Program Overview
The Master of Science in Taxation (MST) is a 30-semester-hour program designed for individuals who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of tax law and practice. This program will equip students with the necessary advanced knowledge as well as analytical and communication skills to be competent and ethical leaders in the tax profession. The MST core curriculum covers the technical aspects of corporate, partnership, and individual taxation, as well as the technologies and analytics techniques widely used in the tax profession. The program will also discuss ethical issues with the goal of making the tax system more equitable for current and future generations.
For students with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, economics, computer science, or mathematics, when combined with program prerequisites, this program meets the 150-hour California requirements for CPA licensure. For students holding a bachelor’s degree in other disciplines, additional coursework may be required to meet the requirements. The program has made no determination as to whether meeting California’s licensure requirements is sufficient for licensure in other states.
Graduate Program Policies
For a complete listing of the College of Business Administration’s Graduate Program Policies, please click here.
Program Prerequisites
- A bachelor’s degree, or the international equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree, in any discipline from an accredited institution
- Completion of the following accounting subjects:
- Financial Accounting
- Intermediate Accounting1
- Taxation1
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the MST program will:
- Possess the knowledge and skills to apply key business and individual tax concepts in the relevant settings.
- Demonstrate effective use of major technologies applied in the field of taxation and in the broader business environment.
- Possess critical thinking skills and the ability to integrate relevant concepts.
- Have the ability to communicate complex issues effectively both orally and in writing.
- Demonstrate the research skills necessary to appropriately resolve complex tax issues.
- Be able to explain how tax policy can benefit society and reduce societal inequities across diverse social groups and individuals.
Major Requirements
The MST program requires a minimum of 30 semester hours. Students may start the program in the Fall or Spring semester. The program may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. The full-time program can be completed in nine or twelve months depending on the selection of elective courses. Completing the program in nine months requires a minimum of 15 semester hours in each of the Fall and Spring semesters. Part-time students must complete the program within five years of their first registration date. All academic requirements must be completed in residence.
The specific degree requirements for the MST program include:
- 18 semester hours of required MST core courses
- 12 semester hours of elective courses
Students who wish to pursue California CPA licensure and have not completed ten semester hours in ethics study must complete elective courses in ethics education to fulfill the Educational Requirements for CPA Licensure by the California Board of Accountancy.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Semester Hours |
| ACCT 6120 | Taxes Research and Strategy | 3 |
| ACCT 6121 | Tax Technology and Transformation | 3 |
| ACCT 6122 | Income Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders | 3 |
| ACCT 6123 | Taxation of Individuals and Family Wealth | 3 |
| ACCT 6124 | Taxation of Flow-Through Entities | 3 |
| ACCT 6170 | Accounting Research and Communication | 3 |
| 18 |
| 12 |
| |
| State and Local Taxation | |
| International Taxation | |
| Accounting for Income Taxes | |
| Income Taxation of Property Transactions | |
| Tax Practice and Procedures | |
| Internship Experience | |
| Special Studies | |
| Independent Studies | |
| |
| Advanced Accounting Topics | |
| Federal Income Taxation | |
| Accounting Ethics, Professionalism, and the Public Interest | |
| Auditing | |
| Fraud Examination | |
| Financial Reporting - Standard Setting Process and Financial Accounting Theory | |
| The CFO Perspective | |
| Accounting Analytics for Decision Making | |
| |
| |
| 12 |
| Total Semester Hours | 30 |
Students may elect up to six (6) semester hours from 5000-level courses.
4+1 Master of Science in Taxation Program for LMU Students
Background
The 4+1 Master of Science in Taxation (4+1 MST) program is designed for LMU undergraduate students who wish to complete the M.S. in Taxation degree immediately after completing their bachelor’s degree. Students accepted into the 4+1 MST program may take up to two MST courses (6 semester hours) in their senior year that will count toward both their bachelor’s degree and the M.S. in Taxation. The tuition of these two MST courses will be included in the undergraduate tuition.
Accepted students should contact the academic director for advice for scheduling courses in their senior year and beyond. All majors are eligible for the 4+1 MST program and should consult with the academic director to determine undergraduate courses needed for application and CPA eligibility.
Admission Criteria for the 4+1 Master of Science in Taxation Program for LMU Students
LMU undergraduate students with the appropriate prerequisite coursework may apply to the 4+1 MST program after they reach junior standing and have completed 75 semester hours or more of undergraduate coursework. An undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher is strongly preferred.
