The School of Accounting and Finance offers two Type 3 Graduate Diploma programs: the Diploma in Business Information Technology and the Diploma in Information System Assurance. These programs provide an efficient route for students interested in the IT specialties to obtain an accreditation in a specialty area.
The Diploma programs are cost recovery programs and do not receive financial support from the government.
General Admission Requirements
- Successful completion of a four-year Honours Degree in Accounting (or equivalent) with at least a B (75%) average is required.
- Applicants seeking admission to the program would have at least one year of work experience. Possession of a sponsorship would neither be a requirement nor be sufficient for admission.
- Proof of competency in English (if applicable). A minimum score of 600 is required on the TOEFL (verbal) exam, with at least 50 in each of the three parts.The minimum requirement on the TOEFL (written) is a score of five. (See Academic Regulations - English Language Proficiency Certification for other acceptable tests of English).
- As part of the admission process an interview may be required to further help in the selection of students for the program.
- Applications are due April 30 for a September start date.
Normally, students in these programs will have a professional accounting designation (e.g. CA, CMA, CGA).
Prerequisite Courses
To be admitted to the program, students will be required to have completed the following prerequisite courses or their equivalents:
- IT User Skills
- Introduction to Business Systems
- System Acquisition, Development and Implementation
Prerequisite courses can either be taken at another university, through another department at the University of Waterloo, or in the School of Accounting and Finance program to the extent they are available.
Students in the Master of Accounting program can take any courses in this program at a cost equal to the per-course tuition for the program, provided they meet the prerequisites.
Degree Requirements
The program is designed primarily as a part-time studies program to enable students to maintain full time employment while studying. Each student must meet the general requirements of the Senate as specified in the current calendar regarding registration, continuous registration, inactive registration, and re-admission.
Courses will be offered through distance delivery over the Internet, teleconferencing, or off-campus locations (e.g. in Toronto) as required. Students taking the course through distance delivery are responsible for obtaining appropriate equipment, software and network access.
All distance types of instruction will be accompanied by group activities organized to provide for interaction, support and teamwork among program participants.
Program of Studies - Information System Assurance (ISA)
The normal requirement for this program is six one-term courses. Graduates from the University of Waterloo Master of Accounting (MAcc) program may have up to two of the six required courses waived, provided they have taken the equivalent courses during their MAcc program. The School of Accounting and Finance reserves the right to stipulate additional course work if it is felt necessary for the candidate’s preparation.
- ACC 620 - Enterprise IT Architecture and Configuration Management
- ACC 621 - System Reliability (note: this is a pre-requisite for 624 and 626)
- ACC 622 - Electronic Commerce
- ACC 623 - Business Technology Law
- ACC 624 - IT Security
- ACC 626 - IT Assurance and Computer-Assisted Audit Techniques
Program of Studies - Business Information Technology (BIT)
The normal requirement for this program is six one-term courses. Graduates from the University of Waterloo Master of Accounting (MAcc) program may have up to two of the six required courses waived, provided they have taken the equivalent courses during their MAcc program. The School of Accounting and Finance reserves the right to stipulate additional course work if it is felt necessary for the candidate’s preparation.
- ACC 620 - Enterprise IT Architecture and Configuration Management
- ACC 621 - System Reliability
- ACC 622 - Electronic Commerce
- ACC 623 - Business Technology Law
- ACC 625 - IT Strategic Planning
- ACC 627 - Business Process Enablement and Project Management
Course Grades Required
Candidates must obtain an average of at least B (75%) in the courses presented in fulfillment of the degree requirements. The School of Accounting and Finance will review the record of those whose cumulative average at the end of any term is below B (75%) and the candidate may be required to withdraw from the program.
Grading Policies
A minimum of 25% and a maximum of 50% of each student’s grade in a course will be based on group work.
A minimum of 50% of each student’s course grade will be based on term projects and assignments.