MS Tax Curriculum
Develop Advanced Tax Expertise with Strategic and Professional Depth
Foster’s Master of Science in Taxation (MST) is a full-time graduate program completed over three quarters. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for careers in public accounting, corporate tax, and advisory services through rigorous technical training and applied professional development.
Students build deep expertise in federal, state, and international tax while strengthening analytical reasoning, research proficiency, ethical judgment, and client communication skills. The program integrates technical mastery with strategic thinking to prepare graduates to navigate complex regulatory environments and deliver high-value tax guidance.
Corporate & Entity Taxation
Tax Research & Compliance
State & International Tax
Tax Accounting & Leadership
Program Overview
The MST curriculum develops comprehensive expertise across business taxation, entity structuring, regulatory compliance, and tax accounting. Students progress from foundational doctrine to advanced applications, building the technical depth required for modern tax practice.
Throughout the program, coursework integrates research, analysis, communication, and applied client experience. Graduates leave prepared to interpret tax law, manage risk, and contribute strategic insight in professional tax environments.
Program at a Glance
- Degree: Master of Science in Taxation
- Credits: 51
- Duration: 9 months
- Schedule: Daytime weekday classes, in-person
- Location: UW campus in Seattle
Who the MST Program Is Designed For
The Master of Science in Taxation is designed for individuals seeking advanced preparation for careers in tax-focused roles within public accounting, corporate environments, and advisory services.
Students typically include:
- Accounting graduates seeking specialization in taxation
- Early-career professionals preparing for public accounting tax roles
- Individuals pursuing CPA licensure with a tax emphasis
- Professionals seeking deeper expertise in corporate, partnership, or international tax
How the Curriculum Is Structured
The MST curriculum is delivered across three intensive quarters and is structured around integrated capability development rather than isolated subject areas.
Core Courses
Core courses provide advanced grounding in corporate taxation, partnership and S corporation taxation, tax procedure, research methodology, state and international tax, and tax accounting. Each course builds technical depth while reinforcing analytical rigor and professional communication skills.
View full list of core courses
Core Capability Areas
The MST curriculum is organized around four integrated capability areas that define the intellectual foundation of the program.
Corporate & Entity Taxation
Students develop advanced expertise in the taxation of corporations, partnerships, and S corporations. Coursework emphasizes structuring transactions, analyzing formations and reorganizations, and advising on distributions and liquidations within complex business environments.
Key areas include:
- Corporate formations, reorganizations, and distributions
- Partnership and S corporation taxation
- Basis calculations and capital account analysis
- Gain and loss recognition and characterization
- Transaction structuring and strategic tax planning
Tax Research & Compliance
Students learn to interpret and apply federal tax law using professional research platforms and authoritative guidance. The curriculum builds analytical rigor, procedural fluency, and ethical judgment necessary for effective tax practice.
Key areas include:
- Statutory and regulatory interpretation
- Case law analysis and administrative guidance
- IRS procedure, audits, and appeals processes
- Professional standards and ethical decision-making
- Defensible tax positions and risk assessment
State & International Tax
Students examine taxation across multiple jurisdictions, preparing to operate in increasingly global and multi-state business environments. Coursework integrates domestic state taxation frameworks with international tax strategy.
Key areas include:
- Nexus, apportionment, and sourcing rules
- State income and gross receipts taxes
- Foreign tax credits and cross-border structures
- Permanent establishments and treaty considerations
- Multi-jurisdictional compliance strategy
Tax Accounting & Leadership
Students gain expertise in income tax accounting and corporate tax reporting while strengthening professional communication and client advisory skills. The curriculum connects technical tax analysis with financial reporting and executive-level decision-making.
Key areas include:
- Corporate income tax provisions
- Book-to-tax reconciliation and deferred taxes
- Effective tax rate analysis and uncertain tax positions
- Client communication and technical writing
- Professional leadership and collaboration
Career Preparation and Outcomes
The MST prepares graduates for specialized tax roles across public accounting firms, corporations, and advisory practices. Common career paths include:
- Tax Associate
- Corporate Tax Analyst
- International Tax Associate
- State and Local Tax (SALT) Associate
- Tax Provision Analyst
Employers value MST graduates for their technical rigor, research proficiency, and ability to apply tax law strategically within business contexts. The curriculum emphasizes real-world case analysis, professional research tools, and applied client interaction to ensure graduates are practice-ready.
By integrating technical depth with communication and ethical leadership, the program equips students to contribute immediately and advance into increasingly complex tax advisory roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the program full-time or part-time?
The MST is a full-time program completed over three quarters.
Do students gain practical experience?
Yes. The curriculum integrates applied casework, professional research platforms, and client-facing service experiences.
What accounting background is required?
Students are expected to have an undergraduate accounting background or equivalent preparation.
Does the program prepare students for CPA licensure?
The MST supports CPA preparation by providing advanced technical knowledge in taxation, though licensure requirements vary by state.
Explore the Full MST Curriculum
For detailed course descriptions and sequencing by quarter, view the full curriculum.