Master of Science in Taxation
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Higher Education Teaching CertificateWith evening classes that are scheduled to fit within the tax calendar, the Master of Science in Taxation is a great opportunity for those currently working in tax or accounting grads seeking 150 units to become a CPA. The 30 units can be completed full-time in 12 months or part-time in 24-36 months.
The Master of Science in Taxation (MST) is unique in its offerings. Students can choose from a variety of elective courses to help focus their studies, and the co-curricular opportunities give students a chance to engage with professionals, other graduate students, and community members.
Classes meet in the evenings and occasionally on Saturday mornings. MST courses are also available to qualified students through Open University prior to formal admission. Full-time or part-time options are available.
Program Snapshot
30
units
$731
per unit*
Fall, Spring
admission
What the MS in Taxation at SJSU Could Do For You
Hear from alumna Joanna Levasseur on how the MS in Taxation successfully helped her transition into a new career.
Program Benefits
Exciting co-curricular activities
Attend professional meetings, deliver financial literacy workshops in the community, join the Beta Alpha Psi’s (sjsubap.com), work as a student editor for the Contemporary Tax Journal (scholarworks.sjsu.edu/sjsumstjournal/).
Prestigious accreditation
The Lucas Graduate School of Business is accredited by the AACSB. This accreditation shows our commitment to excellence and the high value of this degree.
Outstanding faculty
Learn directly from the best in the field. MST faculty are a mix of full-time faculty with years of professional experience in the tax field and part-time faculty currently working in law and CPA firms.
MST ranking
Mastersprogramsguide.com lists SJSU’s MST program as the #1 taxation program in the U.S. The article also mentions that SJSU is one of the most ethnically diverse universities, making it stand out even further from the rest.
Career Opportunities
A versatile degree, the MST can be used toward many different career paths. Graduates of this program are working at CPA firms, government tax agencies, or opening and running their own tax firms.
- Careers for MST grads have been listed in US News Best Jobs for 2022: Financial Manager is listed as the #2 best business job, #7 in the 100 best jobs, and #16 in best-paying jobs for 2022.
- Accountant is the #11 best business job and #42 in the 100 best jobs for 2022.
- Silicon Valley is in the heart of high-tech. Students have the opportunity to choose electives that prepare them for careers in the industry.
- In 2019-2020, several Lucas Graduate School of Business Grads were employed at the Big 4 --- Deloitte, Ernst & Young (EY), KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
- According to the Employment Development Department for the State of California, jobs for Accountants and Auditors will increase by 7.7% or 13,000 between 2018-2028. There will be an estimated 176,000 job openings for these positions between 2018-2028.
“I couldn’t be more satisfied with my return on investment for my MST journey. When you graduate from the program, you not only leave having built an extensive technical foundation that can provide you with the opportunities to become a successful tax professional, but you also have the relationships and network that you foster within the program to help you thrive in the tax field.”
Aarti Shah
MST 2020
Apply To The Program
- Prerequisites
- Financial Accounting
- Managerial Accounting
- Intermediate Accounting I
- Intermediate Accounting II
- Taxation of Businesses and Investments
*Accounting majors from an accredited US university have met these pre-reqs.
- Admission Requirements
- Online application: calstate.edu/apply
- Transcripts
- Resume
- Personal statement
- GMAT or GRE scores (several waivers available, including for SJSU graduates and those who have passed the CPA exam)
- WES evaluation and TOEFL or IELTS (required for international coursework)
- How To Apply
For step-by-step instructions, visit LGSB's instruction pages for domestic students (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and all visa holders not applying for F-1 or J-1) and international students (those applying or currently holding an F-1 or J-1 visa).
- Application Deadlines
Fall admission
Domestic: October 1 - May 1
International: October 1 - May 1
Spring admission*Two years of experience required
Domestic or International: August 1 - November 1
*Dates subject to change. See the MST program for more details. - FAQ
For a full list of FAQs, check out the MST page.
Program Updates
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News
Check out the Contemporary Tax Journal, a publication by MST students. You can also find current MST-related news in the MST newsletter.
Events
Information sessions are held during the Fall and Spring semesters. For more information on upcoming information sessions, visit the Lucas Graduate School of Business website.
Related Programs
International Taxation
Hold the unique skills needed for a global career in tax with this post-MST Certificate in International Taxation. You can further hone your knowledge in this specific area by taking three advanced international tax courses.
High Technology Taxation
Silicon Valley, a technology hub, is the perfect place to earn an Advanced Certificate in High Technology Tax. With just three courses, you can begin providing tax solutions for biotech, green technology, web-based, and various other tech companies.
Tax Practice
Designed for those with a bachelor’s or master’s in accounting, the three-course graduate-level Certificate in Tax Practice serves as a foundation for tax research and knowledge. Participants choose their course focus from an array of tax courses offered.
Contact Information
Lucas Graduate School
lucas-school@sjsu.edu