Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the MACIS Program is open to students with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline.  Please see the Plans of Study for further information regarding prerequisite courses that must be completed in addition to the required 30 hours of graduate level coursework to earn a Master’s degree.

Our ACIS department is a participant in the Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute's (VTLCI) AdvantageVT-Master's Program, which is a Program designed to improve students' English proficiency prior to beginning coursework relevant to the master's degree in ACIS.  We encourage you to apply for admission into the AdvantageVT Master's Program.  For more information regarding the VTLCI AdvantageVT-Master's Program, please visit their site.

Yes, a Plan of Study is available for each Option under the MACIS Program.  Your MACIS Advisor will review your transcript and discuss all prerequisite courses that need to be taken, if any, with you.

Students who have fulfilled the prerequisite courses (i.e., students who studied business, accounting or information systems as undergraduates) can complete the degree in 1 academic year.  Students without prior collegiate studies in accounting and business administration can expect to spend at least 2 years in the program.

The 152-Hour Program is a special Program for our ACIS undergraduates wherein they can take up to 3 graduate level courses during their Senior year, 1 of which can count for both degrees.  Taking graduate level courses during the Senior year is beneficial from a cost and course load standpoint.  As a Senior, the student is classified as an undergraduate and will pay undergraduate tuition rates for both the undergraduate and graduate level courses taken.  From a course load standpoint, taking 2 graduate level courses (for example) during his/her Senior year would enable the student to take the recommended 4 courses per semester while earning his/her graduate degree.  When the student graduates with his/her bachelor’s degree, he/she automatically becomes a graduate student in our MACIS Program (no separate application process).  

Yes, ACIS Seniors can be in the 152-Hour Program for a maximum of 2 semesters.  These 2 semesters include the 2 semesters just prior to entering the MACIS Program (including summer and winter).

The GMAT requirement is waived for all MACIS and 152-Hour applicants, regardless of GPA.

For information regarding our collaboration with KPMG, please see our original announcement as well as KPMG’s website.

Yes, scholarships are available to MACIS and 152-Hour students.  Students must apply for scholarships.

Significant funding has also been made available by KPMG and will be awarded to underrepresented individuals pursuing a graduate degree through our MACIS Program in the form of scholarships.

Eligibility criteria for the scholarships are as follows:

• On track to complete or have a bachelor’s degree in accounting (or equivalent program) from an accredited college or university by the start of the MACIS Program
• In good academic standing (no less than a 3.0 overall and major grade-point average on a 4.0 scale)
• Plan to meet the educational requirements to be CPA license eligible upon completion of the MACIS Program
• A U.S. citizen or permanent resident

Acceptance and enrollment in our MACIS Program are required for receipt of the scholarship funds.

If interested in applying for admission into our MACIS Program and for the KPMG scholarship funding, please scan the QR code below and complete the applications by 11:59pm on January 1, 2023 (for Spring 2023 enrollment):

The graduate level classes are typically comprised of 30 students or less.

For information regarding tuition rates, please see rates posted by the Bursar's Office.

Yes, assistantships are offered.  Please indicate interest in an assistantship within your MACIS application.

Application fee waivers are not currently available through the ACIS department.  However, the Graduate School provides application fee waivers to applicants who meet certain criteria.  Please visit this site for information regarding the criteria and application process.

Yes, over 90% of our domestic students secure full-time employment prior to graduation.  Recruiters from the Big 4 firms, local and regional firms as well as publicly held and private companies come to campus to recruit our very talented students.  Virginia Tech hosts a career fair called Business Horizons in the Fall and Spring semesters.  

Virginia Tech does not prohibit you from working full-time while earning your Master’s degree; however, we would prefer that you focus on your studies while you are earning your degree.

Yes, housing is located in the Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown and Main Campbell Hall.  For more information, please visit the Graduate School's Housing website.

Off-campus housing options can be viewed at Student Affairs' Off-campus Housing website.