Master of Science in Taxation (MST)
As of September 2021, the MST program is no longer recruiting new students or accepting applications. Starting in the fall of 2022, students may concentrate in taxation in our MS in Accounting program.
FULL-TIME | PART-TIME
With the Suffolk MST, you'll develop the crucial skills needed in today’s global environment of vastly diverse and highly complicated tax structures. These highly valued and marketable skills make the Suffolk's MST program essential for a career in taxation.
While earning your MST at Suffolk, you’ll:
- Gain a strong foundation in accounting principles and an understanding of tax law and tax compliance
- Study from a curriculum that is aligned with professional practice, heavily based in experiential learning, and shaped by the cutting-edge industry trends identified by our Young Alumni Advisory Board
- Develop the research skills needed for effective tax planning in today's global environment of vastly diverse and highly complicated tax structures
- Have the option to specialize in corporate taxation or follow our General MST track where you can customize your electives to prepare you for the CPA exam and your unique career goals
- Learn from a mix of practitioners and accomplished scholars, including CPAs and attorneys who practice in the public, corporate, and government sectors
Suffolk’s MST is designed for those who have a background in accounting as well as those who don't. Whether you’re a working professional or a full-time student, our class schedule is designed to meet your needs. With our flexible fall, spring, and summer course offerings, you can take two classes back-to-back in one evening. Some courses are also available online, in a hybrid format, in an accelerated format or through distance learning.
Why Get a Master's in Taxation?
A master’s degree in taxation is especially valuable in the modern economy. According to the American Institute of CPAs, there is a projected gap in the number of open jobs in relation to the number of qualified tax specialists. This gap exists because not enough students are choosing to specialize in taxation.
According to Glassdoor, tax manager is the second-best job in the nation in terms of compensation per education level attained. Tax professionals with a master’s degree can expect as much as a 5-15% bump in salary over those who hold a bachelor’s degree alone.
The Suffolk Difference
MST Program Overview
Suffolk's Master's in Taxation
Qualified tax professionals are always in high demand. Our downtown location is at the hub of the financial district—and within one mile of each of the Big Four firms—providing limitless opportunities for networking, internships, and employment.
In as few as 9 months (full-time) or 21 months (part-time) our MST graduates go on to pursue rewarding and successful careers in taxation. Whether you choose to pursue work in a corporate setting, public tax accounting, or in private tax consulting, Suffolk’s MST gives you the business fundamentals and expertise to stay at the front of the cutting-edge field of taxation.
Corporate Taxation Concentration
Dive into the intricacies of corporate taxation and prepare to work in a multinational, multi-state, or small domestic corporate firm. Students who complete this concentration may find themselves working in a corporate tax department, which deals with the general income tax issues of a firm, in sales and use tax, in state and local tax—if the firm operates in a multi-state environment—and in international tax if the company has international operations. Corporate Tax Accountants are also involved in the tax planning process where they will be expected to research and craft beneficial tax strategies geared towards minimizing taxes for the organization
4+1 Program
If you’re a senior working towards an undergraduate business degree or a recent graduate, you may qualify to earn your Master of Science in Taxation (MST) or in Accounting (MSA) in as few as 9 months, or your MST/MSA or MST/MBA in as few as 16 months. Learn more about our 4+1 programs.
Continuing Excellence
We are 1 of only 187 institutions around the globe—and the only school in Boston—to maintain a supplemental Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) Accreditation for our accounting programs.
MST Outcomes
| Average starting salary | $81,833 |
| Employed within 6 months of graduation* | 92.3% |
| Employed within 1 year of graduation* | 100% |
| Graduates* employed in degree-related positions | 92.3% |
*Class of 2017-2018 Graduates
Faculty Expertise
Program faculty, including Professor James Angelini, have been actively sought out by the media to offer their insight.
- James Angelini offered tips for taxpayers in the Boston Globe
- Angelini also gave his take to the Boston Globe on the impact of the tax bill on home equity loans
- Angelini joined NPR’s Morning Edition on WBUR to share his views on the impact of the federal tax bill on Massachusetts
Financial Aid for Graduate Study
Suffolk University is pleased to offer both merit- and need-based financial aid to graduate students—these awards can be up to $20,000 per academic year. Merit-based aid is awarded based on the applicant's academic credentials presented on the admission application. No separate application is required for merit consideration.
Advising & Other Resources
Suffolk University offers graduate students—incoming, current, and alumni—help with navigating financial aid and payments, searching for career opportunities, and building a strong professional network. Our Graduate Student Services team supports you every step of the way with various services including application advising, financial aid counseling, international student resources, and other resources such as the Career Development Center or the Center for Learning and Academic Success. We also offer you value-added professional development workshops to bolster your experiential education and other professional skills while studying at Suffolk University.