is required. Applicants must complete at least one course in Principles of Accounting and one course in Introduction to Finance before admission. Business Management and Statistics are recommended but not required.

If you have not yet completed the required courses, you can fulfill these prerequisites through online coursework available on Coursera. For the principles of accounting course prerequisite, we offer the three courses below. The three courses, in combination, will satisfy the principles of accounting prerequisite.

An introductory finance will be required which can be satisfied by taking Introduction to Finance: The Basics.

You will want to make sure that you earn a course completion certificate for each course so you can prove your successful completion of the courses.

Yes. Applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement may be considered through the Performance-based Admissions Track. Students admitted through this pathway complete two for-credit iMSA courses and automatically move into the degree program if they earn a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher, including a B or better in both courses.

Yes. Students can begin with selected Coursera courses and specializations, enroll as non-degree students in for-credit online courses, or take open courses separately. Eligible completed work can count toward degree learning after admission and enrollment.

Fall A priority deadline: May 7

Don’t miss your chance to join the cohort!