Master of Science in Taxation (MS-Tax)

The Master of Science in Taxation stresses real-world skills that empower students to be exceptional tax professionals. Many of the "Big Four" firms hire GGU graduates and send their employees to GGU to update their tax education. Courses are taught by tax practitioners and lawyers who are experts in their field — in an environment that promotes the development of analytic and communication skills. The curriculum spans estate and gift tax; partnerships; C corporations; LLCs and S corporations; California and multi-state tax; international tax; retirement plans; tax issues for individuals; and tax research. GGU provides the option for a self-paced online format or in-person as part of an accelerated MST cohort format.

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Overview

Golden Gate University's Master of Science in Taxation (MST) is one of the most prestigious tax programs in the country, having earned a reputation for providing the most comprehensive and practical education available. The curriculum stresses real-world content that prepares students to be knowledgeable tax professionals. Courses cover general and specialized tax subjects, including estate and gift tax; partnerships; C corporations; LLCs and S corporations; California and multi-state tax; international tax; retirement plans; tax issues for individuals; and tax research.

Students can choose to complete the degree in-person, as part of an Accelerated MST Day Cohort or take courses online at a place that convenient for them.

The program provides thorough and current knowledge of tax concepts, trends, and practices in an environment that promotes the development of analytic and communication skills.

Advanced Program — 30 Units*

Core Courses — 21 Units

• Advanced Federal Income Taxation
• Federal Tax Procedure
• Federal Income Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders I
• Federal Income Taxation of Partners and Partnerships
• Tax Research and Decision Making
• Property Transactions
• Tax Timing

Electives — 9 Units

Take nine units of taxation courses (TA prefix) that are not a part of the core course requirements. Student can select up to three units from the following courses:

• Accountants Professional Responsibility & Ethics
• Sustainability for Accountants and Finance Professionals
• Issues in Governmental and Not-For-Profit Accounting
• Analysis of Financial Information for Accountants
• Corporate Finance
• Managerial Finance
• Financial Reporting and Analysis
• Capital Budgeting & Long-Term Financing
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Venture Capital and Start-Up Financing
• International Corporate Finance
• Derivative Markets
• Fixed Income Analysis
• Foundations of Business Analytics
• Performance Management & Metrics

Alternatively, students can select up to three units of coursework from LLM Taxation or LLM Estate Planning programs.

(Note: All course prerequisites must be satisfied and tuition will be assessed on the rate applicable to the school or program that offers the course. Students interested in registering for the LLM program course should seek the assistance of their advisor.)

It is highly recommended that students take TA 356 Choice of Entity (3). If eligible, students may take TA 398 Internship: Taxation (3-6).

Up to 6 units of course credit may be obtained through the internship experience. Eligibility is determined by the Bruce F. Braden School of Taxation. Please see the Internship Eligibility for more information.

Students transferring credit from accredited law schools, colleges, and universities may be granted as many as 6 units of credit toward the Master of Science in Taxation requirements for graduate tax courses successfully completed at those institutions.

Internship Opportunities

Students are encouraged to participate in an internship for experience and course credit.

Admission Requirements

All applicants should have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with at least a 3.00 grade-point average (GPA). Individuals with an undergraduate GPA below 3.00 are welcome to apply and will be considered for admission based on employment history, professional accomplishments, recommendations, etc. Certificate and open-enrollment students must meet the same standards and prerequisites that apply to degree candidates.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Master of Science in Taxation program will:

• Demonstrate the ability to identify tax issues, determine the applicable relevant primary authority, analyze relevant primary authority, and apply the authorities to reach well-reasoned oral or written conclusions.
• Demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of IRS practice and procedure and be able to represent a client in a tax controversy.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the ethics and standards of professional responsibilities applicable to tax practitioners.

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Cost & Fees

Estimated total tuition: $37.500.

International Scholarships

Golden Gate University welcomes students from all over the world and offers a scholarship for all qualified international students who enroll in a master's degree program in our School of Business, School of Accounting, or Braden School of Tax. Admitted students that have not previously attended Golden Gate University and satisfy the admissions criteria will be automatically considered for an International Student Scholarship or Grant through the admission process. For the 2020-2021 academic year, a limited number of scholarships will be awarded in each of the following categories:

International President's Scholars -- $15,000

Admitted students who earned a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and who demonstrate English language proficiency as evidenced by a minimum TOEFL a score of 90, Duolingo score of 120, PTE of 65, or IELTS composite of 7.5 with no sub-score of less than 6.5 will be considered. Students who have earned a master's degree after earning a bachelor's degree will be considered using the cumulative grade point average and English language proficiency as noted above. An International President's Scholar is eligible to receive up to $15,000 to complete their degree, $5,000 per term for up to 3 consecutive terms.

International Dean's Scholars -- $12,000

Admitted students who earned a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.3 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and who demonstrate English language proficiency as evidenced by a minimum TOEFL score of 85, Duolingo score of 115, PTE of 62 or IELTS composite of 7.0 with no sub-score of less than 6.0 will be considered. Students who have earned a master's degree after earning a Bachelor's degree will be considered using the cumulative grade point average and English language proficiency as noted above. An International Dean's Scholar is eligible to receive up to $12,000 to complete their degree, $4,000 per term for up to 3 consecutive terms.

Welcome Grant -- $3,000

Admitted students who earned a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and who demonstrate English language proficiency as evidenced by a minimum TOEFL score of 79, Duolingo score of 100, PTE of 57 or IELTS composite of 6.5 will be considered. Students who have earned a master's degree after earning a bachelor's degree will be considered using the cumulative grade point average and English language proficiency as noted above. Our Welcome grant is a one-time award of $3,000 applied to tuition in the first term of enrollment.

To be considered for any of the scholarships listed above:

• Students must have their applications complete and ready for review by June 15 for fall 2020 and October 1 for spring 2021 admission.
• The student must be an international student who entered the United State using an F Visa or studying in their home country. Students studying on a J visa are not eligible for these scholarships or grants.
• President's and Dean's scholarship recipients must be continuously enrolled in 9 or more units and maintain satisfactory academic progress as evidenced by achieving and maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher in each term of enrollment. These scholarships are renewable for a maximum of three consecutive (3) terms.
• Students may only receive one scholarship or grant. Specifically, President's and Dean's, scholarship recipients are not eligible for the Welcome Grant or the Alumni Referral Grant.

A $1,000 US tuition deposit is required of all admitted students prior to the issuance of visa eligibility documents (commonly known as form I-20). The deposit is credited toward the first term's tuition and is non-refundable. Tuition deposits must be paid by the following dates or students will forfeit the scholarships:

• Priority application for fall 2020 scholarships was June 15, 2020 but GGU is still accepting applications.
• Spring 2021admission - tuition deposit must be paid by October 31st.

Deferring your enrollment may impact your scholarship eligibility. Please speak with your enrollment counselor for further details.

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