They say the only sure things in life are death and taxes. No one question that taxes will always be with us. According to CNBC, one of the most in-demand subsets of the accounting field today are tax managers, who have a salary range of $133,000 to $207,500. Forbes recognizes that tax managers have seen a 241% increase in job responsibilities to combat the increasing work demand.
The Cal State Fullerton College of Business and Economics M.S. in taxation is a 30-unit program that meets the CPA 150-hour licensure requirement under California law. The program is powered by the research and teaching acumen of the School of Accountancy, which makes Cal State Fullerton the only institution in Orange County dual accredited in both general business and accounting by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
In addition to required coursework in tax research and practice at the corporate and shareholder levels, elective units include opportunities for internships and specialized seminars on topics in federal, state and local taxation.
“The MS in taxation program relies on specialist practitioners from local accounting firms to deliver a top-quality real-world focused curriculum,” says Vivek Mande, director of the School of Accountancy. “The program consists of 10 tax courses including a distinctive tax and technology capstone aimed at preparing students for where the field is headed in today’s AI-focused times.”
One recent alumnus of the CSUF master’s in taxation program is Ikmanpreet Singh ’22’24. He credits the graduate program for giving him a strong and versatile introduction to the taxation field. “The MST program has not only provided me with technical expertise but also the strategic thinking necessary to excel in the highly competitive tax profession. The informative yet rigorous curriculum, paired with insights from distinguished faculty and industry experts, has given me a deep technical knowledge and practical framework for solving complex tax issues for both business and personal income tax. The program’s focus on real-world applications and tax codes research has prepared me to navigate the complexities of the tax landscape with accuracy and confidence” he says.
“These skills will support my aspiration to become a CPA and ultimately build a successful tax firm. Looking ahead, I see myself leading a prosperous firm working with high net-worth clients and corporations and offering sophisticated tax solutions and planning strategies. A huge thank you to CSUF, it’s faculty members, board of directors, deans and everyone else involved!”
For more on our master’s degree in taxation, visit our Business Graduate Programs website. Or apply today for fall 2026 admission.
