Admissions
Start on Your Path to an MS in Financial Management and Accounting
Selecting the right master’s program for your career goals is important. Our admissions team is here to help you at every stage, from inquiry to application. Schedule a phone or video consultation with one of our team members to get started.
A Master’s Degree Designed For:
Students with, or currently pursuing, a four-year undergraduate degree from an accredited university in something other than accounting.
Students with, or currently pursuing, an undergraduate certificate in accounting or accounting fundamentals from UW–Madison, or equivalent from an accredited institution.
Application Deadlines
Application due for Fall 2026 admission
- November 4, 2025
- January 13, 2026
- March 3, 2026
- April 30, 2026*
- June 4, 2026
*Final deadline for international applicants
We offer multiple deadlines to apply. Apply for the deadline that best works for you. If you submit between deadlines, we will review your completed application after the next deadline. If admitted, your enrollment deposit date will be communicated to you in your online admission letter.
Tuition & Fees
The tuition rate is $1,500 per credit for a total of $45,000 for the entire one-year program. The estimated segregated fees are $1,660.
What You’ll Need for Your Application
Undergraduate degree + certificate or equivalent
To be admitted to the program, you must have completed the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in a field other than accounting, from an accredited institution.
- Undergraduate certificate in accounting or accounting fundamentals from UW–Madison, or equivalent from an accredited institution. Equivalent courses include the following:
- Introductory Financial Accounting (equivalent to ACCT I S 100)
- Introductory Managerial Accounting (equivalent to ACCT I S 211)
- Financial Reporting I (equivalent to ACCT I S 301)
- Introduction to Finance (equivalent to FINANCE/ECON 300)
International students—please see the information below regarding prerequisites.
Required essay questions
Note: Essays are not required for students who earned their undergraduate degree at UW–Madison. They are required for all other applicants.
Essay responses are limited to 600 words each.
- Why are you specifically interested in this master’s program? What appeals to you about the program, and how will this program help you achieve your career goals?
- Please share an example of either a) a difficult challenge you have had to overcome, or b) an achievement you are particularly proud of.
Optional essay question
Essay responses are limited to 600 words each.
Please use this optional essay to communicate additional information about yourself that is not otherwise represented in the application, and that you feel would benefit the admissions committee.
Résumé
Include past work experience, educational accomplishments, demonstrations of leadership, and ways in which you have grown professionally.
Transcripts
- You can submit your application with unofficial transcripts; certified copies of transcripts from your degree institution are required once admitted.
- The preferred method to receive official transcripts is electronically from your institution. Please access the Parchment website or contact your institution to make this request and send to masters@wsb.wisc.edu. Official transcripts may also be mailed directly from your undergraduate institution in a sealed and stamped envelope to:
MBA & Master’s Program Office
Wisconsin School of Business
2450 Grainger Hall
975 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53706
Official transcripts must be received on or before July 1. If your official transcript, with degree posted, is not available by July 1, you must send an updated unofficial transcript with all course grades by July 1.
Application fee
- $75 for both domestic and international students (additional $6 processing fee for international students).
- Fee waivers available if you have been on active duty in the U.S. military within three years of applying.
- Payment by credit or debit card through the online application system; receipt required to learn of the admissions decision.
Test scores
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The GMAT Focus/GMAT and GRE are optional for candidates who earned an accredited U.S. undergraduate degree. You can apply for the test waiver by completing the waiver request form.
Candidates who are below a 3.0 GPA are strongly encouraged to take either the GMAT Focus or GRE to show the admissions committee they have the academic ability to handle the rigors of the master’s program.
- A TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score is required for international students. The requirement can be waived if you have an undergraduate or master’s degree that was taught in English.
Optional letter of recommendation
You may submit a letter of recommendation as part of your application; however, it is not required. Select a recommender who is qualified to evaluate your potential for leadership or management. They should have a strong understanding of your abilities and be familiar with solid examples of your accomplishments. This individual may be a current or past supervisor or manager, a client or vendor, or a representative of a volunteer or community organization in which you are involved.
Interview by invitation
Admission interviews are by invitation only. They will be conducted in person, by phone, or by video.
International Applicants
Notice
UW–Madison is awaiting approval of this new academic program by the Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) before we are able to accept prospective F-1 students into this program or issue a Form I-20 for this program. International students may apply for this program but will only be considered for admission if or when the program is approved.
We welcome applications from international students to the MS in Financial Management & Accounting program. To be considered for admission, all applicants must demonstrate completion of the following foundational courses (or their equivalents from other accredited institutions):
- Financial Accounting (equivalent to UW–Madison’s ACCT I S 100 or ACCT I S 300)
- Managerial Accounting (equivalent to ACCT I S 211)
- Introduction to Finance (equivalent to FIN 300)
- Financial Reporting I (equivalent to ACCT I S 301)
Please note that two of these courses, Financial Accounting and Financial Reporting I, must be completed using U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Many international accounting programs focus on IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards), which does not fully meet this requirement.
As a result, international applicants who have previously studied accounting under IFRS will likely need to complete U.S. GAAP-based versions of these two courses prior to beginning the master’s program. These may be taken at:
- UW–Madison as a non-degree-seeking student, or
- Another accredited U.S. institution offering equivalent coursework based on U.S. GAAP
If you are unsure whether your previous coursework meets these requirements, we encourage you to contact our admissions team. We’re happy to help you assess your eligibility and plan a path toward successful admission.
Student visas
To enter the United States, you will need a student visa, usually an F-1. The process of acquiring a visa can take a long time, so please begin as early as possible.
Here is how you will get your visa. Please note, these steps MUST be completed in this order:
- Accept your offer of admission.
- Set up your Terra Dotta portal via your MyUW Student Center. This will be your student immigration portal during your time as an F-1 or J-1 student at UW–Madison.
- Submit a request for your Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Form I-20 through Terra Dotta. It may take three to four weeks for you to receive this form.
- Once you have received your I-20, schedule an interview appointment at your country’s American consulate or embassy. Because most consulates and embassies schedule visa interview appointments several weeks or even months in advance, it is essential to do this as early as possible.
The university cannot issue an I-20 unless a student has met all admission requirements—including undergraduate degree completion. Below is more information on the I-20 form and degree completion deadlines:
- All students already in the U.S. on a visa must have their degree classes completed by July 15, including grades posted.
- Students who are not in the U.S. and are seeking an initial attendance visa must have their classes completed by the end of spring semester (as soon as possible in May), including grades posted.
The deadline to submit an immigration document request for Fall 2026 is July 3, 2026. For students transferring SEVIS records, the deadline is August 19, 2026.
Have questions? Get in touch with UW–Madison’s International Student Services Office.
For more information on student visas, visit the Office of Visa Services at the U.S. Department of State.
Resources To Help With Your Application
Chat with admissions
As admissions professionals, we do this for a living because we are passionate about supporting students on this life-changing journey. Let us help!
Admissions events
Attend an admissions event to learn more about advancing your career with the Wisconsin Master’s in Financial Management and Accounting program.
Webinars & podcasts
Our webinar series includes an on-demand application webinar and videos on topics such as preparing your essays. Our application-strategy podcasts are also a great resource.
Connect with us.
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