Virginia Commonwealth University

What you'll study

The MST curriculum emphasises applied tax technical skills and research. Core topics typically include federal income taxation of individuals and businesses, corporate and partnership taxation, state and local taxation, tax procedure and ethics, and tax research and writing. Advanced modules often cover international taxation, estate and gift taxation, consolidated returns, accounting for income taxes, and tax planning for mergers and acquisitions.

Learning is delivered through a mix of classroom instruction, case studies and practical assignments. Many students also undertake a practicum or capstone project that involves researching complex tax issues and preparing memos or client-facing deliverables, preparing them for professional practice.

Entry requirements

• An accredited bachelor’s degree; applicants with an undergraduate degree in accounting, finance or a related field are preferred.
• A competitive undergraduate GPA. Equivalent international academic records are also considered.
• Prerequisite coursework in intermediate accounting and basic taxation or demonstrated work experience in accounting/taxation if prerequisites are not met.
• Submission materials commonly include a resume, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Professional exams (for example GMAT/GRE) may be required for some applicants, though waivers are sometimes available based on prior academic or professional experience.
• International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements and provide credential evaluation for foreign transcripts.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue positions in public accounting firms (including national and regional firms), corporate tax departments, consulting firms and government tax agencies. Typical roles include tax associate, tax analyst, senior tax accountant, tax manager and tax director. The programme also prepares graduates for professional credential pathways such as the CPA and specialised tax credentials, and can be a strong foundation for those who later pursue law degrees or roles in tax policy and advisory services.

Why study at Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU’s programme is housed in a business school with strong connections to Richmond’s accounting, legal and business communities, providing networking and internship opportunities in a major regional tax and financial centre. Students benefit from faculty who combine academic expertise with practical tax experience and from coursework designed to develop technical research and client-communication skills. Flexible delivery options and career services support help accommodate working professionals seeking to advance into specialised tax roles.