The Jenkins Master of Accounting (MAC) program at NC State’s Poole College of Management has reached a significant milestone: five years of providing a flexible, high-quality online education for working professionals. Since its inception, the program – which began with 27 students in its Fall 2020 semester and currently has 72 enrolled – has not only upheld the standards of its renowned in-person counterpart but has also carved its niche as a premier online accounting program.

Meeting a Growing Need

The decision to launch an online MAC program stemmed from an evolving need among prospective students. Scott Showalter, director of the MAC program, recalls recognizing a shift in the student demographic even before the pandemic.

“We saw more students coming to our on-campus program who were already working full-time jobs,” Showalter explains. “They weren’t traditional undergraduate accounting students rolling into an extra year of study – they needed part-time flexibility.” This realization drove the creation of the online program, designed to meet the needs of “career switchers” and working professionals seeking to enter the high-demand field of accounting.

From the start, the Jenkins MAC online program emphasized quality over quantity. “We didn’t want to take so many students that we diminished the program’s quality,” Showalter says. “We wanted controlled growth to ensure the infrastructure could keep up with the students we were admitting.”

This commitment is reflected in the program’s success. With a remarkable 90% graduation rate – a standout figure for an online program – students consistently report feeling connected to the faculty and their classmates. “Anything our in-person MAC students get, our online students have access to as well,” Showalter emphasizes. “They receive mentors, career services and advisors, in-person social events and more. When our students come to graduation, they’re excited to meet the friends they’ve made online.”

“Our online students receive mentors, career services and advisors, in-person social events and more.”

Designed for Flexibility and Depth

The program’s flexibility is a key advantage, allowing students to tailor their studies to their personal and professional lives, explains Jay Arrington, the program’s director of admissions and enrollment. Students can complete the program in as little as 12 months or take up to six years, choosing courses across fall, spring and summer semesters. They can specialize in public accounting or business/industry tracks and even pursue unique electives, such as courses from the MBA program, to suit their career aspirations.

“The first thing we ask every student who joins our program is ‘Why are you doing this and what do you want to do when you’re done?’ and then we do everything in our power to make sure to get them where they want to go,” Showalter says.

The program’s flexibility attracts a diverse cohort of students from fields as varied as education, military service and the arts. “We had five artists in the program this year alone,” Showalter continues. “The program’s focus on application-based learning and real-world skills makes it accessible and valuable, regardless of a student’s background.”

Building Connections, Driving Success

What truly sets the Jenkins MAC online program apart from other similar programs is its emphasis on connection and engagement. Faculty integrate student engagement activities into their courses, and virtual get-togethers hosted by faculty like Showalter help foster a sense of community.

“Our online students don’t feel like afterthoughts,” Arrington says. “They get career coaching, mentorship, and access to events and socials. It’s a more convenient format that works best for them – not a lesser-than option.”

“It’s a more convenient format that works best for our online students – not a lesser-than option.”

This approach not only ensures a fulfilling academic experience but also translates into tangible outcomes. The program regularly boasts 100% placement rates for its graduates, which Kelly Hardy, the program’s associate director of student programs and career services, attributes to both the caliber of students and the program itself.

“We have fantastic students and are well-connected with employers all over the country, so we work very hard to help them land great job opportunities,” Hardy says. “The biggest thing I hear from the graduates of our online program is that they were so grateful for the opportunity to elevate their career and find jobs that provide both stability and trajectory. Even students who may have entered the program already in a full-time role and are ‘passive lookers’ may attend a Business Expo or Meet the Firms event and get excited about all the possibilities that exist for them upon graduation.”

Looking to the Future

As the program celebrates its fifth anniversary, its leadership has a clear vision for the future. “We have space limitations, so our only real option of growing the MAC program is online,” Showalter notes. “We’d like the online program to grow to match the size of our on-campus program, around a total of 200 students.”

Plans are also underway to expand the curriculum, including integrating certifications beyond the CPA and ensuring real-world application is a hallmark of the program – an emphasis seen across Poole College of Management. These initiatives align with the program’s broader strategy to ensure graduates are prepared to contribute from day one, Showalter says.

“Every student who graduates from our MAC program – in-person or online – leaves with knowledge and skills that allow them to make an immediate impact in the accounting profession.”

Learn more

To learn more about the Jenkins MAC program, including tuition, curriculum, career opportunities and more, please submit the form below. 

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