The Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants has announced that Michigan State University’s Department of Accounting and Information Systems will receive the Excellence in Accounting Award for their effort to get the Master of Science in Accounting program STEM designated. They will be recognized at the 2024 Celebrate Awards on November 13th, 2024.

The event at The Gem Theatre in Detroit honors exceptional contributions to the accounting profession and supports future generations through fundraising for the Michigan Accountancy Foundation. The evening will celebrate leaders in the field, with MSU recognized for its positive impact on the accounting profession and its commitment to preparing future CPAs.

As of August 2023, fewer than 60 accounting programs nationwide have received a federal STEM designation, and Michigan State University’s Master of Accounting program is now among them. This achievement follows a rigorous two-year process to update the Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) codes—the system used by the U.S. Department of Education to categorize academic programs. The process involved revising course descriptions, making changes to the academic catalog, and ensuring the program met STEM criteria.

A key component of the update was the integration of advanced technology and data analytics across the curriculum, in response to the evolving needs of the accounting profession. This extensive effort positions MSU’s program at the forefront of accounting education, enhancing its appeal to prospective students, including those from international backgrounds.

The Master of Science in Accounting program at Michigan State allows students to enhance their technical knowledge and critical skills in problem-solving, data analytics, and communication. Students gain practical experience through workshops and case studies while focusing on specialty areas like information systems, taxation, and corporate accounting, all under the guidance of award-winning faculty and industry leaders.

“The Broad College is incredibly proud to receive this recognition from the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, which reflects the hard work and dedication of the faculty and students in our AIS department. As highlighted by this award, we have a deep commitment to excellence in accounting education at Broad, in order to prepare future leaders in the field." – David Souder, Eli and Edith L. Broad Dean

ABOUT THE MICPA

Established in 1901, the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants promotes and enhances the value of the CPA profession, serving over 17,000 members in Michigan. For more information, visit www.micpa.org.

This story originally appeared Broad College of Business