Photograph: Eagle statue outside law school.

Tax Law Certificate

Washburn University School of Law grants the Tax Law Certificate to students who demonstrate a proficiency in tax law. By granting the Certificate, the Washburn Law Faculty acknowledges that the recipient has successfully completed a focused and rigorous course of study in tax law and is prepared for the practice and advanced study of tax law.

Course Requirements

  • Tax Policy Seminar (LW 823 - 2 hours)
  • Taxation of Business Enterprises (LW940 - 3 Hours)
  • Taxation of Individual Income (LW 790 - 3 hours)
  • At least one course from the following list:
    • Barbados: Comparative & International Taxation Law (LW 846 - 3 hours)
    • Introduction to Nonprofit Law (LW 950 - 2 hours)
    • Oil and Gas Taxation (LW 969 - 1 hour)
    • Principles of International and Comparative Taxation (LW 983 - 3 hours)
    • Tax Clinic: Low Income Taxpayer (LW 791 - 1-3 hours)
    • Taxation by State and Local Governments (LW 788 - 2 hours)
    • Taxation of Gratuitous Transfers (LW 793 - 2-3 hours)
    • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Compliance (LW 892 - 1-2 hours)

Writing Requirement

Complete the upper level writing requirement (or equivalent writing project) on a tax law topic. Students may satisfy the Certificate writing requirement through the Tax Policy Seminar, Directed Research, or an alternative writing opportunity approved in advance, and certified satisfactorily competed, by the student's Certificate Advisor. To satisfy the writing requirement, the student must receive a grade of "B" or better on the paper.

Service Requirement

  1. Complete 10 hours of pre-approved pro bono activities relating to tax law or tax service organizations.
  2. Serve in a leadership position in the Tax and Estate Planning Association for at least two academic years or contribute to an approved ABA or KBA Section of Taxation project.

General Requirements

Any student interested in pursuing a Tax Law Certificate must meet with the faculty member administering the certificate (Professor McMillan) to plan a course of study. This must be done before the student completes 40 credit hours of legal study. During the meeting, the faculty member and student will complete the "Meeting Summary" (27 KB PDF). The faculty member will serve as the student's Certificate Advisor.

The student must complete 90 hours of total law school credit and achieve a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in courses used to satisfy the Certificate requirements.

Note: Students who declared their intent to pursue a Certificate prior to June 1, 2021, and who obtained a minimum grade point average of 3.5 for courses used to satisfy their Certificate requirements, will be awarded the Tax Law Certificate (with distinction).

Approved by the faculty: May 2005
Effective: January 2006
Revised: June 29, 2021.

Short URL for this page:
https://washburnlaw.edu/taxlawcertificate

Faculty Member
Photograph: Lori McMillan.
Lori McMillan
Professor of Law
Student Testimonial
Photograph: Heather Gelsinger.

"The Washburn Tax Law Certificate has helped me concentrate my studies on an intriguing and challenging subject matter. The tax professors are intelligent, professional, and truly push me to master tax law. I believe I will have a competitive advantage in the job market with the help of the Tax Law Certificate and the professors at Washburn."

--Heather Gelsinger

Courses offered within the law school curriculum are subject to change at any time.

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Certificates of Concentration

Students at Washburn University School of Law may distinguish themselves in the job market by earning a Certificate of Concentration. The areas of concentration can be completed within the traditional 90 credit hours required for graduation. While students do not declare majors because law school provides a broad foundational education, earning a certificate at Washburn Law allows students to formalize an area of specialization within the traditional law school curriculum.

Certificates may be earned in the following areas: