Step 1: CMA Foundational Studies

This page contains:

• How to complete your foundational studies as part of your university degree
• CMA Foundational Studies Program information
• Additional resources

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Path for university accounting students:

Complete your foundational studies as part of your university degree

University students in an accounting program can usually complete the majority of their CMA foundational studies as part of their degree and,
if necessary, take the remainder through another university and/or distance-learning program.

These students may then challenge the CMA Entrance Exam directly (i.e. thus bypassing the CMA Foundational Studies Program). As a means of self-evaluation, university students and graduates are encouraged to refer to the full list of CMA prerequisite topics found in the CMA program brochure.  

It is strongly recommended that an official transcript evaluation be performed by our CMA office staff prior to finalizing your course selections. If you have already graduated, a transcript evaluation will confirm your standing with CMA as well as your recommended path.

Applicants must have a completed their university degree before applying for the CMA Entrance Exam.

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Path for university graduates

Step 1: The CMA Foundational Studies Program

The CMA Foundational Studies Program is a part-time, pre-professional course (also known as the CMA Accelerated Program) designed for university graduates as a precursor to the CMA Entrance Exam and as preparation for their CMA professional studies. It is the usual first step for the majority of applicants wishing to become a CMA, unless they have specialized in accounting.

The eight-month program consists of four modules, allowing for total coverage of the foundational requirements necessary for the remainder of the CMA path.

There are two ways to take the CMA Foundational Studies Program:

• distance-learning version, and
• in-class version.

The in-class version of the program begins every September while the distance-learning version (with video streaming and online support) begins every September as well as every January. All students receive access to video streaming of the lectures regardless of the program version they choose to pursue.

Four prerequisite university topics are required for entry into the CMA Foundational Studies Program, as follows:

• introductory financial accounting
• introductory management accounting
• statistics/quantitative methods, and
• economics.

The CMA Foundational Studies Program is not required for graduates of a university accounting program that have the full suite of CMA pre-requisite courses including those students from a CMA-accredited university program.


Please click here to view the CMA program brochure for local program details, scheduling and fees.

Additional Resources:

• Detailed program overview
• Frequently asked questions
• Sample schedule