MS in Taxation
The Master of Science in taxation program is designed to enhance the practical skills, research proficiencies, and problem-solving abilities of professionals who work or intend to work in accounting and/or tax consulting firms, private industry, not-for-profit organizations, government, and other organizations where tax strategy can add value. Applicants are not required to have an accounting or business background, which allows for a dynamic classroom culture.
Our MS taxation director, Prof. Terry D. Balkaran, would be happy to have a one-on-one meeting with any students that may be interested in the taxation program. The students could also reach us via email accounting@qc.cuny.edu for more information.
This degree leads to a number of possible career paths, regardless of whether you are starting your career or repositioning to new opportunities. Our program is designed to enhance your practical skills, research, and problem-solving abilities. It also focuses on teaching finely honed technical skills that allow students to stay on top of the ever-changing field. You will be provided with guidance, support, and lessons to capitalize on leadership opportunities in the world of taxation. It is a good fit for a wide range of students and is complementary to the needs of students with undergraduate degrees in Accounting, Finance, Management, and/or Economics.
Technical expertise is indispensable, but for students of the M.S. in Taxation program at Queens College, this is only the beginning. Courses are led by qualified faculty members with practical experience in tax and academic credentials. You will interact with tax professionals within the classroom as well as during networking and guest-speaker events. In these sessions, you will learn about developments and trends in various areas of tax law and the tax profession. Classes emphasize up-to-the-minute tax law and trends; giving students experience solving real-world problems. Tax strategy will add value to your future endeavors, regardless of whether you work or intend to work in accounting, tax consulting, small, medium, and large corporations, not-for-profit organizations, government, or other organizations. Tax strategy is important and applicable in almost every arena.
Requirements
- 30 Credits, ten core courses
- 747 – Tax and Accounting Communications;
- 757 – Federal Taxation of Business Entities;
- 758 – State and Local Taxation and Tax-Exempt Entity;
- 759 – Estate, Gift & Trust Taxation;
- 760 – IRS Ethical Tax Practice, Procedures and Research Methods;
- 761 – Taxation of Partnerships and S Corporations;
- 762 – Deferred Compensation and Employee Benefits;
- 763 – International Taxation;
- 764 – Reorganizations, Liquidations and Consolidated Returns;
- 765 – Capstone.
Full-time program completion: 1 – 1.5 years (includes summer courses).
Part-time program completion: 2 years (includes summer courses).
Credit hours count toward New York State CPA licensure requirements.
Flexible scheduling allows you to switch between part-time and full-time course loads.
We accept students looking to enter the taxation field, as well as more experienced tax professionals seeking to advance their skills and move into leadership positions.
Applicants are not required to have an accounting or business background. Applicants must have the equivalent of Queens College’s ACCT 101, ACCT 102, ACCT 201, ACCT 261, ACCT305, and ACCT367 to apply.
Queens College students with an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher will be automatically accepted (the GMAT, three reference letters, and a personal essay are not required with their admission package).
Undergraduate Accounting majors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater will get a Fast Track invitation to join the program in the semester they file for graduation and need not file an application.
Students who hold a degree from another CUNY college and have an overall GPA of 3.0 or greater are exempt only from the GMAT (three reference letters and a personal essay are still required). All other applicants require a combined GMAT score and three digits GPA (e.g., 2.80= 280) that adds up to 750 or higher (a minimum GMAT score of 450 is required, regardless of GPA), together with two reference letters, and a personal essay.