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Advanced Standing in Accounting (BS & MSA)

GET A JUMP START ON YOUR GRADUATE DEGREE

In the four years you would spend getting an undergraduate degree, you can earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. The Advanced Standing in Accounting (BS and MSA) program offers students the benefit of earning their bachelor's and master's degrees in as little as four years. Available to all three undergraduate accounting majors – Accounting, Corporate Finance and Accounting, IT in Accounting – this program pairs with any MSA concentration and offers a comprehensive and efficient educational experience.

Program Details

  • Open to all students enrolled in accounting-related majors.
  • Earn a BS and MSA in as few as four years by taking four MSA courses that count toward both BS and MS degrees during your junior and senior years.
  • All Bentley second-year undergraduate students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher and have successfully completed AC 201 with a grade of B or higher are eligible to apply to the Advanced Standing in Accounting program. 
  • Students are strongly advised to complete internships for credit as sophomores and juniors. The courses taken as an undergraduate depend on the choice of majors and minors. Students work with Academic Advising to choose appropriate courses.
  • Apply during the second year and start taking graduate classes during your junior year.

Explore our Advanced Standing in Accounting program

Interested in the Program?

richa thapa
I am genuinely thrilled about the opportunities this program opens for me, and I am confident that this dual qualification will set me apart, providing a solid foundation for success, readiness and excellence in my future career.
Richa Thapa ‘26

Are you a current Bentley student?

len pepe
Len Pepe
MSA Program Director, Senior Lecturer
781-891-2470

Have Questions? Connect with the the Program Director. 

ASAC FAQs

Costs and Financial Aid

Below are some frequently asked questions regarding financial aid and how it works for this program. Student Financial Services will be able to provide you details of the program expenses in light of any financial aid you receive.

What are the costs?

There is an $8,000 program fee charged in addition to the standard tuition and fees, which is billed at $2,000 per term with the first charge typically falling in the first term of junior year.  

During the standard academic terms of fall and spring, you pay tuition at the undergraduate level until you complete your undergraduate degree. Once you’ve completed your undergraduate degree, you will pay regular graduate tuition for the remaining courses toward your graduate degree. Tuition rates can be found on the Student Financial Services website. 

If enrolling in courses during the summer, you will pay on a per course basis depending on the level of the course, undergraduate or graduate. The program fee will also be charged in addition to the tuition.   

Is there financial aid?

Undergraduate Aid 

As an undergraduate student you are eligible to apply for need-based financial assistance each academic year. You can find application information here. Financial aid is available during the standard academic year (fall and spring) when enrolled full-time. You are eligible to receive institutional grants/scholarships for no more than 8 terms or until you meet your degree requirements, whichever comes first. 

While aid is not typically available during the summer term, students in the Advanced Standing in Accounting program are eligible to request that the summer of senior year be used a term of aid, which counts towards the 8-term maximum. Scholarships and grants will be prorated during the senior summer term based on enrollment compared to a 15 credit load. It is expected that you will complete your undergraduate degree requirements at the end of the fall term of your senior year. 

Graduate Aid 

As a graduate student you are eligible to apply for need-based financial assistance each academic year. You can find application information here.  The availability of Bentley graduate need-based grant funding is limited. As a rule, a lesser percentage of need is covered by grant funding. You can expect your financial aid to be heavily weighted toward federal loans. 

Are there academic scholarships at the graduate level?

Graduate level academic scholarships are not available for the program. Undergraduate level academic scholarships and grants cannot be used during the graduate portion of the program.  

Can I receive my academic scholarship and/or grant in the summer?

Grant and scholarship aid is available during the standard academic year (fall and spring) when enrolled full-time. You are eligible to receive institutional grants/scholarships for no more than 8 terms or until you meet your degree requirements, whichever comes first. 

However, students in the Advanced Standing in Accounting program are eligible to use summer of senior year as a term of aid, which counts towards the 8-term maximum. Scholarships and grants will be prorated during the senior summer term based on enrollment compared to a15 credit load. It is expected that you will complete your undergraduate degree requirements at the end of the fall term of your senior year. 

If I take a course for winter or May intensive, can I use my academic scholarship and/or grant to cover it? What are the tuition rates?

Grant and scholarship aid is available during the standard academic year (fall and spring) when enrolled full-time. You are eligible to receive institutional grants/scholarships for no more than 8 terms or until you meet your degree requirements, whichever comes first.  

Winter intensive courses will be billed with the spring term at an additional cost. Grant and scholarship aid is not available for winter intensive courses. 

May intensive courses will be billed with the summer term at an additional cost. Grant and scholarship aid is not available for May intensives with the exception of students requesting summer as a term of aid during the senior summer term. See FAQ “Is there financial aid?” for more details. 

For both winter and May intensive courses you will pay on a per course basis depending on the level of the course, undergraduate or graduate. Tuition rates can be found on the Student Financial Services website.