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Topic: Is the Fast-Track MPA at GSU good? (

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gbustamante
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Posted: 30 Nov 2011 at 21:39 \| IP Logged

I was just admitted to the program. I am curious if the program is
worth the $36k price tag. I would appreciate any comments or insights.
Thanks!

artisticjoo
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Posted: 08 Dec 2011 at 15:38 \| IP Logged

I actually got into this program as well (you're going to
the orientation next week right?)..

Well, to answer your question, I think the program is
definitely worth 36k and this is why.

Before applying to this program, I have researched every
school that has MPA, literally everywhere. What I found
out was, most school have that 5 or 8 account course pre-
req. and only about handful of schools offer this type of
fast track programs.

Most of MPA programs were targeted toward people who
are/were pursuing the undergraduate accounting degree and
want to get masters to meet the CPA exam requirement or
for whatever other reason they want it for. And I
realized something that getting an accounting degree is
not as easy as I thought, and programs were not for
people who were just trying this out; they only wanted
serious people.

Now, as you know, this Fast-Track program is designed for
people with undergraduate in business but not accounting
(such as me), to get 150 hour requirement to sit for the
CPA exam. I am assuming you don't have the undergrad
accounting degree and going for this master's to sit for
the CPA exam correct?

If you were to take the traditional route of applying to
cheaper programs such as UGA or other schools, you need
to consider living expenses, and the unknown. I did not
know even before taking the GMAT that I will need this
many accounting classes to apply for other schools I was
considering. Had I known these facts prior to taking the
GMAT and etc, I probably had given up because of so many
classes I should have taken (money and time of course)
and the worst thing is there is no guaranteed admission;
you can potentially blow thousands of dollars and almost
2 years of your precious time.

Now, this school is certainly no comparison to UT Austin
or Brigham Young or anything. However, it's located in
Atlanta where you see strong presence of all big 4 and
potential recruitment, and the time you will shorten to
get a CPA and a new career. But at the end of the day,
CPA is a CPA and sooner you become sooner you can start
working and build experience as one.

P.S. Did you know that textbooks, other school fees, and
meals on class days or included in your tuition?

gbustamante
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Joined: 30 Nov 2011
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Posted: 09 Dec 2011 at 14:21 \| IP Logged

Thanks for your response. It seems we're going to be classmates.

Do you work for the program? Just kidding :) you just sold it really well and made a good case. Thanks for taking some time to answer the post. It seems that you did tons of research before getting into the program. I did too and also have my own reasons to pursue the program at GSU.

I was hoping also for an answer more from an academic point of view (how rigorous and good the program is). I guess Ill have to wait and see by myself, Im pretty sure that I will have an opinion after the first 3 weeks of classes.

I will see you in class! Maybe we can form a study group for projects, etc.

Cheers!

artisticjoo
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Posted: 09 Dec 2011 at 15:01 \| IP Logged

Indeed!

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I don't know who created this but I did see GSU here: http://www.graduateshotline.com/study/acc.html also, I don't personally trust schools who post their own rankings but GSU posted the rankings here and I think this one is like 10 years old: http://robinson.gsu.edu/news/rankings/index.html

Also, I will tell you this much about the program. My sister, who is a tax attorney at Deloitte (got LLM in taxation, JD from Northwestern U.) suggested that I go to GSU, that companies highly value people who went to the top 20, however, it is important where the school is located, and the grades you get while you're in the program.

I became friends with couple of people from linkedin who went to GSU for the same program and they seem to have no problem landing careers in major accounting firms including the big 4.

Oh yeah, and I'm definitely down for some form of study group. My name is Leah, maybe you can find me during orientation!! Good luck.

UGAscot
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Joined: 20 Jan 2012
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Posted: 20 Jan 2012 at 18:40 \| IP Logged

I really hope you do mind me jumping into your conversation, but I too have been looking at the fast-track MPA program at GSU and I need some clarification. I have been doing my research and I was of the assumption that you had to have an undergrad business-related degree. I hold a B.A. in political science from UGA. I have had two separate people at GSU confirm that they accept ALL undergrad degress (with the exception of accouting), but this seems to contradict what is on the website. Do you have any insight? I really appreciate your help!

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