Best Online Master’s Degrees in: Taxation

Editor's Picks: Online Schools for Taxation

Flexibility

Bentley University's Master of Science in Taxation offers the greatest flexibility. Students can take courses on a full-time or part-time basis. Students can attend lectures online, and sessions are recorded and available for playback at home. Although the program allows students to work at their own pace and at times that are convenient for them, they also have opportunities to interact with professors and peers.

Career Support

Among schools that offer online master's degrees programs in taxation, Golden Gate University offers the best career support services. The school has a career center dedicated specifically to assisting students within the business school. Students and alumni have free access to career consulting services, career management seminars, and networking opportunities. By logging into GCU Careers, students can access online interview practice tools, as well as resume and cover letter builders.

Financial Support

Nova Southeastern University's Office of Student Financial Assistance offers several financial aid options and scholarships to students. The H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova offers a number of graduate scholarships, including the "Aspiring Business Leader" scholarship. Interested students should contact Student Financial Assistance for further information.

Technology Support

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers the best technology support among schools that offer master's degree programs in taxation. Support is available to online students 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Students can contact the Help Desk by phone, email, and live chat. The Help Desk helps students use the learning management system, remove viruses, and more.

Library and Research Support

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) offers the best in library and research support among schools that have online master's programs in taxation. NSU students can receive library instruction, access library guides, and find answers to frequently asked questions. The "Ask a Librarian" feature allows students to contact librarians via phone, email, chat, and text message. Students can also make appointments with librarians to seek research advice and more.

Learning Support

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) offers the best learning support services to students. Tutoring services, study resources, and writing resources are all available to online students through the Office of Academic Services (OAS). Students can participate in online tutoring sessions by downloading the Wimba Classroom platform. The OAS also publishes quarterly newsletters to keep students updated on available services.

Faculty Credentials

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) has the most experienced faculty among schools that offer master's degrees in taxation. At NSU, 95% of faculty members have at least two years of experience in online teaching.

Faculty Accessibility

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) ranks the best for faculty accessibility among schools that offer master's degree programs in taxation. According to U.S. News & World Report, students can expect faculty to respond to questions sent via email within 24 hours. Instructors hold office hours for two hours every week. FAU's graduate business programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

New Online Student Orientation

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) facilitates an accessible and comprehensive Student Orientation for online students. The orientation, which is conducted through WebCT/Blackboard, consists of several training modules which introduce students to library resources, student services, and more.

Explore a Master's Degree in Taxation

Graduate taxation programs give students an in-depth understanding of tax codes and regulations so that they can conduct duties such as preparing income tax returns and providing tax advice to individuals and organizations. If you are a financially minded person who wants to pursue a career in taxation, then earning a master's degree in taxation can help you gain the specialized knowledge and skills to do so. It can also help you to qualify for higher salaries or be a more attractive job candidate as some employers may prefer to hire those with a graduate-level education.

These types of programs can lead to a Master of Taxation, Master of Science in Taxation, or a Master of Accounting with a concentration in accounting. Typically, programs like these require students to complete around 30-40 credit hours, which can take up to two years to complete. However, degree completion time can vary depending on the school's individual program, number of prior credits, enrollment status, and more.

Class Curriculum

In a master's degree in accounting program, students can expect to take courses that help them gain an understanding of tax law concepts and practices, learn how to apply IRS code in real-life situations, and solve problems in tax-related areas. Curriculum often explores topics like tax policy, planning, and research. Courses likely to be a part of a graduate taxation program include:

• Corporate Taxation. This course addresses federal income taxation in relation to corporations and their shareholders, including corporate reorganizations, liquidation of subsidiary corporations, and corporate division. Topics include corporation creation, capital structure establishment, operational alternatives, and tax attribute carryover.
• IRS Practice and Procedure. In this course, students are introduced to the Internal Revenue Service and its structure, organization, practices, and procedures. Discussions commonly involve topics such as IRS examination of tax return, interest or penalties involved in a tax deficiency, litigation of tax matters, and account-client privileges.
• Taxation of Individuals. Students will learn about the structure of federal income tax, taxable income for individuals, and the use of tax services. The course also explores how federal income tax is applied to individuals and tax consequences of transactions in property.

Students in taxation programs should be prepared to regularly take exams testing them on course material. In addition to studying, students will likely spend time examining case studies, applying tax code in simulated situations, and learning how to prepare forms. They will likely be required to complete individual and group-based projects. In addition, they may have to participate in a professional internship where they will receive on-the-job training in an organizational setting.

Building a Career

A graduate degree in taxation can qualify you for a taxation career preparing and advising individuals, corporations, partnerships, estates, trusts, and more. Graduate taxation programs help students expand their knowledge of the tax code and regulations and help build their professional competence in the taxation field. Possible job titles include tax accountant, assessor, investigator, and examiner.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2010 to 2020, the employment of tax examiners, tax collectors, and revenue agents is projected to increase by 7%, and the employment of accountant and auditors, including tax accountants, is projected to increase by 16%. As far as salary is concerned, the BLS reports that tax examiners, tax collectors, and revenue agents earned a median annual salary of $49,360. That same year, accountants and auditors earned a median annual salary of $61,690. But when it comes to these types of statistics, it's important to remember that job projections are not guarantees of employment as job availability and salary varies, depending on your experience, location, education level, and the economy.