Accountancy Opportunities Program

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Preparing tomorrow’s accounting leaders today

The Accountancy Opportunities  program offers an opportunity for undergraduates with diverse experiences, perspectives, and goals, and who come from a broad range of educational, sociocultural, geographic, and family backgrounds, to explore and consider graduate accounting education at Gies College of Business. 

The program, open to undergraduates who have completed their junior year, provides support before learners apply to a master’s program, including information sessions, and an enrichment and leadership course.

Program activities

  • MAS information session
  • Participation in an enrichment and leadership course
  • 1:1 coaching
students walking on campus

Application Criteria

The Accountancy Opportunities program is open to undergraduates who have completed their junior year at an accredited four-year undergraduate institution in the US and who are interested in the Gies Business Master of Accounting Science (MAS) degree for the 2025-2026 academic year. 

To be eligible, candidates must:

  • Have a 3.0 accountancy major and cumulative GPA or higher
  • Be available to attend a virtual enrichment and leadership course (if coming from an undergraduate institution outside of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)
  • Be a US citizen, permanent resident, or approved domestic applicant
  • Meet one or more of the following criteria:
    • Can describe how their educational and sociocultural experiences or geographic and family background can enhance graduate study in accountancy at Gies College of Business
    • Can describe their sustained commitment to diversity and inclusion in the academic, professional, or civic realm through their work experience, volunteer engagement, or leadership of student or community organizations in a way that directly contributes to the quality of the intellectual environment of Gies Business and the university
    • Have experienced financial hardship as a result of family economic circumstances
    • Are the first generation in their family to attend a four-year college

 

Note: Full-time employees of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are not eligible.

Admission to the ACCY Ops program does not guarantee admission to Gies Business and/or the University of Illinois.

Terms

Admission to the Accountancy Opportunities program does not guarantee admission to the Gies Business MAS program or any degree program offered by Gies College of Business and/or the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Candidates accepted to the Accountancy Opportunities program must complete and go through the Gies Business MAS application process to be considered for admittance to the degree program.

Program benefits

All students who successfully complete the Accountancy Opportunities program will receive a University of Illinois Graduate College application fee waiver. Students who apply and are admitted to the Gies Business MAS program will qualify to be considered for a scholarship of a full tuition waiver plus $10,000 stipend to help cover their academic costs.

Selection criteria

The Application Review Committee will conduct a holistic assessment of each candidate’s application, using the following criteria:

  • Record of undergraduate academic achievement (example:  grade point average, honors, or other designations)
  • Scholarly potential
  • Potential to contribute to an inclusive learning environment
  • Commitment to diversity, access, and inclusion
  • Impact of socioeconomic conditions

All materials included in the application package will assist in the committee's assessment. This includes materials submitted by the applicant: personal statements, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc., as well as applicant interviews conducted by the committee.