MPA STEM Certified
Curriculum around analytics and technology earns accounting master’s degree special designation
The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business has announced that as of this fall, its Master in Professional Accounting (MPA) Program is now STEM certified by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
The STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) designation acknowledges the MPA program’s heavy emphasis on quantitative methods, statistical analysis, and technological applications. Students in the program receive a traditional accounting education along with an abundance of wide-ranging opportunities to apply technology and data analysis skills in nearly every course.
Kristina Zvinakis, the MPA program’s faculty director, said the certification recognizes the program’s deep commitment to preparing future leaders in this tech-driven industry.
“The professional environment awaiting our graduates is rooted in data analysis and quantitative methods, so we ensure that our students continually hone these skills, along with their critical thinking skills,” she said. “As a result, they leave here prepared to develop new solutions to industry challenges — both those that exist and those we haven’t yet anticipated.”
As financial markets become more complex and global, accounting professionals are using increasingly sophisticated tools and methodologies to analyze financial data, forecast trends, and make informed decisions, Zvinakis said.
In this environment, STEM certification is an important signal to prospective students of a program’s depth in these critical areas, said Keri Ledezma, director of admissions for the MPA program.
“Our program not only offers an accounting data analytics elective but also incorporates data analysis content into nearly every course in the MPA curriculum. Additionally, our information technology class is continuously revamped to integrate new technologies,” Ledezma said.
STEM designation for university programs was established by the U.S. government in response to a grave shortage of qualified workers in STEM fields. The certification benefits international students, as graduates with STEM-certified degrees can stay in the U.S. to work for three years, instead of just one year, through the Optional Practical Training program.
“This achievement reflects our MPA program’s long history of excellence, even as it underscores the vital role that analytical and technical skills play in today’s evolving accounting landscape,” said Lillian Mills, dean of the McCombs School of Business.
