Online Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation
Earn a Master of Laws in Taxation from a Top-Ranked Law School
With a history of providing exceptional legal education, Washington University’s Top-20 School of Law1 offers an online Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation designed for lawyers and law school graduates who want to specialize in tax law.
Students in the program will gain a comprehensive understanding of federal, state and local tax law and will graduate prepared to assist individuals and organizations in all major areas of tax, such as estate planning, employee benefits and corporate taxation. The program can be completed entirely online in as little as one year.
Accreditation and Acquiescence
Washington University’s LL.M. in Taxation, LL.M. in U.S. Law, and MLS programs have obtained acquiescence by the American Bar Association (ABA). Find out more about acquiescence on the ABA website. In addition, Washington University in St. Louis has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1913. Learn about the University’s HLC accreditation.
A Curriculum Designed
by Tax Law Experts
by Tax Law Experts
Students in the online LL.M. in Taxation program will learn from a faculty of tax law experts bringing a wealth of industry knowledge and real-world experience to the classroom. The curriculum provides students with an overview of tax law, including the procedural and technical aspects as well as the tools they need to solve complex tax problems and adapt to ever-changing legislation.
Program Requirements
- 24
total credits - 3
required courses - 15
credits of electives - 1
year to complete
Courses
Students will complete three required courses and then choose from a variety of electives to meet their individual career goals. Check out our course catalog to view course descriptions.
Required Courses
- Federal Income Taxation
- Corporate Taxation
- Partnership Taxation
Electives
- State and Local Taxation
- Federal Tax Procedure
- Federal Income Taxation of Estates, Trusts and Gifts
- ERISA
- International Taxation
- Tax-Exempt Organizations
- Accounting for Tax Attorneys
- Tax Research and Writing
- Externship
- Supervised Research
If you do not have a Juris Doctor (J.D.), the university offers a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) in Taxation online for those who have earned a bachelor’s degree. To learn more, request information for the online MLS in Taxation program.
Optional In-Person Learning
Students have the option to supplement their online learning instruction with in-person learning experiences, including a tax law externship and supervised research. Each is designed to provide students with new opportunities to apply their tax law expertise.
Externship
The School of Law helps match interested students with a law firm to complete a 3-credit externship. Students will apply the skills they have gained in the classroom and gain real-world experience in the tax field.
Supervised Research
Students in the 3-credit supervised research course meet with professors regularly to develop a thesis paper on a tax-related topic that interests them or aligns with their career goals.
Learn how tax law expertise in areas like
wealth management and corporate taxation can
advance your career.
wealth management and corporate taxation can
advance your career.
Admissions
Candidates to the online LL.M. in Taxation program must have a Juris Doctorate degree to apply. For applicants with an LL.B. (or equivalent), law school approval is required.
To apply to the program, make sure you submit the following:
- Online application
- Application fee or waiver
- Statement of purpose
- Résumé or CV
- Official transcripts
- Online interview
The Tax LL.M. program has four start dates throughout the year. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. The sooner you apply, the sooner you will receive an admissions decision.
| Program Start Date | Priority Deadline | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| April 6, 2020 | January 27, 2020 | March 2, 2020 |
| July 6, 2020 | April 27, 2020 | June 1, 2020 |
| October 5, 2020 | July 27, 2020 | August 31, 2020 |
| January 11, 2021 | October 19, 2020 | December 7, 2020 |
Online Learning
Experience
Experience
The convenience of our online learning environment allows students to earn their degree while continuing to work. The program combines self-paced weekly courses with live, face-to-face classes featuring HD video hosted on the interactive Zoom platform. With small breakout groups and live chats, the online classroom promotes a collaborative and discussion-based classroom environment.
Students will also be given access to LexisNexis and Westlaw, two legal databases that will help students complete course work and legal research. These resources provide students with access to legal materials, such as public records, law journals and court cases. Learn more about the student experience.
Our Expert Faculty
The faculty members for the online Tax LL.M. program are the same nationally and internationally recognized experts who teach on campus. Professors are committed to teaching students how to apply fundamental tax law knowledge and concepts to real world situations.
Sarah Narkiewicz, Tax LL.M. Advisor
Sarah Narkiewicz has been a lecturer in law and an advisor in the LL.M. tax program since 2004, teaching tax courses as well as supervising the extern program for the LL.M. students. A graduate of Washington University School of Law, Narkiewicz served as a tax attorney for six years with Husch Blackwell and the Stolar Partnership.
Peter Wiedenbeck, Professor of the Law of Property
Peter Wiedenbeck is an expert in federal income tax law and employee benefit plans. He brings more than three decades’ worth of legal experience to the classroom along with an in-depth understanding of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
Career Opportunities with a Tax LL.M. Degree
Because of the complexity of tax law and its impact on business, finance, government, and nonprofit, the need for competent tax lawyers remains steady. The LL.M. in Taxation program prepares students to apply their expertise across public, private and nonprofit sectors. Tax law career paths can include:
- Tax attorney
- Estate planning lawyer or advisor
- Tax consultant at accounting firm
- Financial product advisor
- Department of Justice tax lawyer
- Department of Treasury tax lawyer
- Clerk for tax court judge
- IRS litigator
- M&A lawyer
- Legal advisor
Personalized Career Support
A wide variety of career services are offered to help students meet their career goals after graduation. Services include one-on-one career advising, access to the Virtual Career Center and networking opportunities through the Washington University School of Law alumni network. Learn more about career services.
