I believe most states have had the 150 hr req about 8 yrs or so now.  The local univ quit offering a masters acct degree due to lack of demand.  Then they tried an acct concentration w/MBA program, and they had to drop the concentration due to insufficient demand, as well.  I was constantly in the accounting chair's office, begging him to offer the graduate accounting courses.  To paraphrase, he said the demand for the classes was too low, and that CPA aspirants would apparently prefer to take basket-weaving, etc. other "easy" classes to fluff out their 150 req.

I'm sure there is an increase in CPAs w/MBA or MAcc, but my experience makes me doubt there is as much of an increase in the advanced degrees as one may initially expect.

I have a friend who firmly believes that the 150 req is simply a hurdle to entry into the profession, and if it was for any legitimate educational-related purpose, then there would be some specific curriculum requirements.  He does have a point.

Seems like I read an article written by the New York State Society of CPA's that said they'd done a study and concluded the 150 hour requirement had done nothing to further the profession or protect the public.

I'm sure most people would agree that experience, not college hours, makes a good CPA. That extra year of college would probably be better spent working under a CPA, not learning more theories of marketing and management.