Why This Matters

  • 12% OF FRAUD AND FINANCIAL EXAMINERS RECOMMEND A MASTER’S DEGREE

    According to O*NET, 12% of fraud and financial examiners surveyed said that a master’s degree is required to work in this profession.

  • 7% MORE FRAUD AND FINANCIAL EXAMINERS ARE NEEDED BY 2029

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has forecasted a 7% growth in the need for trained professionals in this occupation by the year 2029.

  • POTENTIAL TO EARN MORE THAN $159,120

    While the BLS reports an average median wage of $81,430 per year for those in this profession, the top 10% of earners made more than $159,120 per year as of May 2020.

Our Research

This list is focused on programs that offer online master’s degrees and graduate certificate programs in forensic accounting. While each of the programs featured in this guide is offered online, some may require you to work synchronously with other students in your program.

There are several organizations that oversee curriculum and ensure the quality of education provided by these programs. That includes the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs and the Higher Learning Commission. Accreditation from these organizations ensures that credits earned are transferable and degrees are recognized by employers as well as other institutions.

  • 67 hours to write this article
  • 96 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 161 education programs we compared

The Top 50 Online Master’s in Forensic Accounting Programs

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What You Should Know About This Degree

There are several forensic-based master’s degree programs that you might want to consider. While an online master’s in forensic accounting prepares you for high-level work in fraud detection and financial compliance, a master’s in forensic science prepares you to investigate other crimes and crime scenes.

Before you begin researching programs, it’s important to understand what accreditation means and how to determine if a program has valid accreditation. You can learn more and determine the accreditation status of postsecondary institutions using the accreditation database, which is provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education.

Once you’ve obtained your master’s in forensic accounting, there are several career paths you might want to consider. Most financial institutions, government agencies, and law enforcement agencies work with forensic accountants to detect fraud and money laundering.

While a master’s degree will provide you with all the education you need to pursue a career in this industry, it’s important to note that most organizations will require you to have some level of security clearance before working in this type of role.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching online master’s in forensic accounting programs:

  • Am I eligible for this program? To gain acceptance into a forensic accounting master’s program, most schools require you to have a bachelor’s degree, as well as some real-world experience, in a similar field of study.
  • What licensing or certifications are required? While most forensic accounting jobs don’t require you to have any special licenses or certification, you can obtain credentials, such as certified fraud examiner. Additionally, nearly every forensic accountant is required to obtain security clearances or pass criminal background checks prior to working with an organization’s finances.

While researching online master’s in forensic accounting programs, be sure to take note of application deadlines and procedures. It’s also important to consider whether you’ll require financial aid. If you plan to obtain financial assistance, keep track of financial aid application deadlines, as well as any scholarships or grants that may be able to help you obtain your master’s degree.