Master of Legal Studies (MLS) in Taxation Curriculum

Students in the online MLS in Taxation program will gain a specialized understanding of the complexities of tax law, which can help position them for career advancement at their current company or across a wide range of industries. Designed for professionals who do not hold a Juris Doctor (J.D.), the online MLS in Taxation program allows students to pursue excellence with Washington University’s top 20-ranked School of Law*, the oldest operating law school west of the Mississippi River.

Program Requirements

Students in the online MLS in Taxation program must complete 9 credits from the general curriculum before beginning the tax curriculum and may choose from a variety of electives to meet their individual career goals. Optional learning experiences allow students to tailor this degree to their specific interests or skill set.

Required Courses

Students are required to complete Introduction to Federal Income Taxation, U.S. Law & Methods, and Legal Research and Writing.

Federal Income Taxation (4.5 credits)

This foundational course explores…

Introduction to U.S. Law & Methods (4.5 credits)

This foundational course explores how law is created, enacted, and changed in the United States. The objective is to learn to solve legal challenges and understand legal concepts with U.S. legal sources, methods, and institutions.

Legal Research & Writing (4.5 credits)

This course introduces the skills of legal research and writing. Students will explore different tools and research methods used in legal writing and the ways attorneys use legal writing as a form of advocacy.

Elective Courses (12 credits)

Elective courses allow students to focus their studies on areas that directly relate to their career goals. Electives are available in areas such as State and Local Taxation, Federal Tax Procedure, Federal Estate and Gift Taxation, Accounting for Tax Attorneys, Taxation of Employee Benefit Programs, International Taxation, Tax-Exempt Organizations, Tax Research Writing, Externship, Supervised Research.

Optional Learning Experiences

Students can supplement their online classes with an optional externship and faculty-guided research opportunities. Each is designed to provide students with more hands-on experience to practice their new tax law expertise.

Externship Opportunities

We help students find a law firm near their community to complete a 3-credit externship. During this time, students will apply their new knowledge and skills to real cases in the tax field.

Faculty-Guided Research

This 3-credit research course, supervised by expert faculty, allows students to meet with professors regularly to develop a thesis paper on a tax-related topic that interests them or aligns with their career goals.

* 2022 Best Law Schools.External link: US News & World Report. Ranked in 2021.