Think earning your M.S. in Accountancy will take too long, cost too much or not be attainable? Think again. With the new cohort-based specialized master’s program at Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics designed for students who have just completed their accounting undergrad, and it takes only 10-months to complete. Plus, grads gain from the network and support of their peers and faculty.

The program’s director, Megan Grady, notes that the Cal State Fullerton M.S. in Accountancy is unique in emphasizing the blending of theory and practice, as well as the college’s dual accreditation in both business and accountancy by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

“The cohort program is designed to be flexible, particularly around the typical busy-season period, so students can both learn and earn while obtaining their degree,” says Grady regarding the program design which allows students to take on a second semester internship. “By blending theory and practice, our students get a significant head start in terms of career development compared to other programs. Not to mention, firms are able to gain access to a pipeline of new talent that is well-prepared, CPA eligible, and ready for the workplace.”

One Business Titan whose career and future has been transformed by the cohort-based M.S. in Accountancy in its first year is Miguel Arechiga ’24,’25, who is now a federal tax associate in real estate at RSM US just months after earning his master’s. Arechiga points to the cohort model as central to his success at RSM.

“The cohort model mirrors the teamwork and deadlines you face in public accounting. Working in the same group of peers throughout the program taught me how to collaborate under pressure, communicate across different working styles, and hold myself accountable to both my classmates and my professors,” he says. “The sense of structure and accountability is exactly what carries over to engagement teams at RSM, where no project is done alone, and success depends on trust and collaboration.”

Building lifelong friendships with classmates who are now his professional colleagues and gaining from the insights and perspectives of faculty, alumni and firms are some of the highlights of the M.S. in Accountancy that Arechiga will always remember. His advice to current and prospective students is to embrace the team environment, not shy away from asking for faculty support, and fully embrace the sharing of resources with classmates.

“The more you give to your cohort, the more you’ll get back. Many students during undergrad don’t really put in tremendous effort during big group projects, therefore at the master’s level we strongly communicate within, specifically areas of growth so that procrastination/errors are less common,” he says.

Students in the School of Accountancy at CSUF benefit from generous scholarship opportunities. For Arechiga, a Deloitte Scholarship removed financial stress, enabling him to focus his attention and energies on CPA readiness and preparation for his professional future.

“The scholarship felt like a vote of confidence from one of the leading firms in the profession. That recognition motivated me to aim higher, push myself academically, and invest in my career development even more. The support I received from Deloitte inspires me to mentor students and share the same encouragement that I was fortunate enough to receive,” he says.

Looking ahead, Arechiga plans to continue growing as a federal tax associate at RSM, building the technical expertise and leadership skills needed to support clients in the real estate industry. But long term, after earning his CPA designation, Arechiga looks forward to stepping into leadership and mentoring the next generation of accountants. “Mentorship was a role I naturally took on during my years at Fullerton, and it’s something I would still love to pursue and transform into something meaningful and lasting. Many people don’t always see the challenges that come with this journey, but I’ve experienced them firsthand and that perspective drives my desire to support and guide others along the way,” he says.

Discover more about the M.S. in Accountancy, including the differences between the traditional and cohort-based models, to determine which program may be best for you. Or read more of our articles on accounting graduate programs.