Advanced Tax Practice Certificate
Program Overview
The Advanced Tax Practice Certificate provides nine units of graduate level tax research and tax foundation skills and knowledge to students who already have either an undergraduate or graduate degree in accounting, or the equivalent (see Admission Requirements link below for other prerequisite options). These courses are offered online in the evenings with meeting dates that avoid the busiest of tax season times to help accommodate the needs of working tax professionals. This certificate can help you launch or advance your career in the tax field. It can also assist someone seeking nine units of accounting and related subjects to help meet the unit requirements to sit for the CPA. It can help with passing the CPA or Enrolled Agent examinations. These nine units can also be used as electives in the SJSU MSAA program.
Courses: (units)*
- BUS 223A Tax Research and Decision Making (3) Offered in fall.
- BUS 223G Taxation of Business Entities (3) Offered in spring.
- BUS 225H Taxation of Property Transactions (3) Offered in spring; this is an online, asynchronous course.
You will need to complete all courses with an overall GPA of 3.0 (B), with no course grade less than a C (2.0). A C- grade or below in any class is considered failing. Only three units of coursework with a grade of C can count toward the certificate.
You must complete all courses at SJSU to earn the Advanced Tax Practice Certificate.
*At this time, we are only offering these three courses as part of the certificate.
Note: San José State University cannot issue an I-20 to secure an F-1 visa to enter or remain in the United States for this program.
Admission Requirements
What are the admission requirements?
Educated Within the United States
4 year bachelor's degree in accounting from a US institution. If your degree is in a different area, you can apply if you have completed the following undergraduate accounting courses in the US: Financial Accounting and an undergraduate federal income tax course.
A GPA of 3.0 or better with an absolute minimum overall GPA of 2.5.
There is no conditional admission to the certificate program.
Educated Outside the United States
In addition to the above requirement, if you earned a bachelor's degree from a higher education institution outside the United States, you must hold the equivalent of a US bachelor's degree from a recognized institution.
How much is the Advanced Tax Practice Certificate?
Tuition is $2,418 per 3-unit course for 2026/2027 and $2,541 for 2027-2028. These costs do not include books, supplies, etc. Tuition fees are subject to change.
Registration Information
How can I get started?
Pre-Enrollment Instructions
1. Submit the pre-screening form, as early as possible.
2. We will evaluate your form and notify you of the results.
If you are notified that you are eligible, please continue following the Registration
Instructions (below).
How do I get registered for class once accepted to the certificate program?
If you are notified that you are eligible, we will send you registration instructions.
Who should I contact with questions?
Rafael Olivares
Program Coordinator
Email: rafael.olivares@sjsu.edu
Annette Nellen
Program Director
Email: annette.nellen@sjsu.edu
