University of Maryland - College Park

I believe the accounting program at the Smith School of Business is an excellent program. The teachers are all dedicated to your success and provide ample time for tutoring and one on one help. The professors are also experts in the field, and some of them are affiliated with the CPA boards for different states. I do not have an undergraduate degree in accounting so having a great learning environment is crucial. This program also provides a lot of flexibility. There are four different tracks within... Read More the accounting program which can be completed in two or three semesters. There are tracks geared towards students with accounting undergraduate majors and a track for students like me with a different undergraduate major. Furthermore, this program has an excellent job placement rate after graduation. Within two months of beginning the program I had secured an internship with a Big 4 accounting firm, and my classmates on the one year track had secured full time jobs. For any student needing financial aid assistance, the Smith School graduate office offers a variety of scholarships and graduate assistantships. Overall, this program is a fantastic investment for anyone interested in accounting.

The University of Maryland Masters of Science in Accounting is a great program for students who plan to pursue an education in internal audit or forensic accounting. Faculty is very knowledgeable and bring real-world experience to the classroom. Many are adjunct professors with full-time jobs but I found this extremely beneficial as I was being taught by someone who practices what he or she teaches and the network they offer to students. The program is also available to working professional and evening... Read More classes are offered. I did wish they would've included the working professional a bit more during networking events and job fairs. These usually happened during the day and none during the evening hours. Overall, I recommend this program to all interested prospective students.

UMD, College Park offers a specialty masters program in Accounting, where you are guided through a rigorous program along with other students who follow along with the same program for the extensive 16 month program. As a full time employee, full time mother, and caretaker of my elder and disabled parents I needed a program that would work with my schedule and provided the most out of the time spent in class. I have been given the utmost professional and attentive support from staff and professors... Read More alike; a reminder why I returned to UMD for my graduate studies having attended for undergrad.

Pros: Overall I am happy that I chose to pursue my graduate degree from UMD. The career services center has tremendous resources in helping students find a great career and/or internships. Their mock interviews will help you improve your interview skills and their workshop sessions will inform you of what to expect during an interview. Cons: Cost of living is fairly expensive and although the school provides a shuttle I don't believe it runs on the weekends. Financial aid was not the best either-... Read More but that will all depend on your circumstances.