FAQs

How much is tuition for the Masters in Taxation program?

Tuition for the Master’s program is $14,900. Please see the Master’s in Taxation Bulletin for more information regarding tuition payment options, and fees.

When can I start the Masters in Taxation or Doctorate Program?

The school has open enrollment; therefore, students may apply at any time. Once accepted, students may begin coursework immediately. The program is completed at the Students own pace.

How long does it take to complete the Masters in Taxation?

Students are given five years to complete the graduation requirements. Students may not complete the program in less than 12 months. The average completion time is approximately two years. However, because this program is at your own pace, it’s completely up to you.

What if I don’t complete the Masters in Taxation program within the maximum time frame?

Under special circumstances, a student that has:

1. Been dismissed/withdrawn within the original program period, but would like to return, may do so.  Dismissed/withdrawn students must contact the Administrative Offices to explore the specific requirements to reinstate.  These students may become subject to new tuition rates and fees (that differ from the time they originally enrolled), clear up any outstanding balances and agree to an academic plan/schedule to complete the course requirements.  These students may not receive an extension beyond the five year program period.
2. Fallen outside the five year program period must complete a Reinstatement Agreement and pay the $3,500 reinstatement fee to the Administrative Office for consideration.  Once approved, the student may receive an additional five years to complete the program without being subject to changing tuition rates and fees.

How does the Masters in Taxation program work?

The Master’s Degree in Taxation is an advanced academic and professional degree recognized throughout the English-speaking world.  The general requirement for the attainment of this degree in American colleges is the satisfactory completion of one graduate level academic year of study in taxation beyond the Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting for accountants or beyond the LL.B. or the J.D. Degree for lawyers.

The Master’s Degree in Taxation conferred by Washington Institute is an interdisciplinary degree program for accountants, lawyers and other tax professionals.  The designation of the degree is Master of Science in Taxation, abbreviated: M.S. Tax.

The Master’s Degree Program of Washington Institute is available to students through independent study and filmed lectures and students may begin the program at any time of the year.

If a student pursues his/her studies at approximately 4 lecture hours per week (or 16 lecture hours per month), then the program can be completed in about 24 months. The student may proceed faster or slower (but no fewer than 12 months or longer than 60 months, commencing the day of enrollment).

The objectives and techniques of the Master’s Degree in Taxation program are as follows:

• To provide a RELEVANT AND PRACTICAL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE which provides the student with critical tax knowledge and insights with the least cost in wasted time and resources.  This is done through an integrated program of up-to-date texts and techniques which give advanced knowledge, expertise, and the fulfillment of continuing education requirements all delivered to the student by experienced, renowned and highly qualified tax professionals.
• To provide a recognized and accepted GRADUATE LEVEL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM covering U.S. taxation, consisting of a variety of subjects and a graduation requirement of 24 semester units.
• To provide an ASYNCHRONOUS, DISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM to independent study students, recording the lectures of experienced tax practitioners, to enable students to learn at their convenience and without the burden and cost of disturbing their practice, going away to school or being pressured into an inflexible class schedule, and all at very AFFORDABLE RATES.

How do I enroll and get started in the Masters in Taxation Program?

The Student Enrollment Agreement and Master Program in Taxation Performance Fact Sheet are available on the website (wsltax.org), or you may call and request these documents from the school. They need to be filled out legibly and submitted, together with a non-refundable enrollment fee in the amount of $50, to Washington Institute for Graduate Studies. All documents must be signed and dated.  Students must request an official transcript from the school from which they received their qualifying degree (see Admission Requirements). The official transcript must be received by the school within two months of enrolling.

The School reserves the right to withdraw any student according to the withdrawal/dismissal policy listed in the program Bulletin. If the enrollee cannot begin course work within three months after enrollment, the School must be notified. A student may proceed at his or her own rate, and take off the extra time he or she needs for emergencies, vacations, or particularly heavy work periods (i.e., tax return preparation).

What courses are required for the Masters in Taxation program?

There are several core, foundational courses which must be completed at the beginning of the program (see the Masters Degree in Taxation Bulletin). These core courses should be requested first (601-605). After the core courses, all remaining courses are electives, so you may take whichever courses you need to complete the 24 semester unit requirement. After the core courses, we recommend that you take the courses that pertain to your current profession, future interests and goals since students come with varying educational backgrounds and work experience.

What does the tuition for the Masters in Taxation program cover?

The tuition covers all of the courses the school offers up to the 24 semester units required for graduation. Students that wish to continue their studies beyond graduation (or the 24 required semester units) may request additional courses for the discounted rate of $100 per semester unit for up to ten years beyond their graduation date. Text books are purchased separately.

Please see Masters Degree in Taxation Bulletin for more information regarding tuition and fees.

How do I order courses?

Individuals seeking CPE/CLE Credit only can purchase courses through the school’s Store (under the Students tab on the homepage).

An active student may access a course request by going to the “Student Login” area of the website after receiving their user name and password. Upon successful login, the student can click on the “Courses” tab at the top of the page where course descriptions can be viewed and the desired course can be selected. All DVDs relating to a specific course are shipped at one time. The courses do not need to be returned to the School and may become the student’s future resource materials.  Courses are sent to the student by U.S. Mail. Expect five to seven working days for shipment. The student must provide a physical mailing address, not a P.O. Box, for shipments. The courses are copyrighted by the school and should not be duplicated without written permission.

How much is tuition for the Doctorate Program?

Tuition for the Doctorate program is $12,000. Please see the Doctorate in Taxation Bulletin for more information regarding tuition payment options, and fees.

When can I start the Masters in Taxation or Doctorate Program?

The school has open enrollment; therefore, students may apply at any time. Once accepted, students may begin coursework immediately. The program is completed at the Students own pace.

How long does it take to complete the Doctorate program?

Students are given four years to complete the graduation requirements. Students may not complete the program in less than 12 months. The average completion time is approximately 2.5 years. However, because this program is at your own pace, it’s completely up to you.

What if I don’t complete the Doctorate program within the maximum time frame?

Under special circumstances, a student that has:

1. Been dismissed/withdrawn within the original program period, but would like to return, may do so.  Dismissed/withdrawn students must contact the Administrative Offices to explore the specific requirements to reinstate.  These students may become subject to new tuition rates and fees (that differ from the time they originally enrolled), clear up any outstanding balances and agree to an academic plan/schedule to complete the course requirements.  These students may not receive an extension beyond the four year program period.
2. Fallen outside the four year program period must complete a Reinstatement Agreement and pay the $3,500 reinstatement fee to the Administrative Office for consideration.  Once approved, the student may receive an additional four years to complete the program without being subject to changing tuition rates and fees.

How does the Doctorate program work?

The Doctorate program in Taxation at Washington Institute for Graduate Studies is designed to educate tax professionals that are uniquely prepared for this research-oriented, professional degree.

The program follows a simple, but effective pattern that is summarized below:

• Phase I must be completed within 18 months and consists of completing required coursework. This phase includes courses in research, instructional design, and taxation (topics selected by the student).
• Phase II must be completed within 8 months (following Phase I completion) and consists of a teaching requirement. This phase includes completion of 30 hours of classroom hours of instruction.
• Phase III must be completed within 18 months (following Phase II completion) and consists of writing a dissertation, which is a minimum of 300 pages of original work that advances the field of taxation.
• Dissertation Defense. Within 4 months of completing Phase III, the student must successfully defend his/her dissertation before a panel of experts.

The details of each phase are further defined in the “Graduation Requirements” section of the Doctorate in Taxation Bulletin.

How do I enroll and get started in the Doctorate Program?

The Student Enrollment Agreement and Doctorate Program in Taxation Performance Fact Sheet are available on the website (www.wsltax.org), or you may call and request these documents from the school. They need to be filled out legibly and submitted, together with a non-refundable enrollment fee in the amount of $50, to Washington Institute for Graduate Studies. All documents must be signed and dated.  Students must request an official transcript from the school from which they received their qualifying degree (see Admission Requirements). The official transcript must be received by the school within two months of enrolling.

The School reserves the right to withdraw any student according to the withdrawal/dismissal policy listed in the program Bulletin. If the enrollee cannot begin course work within three months after enrollment, the School must be notified. A student may proceed at his or her own rate, and take off the extra time he or she needs for emergencies, vacations, or particularly heavy work periods (i.e., tax return preparation).

What courses are required for the Doctorate program?

The Doctorate in Taxation program has several course requirements including 6 semester units of graduate, tax-related courses (selected by student), 3 semester units of of graduate-level coursework on pedagogy or instructional theory and design, and 3.5 semester units of graduate-level, research-related coursework on a) qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, and b) practical, industry specific research.

Please see the Doctorate in Taxation Bulletin for more information about the courses required for conferral of the Doctorate in Taxation.

What does the tuition for the Doctorate program cover?

The tuition for the Doctorate program includes:

• Acess to the learning management system (LMS) for:
  • Establishing a student profile to gain access to announcements, course/program and payment progress.
  • For access to Washington Institute tax-related courses (with the exception of associated text books).
  • Online course notes (mandatory for Washington Institute’s tax course credits.
  • Examinations for each course (review and final).
• The cost of course tuition at Checkpoint Learning for those courses that satisfy “Phase I” course requirements (with the exception of associated text books).
• Certificates of Completion for each tax-related course (for CPE/CLE credit).
• A qualified dissertation mentor.
• Dissertation/Oral defense panel fees.
• One diploma.
• Two school transcripts.

Please see Doctorate Degree in Taxation Bulletin for more information regarding tuition and fees.

How do I order courses?

Individuals seeking CPE/CLE Credit only can purchase courses through the school’s Store (under the Students tab on the homepage).

An active student may access a course request by going to the “Student Login” area of the website after receiving their user name and password. Upon successful login, the student can click on the “Courses” tab at the top of the page where course descriptions can be viewed and the desired course can be selected. All DVDs relating to a specific course are shipped at one time. The courses do not need to be returned to the School and may become the student’s future resource materials.  Courses are sent to the student by U.S. Mail. Expect five to seven working days for shipment. The student must provide a physical mailing address, not a P.O. Box, for shipments. The courses are copyrighted by the school and should not be duplicated without written permission.