Instead of directly entering the workforce after graduating last year, aspiring public accountant Dylan Ohashi decided to pursue a master’s degree in accounting at Cal State Fullerton — that he’s earning in 10 months.
To top it off, after he graduates in May, Ohashi already has a job lined up at a leading public accounting firm where he’s interning this spring semester.
The Class of 2025 grad is enrolled in the university’s new accelerated master’s degree program in accountancy, launched in the fall in the College of Business and Economics’ School of Accountancy.
The two-semester program — known as the Cohort Master of Science in Accountancy — offers a rigorous accounting and technology-rich curriculum. Students can also receive on-the-job experience at top public accounting firms in Orange County and the region.
“We’re preparing a pipeline of well-qualified candidates for the workforce. Our new cohort master’s program is a win-win for the college and employers,” said Vivek Mande, director of the School of Accountancy and professor of accounting.
Ohashi was sold on the program’s curriculum and internship opportunities, which are tailored for students who want to enter the workforce with a running start.
“Many graduate programs can take two to four years to complete if you work full time, depending on your course load. But having the opportunity to finish CSUF’s program in less than one year is a game changer,” Ohashi said.
Students have to apply and go through the interview process with accounting firms. After landing a paid internship, they work from January to April 15 while taking a full-time course load. Their internship also counts toward program units and offsets the cost of graduate school.
“When you ask accountants how to prepare yourself for public accounting, they’ll tell you there’s no better preparation than working in the field. The internship is what future employers are looking for,” said Ohashi, who earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and accounting from UC Santa Barbara.
Ohashi is interning 32 hours a week at Baker Tilly in Irvine, a Top 10 public accounting firm, where he is learning about preparing taxes and the tax process. The firm has offered him a position as a tax associate beginning in July.
Megan Grady, assistant professor of accounting and director of the Master of Accountancy cohort program, said the program was designed to provide students with flexibility and connections to grow their careers while getting a master’s degree.
“The idea behind the program is to allow students to ‘learn and earn’ in an out-of-classroom experience,” Grady said. “Additionally, the cohort model offers students the opportunity to easily build a network among peers as they go through the program together.”
Grady said the graduate program’s curriculum blends theory and practice, focusing on getting students career-ready and learning the technical aspects of being a CPA. Students take courses on audit, tax, data analysis and technological advances. They also take classes taught by public accountants and attend networking events and research conferences.
“CSUF’s School of Accounting has a great reputation within Orange County. The program embraces technology and data analytics within the curriculum, strengthening the program and making students better job candidates,” Ohashi said.
Students in the program also gain a leg-up to prepare for the CPA exam after graduation through discipline-focused coursework. Additionally, scholarships are available to qualifying students through the Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program.
“The scholarship for the program is a first-time partnership with the university’s Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs,” Mande said. “The goal is to encourage interest, growth and diversity within the CPA profession.”
The scholarship includes 100% paid tuition and other fees, with most students graduating with minimal to no debt so they can quickly advance on the path to career success, Mande said.
Ohashi, a Deloitte scholarship recipient, looks forward to starting his full-time position at Baker Tilly after completing the program.
“My goal is to put my skill set to good use working as a tax associate and gaining a wealth of knowledge that I can apply to future positions in the field.”