Admissions
Find out what it takes to be accepted into one of the most challenging, recognized and rewarding MS Accounting programs in the world.
Are you ready to take the next step to advance your career?
Completed applications and all credentials must be received by the School of Management according to the deadlines below to be considered for admission.
Tuition and Fees
| Component | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science tuition 1 | $5,655 | $5,655 |
| University fees 2 | $1,539 | $1,539 |
| Professional Development Career Services fee 3 | $389 | $389 |
| MS Accounting Advantage fee 4 | $89 | |
| Total semester costs | $7,672 | $7,583 |
Estimated total cost of the program for NYS5 residents: $15,255
1 All tuition and fees are subject to change at the discretion of the university. Tuition information was published in July 2023 and reflects SUNY-approved rates for the fall 2023 semester.
2 More information on university fees can be found on the Student Accounts website.
3 Professional Development Career Services fee
4 MS Advantage fee is a one-time fee applied in first semester to cover all orientation activities.
5 In accordance with SUNY policy, the University at Buffalo will verify initial residency status during the admissions process. Please note, newly admitted students claiming permanent domicile in New York State for 12 months or more at time of application will be asked to provide three supporting documents to verify residency, prior to initial enrollment. If you receive an admission offer, you will be contacted to provide this verification documentation. Please refer to the UB Graduate School's Verifying New York State Residency webpage for more information and acceptable forms of documentation.
| Component | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science tuition 1 | $12,130 | $12,130 |
| University fees 2 | $1,539 | $1,539 |
| Professional Development Career Services fee 3 | $389 | $389 |
| MS Accounting Advantage fee 4 | $89 | |
| Total semester costs | $14,147 | $14,058 |
Estimated total cost of the program for non-residents: $28,205
1 All tuition and fees are subject to change at the discretion of the university. Tuition information was published in July 2023 and reflects SUNY-approved rates for the fall 2023 semester.
2 More information on university fees can be found on the Student Accounts website.
3 Professional Development Career Services fee
4 MS Advantage fee is a one-time fee applied in first semester to cover all orientation activities.
International students should also reference the UB financial form.
Application Requirements and Process
Follow the steps below carefully to ensure you complete the application process correctly, as incomplete and late applications will not be reviewed.
Applications should be submitted electronically through the Application Status Portal. Be sure to upload required documentation as instructed. When uploading materials to your application, upload them as PDF files. Be sure to remove password protection. Do not mail or email materials, as they will be discarded. You will be expected to complete your application within 30 days of original online submission.
A nonrefundable application fee of $100 is required. You must submit your application fee electronically in your application portal.
Application fee waived for active military, veterans and their spouses
The application fee is waived for U.S. active military, veterans and their spouses. Complete and submit your online application using one of the non-payment methods. Contact Admissions for more information.
GMAT
For more information regarding the GMAT test, dates and places of administration, visit the GMAT website. GMAC offers an online and remote proctored solution. Register today for the GMAT Online Exam.
To report scores to UB and locate our programs, search "University at Buffalo."
GRE
The GRE is also accepted for MS applications other than MS Accounting. To meet the needs of students who cannot take the GRE® General Test at a test center due to public health concerns, ETS is temporarily offering a GRE General Test at home option in selected areas.
The reporting codes for GRE are:
Department Code - 4201
Institution Code - 2925
Applications are viewed holistically. While the faculty admissions committees do not have absolute minimums for admission, it is unlikely that prospective students with a score below the 30th percentile on any section of the GMAT or a score below 152 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE will be admitted.
Be sure to allow yourself enough time to prepare for the exam and for the score to be reported by the intended application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered. GMAT and GRE score reports expire five years from the date the exam is taken. Be sure to submit valid score reports.
In order for a waiver to be considered, you must first complete an application, pay the application fee and upload all required admissions materials. Only when your application is complete will your waiver request will be considered. Granting of a test waiver does not guarantee admission to the program.
Based on the volume of applications, waiver requests will be prioritized for those candidates who complete the application, pay the application fee and upload all required materials.
Criteria for current UB student applicants and graduates with less than 24 months post-bachelor's, full-time work experience
| Program | UB STEM major, less than 24 months work experience (minimum GPA) | UB Non-STEM major, less than 24 months work experience (minimum GPA) |
|---|---|---|
| MS Accounting | Not required | N/A |
Criteria for non-UB applicants and graduates with less than 24 months of post-bachelor's, full-time work experience
| Program | Non-UB business or STEM major,less than 24 months work experience (minimum GPA)* |
|---|---|
| MS Accounting (must be a US accounting degree) | 3.50 |
*Only STEM and business majors with a GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible for waiver.
Criteria for applicants with over 24 months full-time work experience
| Program | STEM major with 24+ months of full-time work experience (minimum GPA) | Non-STEM major with 24+ months of full-time work experience (minimum GPA) |
|---|---|---|
| MS Accounting | 3.25 (must be a US accounting degree) | |
Submit a personal statement, including your reasons for pursuing the MS degree and your career aspirations. Your statement should be uploaded as a PDF. Be sure to include your full name—identical to that used on the application. Document length should be approximately 700 words.
Submit a résumé showing relevant education and work experience. Include months and years of employment (i.e. MM/YY - MM/YY). Your résumé should be uploaded as a PDF.
Be sure your résumé highlights your relevant education and work experience. Visit our School of Management Career Resource Center résumé guide for helpful tips.
Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded as a PDF to the application for admissions review. Upload the front and back of transcripts (if back is blank, you do not need to upload the back). You can upload multiple transcripts. If you only attended one undergraduate institution, you may ignore the second item. UB students must also upload a copy of your academic advisement report.
Transcripts for all undergraduate credits earned towards your undergraduate degree (i.e. transfer credits) must be uploaded for admissions consideration.* We will not consider your application for admission until you upload all undergraduate credit transcripts.
*Current UB undergraduate students do not need to submit transfer credit transcripts when applying to one of our graduate programs as they are already included on the UB academic advisement report.
In regards to international transcripts, we will accept a transcript issued in English by the university. If the university does not provide the transcript in English, you must submit a copy of the transcript in your native language and an English translation. Applicants who have attended an Indian university must upload transcripts, mark sheets and proof of degree.
If you are applying for the February deadline, be sure to upload current transcripts including fall grades.
If offered admission, you must submit transcripts for your schools with a bachelors-level degree and specified conferral date to finalize admission.
Domestic applicants:
Please ask all colleges and universities you have attended to send official transcripts in sealed university envelopes to the Office of Strategic Marketing and Enrollment Management in 150 Jacobs Management Center, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260.
For students enrolling during the fall semester, these official, final transcripts showing proof of degree attained must be received no later than August 1.
UB students do not need to submit official transcripts, as they are already in the university system.
International applicants:
International applicants should not send transcripts via postal mail as additional information will be provided with I-20 materials.
Degrees cannot be conferred unless official transcripts are on file from every school attended. Applicants who are currently enrolled in graduate or undergraduate courses must submit transcripts from the most recent semester completed, but will need to provide final and official transcripts to finalize admission.
If admitted, the Office of International Admissions will provide instructions regarding what you need to bring with you. We will accept a transcript issued in English from your university. If your university does not provide the transcript in English, you must submit the transcript in your native language and an English translation. Applicants who have attended an Indian university must provide transcripts, mark sheets and proof of degree.
Critical Dates
| Who May Apply | Application Due | Decision Notification | $500 Tuition Deposit Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only UB junior-level accounting students* | May 8, 2023 | July 31, 2023 | Sept. 30, 2023 |
| All applicants | Oct. 15, 2023 | Dec. 1, 2023 | Jan. 15, 2024 |
| All applicants (final deadline)** | Feb. 1, 2024 | March 15, 2024 | April 15, 2024 |
UB 4+1 combined degree program (BS/MS) students: If you are senior-level status, complete your graduate program application after you have received your fall grades and submit the completed application by February 1 of your senior year.
*The May 8 deadline is only for UB junior-level accounting students who expect to complete their junior year by the end of the spring 2023 semester with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the junior accounting courses (MGA 301, 302, 311 and 314) and a minimum overall (UB and transfer credits) GPA of 3.0.
Applicants for the May 8 deadline should upload all required admissions materials by May 8, including your current transcript and academic advisement report. You will need to log back into your application and upload your transcript and academic advisement report, INCLUDING spring 2023 grades by June 15.
**Applicants applying for the Feb. 1 deadline MUST upload copies of their transcripts which include fall 2023 grades. Do not upload a copy of your transcript until fall 2023 grades have been posted to your transcript. UB applicants must also upload a copy of their academic advisement report.
Contact a Current Student
Want to learn more about our MS programs? Connect with a current student. Ask them about their unique journey and experiences.