Taxation Online Masters program at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus

Delivered synchronously online via Zoom.

Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) takes pride in having one of the oldest Masters of Science in Taxation (MST) in the state.

Silberman College of Business is fully accredited by AACSB International. This prestigious seal of academic approval is attained by only 5% of all business schools globally.

The degree can be earned for approximately $30,000 in tuition.

No classes during the peak of tax season. Classes are held during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Classes are normally held in the evenings and occasionally on Saturdays.

Important electives such as ASC 740, International Tax, S Corp, Financial Products, and others.

Graduates employed at the Big 4, mid-sized regional firms, small firms, IRS, and corporate tax departments.

The MS in Taxation program is highly focused and practice-oriented. In scope, it is much specific than the traditional course of study pursued in an MBA program with a concentration in tax. The MST is dedicated exclusively to the study of taxation.

The program was designed to provide you with both the practical knowledge and technical expertise needed to succeed as a tax professional. The program is ideal for practicing accountants and attorneys, financial planners, recent accounting graduates, and non-accountants wishing to enter the field of taxation. Both entry-level and experienced professionals will benefit from the program.

Emphasis is placed on technical competence in practical applications of current tax law as well as research and planning. Students in the program are exposed to all areas of taxation, including partnerships, corporate, international, trusts, compensation, and estate taxation. Courses not only cover the basics of taxation, but also advanced subject matter and procedural areas of tax law.

Starting in fall 2020, MS in Taxation classes are being offered in a remote format and delivered online. Typically evening classes start at 6 PM. Students will not be required to come to campus, but will need internet access to log into class sessions.

For students needing to complete pre-requisite classes, such classes may be taken either online or in-person at either our Florham Campus in Madison, NJ, or at the Metro Campus in Hackensack, NJ. Alternatively, and with prior Department permission, pre-requisite classes may be taken at other AACSB institutions with an earned grade of B or better.

To accommodate the busy schedule of working professionals, classes are offered on weekday evenings, occasionally on Saturdays, and during summers. Classes are generally not scheduled during the peak of tax season.

The cycle of classes typically begins in the fall semester, but you can enter the program at any time, subject to class scheduling. as many as three classes or as few as one class per semester or even skipping a semester on occasion. All course work (including pre-requisites) must be completed within seven years.

Credits in the MS in Taxation program may qualify towards the 150-semester hours of education requirements for obtaining the CPA certification. Details on what will qualify may vary from state to state according to the rules of each state accounting board.

The MS in Taxation degree is obtained by completing 30 credits in required and elective courses.

The seven core courses (21 credits) are required of all students. The remaining courses (9 credits) may be selected from electives. Subject to prerequisites, there is no set order in which the courses have to be taken.

To graduate, you must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better.

Several of the five prerequisite courses, including Individual Taxation (ACCT6605 or ACCT4267), must be completed before starting the required coursework in the MS in Taxation. CPAs and accounting majors are typically able to waive four of the five prerequisite courses based on prior coursework. The fifth course, Entity Taxation (ACCT6606), may be taken concurrently with MS in Taxation courses and should be taken as early as possible since this class is a specific prerequisite for several of the MS in Taxation classes.

3 credits: ACCT 2021, ACCT 6400, or course equivalent.

3 credits: ACCT6605, ACCT4267, or course equivalent.

3 credits: ACCT6606 or course equivalent.

3 credits: LAW6657 or course equivalent.

3 credits: FIN3250, FIN 10, FIN 6020, FIN 6400, or course equivalent.

A prerequisite course may be waived if you have previously completed the course at FDU (or an equivalent course elsewhere) within the prior five years with a grade of B or better.

TAX6621 Advanced Federal Tax I: Individual Income Taxation (Prerequisite: ACCT6605 or ACCT4267).

TAX7724 Tax Practice Procedure I (Prerequisite: ACCT6605 or ACCT4267).

TAX7727 Advanced Federal Tax II: Property Transactions (Prerequisite: ACCT6605 or ACCT4267).

TAX6850 Tax Research Project (Prerequisite: TAX6621, TAX6622 and TAX7724).

The remaining three courses (9 credits) may be selected from the following list of electives.

TAX7750 State Local Taxation: Corporate Individual Taxation.

TAX7752 State Local Taxation: Sales, Use Property Taxes.

TAX8840 Selected Studies: Taxation of S Corporations (Prerequisite: ACCT6606 or TAX6622).

TAX8860 Accounting for Income Taxes: ASC 740 (FAS109).

Upon completion of this program, you will be able to:.

Analyze tax issues for individuals and various domestic or international business entities. Having studied the conceptual and analytical framework, including real life applications, graduates will be able to propose solutions to tax problems. (Critical Thinking).

Analyze and propose effective solutions to ethical problems in tax practice. (Ethical Awareness).

Perform research in professional tax data bases. Graduates will be able to produce reports detailing the result of their research in a clear, concise and effective manner. (Information Quality).

Produce effective collaboration, leadership, negotiation and communication skills needed for effective tax practice. (Interaction).

Evaluate and analyze tax legislation, statutes, court cases, regulations and IRS pronouncements. Graduates will be able to judge tax policy issues. (Perspective).

The MS in Taxation program at FDU is continually seeking qualified candidates interested in teaching various tax courses.

We are particularly interested in candidates willing to teach classes held on Saturdays (mornings or afternoons). Qualified candidates should ideally have a JD CPA degree with appropriate tax experience. An LLM degree in taxation is a plus.