St. John's University

What you'll study

The Master’s in Taxation blends core technical subjects with applied skills and elective choices to reflect contemporary tax practice. Core areas typically include federal income taxation of individuals and businesses, corporate and partnership taxation, tax research and writing, and tax procedure and ethics. Students also study specialised topics such as international taxation, state and local taxation, estate and gift taxation, mergers and acquisitions tax issues, and tax planning for pass‑through entities.

The programme usually combines required courses with electives and a capstone or practicum component. Typical modules and subjects are:

• Advanced Federal Income Taxation – in‑depth treatment of individual, corporate and partnership tax rules and policy.
• Tax Research and Communication – techniques for researching statutes, regulations and cases; writing memos and client communications.
• Corporate Taxation and M&A – tax aspects of reorganisations, acquisitions, dispositions and restructuring.
• International Tax – cross‑border tax planning, transfer pricing basics, and tax treaty fundamentals.
• State and Local Taxation (SALT) – nexus, apportionment and compliance issues faced by multi‑jurisdictional taxpayers.
• Estate, Gift and Trust Taxation – transfer tax principles and planning techniques for high‑net‑worth clients.
• Tax Procedure and Controversy – compliance, audits, penalty exposure and dispute resolution with tax authorities.
• Electives and Technology – opportunities to study tax issues in specialised industries, as well as tax technology, data analytics and automation tools used in practice.

Instruction is delivered by faculty with academic and practical backgrounds; many programmes offer evening and part‑time schedules to accommodate working professionals. A practicum, capstone project or internship component lets students apply learning to real problems and build a professional portfolio.

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally hold a recognised bachelor’s degree. A background in accounting or related business disciplines is preferred because the programme assumes familiarity with basic accounting and introductory tax concepts. Typical admission requirements include:

• A completed undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
• Official transcripts demonstrating academic preparation; a satisfactory undergraduate GPA is usually expected.
• A current résumé or curriculum vitae outlining relevant work experience.
• A personal statement describing your goals and reasons for undertaking graduate study in taxation.
• Letters of recommendation, often from academic or professional referees who can speak to your quantitative and communication abilities.
• International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through recognised tests unless exempt.

Some applicants with limited accounting background may be admitted on the condition they complete prerequisite courses in accounting and tax fundamentals. Professional test scores (GMAT/GRE) are sometimes requested but many programmes offer waivers for applicants with significant relevant work experience or strong academic records.

Career prospects

Graduates of a Master’s in Taxation enter a range of specialised tax roles. Common career paths include positions in:

• Public accounting firms (Big Four and regional firms) as tax associates progressing to senior, manager and partner roles.
• Corporate tax departments as tax analysts, senior tax accountants or tax managers handling compliance and planning for corporations.
• Specialist tax advisory and consulting firms focusing on international tax, transfer pricing, M&A and state and local tax matters.
• Government and regulatory agencies involved in tax administration and policy.
• Private practice and law firms advising on estate planning, tax controversy and transactional tax issues.

The programme also supports preparation for professional credentials relevant to tax practice, such as the CPA and the Enrolled Agent (EA) designation, and provides a foundation for those who later pursue law degrees or tax‑related legal qualifications.

Why study at St. John's University

St. John’s University offers its Master’s in Taxation through a college with a long tradition of professional business education and a faculty that combines academic credentials with practitioner experience. The university’s location in the New York City area provides access to a dense market of accounting firms, corporate headquarters and law firms, which supports networking, internships and recruiting.

Programmes are typically structured to accommodate working professionals, with flexible course schedules and career services that connect students to employers in the region. Students benefit from an active alumni network, personalised academic advising and opportunities for practical learning through capstone projects and internships that enhance readiness for technical tax roles.

Overall, St. John’s emphasises applied tax competence, ethical practice and career development, making it a suitable choice for those seeking to specialise in taxation and advance in public accounting, corporate tax or advisory roles.