[Bourne]

I’m looking for a good, 100% online school that offers an MS in Taxation with a GMAT waiver (due to passing CPA exam). So far I have Villanova, St. John’s, University of Cincinnati and Bentley. Anyone have any experience with these schools in their online MS Taxation? Or does anyone have any suggestions on schools that they have attended for an MS in Taxation?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Hi,
I have an MS in Taxation- actually technically it's a MS in Accounting with a concentration in tax. (I think I took 24 hours of tax courses). Mine was traditional face-to-face school (Texas Tech), so I don't know if that is helpful in the least. If you don't mind me asking, why do you want a MST? If you already have a CPA license, I don't know that it makes much difference- especially from a non-top school.
In any regards, maybe someone with more relevant experience will jump in and offer some advice.

[Anonymous]

Hi all, I am also considering taking an online MST (given that I reside outside of the US) as well and are considering Villanova, USC and GGU. Not sure if anyone has any comments on these schools?

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I am doing my MS Taxation and an MBA at the same time to look more credible to employers and even clients once I start my own practice after passing the CPA exam. The MS Tax will give you a better theoretical understand. I am working at a CPA firm at the moment and it helps A TON! Let me know if you need more info.

[Anonymous]

I'm in an MST program at California State University, Northridge. Their program is flexible. You can either attend classes or view them remotely. One of the partners at my first graduated from Golden Gate University and I believe it is 100% online. Good luck on your decision.

[giveme75]

@Bourne I'm looking for the same thing! Started working full time with just a BS and without a masters, and now hopefully finishing the CPA exam soon (studied while working FT the past 2 years) and now will need 24 additional credits to qualify for the CPA license. I'm also looking for an online program since I work FT and would like something with a GMAT waiver since, after taking this crazy CPA exam, would like to avoid studying for another exam while working FT.

Will let you know if I come across any other programs that could work for us!

[Bourne]

@Chandler I work at a real estate investment firm with many LP's and investors, domestic and foreign. To move up here, it's essential to have good tax knowledge as many investors are wealthy and not trying to pay more taxes than they need to. The CPA gives you the designation of a professional competent accountant, but I feel, at least in my industry, that a CPA on top of having an MST is majorly beneficial. My firm is willing to pay for a portion of it anyway so I feel it'd be dumb to not obtain it.

@Rob – I've also saw Golden Gate University is supposed to have a great online program. I'll look into that as well.

@Ali – are you completing the MST online or in person?

Thanks everyone for the responses. I'm not doing this obtain credits as I already meet the 150. I'm merely doing it to look better to my employer, to learn more about tax as it interests me, and sorta as a fallback in case I want to go into public for tax. Every employer needs/values someone that is knowledgeable in tax, an MST can't hurt.

[Bourne]

Bumping to top in case anyone else has input.

[Recked]

Hey Bourne, welcome back. Haven't noticed you around in a while.
I have a cousin that did a MT from the Univ of Tulsa back in 2007. I believe it was all online. I don't know much more about it, but definitely in for the read as your research the programs.
I'd see if you can apply any of your additional 30 credits towards the MT requirement to accelerate the degree program.

[Bourne]

RECKED what's up my man? It's been a while haha I haven't been on for a while. Thanks for the input.
I am also considering an EA as opposed to an MST. What do you think? My main goal is to just learn more about tax. The EA is cheaper and quicker but I'm not exactly sure what all it encompasses. I feel that I would learn more with an MST?

[Anonymous]

@Bourne, Ok cool. Yeah I think a MST is a good way to get a decent background for tax. Depending on the program, you may find it lacking in the specific areas you mentioned (real estate, international, etc.). I know I did.
I work at a firm with a heavy emphasis on real estate tax. I found several of the archived videos and CPE on CPA Academy to be very helpful as it relates to specific topics in real estate. Won't get you any kind of certification or degree, but most of them are free and can be done in a few hours. Might be worth looking at if there is a particular area you want to know more about (1031, cost segregation, etc.). Let us know what you end up deciding.

[Recked]

I had been doing tax stuff for 11 or 12 years when I started working on the EA and I learned a ton.
The Gleim program, while being over-prepared, will teach you an absolute ton of information.
Its very affordable, and the time frame is very lax at 2 years to pass all 3. Section 3 will be a walk in the park.
You can find my study hours on here somewhere for the various parts of the EA. Section 2 is the worst.
The EA likely will not carry the weight of the MT of course, but you'll get a credential out of it, and you'll get a taste for tax without dropping ten of thousands on a Masters. Plus you'll be able to sign off on POA's in all 50 states.
Bottom line, neither the EA or the MT give you real world, in the trenches, tax experience.
I spoke with the managing partner of the largest firm in my area, as something of a mentor. At the time I needed about 2-3 more years experience under NY's 15 year exemption for the CPA. I had been to SUNY New Paltz to inquire about an MBA to get the 150-hr (they did not offer MT) but was told it was going to run me about $30k for credits alone, plus books and fees, etc. The partner advised that I just continue working and gaining real world experience, as it was worth far more than another degree.
If I were you, I'd seriously consider the EA first. Nothing like getting a year into a masters program and realizing you hate tax work.
The EA will not be all consuming like the CPA was, depending on your time frame/time line. I did it over 2 winters, after extension deadline, and before tax season started rolling. It was snowing and cold, so I couldn't play golf, nothing else to do in the winter in NY.

[alloverit]

I can tell you that St Johns should grant you a waiver. I did their regular Masters in Accountancy and got one having only passed 2 parts of the CPA at the time. Their MST is better.

Villanova is also a good choice. Both are expensive. I was not aware Bentley had a program. It will be expensive, but it is a name school for accounting so you can't go wrong.
Tulsa no longer has their online program…face-to-face only.

I personally would avoid schools such as Golden Gate as their accreditation is not AACSB. That may not matter now, but in the event you ever wanted to get a doctorate to teach/research (Phd or DBA) it could be an issue.
Good luck

[Bourne]

Good idea. Didn't think of that. Thanks!

[Author]

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