Master of Professional Accountancy

Why an MPA?

The Augustana University Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) Program will prepare students to enter the accounting field as Certified Professional Accountants (CPAs) and qualified business leaders.

  • In addition to coursework, high-impact internship experiences with industry leaders give students an edge.
  • Graduates will enter a growing career field, as demand for CPAs and auditors is rising, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics forecast.
  • This program meets the requirements of the CPA licensing exam in South Dakota and most other states.
  • Augustana CPA exam pass rates exceed state and national averages.
MPA at AU

Beyond AU

Maddy Deetz '23 (center), who earned an MPA, as well as a bachelor’s degree in accounting, is a senior audit associate at Eide Bailly in Sioux Falls. Deetz completed two internships with the accounting firm while she was a student at Augustana. She is also a certified public accountant (CPA).

Maddy Deetz

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Latest News

This year’s Viking Days festivities included a special dedication ceremony for Augustana’s School of Business — now the Rydell School of Business, supported by Bill and Ellen Rydell. The Augustana community celebrated on Thursday, Oct. 3, with a gathering in the Madsen Social Science Center, home of the newly-named school.

Payton Anderson ‘25, of Sherburn, Minnesota, is an accounting and business administration double major. He is also part of the Augustana Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) Program. Anderson, a Viking Wrestling student-athlete, is interning with RSM — an assurance, tax and consulting services firm in downtown Sioux Falls. Through his internship, he has gained hands-on experience with assurance and audits.

Augustana is proud to announce that Dr. Roxanne Stevens has been named the university’s new dean of the School of Business. Stevens began serving in her role in mid-August. Stevens is working on both a short- and long-term plan for the School of Business that includes growth initiatives, community partnerships and student engagement opportunities — such as additional internships, student organizations and honor societies.

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Highlights

Angela Olson MPA Program

Why choose the Augustana University Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) Program?

  • At the end of five years, students graduate with two degrees — a bachelor’s and master’s degree and hold the 150 credits required to sit for the CPA exam.
  • Through applied learning, working in teams and a combination of technical accounting skills with broader business knowledge, students achieve skills sought by employers.
  • The accounting faculty have spent time in the industry, bringing first-hand experience to the classroom.
  • Students have interned at a variety of organizations — many of which have led to full-time employment opportunities.

This 3+2 degree means students spend the first three years in undergraduate classes, transition to some graduate-level courses in year four and finish the fifth year with all graduate classes.

For those who already have a bachelor’s degree, the MPA can be completed in 1.5 years, starting in the fall.

Augustana MPA students have the opportunity to:

  • Apply theories of accounting to real-world experiences
  • Develop in-depth knowledge of current issues within the accounting industry
  • Critically analyze the codifications for the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code
  • Effectively write business communications and present to peers 
  • Demonstrate advanced skills in critical thinking by solving unstructured problems
  • Work with emerging accounting technologies and topics
  • Network with professionals from premier accounting firms at the Meet the Firms event each fall on campus

STEM & Technology in Accounting

The demand for STEM-based, analytical accountancy has been driven by employers and the CPA exam.

  • The CPA exam changes in January 2024 to have a greater focus on a CPA's ability to analyze accounting data and use new technologies.
  • This emphasis on new technologies better reflects that this demand is being met through courses and with specific course elements.
  • The MPA program’s classification as a STEM program allows international students to receive an extra two years of work experience through their student visa.

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    KPMG Intern