MSA Admissions

Graduate College application

Start with creating your Graduate College application online. Choose your program: Accountancy, then Accountancy – MS as the degree.

Academic records

(1) Unofficial Transcripts: The most recent unofficial transcripts must include applicant's name, institution name, and a transcript legend, grade scale, or grade criteria. GPA calculation is administered by the Graduate College (WES report is not needed). If an offer of admission is made, the official transcript(s) are required to be submitted upon arrival to campus.

(2) Diploma/Certificate of Degree: If you have earned a bachelor’s degree, please upload a copy of your certificate of degree/provisional certificate of degree/diploma.

U.S. Bachelor’s Equivalence: All international candidates should check the Illinois Graduate College Admissions Requirements for a Country to ensure your education meets the eligibility requirements for admission.

Prerequisites (Coursework form)

Applicants must have completed an introductory course in both financial accounting and finance. Upload the MSA Coursework Form as part of the online application to indicate the completion of your prerequisite coursework, additional accounting coursework, and any college- or university-level (undergraduate or graduate) courses in progress. If you have taken ACCA courses or exams, please also upload your ACCA report within your online application.

If you have not completed the prerequisites from prior education but would like to pivot your career to accounting, no worries! Gies Business offers non-credit, online courses through Coursera to satisfy the prerequisites for Summer cohorts. Earn a course completion certificate for each course below so you can prove your successful completion.

The following three courses, in combination, will satisfy the principles of financial accounting prerequisite:

• Financial Accounting: Foundations
• Financial Accounting: Advanced Topics
• Formal Financial Accounting

The following course will satisfy the finance prerequisite:

• Introduction to Finance: The Basics

Coursework in Statistics & Business Strategy is also highly recommended but not required.

*Students enrolled at the University of Illinois can take these courses free of charge through Illinois on Coursera.

**University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign business minor students will meet the pre-requisites upon completion of ACCY 200 (or ACCY 201 & ACCY 202) and FIN 221.

Professional résumé

Your professional resume should include personal information (name, address, telephone number and email address), educational background, work experience (start and end dates for each position and a brief description of responsibilities), internship experience, educational training, professional associations, and leadership experiences. Please limit your resume to two pages.

You may download a resume template here.

Two reference letters

Choose two references from academic and/or professional sources. Once you enter their information and institution/company email address into the online application, they will be notified to submit a letter of reference on your behalf. All letters of reference should be signed and dated by the recommender.

Any reference letters or standardized test scores received more than 7 days after the submission deadline will result in the application being moved to the next round decision date.

Application essays

The following essays are required to be submitted within your application.

Applicants are expected to write authentic responses to these prompts. While AI and search engine services can provide guidance and suggestions, admissions committees are looking for your unique experiences and perspectives. AI generated responses will not be accepted.

Academic Statement of Purpose: Please write a statement that answers the following questions. Limit your total response to 500 words.

• How has your academic and professional background, including any professional training, prepared you for graduate study?
• How will our program help you achieve your intellectual and professional goals?
• What are your academic interests, and why do you wish to pursue graduate studies in this specific program?

Short Personal Statements 1 & 2:

1. Please describe pivotal experiences, opportunities, and/or challenges (including any financial or access barriers) that have influenced your educational and professional development. (250 words max)
2. Provide an example in which you contributed to or engaged with a community of students or colleagues with different perspectives, abilities, and experiences to achieve a positive outcome. (250 words max)

Video essay

There is a video component in the application which will present 3 randomly assigned questions for you to briefly answer in 3 minutes, and allow you to speak directly to the admissions committee via a recorded response. This video component is required for your application. If you run into technical issues, please contact grad@business.illinois.edu.

If the application materials and video essay don’t provide enough information for an admission decision, the admissions committee may conduct a small number of invitation-only interviews. Admission decisions may be made with or without an interview.

Optional essay

There is extra space for you to touch upon additional topics you would like to address in your application. Please note that submitting an optional essay itself does not give you advantages in the evaluation process.

The first prompt is strongly recommended for applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or lower.

• If you believe that your academic record does not demonstrate your true capabilities, please explain why. You may also discuss any gaps in your academic and professional experience or any extenuating circumstances. (250 words max)
• If there is something that you would like to share with the admissions committee that you have yet to discuss in other areas of the application, please do so here. If needed, you may also use this space to expand upon the topics discussed in the above essays. (250 words max)

GMAT or GRE score report

Submission of GMAT or GRE scores is optional. However, submitting your GRE/GMAT score can provide the admissions committee with additional insight into your potential for success in the program. Please note that the admissions committee reserves the right to request official GRE/GMAT score reports if we are unable to make the admission decisions based on what you have submitted. Official GMAT or GRE scores should be sent directly to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Institution Code – 1836. You are also encouraged to upload a copy of the unofficial score report into your application portal so it can be reviewed while we await the official report.

Application fee

A non-refundable application fee of $90 is required for all students, both domestic and international. Applications received without payment of this fee cannot be processed. The application fee cannot be refunded.

English proficiency scores (International applicants)

If you are a non-native English speaker or do not meet one of the [Graduate College’s exemptions](https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/instructions/04c), you must provide your TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores as part of your application. **You must include your test registration number or test report number so that your scores can be verified.** Applications submitted without the required test registration or report number may be considered incomplete.

Official English proficiency scores are required for admission and **must be dated after August 1, 2025**.

Official TOEFL scores can be sent electronically to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Institution Code – 1836). Official IELTS scores can be sent electronically via your testing center to the following account name: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Graduate. Official Duolingo scores should be sent electronically to the following account name: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Graduate Admissions. For additional information, please review the [Graduate College’s English Proficiency Requirements](https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/instructions/04c).

Full-Status Admission: TOEFL (iBT/iBT Home/iBT Paper) – 103 for scores prior to 1/21/26 or 5.0 for scores dated after 1/20/26; IELTS Academic – 7.5; Duolingo – 135

Limited-Status Admission: TOEFL (iBT/iBT Home/iBT Paper) – 4.0 (for scores dated after 1/20/2026) or TOEFL (iBT/iBT Home/iBT Paper) – 79 (for scores dated prior to 1/21/2026); IELTS Academic – 6.5; Duolingo – 115

Is Limited-Status Admission “Conditional Admission”?

No. If you provide a score that meets the minimum for limited status but does not meet the full-status minimum, you are considered to have fully met our admission requirements. However, you will be required to take an English Placement Test (EPT) upon arrival on campus. The results of the EPT will determine whether you are required to complete any English as a Second Language (ESL) coursework. 

Passport and proof of funding (International applicants)

Passport and proof of funding are not required for application review, but will be needed if you are offered admission. International students are required to show proof of funding for living expenses in addition to all tuition and fees. Detailed amount needed for the program can be found on page two of the Declaration and Certification of Finances Form.