WCU Stories      June 11, 2024

By Bill Studenc

Western Carolina University’s Master of Accountancy Program, previously located at WCU’s instructional site at Biltmore Park in Asheville, is moving to an online format beginning with the 2024 fall semester.

The move, which takes effect in August, is designed to accommodate the needs of students as they seek advanced degrees in a changing landscape nationally for graduate programs, said Mariano Garrido-López, director of graduate programs for WCU’s College of Business.

“Today’s students are looking for more flexibility in their academic pursuits,” Garrido-López said. “They want the ability to complete their master’s degrees while pursuing their professional careers and raising their families.”

The shift to an online format will mean that students from across Western North Carolina – and beyond – will no longer have to travel to Asheville for master’s degree courses in accountancy.

“Our own WCU undergraduate students have expressed a desire to continue with their master’s degree program after completing their bachelor’s degree,” Garrido-López said. “The online option allows them to continue studying with their accounting undergraduate faculty, whom they love. Our accounting faculty team is a group of individuals who are especially passionate about what they do and really care about their students.”

Alumna Katelan​​​​ Price, who earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 2010 and master’s degree in accountancy in 2012, said she welcomed the change after seeing two of her classmates turn to master’s programs in accountancy at other institutions because of the lack of an online format at WCU.

“I’m so excited for Western Carolina University to push our MAcc online. This move continues to place WCU on the cutting edge of our profession and serve a larger generation of upcoming accountants. It demonstrates our continued excellence and commitment to Western being in the  business of changing lives and graduating Business Ready® students,” said Price, system and organization controls audit supervisor for Smith + Howard Advisory in Atlanta.

“Accounting firms are facing a pipeline problem that starts at the university level. Transitioning the Master of Accountancy to an online program broadens the reach of WCU to beyond the mountains of North Carolina, thus providing students with a different path to become a certified public accountant while retaining the benefits that Western Carolina offers.”

Part of WCU’s FORVIS Accountancy Program, the Master of Accountancy is designed to provide students with the necessary foundation for successful careers in public accounting, industry, government and not-for-profit institutions. It prepares students to meet the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and state board 150-hour requirement for licensure as a CPA.

WCU consistently is listed among the best providers of online undergraduate and graduate degree programs in annual rankings compiled by U.S. News & World Report.

For more information about the Master of Accountancy Program, visit macc.wcu.edu, download the brochure at cobgrad.wcu.edu/accounting-degree/ or email businessgrad@wcu.edu.