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Online Graduate Certificate in Fraud and Forensic Accounting

As global financial fraud rises, Saint Mary’s is launching an online Graduate Certificate in Fraud and Forensic Accounting to give you a leading edge in one of accounting’s fastest-growing areas.

This program responds directly to workforce demand — with the need for forensic accountants growing by 20% per year — and equips you with the technical, legal, and ethical expertise needed to investigate, mitigate risk, and resolve financial crimes.

Designed for professionals with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree — especially those with or pursuing a master’s in accounting — this certificate builds specialized expertise and gives you a competitive edge, whether you’re expanding into a new area or advancing in your current role.

Gain in-depth knowledge of forensic accounting practices, fraud detection methods, and financial investigation tools, preparing you to analyze, document, and resolve complex fraud cases with confidence.

The program also prepares you to pursue the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential. CFEs earn up to 32% more than their non-certified colleagues, and Robert Half International identifies the CFE as one of today’s most in-demand and marketable credentials.

At Saint Mary’s, character development is built into every program. Through real-world fraud case studies and applied projects, you’ll learn to navigate complex financial situations with integrity while developing the ethical judgment essential to the profession.

Build the expertise to grow your career and stand out in a high-demand field.

Read More

12

Credit

$745

per credit

August

Start Dates

10 mos

Completion Time
Online

12

Credit

$745

per credit

August

Start Dates

10 mos

Completion Time
Online

Program Highlights

  • No prerequisite courses or GRE/GMAT required
  • Prepare to sit for the CFE exam
  • Complete the certificate, and with six more courses, earn your M.S. in Accounting.
  • Discover scholarships available through our partnerships with several regional and national employers. See if your employer is part of our Trusted Partnership Program. Learn more.

What You’ll Learn

  • Build a strong foundation in forensic accounting and fraud examination
  • Master forensic accounting and fraud detection techniques
  • Investigate, document, and resolve complex financial crimes
  • Apply ethical and legal principles in real-world scenarios.
  • Develop leadership, critical thinking, and cross-disciplinary expertise

Apply today

Ready to apply? Learn about taking the next steps.

    • Applicants may apply for admission to master’s degree and graduate certificate programs at any time during the year.
    • Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution and maintained an overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.
    • Applicants may complete an interview with a program administrator as part of the admission process.

  • Students with transcripts from universities located outside of the United States unless the foreign transcripts come from an institution located in a waiver country listed here are required to take and pass English Proficiency testing.

    Saint Mary’s accepts: 

    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 4 (formerly 72)
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.0 
    • International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP) with a minimum score of 4.0 
    • Pearson Test of English with a score of 51 
    • Duolingo with a minimum score of 105.

  • Your application must include the following:

    1. A completed application form.
    2. An official transcript(s) issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from the institution posting the applicant’s completed bachelor’s degree and other relevant transcripts documenting program prerequisites and potential transfer credits. An official transcript is one that is sent to the university by the credit-granting institution. 

    You have two possible options for obtaining official transcripts:

    • 1. Order official transcripts from all institutions yourself.
    • 2. Saint Mary’s can order and cover the cost of transcripts from institutions that allow third-party requests for eligible degree-seeking applicants. Contact your enrollment counselor for more information.

    Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated on a course-by-course basis by a university-accepted evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, Educational Perspectives, or One Earth International Credential Evaluators and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards. Evaluations from an approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES.org) will also be accepted. 

    Official Transcripts should be sent to Office of Admission: 

    Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota 2500 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404 Or electronically: tcadmission@smumn.edu 

    Please reach out with any questions about the application process.

    Phone: (612) 728-5100 

    Toll-free: (866) 437-2788 

    E-mail: tcadmission@smumn.edu

  • Fall Semester — Aug. 1

    The priority application deadlines are listed but these are general as not all of our programs have a start every semester.

  • Fall Semester — August 31, 2026

  • You can expect to be notified about your acceptance approximately two weeks following your application completion date.

Tuition and Fees

At Saint Mary’s, we’re committed to making your investment as accessible and affordable as possible. Our counselors will guide you to find a financial aid plan that works for you. Explore all the ways to help pay for your degree. 

Please note: Not all students or programs may qualify for financial aid, including the online graduate certificate in fraud and forensic accounting. Financial aid eligibility may vary. 

Course Catalog

You’ll take these four courses:

  • Forensic Accounting and Litigation Support
  • Fraud Prevention and Detection techniques
  • Introduction to Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination
  • Legal and Ethical Issues in Fraud
View Course Catalog

Careers and Salary

Demand for forensic accountants and fraud examiners is growing rapidly, with jobs projected to increase by 20% or more and over 54,000 new positions expected by 2029 — creating strong career opportunities in accounting, criminal justice, and business.

Certified Fraud Examiner

 

Financial Examiner

 

Fraud Analyst

 

Fraud Examiner

 

Discover articles on career outcomes and see how Saint Mary’s programs can help you reach your goals. To explore career outlooks, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook at bls.gov/ooh, or professional organizations such as the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Visit the blog

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Frequently Asked Questions

What support services are available? 

Saint Mary’s offers resources to help you succeed: Student Central for billing and financial aid, 24/7 library access, virtual and in-person writing support, and Career Services to build your skills and enhance your résumé anytime.

Can I work full-time and juggle this program? 

Yes, our fully online, asynchronous courses run in eight-week sessions, designed to fit your busy schedule.

Do I need an accounting degree to apply? 

No. This certificate is designed for professionals with a bachelor’s degree, especially those in accounting, business, criminal justice, or related fields. It’s ideal whether you’re advancing your current role or transitioning into fraud and forensic accounting.

Will I be prepared for professional certification?
Yes. The curriculum aligns with key competencies tested on the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) exam, helping you build the knowledge and skills needed for fraud prevention, investigation, and ethical financial analysis.

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Saint Mary’s Newsroom

 

1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Financial Examiners at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/logisticians.htm (visited Feb. 16,  2026). 

Recruiter.com, Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts at https://www.recruiter.com/careers/fraud-examiners-investigators-and-analysts/ (visited Feb. 16,  2026). 

ACFE at https://www.acfe.com/cfe-credential/cfe-benefits (visited Feb. 16,  2026).