Residential Option

Since 1959, the Graduate Tax Program has been ranked as one of the best Tax LLM programs in the U.S. for advanced tax law studies.  Students may attend on either a part-time or full-time basis. Classes are scheduled only during the late afternoon and evening hours to facilitate participation by working lawyers.  Residential students are also welcome to enroll in up to 6 credits of online course sections during their studies to accommodate course time conflicts, changes in student work and personal schedules, etc. Estate Planning Certificate courses are offered residentially.

Online Option

Since 2012, the LLM in Taxation has also been offered through a 24-credit online program option, which provides the same course of study as the traditional Graduate Tax Program. This online option, which leads to the BU Law LLM in Taxation, is ideal for domestic and internationally trained tax lawyers whose jobs preclude them from attending our traditional on-site program option in Boston.  The online courses are taught by our traditional residential faculty and no distinction is made on a student’s transcript or diploma.  The online graduates receive the same transcript and diploma as students in the residential program. The Estate Planning Certificate is available online.

Two-Year LLM Program

If you want to improve your fluency in English and your academic skills before enrolling in our Tax LLM program, this two-year program can provide you with the optimal format.

New York Bar Qualification Enrollment Option

Prospective foreign-trained students who seek the LLM in Taxation degree and also qualification to sit for the New York Bar exam should consider the GTP’s bar qualification enrollment option.

Under this arrangement, students complete a minimum of 32 credits in the Graduate Tax Program, over the course of three semesters, in order to earn the credits required for the LLM In Taxation while also fulfilling the foreign-lawyer eligibility requirements set forth by New York’s Board of Law Examiners. Students enrolled in this option must complete 24 credits, including all courses required for the New York Bar, through on-campus studies. Foreign-trained jurists who wish to earn an LLM degree from BU Law and qualify for the New York Bar without enrolling in a third semester of studies are encouraged to apply to the LLM In American Law Program, which offers a concentration in tax law.

For many students, the bar qualification enrollment option offers the ideal course of study, as it allows them to earn the highly valued BU Law LLM In Taxation degree while satisfying the New York Bar’s requirements. Prospective students interested in this enrollment option are encouraged to contact the Graduate Tax Program for additional information.

Accelerated Tracks for JD Students

JD students with a strong interest in tax law have the opportunity to complete both the JD and LLM in Taxation in as few as six semesters of study. Learn more about the six- and seven-semester tracks.