Tag: Master’s in Accounting (page 1 of 3)

Join the MPA Bridge Info Session on October 8

Are you a current UT undergraduate looking to expand your career options? The MPA Bridge program allows you to begin working towards a Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) degree while finishing your non-accounting bachelor’s degree in your senior year.

Join our upcoming virtual info session to discover how the MPA Bridge program can fast-track your path to success. You’ll learn about the admissions process, curriculum, career prospects, and what life is like in the program.

REGISTER: Wednesday, October 8, 5-6 PM CT

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Application Tips: Recommendation Letters

September 29, 2025 / Keri Ledezma / 0 Comments

The Texas McCombs traditional MPA and MPA Bridge admissions applications require at least two letters of recommendation. Keep reading for answers to frequently asked questions about recommendations.

Who should write my letters of recommendation?

Through the recommendation letters (and admissions essays), we aim to learn about your strengths, personal qualities, skills, and the potential for success in the classroom and as a business professional. Choose references who know you in an academic or professional context and are familiar with your abilities, achievements, and career aspirations. Also consider references who can provide unique and diverse viewpoints. If you are currently in school, we prefer recommendations from faculty members, although feel free to supplement with a third recommendation from a professional work or extracurricular experience. Although only two recommendation letters are required, the MPA admissions committee will review all that are submitted.

How should my references submit their recommendation letters?

Letters are received directly from the recommender via a secure portal. You will be asked to provide the names and email addresses of at least two recommenders in the “Letters of Recommendation” section of the application. When you select “Continue,” your recommenders will be sent an email notification with a link to a secure portal where they will be asked to complete an online questionnaire and upload a recommendation letter.

Tips:

Complete this part of your application first. This will allow your recommenders to get started while you’re working on the other components of your application.
Contact your recommenders to let them know they will receive an email. The message is sent from a general McCombs School of Business email address and may end up in their junk/spam email folder.
Monitor the status of your recommendations in the McCombs application portal. You can resend notifications from the portal as needed.

What should I do if I already submitted my online application but need to send a request to an additional recommender?

After you submit your application, you will have the option in the McCombs application portal to add recommenders and send them an email request (Submitted Applications tab > Manage Recommenders).

Apply Now to Join the Master in Professional Accounting Program in 2026!

September 4, 2025 / Keri Ledezma / 0 Comments

Are you ready to take the next step in your educational and career journey? The McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin is excited to announce that the Fall 2026 Master in Professional Accounting application is now open! Whether you will have a bachelor’s degree and are interested in pursuing the one-year traditional MPA (tMPA) program, or you are a current UT undergraduate (non-accounting major) and would like to get an early start via MPA Bridge, Texas McCombs offers a top-quality learning experience that will provide you with a solid background in the language of business and prepare you for a variety of careers.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Our admissions committee takes a holistic approach to evaluating MPA applications, taking all of your application materials into account. Your essays, previous academic performance, letters of recommendation, and non-academic achievements all play an important role in your acceptance into the MPA program. Find tips on enhancing your application in this admissions blog!

Online admissions application
Application Fee (traditional MPA applicants)
Academic Transcripts: Traditional MPA applicants: provide copies of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. MPA Bridge applicants: provide copy of UT academic summary.
Resume: Highlight your accomplishments and skills, such as honors, awards, language or computer skills, extracurriculars, volunteer and leadership experiences, internships, full-time work experience (if applicable), and other experiences outside of the classroom that developed your professional skills.
Two Recommendations: Preferably from faculty if you are currently in school, or if you already graduated with your bachelor’s degree, individuals who can speak to your professional capabilities and leadership potential.
Two Written Essays and One Video Essay: These essays provide additional insights into your strengths, skillsets, and goals.
English Proficiency Test (international applicants): Traditional MPA: All international applicants must submit either a TOEFL or IELTS official score report for the MPA application unless exempt (view exemptions for qualifying countries). MPA Bridge: MPA Admissions will review the official TOEFL or IELTS scores on your UT record; you are exempt if you were allowed to waive the test requirement for admission to UT Austin.
Optional Test Scores (traditional MPA applicants): GMAT and GRE test scores are optional for the Texas McCombs MPA admissions application. Applicants will not be disadvantaged in the admissions process if they do not submit test scores, and applicants who feel that their test scores reflect their potential for success in graduate school may submit scores for consideration. See this blog post for tips on whether you should consider submitting test scores.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

MPA Bridge (all applicants) and traditional MPA (U.S. applicants) admissions decisions are made on a continuous, rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle. Traditional MPA (international applicants) decisions are released in two rounds: after the early and final deadlines. Online applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM Central Time on the final deadline date, and all application steps must be completed by the final completion date.

TRADITIONAL MPA DEADLINES

Early – U.S. and international applicants

Deadline to submit online application: November 1, 2025

Deadline to complete application: November 8, 2025

Final – International applicants

Deadline to submit online application: January 13, 2026

Deadline to complete applicati0n: January 20, 2026

Final – U.S. summer starts*:

Deadline to submit online application: March 15, 2026

Deadline to complete application: March 22, 2026

Final – U.S. applicants:

Deadline to submit online application: May 5, 2026

Deadline to complete application: May 12, 2026

*Students who are unable to waive ACC 381 ideally should start in the summer (see tMPA core course waivers), and U.S. applicants are highly encouraged to apply by the summer start final deadline. We cannot guarantee a summer start date for applications received after this deadline. Depending on your academic background, starting in the fall may result in a delayed graduation date.

MPA BRIDGE DEADLINE

Final – All applicants:

Deadline to submit online application & all recommendation letters received: May 5, 2026

READY TO BEGIN?

Start by attending an upcoming information session to explore our program and admissions process in depth. Then thoroughly review the following resources before applying:

TRADITIONAL MPA

Traditional MPA website

Traditional MPA admissions packet

MPA BRIDGE

MPA Bridge admissions website

MPA Bridge admissions packet

QUESTIONS?

Connect with our admissions team. We’re here to support you every step of the way!

Join the MPA Bridge Information Session on August 28

August 21, 2025 / Keri Ledezma / 0 Comments

REGISTER: Thursday, August 28, 4-5 PM CT

We look forward to meeting you soon!

REGISTER: Join the July 15 MPA Bridge Information Session!

July 8, 2025 / biancagosser / 0 Comments

Join our upcoming virtual info session to discover how the MPA Bridge program can fast-track your path to success. You’ll hear all about the admissions process, curriculum, career prospects, and what life is like in the program.

REGISTER: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 – 5:00 PM CT

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Submit Your MPA Application – Final Deadline is Approaching!

April 30, 2025 / Keri Ledezma / 0 Comments

The final deadline for traditional MPA (U.S.) and MPA Bridge applications is just around the corner! Submit your application no later than 11:59 p.m. on May 6 to be considered for the 2025 incoming class. Additionally, all supplemental materials (traditional MPA / MPA Bridge) must be received no later than May 13. Applications will not be reviewed for a decision until all required materials have been received.

You can expect to receive an admissions decision approximately two weeks after application completion. Submit your application today!

Questions? Contact the MPA admissions team

REGISTER: Accounting++ The Jobs you Didn’t Know You Wanted

March 27, 2025 / biancagosser / 0 Comments

Join us for an exciting evening of Accounting++ The Jobs You Didn’t Know You Wanted. Wondering what type of jobs you can have with an accounting degree? Hear from panelists who have unique jobs and learn how their careers have evolved.

Don’t miss this chance to explore how the MPA program can shape your future!

Thursday, April 3, 2025
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. CT
Virtual – Zoom

REGISTER NOW!

Register: Join Us for Our Virtual MPA Panel Night

November 8, 2024 / biancagosser / 0 Comments

Join us for an evening of insight and connection at the MPA Panel Night! This event offers a unique opportunity to hear from Texas McCombs faculty, current students, and alumni. Learn about the program’s academic strengths, explore student experiences, and discover how an MPA can shape your career.

Register: MPA Panel Night

Thursday, November 14, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Zoom Webinar

Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting Degree is Now STEM Certified!

November 1, 2024 / Keri Ledezma / 0 Comments

As of this fall, the Texas McCombs Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) degree is now STEM certified by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) designation acknowledges the MPA program’s heavy emphasis on quantitative methods, statistical analysis, and technological applications. Students in the program receive a traditional accounting education along with an abundance of wide-ranging opportunities to apply technology and data analysis skills in nearly every course.

The certification benefits international students, as graduates with STEM designated degrees can stay in the U.S. to work for three years, instead of just one year, through the Optional Practical Training program.

Turning the Page: Celebrating the MPA Class of 2024

June 5, 2024 / biancagosser / 0 Comments

On Saturday, May 11, 2024, the MPA Commencement Ceremony took place at Gregory Gym, transforming the well-known student fitness hub into a symbol of new beginnings. Professors, family, and friends gathered to celebrate the graduates.

The 2024 MPA graduating class includes those from diverse backgrounds who worked tirelessly to earn their degrees. Among the graduates, Peter Gutierrez’s journey stands out as a testament to perseverance and reinvention. Formerly a high school math teacher, Peter decided to make a bold career transition and pursue his MPA. As he eagerly anticipates his next steps, including a summer study abroad in Prague and a financial analyst role for Dell upon his return to Austin, Peter embodies the spirit of transformation and ambition that defines the MPA graduates.

Hong Nguyen has a similarly inspiring graduation story. As a first-generation graduate, Hong’s MPA degree holds deep significance not just for her, but for her family. With her family by her side and the support of her peers in the Asian Business Student Association, Hong’s achievement symbolizes the fulfillment of a dream and the promise of a bright future.

The MPA commencement speakers further highlighted the potential of the MPA graduating class. Professor Steven Kachelmeier noted that the program’s excellence echoes in every graduate’s journey and reflects their commitment to success and innovation. Dean Lillian Mills emphasized the graduates’ role as agents of change and progress while distinguished speaker Paul Knopp (BBA Accounting ‘81, MBA ’83) shared his journey from accounting student to CEO. Paul highlighted the pivotal role of accounting as well as mentorship and resilience in shaping his success. Through his heartfelt message, he encouraged graduates to embrace uncertainty, celebrate their achievements, and envision a future defined by purpose and impact.

During the ceremony, MPA Program Faculty Director Kristina Zvinakis recognized students who demonstrated exceptional dedication and achievement while in the MPA program. Gracelynn Keener received the CPA Accounting Education Award in recognition of her mastery of accounting knowledge, while Zachary Sly and Krishan Gupta were honored as the outstanding integrated and traditional MPA students, respectively, in their graduating class.

Prior to the graduates walking across the stage to have their names read and be recognized, Ally Rosmiller stepped forward as the student speaker. Her words conveyed a sense of camaraderie and shared triumph, and she urged her fellow graduates to embrace every victory, big or small.

As the ceremony ended, the air was filled with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation. Each graduate stands at the threshold of a new chapter, armed with knowledge, resilience, and boundless potential. Today, they not only celebrate their achievements but also their capacity to shape the future and change the world.

Congratulations to the MPA graduating class of 2024!