Scranton's MAcc Program Earns STEM Designation, Expands Pathway for New Accountants

The University of Scranton's Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program is now designated by the federal government as a STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) program, effective at the start of the 2026-27 academic year. The designation falls under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security CIP Code 52.1399.

James Boyle, DBA, MAcc program director and associate professor of accounting, said most required MAcc courses will include analytics used specifically by accounting and financial professionals. Two new MAcc courses with STEM content have been added. STEM content has also been incorporated into several existing MAcc courses.

For example, a new MAcc course, ACC 571 — Accounting Analytics, has been developed by Ashley L. Stampone, Ph.D '10, G'11, Ph.D., associate professor of accounting, with the following course catalog description: "This course will provide an overview and exposure to descriptive, prescriptive, diagnostic and predictive analytics. It will combine the study of theoretical concepts with hands-on exercises in data extraction, data transformation, data analysis, data visualization and presentation and other analytical tools utilized in the accounting profession." 

The STEM designation will enhance MAcc graduates’ ability to apply analytic technology used by accounting and financial professionals, which is being demanded within the current marketplace for areas such as financial reporting and analysis, auditing and taxation.

Additionally, the University's MAcc program now offers a series of three intermediate accounting courses for students who want to earn an MAcc degree but did not major in accounting for their undergraduate degrees.

These students usually have completed one or more basic financial accounting courses as part of their non-accounting business degree. Therefore, to build a “bridge” for the more comprehensive accounting coursework, they will take three intermediate accounting courses (ACC 505, ACC 506 and ACC 507) as part of their 36- or 39-credit MAcc program study plan.

The MAcc bridge courses appeal to students who want to become Certified Public Accountants (CPA) and/or transition into an accounting or financial professional career but lack an undergraduate accounting degree. Other students may currently be working as an accounting or financial professional, but their lack of an undergraduate accounting degree may be a barrier to advancement and promotion.

“Our provisional students are highly motivated professionals who consistently excel in their studies while earning a master’s degree in accounting," Dr. Boyle said.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Dr. Boyle at james.boyle@scranton.edu or call 570-941-6594.