Professional Accounting, International Student Pathway (MPAcc) - Co-op option

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Master of Professional Accounting
Master of Professional Accounting, Co-op Option

Program Website: Master of Professional Accounting (International Student Pathway)

Faculty and Administration

For a listing of program faculty and administrative contacts, please visit the program directory.

Program Description

The Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc) program provides international students, who have studied accounting outside of North America, with a broad background in all aspects of Canadian accounting. The MPAcc program enables students to assimilate advanced knowledge in accounting and related aspects of business. The program encourages the development of critical thinking, analytic and communication skills. It is a lock-step program that includes: an intensive English language study program (1 month in August), followed by three academic terms (12 months).

The program combines academic learning with practical experience through an optional co-op work term. The MPAcc Co-op allows students to apply their knowledge to private and public business settings and to develop highly specialized professional skills. The work experience, along with valuable networking contacts, makes a difference to students when preparing to enter the competitive career market.

At the end of the program, graduates are awarded a Master of Professional Accounting degree. Although the MPAcc program does not lead directly to a Canadian accounting designation, students interested in pursuing a Canadian accounting designation may submit their post-secondary transcripts (in English) to CPA Ontario for an assessment to determine course equivalencies in the CPA program.

Admission Requirements

Successful completion of a four-year bachelor’s degree from an internationally recognized post-secondary institution with an average of no less than 75% (mid-B) over the last two years of full-time undergraduate study. Pre-requisites must include: two Financial Accounting courses, one Management Accounting, Micro Economics, Macro Economics, and Statistics. Please note that Business Law, Business Strategy, and Corporate Finance are strongly recommended.

For students who must provide proof of English Language Proficiency, the minimum required score for entry is 88 on the TOEFL iBT (with minimum 21 on speaking and 21 on writing), 6.5 on the IELTS (no section under 6.0), or equivalent. For a full listing of accepted tests, see the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs English Language Proficiency webpage.

The program is offered full-time only and is completed over three terms (Fall, Winter, Spring).

Degree Requirements

Business English and Skills Transition Program Requirements

All students entering the MPAcc program must complete a non-credit Business English and Skills Transition (BEST) program with satisfactory standing (70%) in both courses. Students who do not achieve satisfactory standing may be withdrawn from the MPAcc program by the Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Programs in consultation with the MPAcc Committee. The Business English and Skills Transition program takes place over four weeks in August. The objective of the program is to prepare students for graduate studies in Canada and enable development of English language skill in a business context, prior to proceeding to the graduate courses. The program utilizes real world examples from the North American business and academic environment.

The BEST program requires successful completion of the following courses:

MPAcc Program Requirements

The following fifteen half-credit courses are required to complete MPAcc degree requirements:

Additional Requirements for Co-Op Option

Admission to the co-op option is on a competitive basis. Students may be admitted to the co-op option at the time of admission or following the first term of MPAcc courses. Co-op students will be required to maintain a 75% overall average and achieve appropriate English language proficiency. Admission to the co-op option is on the basis of marks, a review of a personal resumé and employer availability. An interview may be required. In addition to the current tuition fees, co-op students are assessed a co-op administrative fee.

Co-op students take part in work-placement seminars (MPAC 5N90 ), comprised of lectures, presentations and industry specific information, for two hours each week prior to the first co-op work term (MPAC 5N11 ). Attendance is mandatory. MPAcc students will complete all of their academic terms prior to the co-op work term. Students undertaking co-op work term are not permitted to enroll in additional courses within that term.