ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID
Application Deadlines
- Summer session – April 1
- Fall session – July 31
- Spring session – November 30
Applicants must submit an online application. Admission to the program is granted on a rolling basis. Admission is offered to qualified applicants whose previous academic or other experience and test scores, when applicable, indicate a high probability of success in the program.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for the Master of Laws in Taxation, the Master of Taxation or Certificate Programs, applicants must provide the following materials:
Start an online application from our How to Apply page.
Official transcripts from each institution of higher-learning attended in which six (6) or more credits were earned.
All application materials (transcripts, etc.) should be sent electronically to graduatetaxprogram@law.villanova.edu or when necessary by physical mail to:
Graduate Tax Program
Villanova Charles Widger School of Law
Room L30
299 North Spring Mill Road
Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085
One (1) professional letter of recommendation from an individual familiar with the applicant's professional and/or academic accomplishments; and is not a family member. Each recommender is asked to complete the form and submit a letter that discusses the four points below.
If you ask a recommender to compose a letter prior to their officially receiving instructions, remind them to include the below topics as a guideline:
- Length of time he/she has known the applicant
- Basis of the professional relationship
- Applicant's strengths
- Applicant's areas for improvement
*When you enter your recommenders' information into the application form, they will be sent an invitation on your behalf instructing them how to submit their recommendation. Recommenders are able to submit their recommendation regardless of your application submission status.
Please prepare a resume that includes your educational and professional information.
Please share how the Graduate Tax Program could help you achieve your professional goals and why you are choosing to pursue an advanced degree in taxation at this point in your career.
LLM applicants must possess a JD from a law school approved by the American Bar Association or completion of all requirements to practice law in a foreign country.
MT applicants must be a licensed Certified Public Accountant or have either passed the CPA exam or have taken the GMATs or GREs within the last five (5) years. Official test scores or a copy of the CPA exam results or license must be submitted. Applicants who hold a professional licensure such as an Enrolled Agent, Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Financial Analyst, etc. may be exempt from standardized testing by submitting a copy of their credential. Those applying may also request a standardized test score waiver.
Attorney applicants must meet the same requirements as LLM applicants.
Non-attorney applicants should follow the requirements set forth for MT applicants.
A non-refundable application fee of $50.00 must be paid by credit card. You will receive a receipt upon final submission.
International Applicants
Applicants whose native language is not English and who graduated from a non-U.S. institution in a country where English is not the official language, are required to provide a score for the TOEFL. Applicants taking the TOEFL should request that their scores are sent directly to Villanova University (code 2959). Scores must be sent directly to the Graduate Tax Program. Applicants who have graduated from an accredited United States institution are not required to submit a TOEFL. Applicants who work in the United States must submit their resume to the Graduate Tax Program requesting to see if a TOEFL is required.
One official transcript evaluation from each post-secondary educational institution for which six (6) credit hours or more of course work were taken is required. All transcripts (academic records) must be official documents. They must represent a course-by-course evaluation from either WES or ECE. Credentials evaluations are mandatory and are not waived. Please send your evaluations directly to the Graduate Tax Program via the information above.
Please note that the Graduate Tax Program does not satisfy the requirements for a student visa.
Admissions Requirements Exceptions
Any exceptions to admissions requirements are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Director and Faculty Director, in conjunction with the Admissions Committee.
Tuition
Students enrolled in the Graduate Tax Program will pay $1,675 per credit hour for tuition in the 2025-2026 academic year. There is also a $150 General Fee assessed each semester. Living expenses will be calculated based on the terms attending and modality of courses selected and will be included in the budget. Please note that determination of living expenses may vary as different cost expenditures are used for in-person versus online courses.
Complete tuition and costs for the Graduate Tax Program can be found under Financial Aid.
Health Insurance
Villanova University offers health insurance plans for graduate students who are enrolled in a minimum of 3 credits and who attend classes on-campus. Students enrolling in the University-sponsored plan can also include their spouse and children on the plan.
FINANCIAL AID
In order to qualify for financial aid, a student must be (1) admitted to the Program; (2) a U.S. citizen, national or an eligible non-citizen; (3) enrolled at least half-time; and (4) must meet any other applicable requirements identified by the Villanova Law School Financial Aid Office. For purposes of the financial aid rules applicable to the Graduate Tax Program, two courses are considered half-time participation and three or more courses are considered full-time participation.
For information about loans and financial aid, contact the Villanova Law Financial Aid Office. Call: 610-519-7015, email: finaid@law.villanova.edu.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships are available for new LLM or MT students enrolling in the Graduate Tax Program of up to $5,000, subject to funding availability.
As of fall 2023, scholarship applications are included within the admissions application, a separate application will not be required. Prospective students interested in applying for funding should select “yes” for the prompt on the admissions application. Prospective students will then be instructed to complete additional information about their candidacy.
Scholarship decisions will be released after the admissions deadline of the term the student is applying for.
PUBLIC INTEREST PROGRAMS
Honoring Villanova’s commitment to the virtue of Caritas and working for the common good of all, the Graduate Tax Program strives to serve the public interest through increasing access to our academic offerings. This desire serves as the foundation for our public interest programs and our continued effort to build up the tax community and equip practitioners to support those in need.
Tax law is a highly specialized field and advanced training beyond the Juris Doctorate is often required to truly understand the nuances of the United States Tax Code and the application of statutes and regulations. This added barrier to entry results in many prospective students forgoing additional education and relying solely on continuing education and on-the-job training. We are committed to breaking down these barriers through two initiatives.
Low Income Tax Clinics, non-profit organizations, and government agencies play a vital role in supporting disadvantaged communities when it comes to tax assistance and advice. We are proud to offer a scholarship of 50% off tuition for students working in public interest roles. By reducing tuition and lowering the financial burden of additional education, we can ensure more dedicated professionals have access to advanced training to better serve their constituents and those in need. Those interested in applying for the Caritas Scholarship should contact the Graduate Tax Program.
In partnership with Villanova Law’s Federal Tax Clinic, we are offering one student each year the opportunity to participate in a graduate assistantship. Recipients are able to pursue a Master of Laws in Taxation with full tuition remission and receive a stipend from the Federal Tax Clinic. In exchange, graduate assistants agree to work 20 hours per week in the clinic. The hands-on learning environment provides students with invaluable experience and prepares them for continued contribution to the public interest throughout their careers. Those interested in applying should contact Christine Speidel, associate professor of law and director of the Federal Tax Clinic.
Text Us:
610-995-6519
Monday–Friday: 9 AM–5 PM
(Closed Fridays in the summer)
IMPORTANT NOTICES
FOR PROSPECTIVE AND CURRENT STUDENTS ENROLLING IN ONLINE COURSES OR PROGRAMS
The following includes important information for students participating in online courses, online programs and/or on-ground clinicals or practicums while physically located outside of Pennsylvania.