Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Forensic Accounting online

Defend organizations and individuals against financial crime when you develop your ability to investigate complex financial transactions, uncover hidden assets and identify fraudulent activities.

Apply by: 1/5/26
Start Class: 1/13/26
Apply Now

Program Overview

$18,180* Total Tuition
As few as 12-18 months Program Duration
30 Credit Hours

Enhance your ability to detect fraud and identify financial misrepresentation with a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Forensic Accounting online program from Murray State University. In this AACSB-accredited program, you will gain the expertise and accounting knowledge to analyze financial statements and identify fraudulent transactions while using the latest data analysis tools and AI software. Plus, career-relevant coursework prepares you to sit for the Certified Fraud Educators (CFE) exam, as well as earn credits for the Certified Public Accountants (CPA) exam.

Through a broad business-based core curriculum, you will gain essential skills in forensic accounting, data analytics, corporate finance, economic analysis, organizational behaviors and management. Benefit from our in-depth capstone course, which strengthens your investigative, analytical and management skills.

The Value of Earning a CFE Credential

On average, individuals who are CFE certified will earn higher income over their lifetimes and be more in-demand with employers.

According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), as cited in the 2024 Compensation Guide for Anti-Fraud Professionals, individuals with that were CFE certified were earning 32% more than their non-certified colleagues. In addition, nearly 90% of Fortune 500® companies employ at least one CFE. **

AACSB Accredited

The Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business at Murray State University has been continuously accredited by AACSB International (AACSB) since 1981.

Additional benefits of this online forensic accounting degree:

  • Throughout the coursework you'll utilize top tier data analysis tools and software such as Caseware IDEA and AI-driven ChatGPT.
  • Murray State University is a member of the AFCE Anti-Fraud Education Partnership program, which allows students to benefit from leading-edge resources and materials.
  • Our students consistently score above average on ETS® Major Field Tests, reflecting preparedness and confidence in impacting businesses after graduation.
  • Our faculty is dedicated to your success both in the program and in the workforce, providing personal attention, advisement and support.
  • You'll have access to the resources within the Center for Economic and Entrepreneurial Development, which offers workshops, training and consulting services, and more for small-business owners in western Kentucky.
Additional benefits of this online forensic accounting degree:+
  • Throughout the coursework you'll utilize top tier data analysis tools and software such as Caseware IDEA and AI-driven ChatGPT.
  • Murray State University is a member of the AFCE Anti-Fraud Education Partnership program, which allows students to benefit from leading-edge resources and materials.
  • Our students consistently score above average on ETS® Major Field Tests, reflecting preparedness and confidence in impacting businesses after graduation.
  • Our faculty is dedicated to your success both in the program and in the workforce, providing personal attention, advisement and support.
  • You'll have access to the resources within the Center for Economic and Entrepreneurial Development, which offers workshops, training and consulting services, and more for small-business owners in western Kentucky.

This program will prepare you for careers such as:

  • Forensic Accountant
  • Financial Fraud Analyst
  • Senior Forensic Auditor
  • Financial Investigator/Agent
  • Forensic Advisory Manager
This program will prepare you for careers such as:+
  • Forensic Accountant
  • Financial Fraud Analyst
  • Senior Forensic Auditor
  • Financial Investigator/Agent
  • Forensic Advisory Manager
+
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

Also available

Murray State University offers a variety of specialized MBA concentrations. Check out all of our online MBA programs.

Tuition

Master of Business Administration online programs from Murray State University offer affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition. All fees are included in the total tuition.

$606 Per Credit Hour
$18,180* Total Tuition
View full tuition breakdown
Program Per Credit Hour Per Course Per Program
MBA – Forensic Accounting $606 $1,818 $18,180*

Partial scholarship opportunities may be available. Please request more information or call 866-906-0541 to learn more.

Calendar

Key deadlines to know when applying

Murray State University online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.

Now enrolling:

1/5/26 Next Application Deadline
1/13/26 Start Classes

View full calendar +

TermStart DateApplication DeadlineDocument & Financial Aid DeadlineRegistration DeadlineTuition DeadlineLast Class DayTerm Length
Spring 11/13/261/5/261/5/261/8/261/12/263/3/267 weeks
Spring 23/10/263/3/263/4/263/5/263/9/255/5/267 weeks
Summer 15/11/265/1/265/4/265/5/265/8/266/20/266 weeks
Summer 26/21/266/15/266/16/266/17/266/18/267/31/266 weeks
Fall 18/19/268/12/268/13/268/14/268/18/2610/7/267 weeks
Fall 210/14/2610/5/2610/6/2610/7/268/18/2612/4/26
Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from Murray State?
Apply Now

Admissions

Follow these steps to apply for your forensic accounting MBA online

At Murray State University, we’ve streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the online MBA in Forensic Accounting, including where to send your transcripts.

The requirements include:

Online application accepted on a rolling basis
Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution
Transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended
No GMAT waiver required for qualified applicants
View all admission requirements

For admission to this MBA online program, domestic students must meet one of the following sets of requirements:

  • Official Transcripts from all schools attended.
  • Master's degree in a relevant field or doctoral-level degree from an accredited institution OR
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with:
    • 3.25 GPA, no work experience required
    • 3.0 GPA and two years of full-time relevant work experience – Resume Required
    • 2.75 – 2.99 GPA and four years of full-time relevant work experience – Resume Required
    • Domestic applicants with a 2.74 or below GPA who have extensive work experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the admissions committee and may be required to submit additional documentation, including a GMAT or GRE score – Resume Required

International students have additional admission requirements. Please see the Academic Bulletin and/or the International Admissions webpage for complete requirements.

Official transcripts, test scores and other documents should be sent from issuing institutions to:

Email address:
[email protected]

Mail address:

Graduate Admissions
Murray State University
B2 Sparks Hall
Murray, KY 42071

Questions? Call 866-906-0541.

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Courses

Review the courses for your online forensic accounting MBA

For the master's in forensic accounting online, you must complete 21 credit hours of core courses (including a capstone course) and 9 credit hours of electives. You also must complete two free, self-paced prerequisite courses in accounting and economics, which can be taken concurrently with other core coursework in the program. Non-business majors applying for the MBA program must take and complete two gateway prerequisite courses. Regardless of your undergraduate background, these prerequisites empower you with valuable insight in these key areas prior to learning more rigorous quantitative material.

Expand All

Embedded into the curriculum are two free, prerequisite courses to fully prepare you for your graduate level courses. Designed to revitalize your skills and reinforce previous concepts, these prerequisites will strengthen your understanding of accounting and economics and can be taken simultaneously with your other program courses, but prior to ACC 604 and ECO 625. These mandatory courses are pass/fail with 80 percent being the minimum score to pass.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Introduces the application of basic accounting techniques for recording, analyzing, and communicating financial information to parties external to a corporate business entity. Topics include understanding the elements of the accounting equation, using double-entry accounting methods to create and summarize account balances, preparing the four basic financial statements, and analyzing financial ratios. Both service and merchandising business operations are discussed. Can be taken a maximum of three times.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
An introduction to basic economic theory related to supply and demand, elasticity, firm theory, market structures and government policy analysis. This course provides the theoretical and mathematical foundation for the application of economic theory to business problems. Can be taken a maximum of three times.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course is a study of marketing as the firm’s strategic link with its customers in a global competitive environment. Major topics include (1) the development of marketing strategy, (2) the formulation of marketing plans, (3) the selection and implementation of marketing tactics, and (4) ethical considerations in marketing. **Suggested first course
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Application of economic models and rationale to business decision-making with special emphasis on case studies. Topics include supply and demand, elasticity, production and costs, market structure, strategic interaction, pricing strategies and government intervention.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Practical application of the finance function in a company with specific emphasis on maximizing the value of the firm for its shareholders. Financial decision-making integrated with the theory of capital markets. Particular attention is given to the areas of investment, capital structure, short-term financing, and working capital management.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Defines organizations and managers’ roles in those organizations, with special emphasis upon behavioral issues. Examines individual, group and organizational processes in light of the environment within which the organization functions. Special attention is given to managing in non-U.S. settings and the ethical problems faced in the managerial job.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This is the MBA capstone course in which the students must integrate all of the functional areas of business administration and analyze their impact on management policy and strategy decisions. Even though each student will bring knowledge of his or her area of specialization into the classroom, it is expected that the student will perform as a generalist rather than a specialist and as a practicing manager rather than an impartial researcher.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Business analytics refers to the techniques and practices of statistical data analyses useful to business organizations. This course covers the fundamental concepts of data analysis, and intermediary concepts such as predictive analysis and prescriptive analysis. The analytical techniques covered include visualization, regression, forecasting, simulation, optimization and risk analysis. Students get to learn and use advanced spreadsheet functions and visualization tools to analyze business data.

All studnets will complete these 4 courses.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course is an introduction to forensic accounting, with an emphasis on fraud examination. The course covers the principles of forensic accounting, fraud detection, and fraud deterrence. Students will explore how and why fraud occurs in organizations, learn how to detect and deter fraud, and learn how to investigate fraud allegations. The major fraud techniques are covered.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
The course is designed to train students on the usage of the latest auditing tools and other software programs. Students will gain a solid understanding of the latest technology that allows fraud investigators to detect fraudulent transactions, financial anomalies, or suspicious practices. Students will explore the practicality, efficiency, and effectiveness of data analytics approach in detecting fraud.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course covers basic business valuation techniques. Throughout the semester, three business valuation approaches will be covered: income approach, asset approach, and market approach. Various topics are discussed that are core to business valuation engagements, including company analysis (SWOT analysis, PESTEL analysis, financial statements analysis), economic analysis (economic growth, inflation, exchange rates), regulatory/ legal environment analysis, as well as industry analysis (Porter's 1985 model). Finally, students investigate how to build and develop a robust financial model that is user-friendly and that allows for sensitivity analysis and robustness checks.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
This course provides an overview of the legal environment of fraud and the expertise required for fraud management professionals, including processes and procedures that focus on fraud investigation, prosecution, and legal remedies. The course begins with an overview of the U.S. Court System, including the civil and criminal justice system. It summarizes the types of fraud and various business crimes that a fraud professional may be hired to investigate. It also explores the role of fraud professionals in the legal system, introducing students to concepts of evidence and the role of an expert witness.

* The tuition rate is subject to annual changes based on approval by the Murray State University Board of Regents and the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. Refer to Graduate Tuition Rates for more information on the cost of attendance for Murray State. To learn more about partial scholarship availability, please request more information or call 866-906-0541.

** Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

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