Assessment Plan for the Master of Taxation Program

(September 20, 2004)

Mission Statement: The Master of Taxation (M.Tx.) program offers a variety of courses that provide students with opportunities to develop research, technical, and communication skills that tax professionals need to excel in their careers.

Program Objectives	Expected Outcomes	Assessment Methods
To develop ability to conduct tax research	The student should be able to identify tax issues.	Performance on projects in Tax Research (Tx 8030)
	The student should be able to locate relevant authority for resolving tax issues.
	The student should be able to correctly cite primary tax authority.
	The student should be able to document research findings and conclusions.
To improve technical skills in working with the tax law	The student should be able to correctly interpret tax authorities and apply them in unfamiliar settings.	Performance on exams or other assignments in Taxation of Partnership and Partners (Tx 8080) or Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders (Tx 8120)
To develop effective communication skills	The student should be able to communicate effectively in writing and orally.	Performance in Effective Executive Communication (BCom 8250)

Continuous Improvement: The M.Tx. Director will (1) oversee the annual collection and review of data based on the above program objectives, expected outcomes, and assessment methods, (2) determine whether changes should be made to the M.Tx. program or graduate tax courses, and (3) provide an annual report to the School of Accountancy Director and Graduate Program Council that explains the findings and proposed changes.