What is The University of Tulsa?
The University of Tulsa (locally known as TU) is a private doctoral granting research institution which has been located in Tulsa, Oklahoma since 1921.  Our total student body is around 4,100.  In 2006 the university was ranked in the top 100 doctoral granting research institutions. All of our business programs, undergraduate and graduate, are fully accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), which is the premier accrediting agency for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in business administration and accounting

Historically our undergraduates receive internationally recognized scholarships (National Science Foundation scholarships, Truman scholarships, Goldwater scholarships, and Marshall scholarships) on a par with larger institutions such as Princeton and the University of Chicago.  For example, in the last five years only two other institutions (Cornell and Duke) have received more Goldwater scholarships than our students have received.  

TU participates in Division I athletics through the Conference USA (C-USA).  Our nationally recognized men's basketball team has been in the NCAA tournament 12 times.

Are online MTAX courses as academically rigorous as traditional campus based courses?
Yes.  In fact, an online program may be more rigorous in some respects.  Our experience is that students undertaking online graduate business education often need more commitment and discipline than their on-campus peers.

The MTAX program is designed so that readings and assignments are due on a weekly basis.  Students have more time available to complete these assignments since they are not required to attend on-campus classes.  However,  online does not mean reduced study time or abbreviated topic coverage.  MTAX courses are academically equivalent to traditional on-campus courses.

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Is the MTAX program accredited?
Yes.  All business programs, undergraduate and graduate, are fully accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), which is the premier accrediting agency for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in business administration and accounting.

Is the MTAX program new?
No, however the method of course delivery is new. The University of Tulsa has been offering a Master of Taxation degree for twenty years.  Graduates of our Master of Taxation program have been placed in top CPA firms and tax departments in many of the nations largest corporations.

Will my diploma indicate that this is an online program?
Diplomas for students graduating from this program will read "Master of Taxation".  There will be no indication that the student took his/her courses online since the traditional Master of Taxation program and the MTAX program are academically equivalent. 

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What are the admission requirements for this program?
Admission requirements for the MTAX program are the same as those for our other graduate programs.  Admission is based on the following:

1. Undergraduate grade point average, both overall and in upper-division course work; 

2. Score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), or an earned Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited law school or graduate business degree from an AACSB accredited business school; and

3. For International students only:
   An official TOEFL score of at least 575 (old scoring) or 232 (new scoring) for all international students for whom English is a second language or who were educated in schools where English was not the primary language

All applicants must complete an application form, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.  Click here for more information about application requirements

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How do I apply?
Students can apply online or they can submit a printed application form.  In addition to the application form, the student must provide transcripts, a GMAT or LSAT score, three reference letters, a current resume, and a $40.00 non-refundable application fee. International students must also provide an official TOEFL score and a confirmation of financial resources form.  Click here to obtain necessary forms. Once all of the previously listed items have been received, the students packet will be reviewed and the student should receive notification of admission within two weeks.

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Do you accept applications for fall term only?
New students can be admitted Fall, Spring or Summer terms.  It is required that all students take the tax research course at the start of their program of study.  The University of Tulsa typically offers this class in the spring, summer and fall terms.

The Graduate Business Programs Office is currently accepting applications.  The last day to apply for the next three terms are listed below:

• April 20, 2008 for Summer Term 2008 (Classes start May 12, 2008)
• August 1 , 2008 for Fall Term 2008 (Classes start August 25, 2008)
• December 15, 2008 for Spring Term 2009 (Classes start January 12, 2009)

Do I need to take the GMAT?
In most cases the answer is "Yes".  However, The LSAT may be substituted for the GMAT for law students.  Students with a Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school or a graduate business degree from an AACSB accredited university do not have to submit a GMAT or LSAT score.

Certified Public Accountants need to provide a GMAT or LSAT score.  The CPA exam is not designed to measure the probability of  graduate school success, therefore cannot be substituted for the GMAT or LSAT test.  In addition, our accreditation standards require all students to submit a GMAT or LSAT score.

The GMAT can be taken any time so you don't have to wait for a specific exam date. You can register to take the GMAT at http://www.mba.com. Educational Testing Services retains GMAT and LSAT scores for 20 years and it is easy to request scores to be sent to the university.

What computer hardware and software are required for this program?

Students will need the following software to complete their coursework:

The following is the suggested configuration for the hardware needed to complete assigned coursework.  Computers that do not meet these suggested standards may be used, however, response and download times may be slow.
 

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When do courses begin and end?
The beginning and end dates for our MTAX courses are the same as those for our traditional on-campus courses.  The dates for the next three terms are listed below:

How will I interact with my professors?
The interaction between our faculty and our online students can actually be greater than between our faculty and students who attend traditional classes.  Professors monitor each student's weekly progress; monitor and facilitate course Internet bulletin board discussions; and respond to emails on a regular basis.  Our professors have a stated goal, to provide a response to all email within 24 hours.  Our professors do not split their time between online and on-campus MTAX classes.  They are dedicated to the online courses. 

Some of our professors provide posted virtual office hours so students know when professors are available to provide real-time assistance.

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How will I meet and interact with other students?
"Virtual" introductions will be made at the beginning of a course to allow students to get to know one another. Students will be able to communicate with each other via email and bulletin boards.

How are course grades determined?
Each professor has his/her own method of assigning grades, however, online quiz scores, grades on individual  projects, grades on papers, and the final exam are all used to determine grades. Generally, students are required to complete a proctored final exam.

How will I take exams?
Courses include online quizzes and online exams and research projects. Several courses also require proctored paper final exams. For those courses that require proctored final exams, at the start of each term, a student must obtain approval from the professor regarding the person who will proctor his/her final exam. Professors will assist students in finding an acceptable proctor.  Most local colleges and public libraries offer an exam proctoring service without charge or for a small fee.  There may also be other approved testing sites in your area thru specific colleges who offer test proctoring, see The Consortium of College Testing Centers (CCTC)  website. 

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What are the program costs?
Tuition is $856 per semester hour ($2,568 per 3 semester hour course)*.  2008-2009 academic year

In addition students will need to purchase books, supply their own computer, basic computer software, and Internet access.  There are additional fees such as an application fee.  

* The tuition for the online Masters of Taxation is same as the tuition for our on campus graduate programs. Click here for more information about tuition and fees.

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What arrangements can be made for paying my tuition?
MTAX students are billed the same as other students.  Shortly after course registration a bill and payment instructions are mailed to the student. The University accepts American Express, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover credit cards and will accept payment by company or personal check. 

In addition, the university offers a company deferment option that allows the student to defer tuition payments in accordance with their company's reimbursement policy. The deferment form must be completed and sent to the Business Office prior to the beginning of each term.  A copy of the Corporate Deferral Form can be downloaded in .pdf format.  For more information, please contact The Graduate Business Programs Office.

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Can I take a specific course without being admitted to the MTAX program?
Yes, if space is available. Since enrollment will be limited, admitted students will be given class enrollment priority.  After all admitted students have been accommodated, other students will be enrolled on a first come first serve basis.

Non-degree seeking students who wish to take an MTAX course, must apply for admission as a non-degree seeking special student and must meet all the requirements of degree seeking students, including the GMAT.  A student may apply up to six hours of credit taken as a special student toward a graduate degree at The University of Tulsa.  For more information related to admission of special students, please contact our Graduate Business Programs Office.

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If you have questions or if you would like more information about our program, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you in your pursuuit of a graduate degree.

Tel: 918-631-2242
FAX: 918-631-2142
mtax@utulsa.edu