University of Mississippi

What you'll study

The programme focuses on advanced tax theory and practice, combining coursework in substantive tax law with applied research and professional skills. Core topics typically include federal income taxation of individuals and corporations, partnership tax, estate and gift taxation, state and local taxation (SALT), and tax procedure and ethics.

• Federal Individual Taxation: detailed treatment of income, deductions, credits, filing requirements and tax planning for individuals.
• Corporate and Partnership Taxation: formation, distributions, reorganisations, basis, and specific issues affecting flow-through entities and corporations.
• Estate, Gift and Fiduciary Taxation: planning for wealth transfer, trusts, and fiduciary income tax rules.
• State and Local Taxation (SALT): nexus issues, apportionment, sales and use taxes, and SALT planning.
• International Tax: cross-border taxation, transfer pricing basics, and issues for multinational enterprises.
• Tax Research and Procedure: statutory interpretation, use of primary and secondary research sources, controversy and administrative process, and professional responsibility.
• Electives and Practicum: seminars on specialised topics (e.g. partnership audits, executive compensation, or estate planning), a practicum or capstone project applying tax research to real client problems, and opportunities for independent study.

The programme is delivered through a mix of lectures, case studies, research assignments and practical projects. Students may choose options that support CPA eligibility, tax practice, or further graduate study.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, typically with prior coursework in accounting and taxation. Common requirements include:

• Academic record: a completed undergraduate degree with a competitive GPA. Candidates without a strong accounting background may be admitted conditionally and asked to complete prerequisite coursework.
• Prerequisites: foundational courses in financial accounting, managerial accounting and introductory taxation are normally expected. Additional prerequisites may be required for those from non-accounting backgrounds.
• Supporting materials: a personal statement or statement of purpose, current CV or résumé, and academic transcripts. Letters of recommendation are often requested.
• Entrance tests: some applicants may be asked to submit GMAT or GRE scores, though waivers are commonly available for candidates with substantial relevant experience or a strong academic record.
• Professional experience: relevant work experience in accounting, tax or finance is advantageous but not always required; admissions decisions consider the whole application.

Career prospects

Graduates from a taxation master’s programme pursue a variety of tax-focused careers across public and private sectors. Typical roles include:

• Tax associate or senior in public accounting firms, including national and regional firms.
• Corporate tax analyst, tax manager or director within corporate tax departments.
• Consultant specialising in tax planning, compliance or transfer pricing for advisory firms.
• State revenue agency or federal tax authority positions in examination, policy or litigation support.
• Private client advisor, estate planner or wealth management specialist in law and financial services firms.

The degree is also a common pathway to sitting for the CPA examination (where jurisdictional credit rules apply) and can strengthen applications to law school or doctoral programmes in tax law and accounting.

Why study at University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi’s accounting and taxation offerings are delivered through a school with established ties to regional and national accounting firms, providing networking and internship opportunities. Faculty typically combine scholarly expertise with practical experience in tax practice, policymaking or consulting.

• Practical focus: the curriculum emphasises applied tax research, casework and practicum experiences that prepare students for client-facing roles.
• Career support: on-campus career services and employer recruitment events connect students with public accounting firms, corporations and government agencies.
• Location and community: studying in Oxford provides access to a supportive campus environment while maintaining proximity to firms and alumni networks across the region.
• Preparation for professional credentials: the programme aligns coursework with the competencies required for professional tax practice and can help fulfil educational components for CPA eligibility in many jurisdictions.

Prospective students should consult the university’s graduate admissions pages and the School of Accountancy for specific programme formats, prerequisites and application guidance.