Master of Science in Taxation (TAX) - About This Program

About This Program

Tax advisement is one of the fastest-growing fields in the United States. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that - as the nation’s population ages and life expectancies increase - the demand for professional tax advisors and consultants will grow. According to ONet Online, the demand for tax professionals ... in California is projected to grow by 9% between 2016-2026.

The BLS also notes that tax advisors and consultants typically need a master’s degree for career advancement.

Programs Highlights

Courses are taught by leading tax practitioners.
The program’s Tax Challenge Project, CSUN VITA Clinic, the Bookstein Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, and the student-run “Tax Development Journal” provide opportunities for learners to integrate theory with practice and gain valuable practical experience.

This fully accredited program meets California’s 150-hour requirement for CPA-licensure.

This program is taught in the cohort format, which maximizes opportunities for interaction with faculty as well as the development of valuable networking relationships with fellow tax professionals. Furthermore, enrollment in all courses is guaranteed.

The program allows students maximum participation flexibility by joining live classes in-person or through video-conferencing technology.

The program's schedule is tailored to the needs of the working tax professionals with no classes scheduled during the busy tax seasons.

Students in the program are supported by personalized career services offered through the Department's EY Center for Careers.

The Master of Taxation: About the Faculty

Courses are taught primarily by leading practitioners in the field. This blend of active experience and outstanding scholarship in the field of taxation adds immeasurably to the learning experience.

The Master of Science in Taxation: About the Faculty – John Lilly

A Versatile Way to Attend Class

Life doesn’t pause for school — and at CSUN, it doesn’t have to. Our flexible class format lets you choose how you attend each week: join in person for face-to-face interaction or connect virtually from wherever you are. Regardless of how you participate, you’ll connect at the scheduled class time and take part in live lectures and discussions. Whether you're on campus, at home, or traveling, you can stay engaged with the course and switch between in-person and online attendance as your schedule demands.

What do Taxation graduates do?

This program opens the door to a range of exciting career opportunities, including—but not limited to—the ones listed below:

Tax Consultants,
Forensic Accountant,
Tax Technology Manager,
Risk Analyst,
Tax Financial Analyst,
Tax Compliance Analyst/Manager/Specialist,
Corporate Financial Analyst,
Tax Analyst,
Equity or Credit Analyst,
Tax Data Analyst,
Transfer Pricing Analysts/Managers/Consultants,
Financial Analysts

Meet your Faculty

View more Faculty

John Balian

M.S. (Taxation), J.D.

Managing Partner, the Balian Law Group

Cynthia Brittain

J.D., LLM

Partner, Karlin & Peebles, LLP

Charlie Cobb

M.S. (Taxation)

Tax Partner (retired), Deloitte Tax LLP

James P. de Bree

CPA

Tax Partner, Deloitte Tax LLP, Retired

Rafael Efrat

J.S.D.

Director, M.S. in Taxation Program, Professor, Department of Accounting

Monica Gianni

J.D., LLM, CPA

Associate Professor, Department of Accounting

Robert Johnson

CPA, M.S. (Taxation)

Managing Director, Crowe Horwath LLP

Todd LaBelle

MST (Taxation)

Tax Partner, Deloitte Tax LLP

Rob Razani

CPA, M.S. (Taxation)

Subject Matter Expert – Corporate Distributions & Adjustments, Internal Revenue Service

Melissa Trofino

CPA

Professor Trofino is a Managing Director in the Los Angeles

Career Opportunities

Unlock a world of career possibilities with our comprehensive support system. From internships to networking events, we empower students to thrive in their professional journeys and achieve their aspirations.

A CSUN student smiles while seated at a table, working on a laptop, embodying a moment of academic engagement.

Student Resources

Students Success stories

The cohort system is very powerful because the same students stay together from start to finish and we developed personal and professional relationships.

Dragana Lane MTX

I think it is going to help me a lot in my future career. Now I have an idea on how to conduct the research and resolve all these difficult tax issues.

Oleg Troshin MTX

One of the most valuable things I've learned here in the program was how to do tax research at a little bit more sophisticated level.

SelenaWalker MTX

The program does a really great job of being aware of knowing that there are busy seasons throughout the year and structuring the course load around those busy seasons.

Mario Cadena MTX