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MS in Taxation

AT A GLANCE

Credit hours: 30+ (possible prerequisite)

Full-time, part-time

Online and evening class options

7:1 student-faculty ratio

Start terms: fall, spring, summer

Taught by experts in both law and accountancy

Our master’s program in taxation is taught by a mix of professors who are researchers and practitioners. Every course has a tax focus, so you’ll have the opportunity to dive deeply into areas of tax that other programs can’t offer. Less than 2% of programs worldwide have CU Denver’s AACSB accounting accreditation.

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Two in-depth taxation tracks

Network with top Denver accounting firms

Taught by practicing lawyers and accountants

AACSB
Accounting

Separately accredited for accounting by AACSB

The Best of Both

You’ll be taught by practitioners in both law and accounting. Because of the narrow focus of the program, we offer both breadth and depth in all areas of tax. For example, we provide targeted tracks in:

Corporate
Partnerships and other pass-through entities

Our MS Taxation program gives accountants, lawyers, and enrolled agents looking to work within taxation an edge over other professionals. With careful planning, the degree can be completed in a year, but most of our students work full-time and graduate in two years.

Through our flexible evening classes in our downtown location, you’ll enhance your education while continuing your career. This program also prepares you to pass the CPA exam by helping you meet minimum academic requirements and coursework designed with the CPA in mind.

You'll have full access to our Business Career Connections team for life. With over 10 years of recruiting and advising experience, they'll help you navigate your way through the corporate recruiting process. Our connections to over 300 business partners provide exclusive opportunities to network with industry leaders. Their services include:

Career workshops – perfect your resume, LinkedIn profile, and job search process
Individual appointments – explore what your personal career path looks like, review your resume, or schedule a mock interview
Career events – hone your networking skills and meet hiring managers from top companies
Job announcements – monthly emails with the latest job and internship opportunities specific to your degree

The tax curriculum consists of 30 credit hours with a possible additional 3 hours as a prerequisite that can be waived for those with formal business education. The flexibility built into the program ensures you take the classes that are most relevant to your career interests.

Tax prerequisite coursework (12 hours)

The 12 hours of prerequisite coursework ensure you have a strong foundation. This coursework can be waived based on acadmic performance in equivalent coursework previously completed.

Tax core courses (24 hours)

Course topics include:

Auditing Theory
Accounting information systems
Taxation of business entities
Accounting ethics
Taxation of C corporations and shareholders
Advanced tax for individuals
Tax research
Partnership taxation

Tax electives (6 hours)

Electives allow you to dive deeper into the areas of taxation that are most relevant for your future career. Course topics include:

Advanced financial accounting
Accounting for governments and nonprofits
Accounting for finance and sustainability
Fraud auditing

Learning outcomes

MS Taxation

Value 1: Analyze Critically

Outcome: Apply fundamental tax principles and techniques to analyze and integrate complex tax issues in order to make informed decisions.

Value 2: Research Effectively

Outcome: Research tax problems effectively and efficiently utilizing primary and secondary research materials and sources and online tax research tools.

Value 3: Behave Ethically

Outcome: Conduct their respective tax practices according to professional standards and ethical decision-making.

Value 4: Communicate Effectively

Outcome: Communicate tax concepts in a clear, concise and effective manner in both written and oral form.

These objectives are assessed in relevant courses across the curriculum using written assignments and exam questions.

Tuition

The cost of tuition for the MS Taxation degree is different for in-state and out-of-state students.

Residents of western states may qualify for in-state tuition. The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) requires that students maintain current residency of WRGP state until degree completion.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for students. As a current student, you can apply for scholarships every semester. Some awards are based on program and course enrollment.

Dual degree options for Master of Science programs include all of our MBA programs and all Business School Master of Science programs. We design a specific degree plan so you get through both programs as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. The amount of credits in each dual degree depends on the amount of overlap between degree programs. Eligible Master of Science programs include:

MS Accounting
MS Business Analytics
MS Finance and Risk Management
MS Global Energy Management
MS Information Systems
MS International Business
MS Management
MS Marketing
MS Taxation

If you are applying for both degrees, you will only need to submit one online application and pay one application fee. Be aware that you must meet specific admission standards for each degree. For more information about dual degree options and the application process, please contact BSchool.Admissions@ucdenver.edu.

Application Checklist

$50 domestic, $75 international application fee
Online application
GMAT/GRE score
Official transcripts from each college or university attended
Essay responses
Resume
English language proficiency—international applicants only

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Application Process

Applicants are required to submit all application materials. Interviews are not a part of the admission process. To receive priority admission, we must have received your online application and all other required materials including transcripts and GMAT/GRE scores by the deadline.

You can check your admission status online through the account you created for the online application. You will receive a final decision by email within two to three weeks from the submission of all materials.

Admission Requirements

We understand that GMAT/GRE testing centers have temporarily closed due to COVID-19. We are here to help make sure your application does not get delayed during the suspension of testing centers. If you find that the testing center closures impact you or have any questions about how to proceed with your application, please contact us at bschool.admissions@ucdenver.edu.

Applicants must have completed an undergraduate program at an accredited United States college or its equivalent in another country.
The GMAT is required for admission, however, the GRE may be substituted. GMAT/GRE waivers are available on a case-by-case basis and can be requested while completing the online application. Please note, not all programs offer the same GMAT/GRE waivers.
No work experience or formal business education is required for admission.

How Decisions Are Made

The admissions committee considers each candidate’s entire record of achievement. This is demonstrated through:

Academic transcripts
GMAT/GRE scores
Essay responses
Letters of recommendation if applicable
Work experience
Extracurricular and community activities

No work experience or formal business education is required for admission. However, professional experience strengthens your application. Candidates with less work experience can show potential through academic and experiential success.

For any questions, please contact our admissions team at bschool.admissions@ucdenver.edu or call 303-315-8200.

International Students

We understand that TOEFL/IELTS testing centers have temporarily closed due to COVID-19. We are here to help make sure your application does not get delayed during the suspension of testing centers. The Business School is now accepting Duolingo as an alternative test to the TOEFL/ITELS. Please go to duolingo.com for more information on how to take the test. If you have any questions about Duolingo or your application, please contact us at bschool.admissions@ucdenver.edu.

To meet the English Language Proficiency (ELP) criteria, you must either showcase your proficiency through past education in English instruction or an English Language Proficiency test. If you are a citizen of a country whose official language is English, you do not have to prove proficiency. See below for a listing of accepted countries.

To claim proficiency, you must complete one of the following criteria. Please note that test scores are valid for two years.

Submit a TOEFL score that meets the minimum requirements of 79 (IBT) or 537 (PBT).
The minimum IBT sub-scores for each section are:
- Reading: 18
- Listening: 17
- Speaking: 20
- Writing: 17
Submit an IELTS score of at least 6.5 The minimum IELTS sub scores for the reading, listening, speaking, and writing sections are 5.5.
Submit a copy of completion from the CU Denver ESL Academy.
Be a citizen of a country whose official language is English. International applicants holding a citizenship from the following countries do not need to prove their English language proficiency for admission to CU Denver: Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Granada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, The Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom.
International applicants may meet the English language proficiency requirement through any of the options below for previous coursework completed. Options for previous coursework completed which will satisfy admissions ELP requirements:
- Earn an associate or bachelor's degree in the US
- Earn a post-secondary credential (comparable to a US associate or bachelor's degree) in any of the exempt countries listed above
- Earn a post-secondary credential (comparable to a US associate or bachelor's degree) at an exempt-country-accredited school located in a non-exempt country
- Earned 12 or more credit hours in a master or doctoral degree program in the United States, an exempt country, or at an exempt-country-accredited school in a non-exempt country AND earned an overall college-level GPA of 3.0 or higher.

To be eligible for scholarships you must apply by the priority deadlines. Plan to submit materials early to expedite processing. Deadlines apply to all required documents. Please note that if you apply by the final deadlines many classes may be full.

Plan to submit materials early to expedite processing. Deadlines apply to all required documents.

Fall

Domestic Applications

Priority: April 15
Final: July 15

International Applications

Priority: March 15
Final: May 15

Spring

Domestic Applications

Priority: October 15
Final: December 15

International Applications

Priority: September 15
Final: October 15

Summer

Domestic Applications

Priority: February 15
Final: April 15

International Applications

Priority: January 15
Final: March 15

Take the next step in your career.

ΒΑΨ

Beta Alpha Psi - CU Denver’s active chapter of the premier national fraternity hosts several networking events every semester. You’ll connect with your peers and network with top Denver firms looking to hire.

Accomplished graduate student reflects on CU Denver’s new MS in taxation program and talks life post grad

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BIG 4

Every year, the Big Four accounting firms directly recruit our students every fall for internship and full-time jobs.

PricewaterhouseCoopers
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Ernst & Young
KPMG

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Attend a graduate open house, online or in-person information session, or a GMAT test prep workshop. Visit our events page for all upcoming events.

April 21: Graduate Programs Information Session (webinar)

Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 4:00 PM until 5:00 PM Online 1475 Lawrence St Denver, CO 80202 United States Join us for an online graduate programs information session to learn about all of the MBA and MS offerings at CU Denver. An email reminder for the event with the Zoom...

April 28: Graduate Programs Information Session (webinar)

April 20: Free GMAT Introduction Webinar

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