Program Description
The Master of Science (MS) in taxation is an integrated program of study that provides the foundation for exceptional performance and leadership in the field of taxation.
One of the first MS in taxation programs in the United States, DePaul’s program is structured for working professionals to enhance understanding and analysis of complex tax statutes, tax regulations, related cases and rulings, and the Internal Revenue Code.
MS in taxation students gain technical competencies; analytical, communications and interpretive skills; and leadership abilities that prepare them to add value at the highest levels in their firms, businesses and organizations.
Program Features
Faculty expertise. Program faculty bring top academic and professional qualifications into the classroom and are experts in the specific topics they teach. Faculty include a broad range of distinguished individuals working in tax firms and government, including professionals from RSM, the Internal Revenue Service, Deloitte, PwC, EY, Grant Thornton and KPMG.
Top-ranking program. The program has been ranked among the top 10 tax programs in the nation, based on a survey of employers conducted by TaxTalent, the largest online network of tax professionals. The survey provides a valuable index of which accounting schools are highly regarded by alumni and tax firm hiring professionals.
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses (varies with prior coursework) | 0-8 |
| Degree Requirements (varies with admission term and course selection) | 46 |
| Total hours required | 46-54 |
Learning Outcomes
- Exhibit sophisticated knowledge related to tax accounting rules and regulations, and analyze and resolve tax problems.
- Identify, define, and resolve tax issues through their understanding, knowledge, and application of research methods and databases.
- Recognize and apply relevant ethical standards as required in tax practice.
- Write skillful tax communications and be skillful in oral presentations.
- Demonstrate an understanding of tax issues from an international perspective.
- Understand how data analytics is used to facilitate tax decisions.
Degree Requirements
Course Requirements
Students earn their MS in Taxation degree by completing a minimum of 46 credits, normally 12 courses. Nine courses are required with additional courses chosen from a list of tax electives.
Prerequisite Courses
Students are expected to have completed Principles of Accounting ACC 500 and one introductory tax course ACC 548 prior to beginning the program.
Required Courses
The following nine courses are required:
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 551 | TAX TREATMENT OF CORPORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS | 4 |
| ACC 558 | TAX RESEARCH | 4 |
| ACC 560 | TAXATION OF CORPORATIONS AND SHAREHOLDERS | 4 |
| ACC 565 | TAX ACCOUNTING, PERIODS, AND METHODS | 4 |
| ACC 566 | FEDERAL INCOME TAX PROCEDURES | 4 |
| ACC 578 | DATA ANALYTICS IN TAX | 4 |
| ACC 590 | WRITING FOR TAX PROFESSIONALS | 2 |
| ACC 598 | SEMINAR ON CURRENT PROBLEMS IN TAXATION | 4 |
| Select one international tax course: | 4 | |
| INTERNATIONAL ASPECTS OF U.S. TAXATION | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS (Expatriate Taxation) | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS (Comparative Tax Systems) | ||
Tax Electives
Choose from among the following tax courses to reach 46 credits total to complete the program:
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CORPORATE REORGANIZATIONS | ||
| PARTNERSHIPS | ||
| TRANSACTIONS IN PROPERTY | ||
| INTERNATIONAL ASPECTS OF U.S. TAXATION | ||
| TAXATION OF S CORPORATIONS | ||
| CONCEPTS OF DEFERRED COMPENSATION | ||
| STATE AND LOCAL INCOME AND FRANCHISE TAXATION | ||
| ESTATE AND GIFT TAXATION | ||
| ESTATE PLANNING | ||
| ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAXES | ||
| FEDERAL INCOME TAX OF INDIVIDUALS | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS (In Taxation) | ||
| INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SEMINAR I |
Degree Requirements
- Satisfactory completion of the college residency requirement.
- Satisfactory completion of 46 credit hours applicable to the degree.
- 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 faculty program director or the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.