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The Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) is designed for non-accounting business professionals seeking a career change and planning to move into the fields of accounting, taxation, economics, law and management. The course is designed to enhance students’ ability to manage complex accounting and business issues. For those already working in the accounting and finance industry, the MPA can formalise their skills.
With the high demand for accountants in Australia and overseas, studying the MPA is a strategic career move, which could open career opportunities in a range of industries. Graduates have the ability to solve problems, liaise with clients, and manage people, departments and organisations.
The Master of Professional Accounting is accredited by, or makes you eligible for admission to, the following professional bodies:
*Accredited by
^Graduates are eligible for admission
To qualify for the MPA a total of 16 units must be completed, however there is an opportunity for advanced standing to be granted.
There are three trimesters each year. Full-time students normally study four units per trimester to complete the course within one-and-a-half years. Part-time students usually undertake one to two units per trimester completing the course in three years or more. Each unit is designed to take up to 150 learning hours (10 to 12 hours per week) to complete over a trimester.
Please note that not all units (subjects) are offered in each trimester or location. Please refer to the Southern Cross Business School website for unit availability timetables (via Study plan work sheets) and unit descriptions.
For Specific Award Rules, please refer to the SCU Handbook information below.
| Locations | ||
| Distance Education | Trimester A Trimester B Trimester C |
|
| Lismore | Unavailable | |
| Coffs Harbour | Unavailable | |
| Gold Coast Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga |
Trimester A+ Trimester B Trimester C + Domestic students only. |
|
| Course Duration | Domestic students: Master: 2 years full-time; 4 years part-time Grad Dip: 8 months full-time; 16 months part time Grad Cert: 4 months full-time; 8 months part time International students: Master: 2 years full-time Grad Dip: 1 year full-time Grad Cert: 8 months full-time |
|
| Fees and Charges | This is a full-fee paying course • Domestic fees • International fees • Additional fee information |
|
| School | Southern Cross Business School | |
| Admission, Enrolment and General Enquiries | scu.edu.au/enquiries | |
| Further Information | Domestic applicants: Ph: 1800 626 481 International applicants: Ph: +61 2 6620 3876; E: intoff@scu.edu.au |
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| Total Units: | Award Abbreviation: | 2013 ATAR equivalent/OP: |
| 16 — Master 8 — Grad Dip 4 — Grad Cert |
MPA GradDipAcc GradCertAcc |
N/A |
| UAC Course Code | QTAC Course Code | CRICOS Course Code |
| N/A | N/A | Gold Coast QLD: Master: 078674A Grad Dip: 078673C Grad Cert: 078672D Tweed Heads NSW: Master: 054936E Grad Dip: 055689G Grad Cert: 055690C |
Study by distance education
The distance education study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. In addition to texts, readings and study guides, students have access library services, receive a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, and will be invited to participate in online workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Study on campus
Postgraduate courses offered on-campus at Tweed Heads are designed to maximise learning opportunities and ensure students receive individual attention from their lecturers. Classes are run weekly and are normally of three hours duration. On-campus students have unlimited internet and email access and can connect to the University’s Library catalogues, online full-text journal databases and online book and article request service.
In addition to the support of experienced academic staff and student support personnel we provide students with high quality study materials including unit information documents, study guides, books of readings and textbooks. Students also have access to:
MySCU is a student’s point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.
The web-based program Blackboard Collaborate delivers advanced on-line learning environments for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces and classrooms. They can share files, presentations, and applications. If the session is recorded, students can view it afterwards.
The SCU Library provides a wide range of services including librarian assistance, print and electronic resources, a document delivery service, catalogues, databases, ebooks, ereadings, and full-text journal literature.
The Academic Skills Development team supports student learning by offering online and on-campus academic skills workshops; email, phone, and one-on-one support.
The course incorporates progressive assessment and examinations. Students are assessed in each unit on the basis of written and oral assignments. These may be business reports, case studies, presentations, research studies and /or plans. Full details of assignments are contained in the study guide for each unit.
Southern Cross University provides students with modern well-equipped teaching spaces such as lecture theatres, classrooms, and studios or laboratories tailored to meet the needs of specific study disciplines. Contemporary audio-visual equipment is standard in most teaching venues, and students have access to computer labs for individual study purposes.
Direct Applications
The following applications to study can be made online, directly to SCU:
Online applications for the Master of Professional Accounting involve four key steps:
Once registered you can exit and return to your application at any time.
International Applicants
Please refer to the International Office website.
Advanced standing, resulting in a reduction in the number of units required to be completed for the course, may be granted if you have successfully completed units that are equivalent in content, standard, duration and recency, to units offered in the course.
Advanced standing may be offered for up to 50% of the program in which you are admitted.
Advanced standing varies depending on the course you study or which academic school offers the course. For more information about the advanced standing offered by schools, and how to apply, visit the Advanced Standing website.
We recommend that you apply for advanced standing when you apply for admission into this course, because the amount and type of credit awarded will determine your study plan.
Graduate Diploma in Information Technology
Master (Advanced, Grad Dip, Grad Cert) of Business Administration
Master (Grad Dip, Grad Cert) of Human Resources and Organisational Development
Doctor of Business Administration
The Master of Professional Accounting is also offered through offshore collaborations. Visit the Southern Cross Business School website for more information.
Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
4.1 Qualifications for Admission