Curriculum

Course List (30 units)

To earn the M.S. in Taxation, candidates must complete 30 units of coursework (as described below), with at least 3.0 grade point average. Because our cohort program is designed as a comprehensive program level experience with one course building on another and assignments related to one another across courses, waiver and transfer of courses are not permitted.

Core Skills (3 Units)

ACCT 509: Tax Ethics, Research and Communication

Core Knowledge (15 Units)

These five courses provide in-depth knowledge of key areas in the field of taxation. Each course integrates tax research, written communication and critical thinking skills with the curriculum and pedagogy. Certain courses also integrate skills in analytical review, compilation and oral communication and provide advanced instruction in professional ethics and responsibilities.

ACCT 520: Income Tax Concepts and Their Business Applications
ACCT 629: Income Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders I
ACCT 633: Income Taxation of Partnerships
ACCT 640: Accounting Methods and Periods
ACCT 645: Federal Tax Procedure

Fields of Specializations (9 Units – Course offerings are subject to change.)

ACCT 631: Income Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders II
ACCT 635: Income Taxation of Estates and Trusts
ACCT 637: Taxation of Foreign Transactions and Taxpayers
ACCT 655: Real Estate Taxation
ACCT 661: State and Local Taxes
ACCT 668: Selected Topics in Taxation

Tax Planning Focus (2 Units)

ACCT 650: Contemporary Tax Planning Issues Seminar

Culminating Experience (1 Unit)

As part of their culminating experience, students have the option of participating in the Tax Challenge Project, the Bookstein Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, the CSUN VITA Clinic, the Tax Development Journal or the Bookstein Community Outreach Tax Clinic.

ACCT 697TX: Directed Comprehensive Studies in Taxation

Course Highlights

The following courses have been carefully crafted and purposefully sequenced to form a uniquely integrated program of study. Courses are listed in the order in which they are presented. Later courses build on earlier ones to provide a powerful, cumulative learning experience.

COURSE	NAME	UNITS	DESCRIPTION
ACCT 509	Tax Ethics, Research and Communication	3	In this foundation course, students will begin developing critical skills in researching and critically interpreting tax authority. They will also acquire and develop the specialized oral and written communication skills needed to interact internally and externally with clients and government agencies. This course will also introduce students to the professional responsibilities and ethical dilemmas that face tax practitioners in today's challenging and increasingly complex professional environment.
ACCT 520	Income Tax Concepts and Their Business Applications	3	This course covers basic tax law concepts that affect business and investment management situations. Topics include tax alternatives in business organizations, tax policy management, and compliance with government directives.
ACCT 629	Income Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders I	3	Income tax principles relating to organization, capital structure and operations of a corporation are examined as well as the tax effects of corporate distributions, stock redemptions and liquidations on shareholders.
ACCT 668	Selected Topics in Taxation	3	Prerequisites: Acct 509, Acct 520. This course provides students with an opportunity to learn about specialized and emerging topics in the field of taxation.
ACCT 655	Real Estate Taxation	3	This course provides students with the understanding of the federal tax consequences associated with real estate acquisitions, leases, operations, disposition, and securitization of real estate investments. (This course is to be published fall 2018 in the University Catalog.)
ACCT 645	Federal Tax Procedure	3	Administrative procedures for settling tax controversies, rules governing tax collection and criminal prosecution, and the rights of taxpayers are among the topics explored in this course.
ACCT 640	Accounting Methods and Periods	3	This course covers comparative principles of tax and financial accounting as they relate to individuals, corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts. The allocation of income tax expense for financial statement purposes is also examined.
ACCT 661	State and Local Taxes	3	Students gain an understanding of the structure of state and local taxes; the principles governing income, sales, property and other taxes levied by state and local governments; and the interrelationship of state, local and federal taxes.
ACCT 631	Income Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders II	3	This continuation course examines tax principles involved in the division, reorganization, combination and affiliation of corporations as well as the tax effects of these actions on shareholders.
ACCT 633	Income Taxation of Partnerships	3	Students learn about the tax principles that apply to the formation, operation and liquidation of partnerships, including the effects of the transfer of partnership interests and transactions between the partnership and its partners.
ACCT 635	Income Taxation of Estates and Trusts	3	This course focuses on the income-tax principles involved in the operation of estates and trusts, including special types of trusts such as grantor and employee trusts. The taxation of grantors, descendants and beneficiaries is also explored.
ACCT 637	Taxation of Foreign Transactions and Taxpayers	3	This course provides students with an understanding of taxation of foreign income of U.S. citizens and corporations, taxation of foreign persons and corporations on their income from U.S. sources, and tax considerations in organizing foreign business operations.
ACCT 650	Contemporary Tax Planning Issues Seminar	2	Students participate in a seminar focusing on contemporary tax planning issues affecting local industries.
ACCT 697TX	Directed Comprehensive Studies in Taxation	1	This course provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate competency in the field of taxation through practice-based simulations or experiential learning. (This course is to be published fall 2018 in the University Catalog.)