Student Experience

The Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc) at the University of Washington Foster School of Business offers a collaborative, career-focused student experience designed to prepare students for professional roles in accounting. Students build technical accounting knowledge through applied coursework, professional development, and close engagement with peers, faculty, and employers.

What Defines the MPAcc Student Experience

Cohort-based Experience

Students progress through the program as part of a structured cohort, working closely with peers to analyze accounting scenarios and solve real business problems. The experience builds collaboration, communication, and professional judgment.

Hands-On Learning

Students build practical accounting skills through applied coursework, case-based learning, and real-world scenarios, developing the ability to analyze complex financial information and communicate insights effectively.

Full-Time, Daytime Format

The program is delivered in a full-time, daytime format designed for focused, immersive study, enabling consistent engagement and preparation for professional accounting roles.

Industry Engagement and Access

Students engage with accounting firms and employers through recruiting events, guest speakers, and program activities, gaining insight into professional expectations and career pathways in accounting.

Experiential Learning in Practice

Experiential learning is central to the MPAcc experience, Students interact with accounting firms and employers through structured recruiting and engagement opportunities that support full-time career placement.

Students engage in:

Case-based coursework focused on accounting scenarios and decision-making
Applied assignments that reflect current industry and employer expectations
Classroom learning informed by accounting professionals and advisory board insights
Practical exercises that strengthen technical accounting knowledge and professional judgment

Learning Community

The MPAcc cohort creates a focused and collaborative learning community that extends beyond the classroom.

Through this model, students:

Collaborate with classmates in a supportive academic setting
Learn from diverse perspectives and backgrounds
Build relationships that support long-term professional growth
Participate in internships during winter quarter

Career Integration

In recent years, 100% of students received job offers before graduation, with many joining leading accounting firms and regional employers.

Through the program, students:

Receive individualized career coaching and recruiting support
Build relationships with accounting firms and employers through recruiting and engagement opportunities
Prepare for roles in public accounting and related professional pathways

For detailed employment outcomes and employer connections, explore the Career Outcomes page.

Student Perspectives

Students in the MPAcc program share how the experience shapes their accounting knowledge, career preparation, and professional connections.

Jaskaran Kaur, 2021 MPAcc alumna, talks about choosing a career in accounting and how her peers in Foster’s Master of Professional Accounting helped her succeed in the program.Watch the video

Jaskaran Kaur, Master of Professional Accounting

Nerelys Ortiz will teach Accounting 311 in Spring 2026.Read the story

Career Insights for Students

I posed this question to our Seattle area accounting firms: Some Accounting students share with me that they are concerned about losing their work/life balance at their future firm. How would you address this concern?Read the story

Ask the Firms

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MPAcc student experience like?

The experience is collaborative and designed to prepare students for professional accounting roles through applied coursework, skill development, and employer engagement.

How does the MPAcc program prepare students for careers?

Students receive structured career support, including coaching, recruiting access, and employer engagement that helps them secure roles before graduation.

What kind of learning experience does the MPAcc offer?

Students develop technical accounting knowledge through case-based coursework, applied assignments, and classroom experiences informed by professional practice.

How do students connect with employers?

Students connect with employers through recruiting events, program-facilitated introductions, and relationships developed through the program’s career network.