Knauss School of Business Master’s in Accountancy Program Receives STEM Designation
We’ve embedded tech, data, and analytics throughout our program—not as an add-on, but as a foundation.
The Master’s in Accountancy (MACC) graduate program at the University of San Diego’s Knauss School of Business has received official STEM designation, reflecting a significant evolution in how the curriculum prepares students for today’s data-driven business landscape.
A STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) designation is awarded to a program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for curriculum that falls within one or more of the STEM categories, and is often associated with high levels of analytical content, high growth job markets, career opportunities, and rigor in the program.
Sarah Lyon, PhD, associate professor of accountancy and director of the MACC and MTAX programs, has been steering this shift since taking the role two and a half years ago. “The use of technology in the accounting profession has seen tremendous growth. What you did as an auditor 10 years ago is very different to what you do as an auditor now. We’re mirroring that through our curriculum; we’re incorporating technology, data, risk analysis, visualization and statistical analysis that’s on par with the industry.”
The STEM designation applies for both Accounting program tracks: Business Reporting and Analysis, and Business Analytics in Accounting. The Master’s in Accountancy program is now one among four graduate business programs at the Knauss School of Business with official STEM designation - alongside the Full-Time MBA, the Master of Science in Business Analytics and the Master of Science in Finance.
Why STEM Designation Matters
For international students, a STEM designation is especially valuable. In general, after graduating from a master’s program, international students are eligible to complete Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows them to work up to 12 months at a company in the U.S. to gain work experience before returning to their home country. Those who graduate from a STEM-designated program, such as the Knauss MACC program, can extend their OPT to 36 months.
“We launched this initiative about a year ago with a dual purpose,” Lyon explains. “It’s strategic — especially for our international students. With the STEM designation, they’re now eligible for a three-year Optional Practical Training (OPT) period after graduation, giving them more time and flexibility to gain experience in the U.S.”
That flexibility is already benefiting international undergraduates pursuing a combined degree, easing their transition into the workforce. Miwa Akazawa, a MACC international student graduating in 2026 is taking advantage: “The STEM designation bestowed upon MACC has significant benefits for international students, a category to which I belong. I was able to secure a full-time position at Deloitte, and the designation has allowed me to develop my knowledge and skills in the US. This designation has the potential to significantly enhance the educational and professional prospects.”
Along with the MTAX program, the MACC program has seen tremendous growth in enrollment over the past two years. “We want this program to have as much recognition as our popular Master’s in Finance or Master’s in Business Analytics program,” Lyon says. “We’ve embedded tech, data, and analytics throughout our program—not as an add-on, but as a foundation.” For both students and employers, that message is clear: graduates of the STEM-designated MACC are equipped for the demands of a modern, data-centric accounting world.
Learn more about the Knauss School of Business Master’s in Accountancy program and view the full curriculum overview.