Master of Legal Studies in Taxation at a Glance
If you’re ready to move beyond tax preparation and into strategic advisory, compliance or policy-focused work, the Master of Legal Studies in Taxation from WashU Law can help you get there. This 100% online program equips professionals with a fundamental understanding of tax law, so you can contribute more meaningfully to high-level tax decisions across your organization.
Graduates of this online MLS in Taxation program are prepared to assist individuals and organizations across a range of tax-related functions, including accounting, government and corporate taxation.
August 17, 2026
September 14, 2026
What You’ll Learn
The online Master of Legal Studies in Taxation from WashU Law teaches you to understand, interpret and apply tax law so you can use it effectively in your day-to-day work.
This program is designed to cover the federal, state and local taxation topics needed by professionals who don’t want to become attorneys. The curriculum combines legal foundations with specialized tax coursework, giving you a perspective that traditional accounting or finance programs don’t offer.
Graduates of the online Master of Legal Studies in Taxation program are prepared to:
- Apply foundational and advanced principles of tax into real-world professional contexts
- Analyze tax statutes, regulations and guidance to support informed decision-making
- Evaluate legal and policy implications of tax planning strategies
- Communicate complex tax concepts clearly and effectively to stakeholders
Want more details on skill development, course topics and program outcomes? Visit the MLS in Taxation curriculum page
“We want our students to develop analytical thinking skills, advocacy skills and critical thinking skills. It’s one of the reasons we employ the Socratic method in the virtual classroom.
— Michael Koby, Professor of Practice and Associate Dean for International and Graduate Programs
Program Details
The MLS in Taxation is designed to balance flexibility with the consistency and rigor expected of a legal education. Students move through asynchronous coursework when it fits their schedule, then attend live weekly sessions taught by a blend of WashU Law’s distinguished residential faculty and expert legal practitioners, including leading experts in tax law and policy.
Classes are intentionally small so every participant is part of the conversation and technical tax concepts get the attention they require. Additional coursework includes in-class discussions and reading assignments grounded in real-world tax practice. Though rigorous, the program provides the flexibility to accommodate personal and professional commitments.
Students also have the option to participate in on-campus immersion experiences, offering opportunities to engage with faculty, peers and the WashU Law community in person.
To download a program brochure and learn more about the online Master of Legal Studies in Taxation offered by WashU Law, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with an enrollment specialist directly by calling us at 314-597-3365.
Who Is This Program For?
The Master of Legal Studies in Taxation from WashU Law is beneficial for professionals who work with tax and want to deepen their understanding of the legal frameworks that shape it. It can be relevant for individuals in accounting, finance, compliance and corporate roles who are looking to move into more strategic or advisory work, as well as those in government or policy settings who engage with tax regulation and oversight.
You do not need a law degree or legal background to pursue a Master of Legal Studies degree. These programs are designed to provide versatile legal knowledge for a wide variety of professionals, although the ideal candidate is interested in how law intersects with strategic decision-making.
Still deciding if this program is a fit for you? Reach out to our enrollment specialists to better understand the program.
Beyond the Classroom
WashU Law’s online programs offer many opportunities to stay active in the greater university community beyond coursework and immersions:
- Apply legal concepts in professional setting through an externship
- Explore legal questions in greater depth through supervised research
- Engage with practitioners across legal and regulated industries
- Join WashU’s global alumni network
That network is backed by real resources. WashU Law Career Center advisers build meaningful connections through one-on-one counseling sessions, stay invested in graduates’ long-term success and follow through when it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Professionals who complete the online Master of Legal Studies in Taxation (MLS in Taxation) program are equipped to take on more advanced responsibilities related to tax strategy, compliance and regulatory analysis. According to an analysis of job postings by Lightcast, graduates who hold a degree related to tax law earn a median advertised salary of $143,000 annually.
Some professionals that can significantly benefit from an MLS in Taxation include:
- Accountants
- Tax analysts
- Tax consultants
- Financial advisers
- Corporate finance managers and directors
- Compliance officers
Though the Master of Legal Studies in Taxation does not qualify individuals to practice law, it strengthens their ability to interpret and contribute tax-related decision-making within their organizations.
A Master of Legal Studies (MLS) in Taxation is a specialized tax master’s degree that provides professionals with a better understanding of tax law so they can make stronger, better informed decisions in high-risk environments. This degree isn’t designed for current or aspiring lawyers, so no prior legal experience or education is required.
A Master of Laws (LLM) in Taxation is intended for practicing lawyers who want to specialize their practice in tax law.
Both degrees emphasize foundational tax expertise, and may cover some similar topics, but they place tax knowledge into fundamentally different contexts.
A Master of Legal Studies (MLS) in Taxation is a law school-based degree that emphasizes the legal side of taxation, making it a versatile fit for non-lawyers who want to navigate tax regulations within a variety of professional or corporate contexts.
A Master of Science (MS) in Taxation is typically offered through a business or accounting school and focuses more on the technical, financial and accounting dimensions of tax practice. It is generally a better fit for those interested exclusively in an accounting career.