Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Taxation program is designed to provide specialized knowledge in tax law, research, analysis, and planning. This 100% online degree program offers a world-class education delivered at a pace that fits an active lifestyle. No GRE/GMAT is needed for admission.

Program Details

• The program consists of 30 credits.
• The cost per credit is $1,154.
• The program can be completed in 20-28 months.
• The program is offered in partnership with the Penn State Smeal College of Business.
• Courses are taught by Smeal faculty.

Admission Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a tertiary degree deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
• Official transcripts from each institution attended.
• Test scores: GRE/GMAT scores are not required and will not be accepted.
• English proficiency: The language of instruction at Penn State is English. International applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
• Program-specific questions/materials:
  • Statement of Purpose: A 2-3 page essay articulating career and educational goals.
  • Vita or Résumé: A listing of professional experience.
  • Additional Information: May be requested by the program.

Curriculum

Required Courses (18 credits)

• ACCTG 822: Corporate Taxation and Financial Reporting (3 credits)
• ACCTG 801: Tax Law and Policy (3 credits)
• ACCTG 802: Topics in Corporate and Tax Law (3 credits)
• ACCTG 812: Taxation (3 credits)
• ACCTG 823: Taxation of Pass-Through Entities (3 credits)
• ACCTG 826: International Taxation (1.5 credits)
• ACCTG 827: State and Local Taxation (1.5 credits)

Culminating Capstone Experience (3 credits)

• ACCTG 829: Tax Research & Analysis (3 credits)

Electives (select 9 credits)

Students will complete 9 credits of elective courses. A list of elective courses approved to count towards the degree requirements will be maintained by the program office.

Business Analytics Elective Courses

• BAN 830: Descriptive Analytics for Business (3 credits)
• BAN 840: Predictive Analytics for Business (3 credits)
• BAN 850: Prescriptive Analytics for Business (3 credits)

Accounting Elective Courses

• ACCTG 813: Auditing (3 credits)
• ACCTG 814: Managerial Accounting (3 credits)
• MBADM 811: Financial Accounting (3 credits)

Other Elective Courses

• BA 809: Strategic Business Architecture (3 credits)
• ENTR 810: Emerging Trends, Technology, and Corporate Innovation (3 credits)
• MBADM 571: Global Strategic Management (3 credits)
• MGMT 880: Business Transformation Consulting (3 credits)
• MGMT 885: Management Consulting Methods and Practice (3 credits)

Career Opportunities

The Master of Taxation program is ideal for early- to mid-career professionals who already have a bachelor's degree and possess a background in auditing, accounting, or finance. Program graduates may fill a variety of tax adviser roles with the "Big 4" and other accounting firms, large and midsize corporations, the Internal Revenue Service, government agencies, banks, hospitals, universities, and more.

Faculty

The program is taught by experienced faculty from the Penn State Smeal College of Business, including:

• Lawrence Friedken
• Edward R. Jenkins
• Sean Nemchik
• Michael Rosenberg
• Kristy M. Schenck

Accreditation

The Penn State Smeal College of Business is AACSB accredited, an honor reserved for the top 5% of business schools worldwide.

Additional Information

• The program offers a unique emphasis on tax analytics, developing analytics expertise in tandem with tax knowledge.
• The program is designed to provide students with the technical tax skills and practical experience to retrieve and process large volumes of data to gain better insight into clients' businesses.
• The program is offered in a convenient online format, giving students the flexibility to study around their busy schedules.
• The program is part of the Penn State Smeal College of Business, which offers a portfolio of professional graduate programs for all stages of a career.