Application Requirements

Our most successful M.S. in Accounting applicants are well-rounded individuals who:

• Seek to be engaged in and outside of the classroom
• Possess exceptional intellectual capabilities with proven academic preparation
• Value inclusion and pursue opportunities to understand and learn from individuals from different backgrounds and with perspectives different to their own
• Share a number of qualities of character such as motivation, maturity, tenacity, integrity, collaboration, resilience, and leadership
• Have a passion for the field of accounting and strive to be data driven and client ready professionals

M.S. in Accounting Application Checklist

Download our Application Checklist to stay on track throughout the application process. 

Your application to the M.S. Accounting Program will include:

• Completed online application
• Resume
• Two required essays
• Transcripts and academic records from every college and/or university attended
• TOEFL or IELTS score (if applicable)
• Two letters of recommendation
• Non-refundable $85 application fee
• Interview, by invitation

Essay Prompts

Applicants to the M.S. in Accounting Program must complete two required essays and may choose to share additional information using the optional essay. 

• Goals Essay (Required): What is your motivation for pursuing the M.S. in Accounting Program, and how does the program fit into your short- and long-term goals? (500 words maximum) 

• UVA Source of Strength Essay (Required): What about your individual background, perspective, or experience will serve as a source of strength for you or those around you at UVA? Feel free to write about any past experience or part of your background that has shaped your perspective and will be a source of strength, including but not limited to those related to your community, upbringing, educational environment, race, gender, or other aspects of your background that are important to you. (500 words maximum)  

• Optional Essay: This essay may be used to call attention to areas of your background or application needing clarification and to provide additional details to any aspects of your candidacy. (350 words maximum)

Test Requirements

A GMAT or GRE exam score is not required to be considered for admission to the M.S. in Accounting Program. If you choose to apply without an exam score, please note that added emphasis will be placed on your prior academic performance and demonstrated quantitative, analytical, and/or written communication skills.

If you choose to provide an exam score, please be sure to have your score(s) submitted to the McIntire School of Commerce using the following codes:

• GMAT: KC7-K3-31
• GRE: 5829

A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score is required for applicants who have, or expect to have, an undergraduate degree from a college or university outside of the U.S. and for whom English it not their native language. A minimum TOEFL score of 100 (iBT) or a minimum overall IELTS band score of 7.5 is required for admission. If you will be submitting a TOEFL or IELTS score, please be sure to have your score report submitted to the McIntire School of Commerce using the following codes:

TOEFL: B626

IELTS: Electronic IELTS scores must be submitted to our Electronic Download account directly by the IELTS test center. Please provide the following information to the test center when requesting your scores:

• E-download account name: University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce
• E-download account address: 140 Hospital Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22903

English language proficiency waiver: Applicants whose primary language is not English and who have completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university that included a minimum of two years of residency in the U.S. are not required to provide a TOEFL or IELTS score. The admission committee reserves the right to request additional verification of English language proficiency that could include specific coursework or TOEFL or IELTS testing.

Transcripts or Credential Evaluation

Academic transcripts and/or credential evaluations should be provided for all completed coursework along with proof of graduation from a bachelor’s degree program. If you are currently enrolled in a bachelor’s program, you will need to provide your most recent transcript, and once your degree is conferred, an official copy of your final transcript including degree conferral.

Unofficial copies of transcripts from every college or university you have attended may be used to apply for admission. Please redact your SSN or National ID before uploading unofficial transcripts.

Students who completed coursework outside of the United States must submit a professional course-by-course credential evaluation of their official transcripts. This evaluation must be performed by a professional credential evaluator, with the report sent directly from the evaluator to the McIntire School of Commerce either electronically or to one of the addresses below. 

If you attended and graduated from a U.S institution or completed coursework outside of the United States as part of a study-abroad program, you do not need to provide the course-by-course credential evaluation.

Applicants who are admitted must arrange for their official/final transcript(s) to be sent to the McIntire Office of Graduate Marketing & Admissions. Official transcripts may be submitted electronically or by mail.

Official transcript(s) submitted electronically should be sent to mcintiregrad@virginia.edu

Official transcript(s) submitted via mail should be sent to either of the following addresses depending on the mail courier service selected:

Mailing Address  Office of Graduate Marketing & Admissions University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce P.O. Box 400173 Charlottesville, VA 22904-4173

Physical Address Office of Graduate Marketing & Admissions University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce 140 Hospital Drive Charlottesville, VA 22903

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required, and at least one recommender must be someone who has taught you in an academic environment and can attest to your academic capabilities. The most useful evaluations are from individuals who can speak to your strengths and areas for growth and development.

Once you have identified and selected your recommenders, you will be prompted to enter their names and contact information within the online application form. The online recommendation form will be sent directly to your recommenders to complete, and once received, will attach automatically to your application file and reflect to your Application Status page.

Application Fee

An $85 non-refundable application fee will be submitted with your online application. Payment may be issued by credit card (American Express, Discover, Mastercard, or Visa) or by e-check.

The McIntire School of Commerce offers application fee waivers based on several criteria, including:

• Organization affiliation
• Active-duty/veteran status
• Need-based eligibility

Applicants who hold active-duty or veteran status will automatically be waived of the application fee requirement. In the case of organization affiliation, applicants will receive notice and confirmation of their eligibility prior to submitting their online application; please do not submit payment until we have reviewed and confirmed your application fee waiver request.