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Transaction Services

Graduate Certificate

Online

Course Delivery

12

Total Credits

$817.25

Credit Hour

1 year

Minimum Duration


Program Overview

The online Graduate Certificate in Transaction Services is designed to meet the needs of business and accounting professionals, as well as career changers. It is completely online, and students can complete the certificate at their own pace. Courses are offered in an asynchronous fashion, but may include optional synchronous interactions with other students and faculty.

Program Outcomes

The online Graduate Certificate in Transaction Services is designed to meet the needs of business and accounting professionals, as well as career changers. The program focuses on the technical accounting knowledge and the professional communication skillset necessary for individuals interested in transaction services (e.g. mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, bankruptcies, and other deal transactions) support roles, including accounting and tax implications of mergers and acquisitions, the role of accounting in the various stages of transactions, and advanced accounting data analysis.

Career Outlook 

With growing complexity in the field of accounting, accountants with specialized education and experience in accounting, data analytics, and financial modeling are in high demand. The program authenticates additional education and training which will enhance a student’s professional portfolio. The certificate program can assist existing audit professionals advance their skillset and knowledge to transition into transaction services, or can help recent graduates advance their skillset to obtain transaction services support roles earlier in their careers.

A Top-Ranked Education

  • #3 in Best Online Master's in Business Programs for Veterans (Excluding MBA) — U.S. News & World Report, 2023
  • #4 in Best Online Master's in Business Programs (Excluding MBA) — U.S. News & World Report, 2023
  • 60th among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2024

 

zelenski headshot

Lynne Zelenski

Director of Academic Services

Lynne Zelenski is the Director of Academic Services for the Department of Accounting and Information Systems at Michigan State University. She has a doctorate in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education and Master's degree in College and University Administration from Michigan State. Lynne has worked in a variety of capacities on campus. Previously, she served as the Director of the M.S. program in Accounting. Prior to working with the Department of Accounting and Information Systems, Lynne spent 8 years working with Career Services and Placement specializing in business placement and supervising campus recruiting and employer services. She currently assists in the administration of the department, coordinates departmental programs, works with the External Advisory Board, assists students with internships and full-time placement, and teaches the accounting careers course.

 

Course Information

ACC 807 - Using Financial Statement Data for Decision Making- An Analytics Approach (3 credits)

ACC 850 - Accounting and Tax Implications of Mergers and Acquisitions (3 credits)

FI 845 - Financial Modeling and Simulations (1.5 credits)

FI 846 - Financial Modeling and Simulations II (1.5 credits)

ACC 891 - Special Topics in Accounting & IS (Transaction Service Capstone) (3 credits)

 

 

Admissions Requirements

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
  • Previous work experience must have education and/or experience in accounting or finance or related field
  • have recommended minimum cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0
  • Official transcripts from all previous schools

To apply to this program:

  • Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
  • Submit all required materials to the application portal.

Key Dates

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Applicants should have a completed application submitted at least two months prior to the desired start semester.  

 

Tuition & Fees per credit

 

In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$817.25
$817.25

 

Cost of Attendance


The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.

Program Overview

The online Graduate Certificate in Transaction Services is designed to meet the needs of business and accounting professionals, as well as career changers. It is completely online, and students can complete the certificate at their own pace. Courses are offered in an asynchronous fashion, but may include optional synchronous interactions with other students and faculty.

Program Outcomes

The online Graduate Certificate in Transaction Services is designed to meet the needs of business and accounting professionals, as well as career changers. The program focuses on the technical accounting knowledge and the professional communication skillset necessary for individuals interested in transaction services (e.g. mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, bankruptcies, and other deal transactions) support roles, including accounting and tax implications of mergers and acquisitions, the role of accounting in the various stages of transactions, and advanced accounting data analysis.

Career Outlook 

With growing complexity in the field of accounting, accountants with specialized education and experience in accounting, data analytics, and financial modeling are in high demand. The program authenticates additional education and training which will enhance a student’s professional portfolio. The certificate program can assist existing audit professionals advance their skillset and knowledge to transition into transaction services, or can help recent graduates advance their skillset to obtain transaction services support roles earlier in their careers.

A Top-Ranked Education

  • #3 in Best Online Master's in Business Programs for Veterans (Excluding MBA) — U.S. News & World Report, 2023
  • #4 in Best Online Master's in Business Programs (Excluding MBA) — U.S. News & World Report, 2023
  • 60th among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2024

 

zelenski headshot

Lynne Zelenski

Director of Academic Services

Lynne Zelenski is the Director of Academic Services for the Department of Accounting and Information Systems at Michigan State University. She has a doctorate in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education and Master's degree in College and University Administration from Michigan State. Lynne has worked in a variety of capacities on campus. Previously, she served as the Director of the M.S. program in Accounting. Prior to working with the Department of Accounting and Information Systems, Lynne spent 8 years working with Career Services and Placement specializing in business placement and supervising campus recruiting and employer services. She currently assists in the administration of the department, coordinates departmental programs, works with the External Advisory Board, assists students with internships and full-time placement, and teaches the accounting careers course.

 

Course Information

ACC 807 - Using Financial Statement Data for Decision Making- An Analytics Approach (3 credits)

ACC 850 - Accounting and Tax Implications of Mergers and Acquisitions (3 credits)

FI 845 - Financial Modeling and Simulations (1.5 credits)

FI 846 - Financial Modeling and Simulations II (1.5 credits)

ACC 891 - Special Topics in Accounting & IS (Transaction Service Capstone) (3 credits)

 

 

Admissions Requirements

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
  • Previous work experience must have education and/or experience in accounting or finance or related field
  • have recommended minimum cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0
  • Official transcripts from all previous schools

To apply to this program:

  • Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
  • Submit all required materials to the application portal.

Key Dates

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Applicants should have a completed application submitted at least two months prior to the desired start semester.  

 

Tuition & Fees per credit

 

In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$817.25
$817.25

 

Cost of Attendance


The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.

The MSU Value Promise

You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.

As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years.

MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.

MSU has been offering online degree programs for over 20 years. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.

MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.

MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.

MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.

Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.