USC Leventhal School of Accounting

Graduate Degrees

The USC Leventhal School of Accounting offers two graduate degrees: the Master of Accounting (M.Acc.) and the Master of Business Taxation (MBT). The M.Acc. program provides an integrated curriculum designed to prepare graduates for careers in professional accounting, public accounting, industry and government. Students have the opportunity to study accounting in greater depth and in more areas of specialization than in undergraduate accounting programs or MBA programs with concentrations in accounting. The MBT program provides in-depth specialization in taxation to prepare the student for a successful career as a tax professional whether in public accounting, industry, government, the investment arena, or entrepreneurship.

The Leventhal School of Accounting also offers the dual Juris Doctor/Master of Business Taxation (J.D./MBT) degree program in conjunction with the USC Gould School of Law. The combination of broad legal education with detailed tax specialization prepares graduates for fast-track careers in law and tax practices.

The Marshall School of Business offers the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in conjunction with the Graduate School. A student electing to major in accounting may design a research program that emphasizes auditing, financial accounting, information systems, management accounting or taxation. For more information on the doctoral program, see the Marshall School of Business section of this catalogue, or contact the doctoral office at (213) 740-0670 or the director of doctoral studies in accounting at (213) 740-5025.

Admission to Master’s Programs

The Leventhal School of Accounting seeks individuals who have the potential for outstanding achievement in accounting or taxation. The Admissions Committee takes into consideration the candidate’s academic record, the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), the professional resume, recommendation letters, written essays, and a personal interview for those selected as finalists in the admission process. Candidates are reviewed on the merits of their application and the merits of the applicant pool for the year in which they seek admission.

Applicants to the full-time programs are not required to have previous work experience. Applicants to the part-time MBT program (MBT.WP) are required to have a minimum of one year full-time professional experience related to taxation after receiving an undergraduate degree.

Application to the Programs

An admission decision requires the following: (1) a completed USC Leventhal School of Accounting online graduate application (available at www.marshall.usc.edu/admissions/applyonline); (2) a non-refundable application fee; (3) one official transcript from the registrar of each college or university attended (undergraduate and/or postgraduate); (4) two letters of recommendation; (5) a professional resume; (6) an official Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score report or, for J.D./MBT applicants or attorneys, an official Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score report; and (7) an interview.

Applicants for the J.D./MBT dual degree program should apply to the Leventhal School of Accounting for admission to the MBT program in the second semester of their first year in the USC Gould School of Law. In addition, current Law School transcripts and a “letter in good standing” from the registrar of the Law School must be submitted as part of the application. The same Leventhal School of Accounting admission criteria apply to the MBT portion of the J.D./MBT program.

International Students

In addition to the application requirements noted above, all international students must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. A letter of financial support is also required.

M.Acc./MBT for Current USC Students

The Leventhal School of Accounting offers the opportunity to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years or less. This simplified, early admission process is for current USC students who have demonstrated exceptional academic success in undergraduate studies and who have completed a minimum of 70 units of course work. In some cases, students may qualify to continue receiving undergraduate financial aid, and strong SAT scores may be substituted for GMAT scores for continuing USC students only.

The application for current USC students is paper-based at this time. Please see a Leventhal School of Accounting academic adviser for further information and to develop a course plan proposal.

Application Deadlines

Full-time M.Acc. and MBT – Applicants are urged to file a completed application as early as possible. For applications to the full-time programs that begin in summer or fall, the online application system is generally open from early October through March 31. International students must apply no later than January 10. Applicants asking for scholarship consideration should apply by mid-January to increase the likelihood of funds being available. Application decisions will be made on a rolling admission basis until the programs are filled. Applications that arrive after the regular deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Part-Time MBT for Working Professionals – Students may begin in the MBT.WP program in the fall or summer semester. The application deadline for summer applicants is March 31; for fall applicants, June 30. Applications that arrive after the regular deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Residence Requirements

Subject to approval of the Leventhal School of Accounting, the maximum number of transfer credits that may be applied toward the master’s degree is three units. To be applied to the degree, transfer work must have been completed within five years of admission to the master’s program. Graduate transfer credit will not be granted for course work taken elsewhere after a student has been admitted and enrolled at USC. Credit will only be allowed for courses (1) from an AACSB-accredited graduate school, (2) of a quality of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale, (3) constituting a fair and reasonable equivalent to current USC course work at the graduate level, and (4) fitting into the logical program for the degree. Transfer course work is applied as credit (CR) toward the degree and is not included in the calculation of a minimum grade point average for graduation.

Waivers

With the written approval of the Leventhal School of Accounting, waiver of required courses may be granted to students based upon prior academic work. All waived courses must be replaced with approved electives. Students should carefully read their program evaluation form to know what electives must be taken if they are granted subject waivers.