Taxation, MS
Info Session: MS in Taxation
October 13, 2025 | 12:00pm PT
Join us for a 30-minute information session on Golden Gate University’s Master of Science in Taxation.
Whether you’re an experienced tax professional or entering the field, this session will provide an overview of both programs—each designed to deepen your technical expertise and expand your career opportunities in public accounting, industry, government, or private practice.
We’ll explore curriculum highlights, learning outcomes, admissions requirements, tuition details, and important application deadlines.
The program director will be available to share insights and answer your questions. Don’t miss this opportunity to see how GGU’s MS in Taxation can help you advance in a rapidly evolving profession.
Program at a Glance
Program
Taxation, MS
Format
Online, Hybrid
Total Units
30
Requirements
No GMAT or GRE Required
Spring ’26 Final Application Deadline
January 3
Program Overview
GGU’s Master of Science in Taxation stresses real-world skills that empower students to be exceptional tax professionals. Many of the “Big Four” firms hire Golden Gate University graduates and send their employees to GGU to update their tax education.
Our taxation 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. Our Master of Science in Taxation has been recognized for decades as one of the most highly regarded tax programs in the country, having earned a reputation for providing the most comprehensive and practical programs available. College Factual’s 2025 ranking puts our taxation program as the #1 Master’s in Taxation in California and #4 nationwide. Forbes Advisor’s most recent rankings (2024) for online Master’s in Taxation programs places our program as the 4th best online program in the country.
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.
Watch the Info Session
In this 30-minute information session, we explored Golden Gate University’s Master of Science in Taxation program.
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 technical tax knowledge in the areas of individual, corporate and partnership taxation.
- 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.
Increase Your Salary Potential at GGU
Golden Gate University graduates in the taxation field earn 23% more than the national median for the field.
Source: WSCUC Key Indicators Dashboard (KID) — Summer 2025 Dataset. Earnings data is provided only for students who received federal financial aid and were working at the time of data collection (5 years after graduation).
Admission Requirements
- Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a recognized foreign institution (outside the United States), and provide official transcripts.
- Master’s degree holders only need to submit transcripts from previous graduate programs. However, applicants are encouraged to submit all transcripts to maximize transfer credit.
- All applicants will need to submit a Statement of Purpose (SOP) and a resume.
- For applicants with a GPA under 3.0, the Statement of Purpose should address the circumstances that led to the applicant’s academic performance, what has changed, and why they think they’ll be more successful now.
- Applicants whose native language is not English must meet the English Language Proficiency Admission Requirements.
Check with our Enrollment Advisors for application deadlines.
Proficiency Requirements
Writing Proficiency
Students are expected to possess proficiency in writing to ensure they can be successful in their course of study. Students may meet this requirement by satisfying one of the screening criteria listed under Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement.
Curriculum
The Master of Science in Taxation program requires a total of 30 units, including 21 units of core courses and 9 units of elective courses.
If eligible, students may take TA 398 Internship: Taxation. Up to 6 units of course credit may be obtained through internship experience. Eligibility is determined by the Bruce F. Braden School of Taxation. Please see Internship Eligibility on our Taxation Internship FAQ page for more information.
Students transferring credit from accredited law schools, colleges, and universities may be granted up to 6 units of credit toward the Master of Science in Taxation requirements for graduate tax courses successfully completed at those institutions.
Path2CPA
The undergraduate Path2CPA option makes the journey to an advanced degree quicker and less expensive. Students can earn a Master of Science in Taxation (MST) in as little as one year after completing GGU’s BS in Accounting. The Path2CPA option can also satisfy the 150-hour education requirement for CPA licensure. Pursuing this option eliminates the requirement to apply for the MST program and no GMAT/GRE test score is required.
The Path2CPA includes the following graduate-level courses: TA 318 Advanced Federal Income Taxation and TA 329A Tax Research and Writing. The graduate-level courses will be included in the unit totals and GPAs for both applicants’ undergraduate Accounting and graduate Taxation degree programs. Students whose average GPA in these two graduate courses falls below a 3.00 GPA will be conditionally admitted to the Master’s programs.
Program Format
GGU offers convenient web-conference (live video interaction) and asynchronous online classes so students can earn their degree with a delivery mode that suits their learning style. Students may enroll in the program during any term.
MS in Taxation Tuition
The tuition for the MS in Taxation degree program at Golden Gate University is $1,250 per unit, covering the cost of high-quality, career-focused education led by experienced faculty. This investment supports essential resources, including personalized academic advising, state-of-the-art technology, and student services designed to help adult learners succeed.
