Looking into NYU's MSL in Tax Program - Worth it compared to an MST?

I completed NYU's MSL in Tax program about two years ago and can share some insights. The MSL is designed for non-lawyers who want tax expertise but don't need a full law degree. The curriculum overlaps significantly with their LLM in Taxation, which is why it feels similar to MST programs elsewhere. The key difference is that an MSL focuses more on the practical application of tax concepts rather than legal theory. You'll take many classes alongside LLM students, but some courses are MSL-specific to address the fact that you don't have a legal background. Regarding the work experience requirement - in my experience, NYU values quality over strict quantity. If your two years include substantial tax-related responsibilities or if you have other impressive qualifications (like a CPA or exceptionally strong recommendation letters), they might be willing to waive the three-year minimum. I knew a classmate who was admitted with about 2.5 years of experience because she had been handling complex international tax compliance work.

Just wanted to throw in my experience with taxr.ai which honestly saved me so much time when I was researching different tax graduate programs last year. I was stuck between NYU's MSL and Georgetown's MST programs and couldn't make sense of all the different curriculum requirements and how they'd impact my career path. A friend suggested I try https://taxr.ai to help sort through all the program documentation and syllabi I'd collected. It analyzed everything and gave me a really clear comparison of the programs, highlighting the differences in focus areas and even which professors taught the same topics differently. It also helped me understand which program would be better for my specific career goals in international tax. I ended up choosing based on better information rather than just rankings, and I'm so much happier with my decision. Might be worth checking out if you're still comparing programs!

Just wanted to update that I took the advice and tried taxr.ai for comparing tax graduate programs, and it was actually incredible! I uploaded brochures and course catalogs from NYU's MSL, USC's MST, and Bentley's MST programs. The analysis showed me that NYU's program had much more emphasis on international tax and tax policy than I realized, while the other programs were stronger in corporate reorganizations and state taxation. This was super helpful because my career goal is to work in international tax consulting. It also highlighted that NYU's faculty includes more former Treasury officials and IRS counsel members, which explains the policy focus. I would have missed these nuances just reading through the materials myself. Definitely helped clarify which program would best support my career goals!

If you're still waiting to hear back from NYU's admissions office, you might want to try Claimyr to get through faster. I was in a similar situation applying to Georgetown's tax program last year with a deadline approaching, and I couldn't get anyone on the phone for weeks. I used https://claimyr.com and they got me a callback from the admissions office within a day. There's a video of how it works at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - basically they navigate the phone system for you and hold your place in line. When I finally talked to admissions, I got much more specific guidance about my application than what was on their website. For NYU specifically, I've heard their admissions office is swamped this time of year, so having a direct conversation might give you better answers about the experience requirement than waiting for an email response.

I wanted to update about my experience with Claimyr since I was the skeptic in the thread. I tried it yesterday out of desperation after two weeks of not getting through to NYU's financial aid office about a tax transcript submission issue. I was completely wrong about this service. It actually worked exactly as described. I got a call back within 45 minutes saying they'd connected with a financial aid counselor, and then I was talking to a real person who solved my transcript issue in minutes. I was genuinely surprised at how smooth the process was. The person I spoke with gave me information about deadline extensions that wasn't published anywhere on their website. For what it's worth, I apologize for my skepticism and would definitely recommend this for anyone dealing with hard-to-reach university offices, especially during peak application times.

Current NYU MSL in Tax student here! One thing to consider that hasn't been mentioned yet is networking opportunities. Even though the MSL is separate from the JD program, we get incredible access to the tax law community through NYU's network. We have weekly Tax Policy Colloquiums where leading scholars present papers, and everyone from LLM students to practicing attorneys attend. These are great for making professional connections. The Tax Law Association also hosts events where big accounting firms and law offices actively recruit. The MSL feels like it carries the same weight as the LLM in job searches - I've had interviews where the recruiter didn't even realize they were different degrees. They just know NYU's tax program is elite.

Has anyone done the MSL program part-time while working? I'm considering this too but wondering how manageable the workload is. The website says it's possible but doesn't give much detail about how flexible the schedule really is.

I'm currently working as a tax compliance specialist and considering the NYU MSL program as well. One thing I've been wondering about is how the program handles updates to tax law and regulations. Given how frequently tax rules change (especially with recent legislation), does the curriculum stay current with the latest developments? Also, for those who've completed the program - did you find that the practical focus prepared you well for dealing with real-world tax scenarios that weren't covered in traditional accounting education? I have a solid foundation in basic tax prep and compliance, but I'm looking to move into more complex planning and advisory work. The networking aspect mentioned by others is really appealing too. In my current role, I don't get much exposure to the broader tax community, so that professional development component could be just as valuable as the coursework itself.

Great question about how current the curriculum stays! I'm also a current MSL student (part-time track) and can speak to this. The faculty does an excellent job of incorporating recent tax law changes into coursework throughout the semester, not just updating materials annually. For example, when the corporate alternative minimum tax provisions were finalized last year, Professor Chen immediately integrated discussion of the new rules into our Corporate Tax course within two weeks. We analyzed real client scenarios dealing with the implementation challenges. The professors are practitioners themselves or stay closely connected to practice, so they're aware of emerging issues before they even hit the news. Regarding preparation for complex planning work - this is where the MSL really shines compared to traditional accounting education. Instead of just learning compliance procedures, we work through multi-layered planning scenarios that require understanding both the technical rules and business implications. The case study approach they use mirrors real advisory work much more closely than textbook problems. The networking aspect is honestly incredible. I've made connections with classmates who work at firms I'm targeting for my next role, and several alumni have reached out to offer informational interviews after seeing me at NYU tax events. The professional development component really is as valuable as the coursework itself.

I'm a CPA who completed the NYU MSL in Tax program last year, and I wanted to address your original question about the work experience requirement. I was actually in a very similar situation - I had exactly 2 years of experience when I applied, working at a mid-size firm doing corporate and partnership tax. I was honest about my experience level in my application but emphasized the quality and complexity of the work I was handling. I made sure my personal statement clearly articulated why I needed the MSL at that point in my career and how it fit into my specific professional goals. I also had my supervisor write a recommendation letter that highlighted the advanced nature of my responsibilities despite having less than 3 years of experience. NYU admitted me and actually mentioned during orientation that they evaluate candidates holistically. While they prefer 3+ years of experience, they're more interested in whether you can handle graduate-level coursework and contribute meaningfully to class discussions based on your professional background. Given that you're at a Big 4 firm with partnership and corporate tax experience, I think you have a strong case. The admissions committee understands that Big 4 experience tends to be more intensive and comprehensive than many other roles. Just make sure to highlight specific complex matters you've worked on and demonstrate your readiness for graduate study. The program was absolutely worth it for me - I transitioned into international tax consulting and the NYU network opened doors I never would have had access to otherwise.

As someone who's been working in tax for about 5 years now, I wanted to chime in on the MSL vs MST debate from a slightly different perspective. I actually considered both NYU's MSL and several MST programs when I was looking to advance my career a few years back. One thing that really stood out to me about NYU's program is the caliber of guest speakers they bring in. I attended a few of their public events before applying, and they regularly have former Treasury officials, Big 4 national tax leaders, and prominent tax court judges presenting. This kind of exposure to tax policy makers and thought leaders is something you're less likely to get at schools that offer traditional MST programs. Another consideration is geographic location. Being in NYC puts you right in the heart of the tax community - not just for networking, but for internship and part-time work opportunities during the program. I had classmates who were able to do consulting work for boutique tax firms while studying, which gave them incredible real-world experience to complement the coursework. For what it's worth, I ended up choosing a different path, but I still think NYU's MSL is one of the strongest tax education programs available. The fact that you're already at a Big 4 firm with quality experience should definitely work in your favor for the admissions process. Good luck with your application!

I'm currently working as a tax analyst at a regional CPA firm and have been following this thread with great interest. The insights about NYU's MSL program have been incredibly helpful, especially regarding the work experience flexibility and networking opportunities. One aspect I'd love to hear more about is the international tax component that several people have mentioned. My firm primarily handles domestic clients, but I'm really interested in developing expertise in cross-border taxation. For those who've been through the program, how robust is the international tax curriculum? Are there specific courses focused on transfer pricing, treaty analysis, or international compliance issues? Also, I'm curious about the technology integration in the program. With all the changes in tax technology and AI tools becoming more prevalent in practice, does the curriculum address these developments? I want to make sure any graduate program I choose will keep me current with how the profession is evolving. The discussion about career advancement has been really encouraging too. It sounds like the NYU network and brand recognition really do translate into tangible opportunities, which is exactly what I'm hoping for in taking this next step in my career.

As someone who went through a similar decision process a few years ago, I wanted to add my perspective on the MSL vs MST comparison. I ultimately chose a different route (Georgetown's MST), but I did extensive research on NYU's program during my decision-making process. One thing that really impressed me about NYU's MSL program was how integrated it is with their broader tax law ecosystem. Unlike standalone MST programs, NYU students get to participate in the same seminars and workshops as their world-renowned LLM students and tax law faculty. This creates a much richer academic environment than what you'd typically find in a business school-based MST program. The practical focus that others have mentioned is real - when I visited NYU, I sat in on a class where students were working through actual IRS private letter ruling requests and analyzing how different fact patterns might change the outcomes. That level of real-world application is something you don't always get in more theoretical programs. Regarding your work experience concern, I'd echo what others have said about quality over quantity. Your Big 4 background working on partnership and corporate matters is exactly the kind of sophisticated experience they're looking for. The admissions committee understands that two years at a major firm often provides more comprehensive exposure than three years elsewhere. Even though I chose differently, I have tremendous respect for NYU's program and know several graduates who've had excellent career outcomes. The NYC location really is a huge advantage for building the professional network that can accelerate your career in tax.