Master of Science in Taxation

Master of Science in Taxation

The Master of Science in Taxation program provides an integrated program of study that provides the foundation for exceptional performance and leadership in the field of taxation. Students admitted to the program are presumed to aspire to attain the highest levels of responsibility in their firms, businesses, and organizations by adding value through technical competencies; analytical, communications and interpretive skills; and leadership to their clients or organizations.

Individuals with an M.B.A. degree or students currently enrolled in the M.B.A. program may have up to six of their M.B.A. courses count toward the requirements of the Master of Science in Taxation degree. The exact number of courses that can be double-counted in this manner depends upon the specific content and age of coursework.

PROGRAM PREREQUISITES

Students must have an adequate background in financial accounting and tax treatment of individuals, corporations, partnerships and property transactions. Those who do not must take ACC 500, ACC 548 and ACC 551. These courses are in addition to the MST minimum requirements. Certified Public Accountants may submit proof of certification instead of GMAT test results for admission.

CURRICULUM

Students complete the M.S. in Taxation degree by taking 12 courses. Five of the 12 courses are required. Three of the 12 are selected from among a list of electives in Taxation. Four of the 12 courses may be electives selected from any area of the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, with exceptions and restrictions as noted below. Students are expected to choose their electives in consultation with the faculty director of the program.

Required Courses

• TAX RESEARCH (ACC 558)
• TAXATION OF CORPORATIONS AND SHAREHOLDERS (ACC 560)
• TAX ACCOUNTING, PERIODS AND METHODS (ACC 565)
• FEDERAL INCOME TAX PROCEDURES (ACC 566)
• SEMINAR IN CURRENT PROBLEMS IN TAXATION (ACC 598)

Electives in Taxation (Three Required)

• TOPICS IN INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE TAXATION (ACC 559)
• CORPORATE REORGANIZATIONS (ACC 561)
• CONSOLIDATED RETURNS (ACC 562)
• PARTNERSHIPS (ACC 563)
• TRANSACTIONS IN PROPERTY (ACC 564)
• INTERNATIONAL ASPECTS OF U.S. TAXATION (ACC 567)
• TAXATION OF CLOSELY HELD CORPORATIONS (ACC 568)
• CONCEPTS OF DEFERRED COMPENSATION (ACC 569)
• CONCEPTS OF STATE INCOME TAXATION (ACC 570)
• ESTATE AND GIFT TAXATION (ACC 571)
• CONCEPTS OF STATE PROPERTY AND TRANSACTION TAXATION (ACC 572)
• INCOME TAXATION OF ESTATES, TRUSTS AND DECEDENTS (ACC 573)
• ESTATE PLANNING (ACC 574)
• VALUATION PRACTICES (ACC 576)
• TAXATION OF FINANCIAL PRODUCTS AND MARKET PARTICIPANTS (ACC 577)
• ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAXES (ACC 580)
• TAXATION OF REAL ESTATE (ACC 581)
• ADVANCED CONCEPTS IN INTERNATIONAL TAXATION (ACC 582)
• TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS (ACC 591)
• SPECIAL TOPICS IN TAXATION (ACC 798)

Free Electives (Four Required)

May be tax courses, or non-tax courses with the approval of the faculty director, but may not include ACC 500, ACC 541, ACC 542, ACC 543, ACC 545, ACC 547, ACC 548, ACC 550, ACC 551, ACC 552, ACC 555, ACC 584, ACC 690, BLW 500, ECO 500, ECO 509, MGT 500, MGT 502 and MGT 529.

M.S.T. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

1. Satisfactory completion of the college residency requirement.

2. Satisfactory completion of 45 quarter hours applicable to the degree.

3. Satisfactory completion of at least eight taxation courses or a minimum of 32 quarter hours in taxation.

4. All courses for credit toward the degree must be completed with satisfactory grades within six calendar years after the candidate’s first term of enrollment in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. After a lapse of six years a course is expired. An expired course is not acceptable for the purpose of satisfaction of degree requirements and is not applicable to the degree without the written permission of the program director or the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.

Admission

General Admission Requirements

• Completed application form and application fee

Apply online. There is a $60 application fee which may be paid with a check or money order payable to DePaul University. Online applicants may pay by credit card.

• Resume/curriculum vitae

Your professional resume should summarize your work experience and educational background. Please limit it to two pages.

• Official transcripts

Students must send official transcripts from any universities, colleges or community colleges attended. A student's application for admission is considered incomplete until all transcripts are received.

• Educational Credentials For International Students or Programs

Applicants must submit transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, including those attended but from which no credit was earned. Exceptions may be permitted for study-abroad credit when that credit is clearly defined and displayed on the home institution transcript.

• Applicants with non-U.S. educational credentials are required to submit their official educational credentials (e.g., transcripts, mark sheets, degree certificates, graduation diplomas) and evaluation fee directly to one of the three evaluation companies below:

- Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.

- Educational Perspectives​

- One Earth International Credential Evaluation

These evaluators will then provide DePaul with a general evaluation of their studies and certified copies of their international educational credentials which will be used during admission review. Please direct any questions about required credentials to the evaluation company you have selected and not to the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. DePaul will not accept evaluations from any other evaluation companies and will not accept any educational credentials without an evaluation from ECE, EP or One Earth.

• English proficiency

Non-native English speakers who have not completed a bachelor's or master's degree in the United States should submit scores from a recognized English proficiency test. The Kellstadt Graduate School of Business accepts results from TOEFL, IELTS and the Pearson Test of English (PTE).

• Essay Questions

Two essay questions, contained within the admission application, are required for all applicants.

• GMAT

Applicants must submit GMAT scores. GMAT information including dates, a list of test centers, and applications for the exam may be obtained at mba.com, or by contacting Pearson VUE at (951) 681-3000. The GMAT score report must come directly from Pearson VUE. A test taken more than five years prior to the date of application is not considered valid for admission purposes and would have to be retaken.

The GMAT can be waived online the following circumstances: applicants to the MBA program who have completed a J.D., M.D. or Ph.D.

• Letters of Recommendation

Applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation. These are best received from current or previous employers. Be sure the name of the recommender and applicant name, applicant date of birth and program being applied to of interest are noted on each form.

• Interview

The Admission Committee may require applicants to schedule an interview if necessary.

Deadlines

Applications must be submitted by:

• July 1st for the Autumn Quarter
• October 1st for the Winter Quarter
• February 1st for the Spring Quarter
• April 1st for the Summer Quarter

Applicants educated outside the United States must submit their applications one month prior to the above deadlines.