Master of Science in Taxation

    School  of Accounting
 
    University of Central Florida

--The competitive edge

The MST program provides the practical problem solving tools and strong technical knowledge needed to advance in today's financial world. Building on a sound business and accounting foundation, the MST program adds a valuable third dimension to your knowledge.  Electives permit you to shape the program to achieve your goals. The potential rewards are well worth the effort.

MST graduates are highly recruited, advance quickly, and are able to shape their future. Graduates work in public accounting, industry, and government. They are partners.  They are consultants and advisors.  They own their own practices.  Their careers range from tax to controllerships and corporate executive positions.

Regardless of your career path, knowledge of taxes will benefit you. Taxes are a major factor in both business and investment decisions.

UCF Masters graduates are among the best in terms of CPA exam pass rate. UCF Masters graduates have been in the top five nationally on the CPA exam four times. UCF's Tax Team has placed in the top ten in the Deloitte Tax Case Competition for seven of the eight years they have competed placing first, second and third in three of the eight years.

Start any term.  The 30 semester hour program can be completed by full-time students in one year.  The flexible program serves the needs of both full-time and part- time students. Courses count toward CPE credit.

Small classes and supportive faculty members enable you to reach your full potential. Tax faculty include Drs. Dale Bandy, Donna Bobek, Andrew Judd, and Charles Kelliher.
 

    


The Tax Professional and Tax Consulting specializations available in the program are described below.  Both specializations build on required foundation work and require either an end of program examination or research report.
 

Tax Professional Specialization:    
Required Course — 3 Semester Hours
TAX 6065   Tax Research                              3 hours

Tax Electives — 12 Semester Hours
TAX 5015   Advanced Tax Topics                 3 hours
TAX 6135  Corporate Taxation                      3 hours
TAX 6205   Partnership Taxation                    3 hours
TAX 6405   Taxation of Estates and Gifts        3 hours
TAX 6845   Tax Planning and Consulting         3 hours
TAX 6505   International Taxation                   3 hours
TAX 6946   Tax Internship                              3 hours
TAX 6909   Research Report                          3 hours

Elective Courses — 15 Semester Hours
Electives may be selected from the tax electives listed above, from the courses included in consulting track listed below, and from courses available in the Master of Science in Accounting degree program. Other courses require approval.

Tax Consulting Specialization:
Required Courses — 9 Semester Hours
TAX 6065 Tax Research                               3 hours
TAX 6845 Tax Planning and Consulting         3 hours
 FIN 6406 Strategic Financial Mgt.                3 hours
 

Tax Electives — 9  Semester Hours
TAX 5015 Advanced Tax Topics                 3 hours
TAX 6135  Corporate Taxation                    3 hours
TAX 6205 Partnership Taxation                    3 hours
TAX 6405 Taxation of Estates and Gifts        3 hours
TAX 6946 Tax Internship                              3 hours
TAX 6909 Research Report                          3 hours
TAX 6505 International Taxation                   3 hours

Restricted Electives — 6  Semester Hours
ACG 6255 Internat'l & Multinat'l Acct'g         3 hours
ECO 6205 Economic Analysis of the Firm      3 hours
FIN 6425 Mgt & Financial Decisions              3 hours
FIN 6475 Business Valuation                          3 hours
FIN 6515 Analysis of Invest. Opportunities     3 hours
MIS 6537 Quant. Mod.
for Bus. Decisions     3 hours
MAR 5941 Small Business Consulting             3 hours
MAR 6845 Services Marketing                      3 hours

Electives ---6 Semester Hours
Electives may be selected from the above tax and restricted electives lists and from  courses available in the Master of Science in Accounting program. Other courses require approval.

The Foundation Core and End of Program Examination or Research Report required of both specializations:

Foundation Core--A recent UCF accounting undergraduate degree satisfies the business and accounting foundation core requirement. Other recent business  course work may partially or fully satisfy the requirement.  The 12 hour business core includes business law, economics, finance, management, marketing, MIS, and statistics courses. The 19.5 accounting core includes accounting systems, auditing, financial accounting,  management accounting, and tax courses.

Examination or Research Report--Either the end-of-program comprehensive examination or a Research Report (TAX 6909) is required.

Graduate Program Coordinator..............Dale Bandy
Office:  BA 435, Phone:  (407) UCF-2964 or UCF-2871.   e-mail:  dbandy@bus.ucf.edu
 
 

MST Admissions
Policy
The MST program is open to any individual with a regionally-accredited baccalaureate degree who shows high promise of success in the program.

Criteria
In evaluating the potential for success we consider academic achievement in prior accounting course work and other upper-level undergraduate work. Except as noted below, we also evaluate  GMAT and TOEFL exam scores.

Procedures
All applicants must submit a completed application form. Graduates from institutions other than UCF must also provide transcripts and completed health and residency forms. A GMAT score is generally required, but may be waived for graduates of AACSB accredited programs with a 3.5 or higher GPA in the last 60 hours and a 3.2 or higher accounting GPA. Consult with the program advisor.  International applicants must provide evaluated transcripts and a TOEFL score.

You may apply on-line at www.graduate.ucf.edu. Alternatively, you may obtain application forms and information by mail from UCF College of Business Administration, P. O. Box 161400, BA 240, Orlando, Fl 32816, or by phone at 407-823-2184.