MT Admissions Standards
Admissions standards for the Master of Taxation are tailored to your educational and professional background:
| Student Type | Admissions Standards |
|---|
| Accountants and Tax Practitioners Seeking Advanced Tax Expertise | One or more of the following: - Bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited institution
- Postbaccalaureate Accounting Certificate
- Certified Public Accountant license
- Enrolled Agent license
|
|---|
| Individuals Seeking Career Change Into Taxation | Bachelor's degree and completion of the following upper-division accounting prerequisite courses with a 3.0 GPA or higher*: - Accounting Information Systems - Accounting 335
- Financial Accounting and Reporting I - Accounting 381
- Financial Accounting and Reporting II - Accounting 382
- Financial Accounting and Reporting III - Accounting 383
- Taxation - Accounting 395
- Auditing Concepts and Practices - Accounting 492
|
|---|
| Current PSU Undergraduate Accounting Majors | Bachelor's degree in accounting to be completed prior to starting the program with a 3.0+ GPA in upper-division accounting courses.
Note: Current Accounting students with a 3.3 institutional GPA or higher may apply in their junior year to start graduate coursework in their senior year through the 4+1 Pathway. Find out more about the 4+1 program here. |
|---|
| Lawyers | JD degree |
|---|
*To confirm if specific courses you completed can be counted as prerequisites please submit all transcripts to the Graduate Business Programs office (SBGradAdmissions@pdx.edu). The Graduate Business Programs Office will review your transcripts and notify you within two weeks.
MT Application Requirements
GMAT/GRE not required for this program
- Meet PSU minimum admission requirement
- Professional resume
- Unofficial transcripts/mark sheets from any institution where a bachelor's degree was awarded and any institution where graduate-level credits were completed. Upon admission, applicants will be required to provide official transcripts from these institutions. Visit the PSU Admissions website for detailed transcript requirements
- Essay questions (1 video and 3 written): Essays are your opportunity to tell us who you are beyond your GPAs, test scores and resume. Use this opportunity to provide us with a better understanding of your personal journey, unique background and goals associated with the program.
- Video essay (1): Applicants are required to record a short video of themselves answering the following question - "Introduce yourself and tell us your story. Where are you in your career right now and why is this the right program for you?" The application system provides detailed guidance on how to complete this process. Reading your response is strongly discouraged.
- Written essays (3):
- 250 words maximum per essay question
- Answers to all three questions are required
- See questions below
- Contact information for two professional references
- $67 application fee - Attend an Information Session to waive this.
Essay Questions
- Introduce yourself and tell us your story. Where are you in your career right now and why is the MT program right for you? (video, 3 minute maximum)
- What are your short-term and long-term career objectives and how will Portland State's MT program contribute to those goals? (written, 250 word maximum)
- Please describe why you believe you are ready to pursue the MT right now and what steps you have taken financially, personally and academically to ensure your success in the program. (written, 250 word maximum)
AI Usage Policy for Graduate Business Admissions
The admissions team is interested in your authentic voice which reflects your academic, professional, and personal experiences and goals. We engage in a holistic review process when evaluating application materials because we want to understand what has inspired you to commit to the graduate program you're applying to. We also want to learn how your experiences will complement the experiences of other members in the cohort you may join.
Given this context, we encourage applicants to submit work that reflects their own voice and perspective. While there may be appropriate uses for AI, such as outlining ideas or checking grammar, essays must be written in your own words. AI-generated content should not replace your personal writing or storytelling. Submissions that rely heavily on AI-generated content or lack meaningful personal detail may affect the admissions decision.
Additionally, because scholarships awarded by The School of Business are based on a holistic review of academic and personal achievements, including your written materials, excessive use of AI may also affect scholarship eligibility.
This policy aligns with the university’s academic integrity standards.
If you have questions about using AI in your application materials, please contact our Recruitment Advising or Admissions Team.
Additional International Student Requirements
Note: The PSU MT program is held primarily online and does not qualify for the F-1 visa.
Learn More About the Master of Taxation