Rocky Mountain College Launches Montana’s Only Integrated Bachelor’s + Master of Accountancy Path
New four‑year program offers students a more direct, rigorous route to graduate‑level accounting credentials while keeping career options open.
BILLINGS, Mont. — Rocky Mountain College has launched an integrated Bachelor’s + Master of Accountancy path, creating Montana’s only four‑year route that combines an undergraduate business degree with a graduate accounting credential. The new program is designed for business‑minded students who want deeper quantitative fluency, a clear academic plan, and a competitive edge in the job market.
A More Direct Path to a Master of Accountancy
Rather than separating a bachelor’s degree and a later graduate decision, Rocky’s Bachelor’s + Master of Accountancy path connects undergraduate and graduate study from the beginning. In total, the path is 120 credits over four years: 90 undergraduate and 30 graduate.
Students:
- Start as first‑year undergraduates in a business‑focused curriculum
- Move through a tightly sequenced set of core business and accounting courses
- Transition into graduate‑level Master of Accountancy coursework
- Graduate with both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Accountancy
For students who already know accounting, or quantitative business, is likely in their future, the integrated structure offers a more coherent academic experience and can save a full year of additional graduate tuition compared to a traditional five‑year route.
Efficiency Without Reduced Rigor
Students complete:
- Core business courses in management, marketing, finance, economics, and business law
- Foundational and advanced accounting courses
- Supporting quantitative work such as statistics and data‑driven decision‑making
- General education courses that strengthen writing, communication, and critical thinking
- Graduate‑level Master of Accountancy courses that deepen technical and professional practice
That rigor shows up in the results. According to 2024 data from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), Rocky’s Master of Accountancy students posted the highest first‑time CPA exam pass rate of any college or university in Montana, and ranked 12th out of 291 small‑program institutions nationwide.
From 2022 through 2025, every graduate who responded to Rocky’s Career Services survey, 17 of 17, was employed in the field or continuing their education.
Internships That Lead to Offers
Every student in the integrated path completes an internship for academic credit, connecting directly with employers such as Eide Bailly, Wipfli, and Anderson ZurMuehlen in Billings and across the region.
Those experiences often turn into full‑time roles.
- One recent graduate, Wesley Harshbarger ’22, began in public accounting at Anderson ZurMuehlen (now Pinion), moved into a controller role, and most recently transitioned into wealth management as a Lead Financial Planner.
- Other alumni have become bank presidents, certified financial planners, insurance agency owners, college professors, and marketing managers, all with the same underlying degree.
“The education and experience I gained at Rocky opened doors to leadership opportunities I didn’t initially expect,” Harshbarger said. “The Master of Accountancy program gave me both the technical foundation and the confidence to move into roles beyond traditional accounting.”
Current students echo that sentiment.
“Thanks to the Master of Accountancy program and the professors, I feel ready to take on any path that I go on,” said Alana Jilek ’26. “The courses gave me tools I use every day: mental strength, punctuality, resilience, and real fluency in the numbers behind business decisions.”
Next Steps for Interested Students and Families
Prospective students and families can:
- Request detailed information about the four‑year, 120‑credit plan
- Explore the semester‑by‑semester accounting path
- Schedule a campus visit to speak with faculty, current students, and admissions counselors
- Begin an application for admission
“If earning both a business degree and a Master of Accountancy in four years fits where you’re headed, the next step is a conversation,” says Austin Mapston, VP of Enrollment. “We’re here to help families understand the structure, expectations, and total cost so they can make a confident decision.”
Admissions Office
For application steps, visit planning, and choosing your program.
Location: Prescott | Lower Level
Call: (406) 657‑1026
Email: admissions@rocky.edu
Text: (406) 500‑4555
Cost & Aid Resources
For understanding tuition, fees, and how financial aid lowers your net cost: