As Benjamin Franklin said, more or less, taxes are inevitable. Legal entities, individuals, and others have a responsibility to evaluate their own tax liability — and in some cases, collect taxes too. But it’s not always easy to accurately determine tax liability, due in part to complex and ever-changing tax laws.

That’s what makes an online master’s degree in tax law useful for those who envision a long-term career as a tax manager, financial advisor, chief financial officer of a business or nonprofit, or certified public accountant. You can apply your new skills to a specialized industry — or any industry at all.

Follow this guide to an online master’s in taxation law, to learn about different types of degree offerings, how you can pursue them online, and what you can do with them, once earned.

Not necessarily. There are options for both lawyers and non-lawyers looking to achieve higher education in taxation law. Pursuing a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) in Taxation is one way to specialize in tax law without having to go to law school to get your Juris Doctorate (JD) and become an attorney. If you are a lawyer or want to become one, there’s an option for you, too: a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation.

Here is a breakdown of these two legal degrees:

Since most tax professionals or working lawyers seek to leverage an MLS in Taxation or an LL.M. in Taxation to advance in their career, putting said career on hold during your studies can be a tough decision to make and can be a disruption or delay to achieving your career goals. Obtaining your MLS or LL.M. in Taxation online can be a solution to that problem.

Online programs — many of them offering flexible start dates and course schedules — provide a unique learning experience during which students can continue to work full- or part-time. Live online sessions, externship opportunities, and other immersive offerings enable students to capitalize on the flexibility they need without sacrificing the live engagement, interaction, or rigor of more traditional classes.

MLS course offerings vary from school to school, but typically consist of around 24 to 30 total credits that can be completed over the course of a year. Core courses in an MLS in Taxation online program might include the following:

Once core courses are completed, then, you can pick your elective courses. Sample elective courses include:

Depending on the program, students also have the opportunity to gain experience outside of the classroom. Here are two common ways they do so:

Like course offerings, admissions requirements will depend on the online tax MLS program you choose to apply to, but do keep in mind that no J.D. is necessary to pursue an MLS in Taxation. Schools may ask for the following:

If you do hold a J.D. and are interested in pursuing an LL.M. in Taxation online, you can expect to complete around the same number of credits that MLS in Taxation students do. Course offerings, particularly foundational ones, will also be similar to those from an MLS program. So, you can expect to take classes focusing on corporate income tax law, federal income taxation, and basic principles of finance, for example.

Certain programs feature program highlights such as workshops and externships in taxation, too.

Typically, all of the materials listed above that are required for the MLS, are also required for admission to the online LL.M. in Taxation program. In addition those requirements, you should have a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.

A career in tax law can manifest in a variety of industries and organizations. With your newfound legal knowledge and tax expertise, some of jobs you can consider are:

You could also choose to work as a chief compliance officer at a firm or aim for a management analyst position where your studies will come in handy. Human resource managers can also benefit from an education in tax law since tax bills almost always affect their employees – from health insurance concerns to employee benefits. All of these roles — spanning across the legal, financial, business, and government fields — are viable tax law career paths for professionals with an MLS in Taxation.

With an MLS in Taxation and a strong foundation of knowledge to advance in your current career (or explore a new one), you may be able to gain potential for a salary increase. But remember that master’s of legal studies in taxation salary can vary by employer, location, industry, and of course job title.

As discussed in the section above, there can be many potential roles for those with knowledge of tax practices, with possible careers in the fields of compliance and human resources. The mean annual salary for compliance officers in 2018 was $72,520, and $123,880 for operations managers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That same year, the BLS reported that the median salary for human resources managers was $113,300.

To see median annual salaries for other roles in the field of legal services — including financial analysts, accountants and auditors, tax preparers, and more, take a look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ list of legal service occupations.

As a lawyer with an online tax LL.M. or online master’s in tax law, your training can help equip you with specialized knowledge. When you specialize in tax law, you may see similar or greater salary success, compared to professionals obtaining MLS degrees. Why? Depending on hiring needs, some employers may prioritize candidates with specialized education, a willingness to take on great responsibilities, and a specialized skill set that can be used to help their businesses grow and excel.

As of 2018, there are 823,900 lawyers practicing across the country. By 2028, the U.S. will add some 50,000 lawyers. When considering the full range of law-related qualifications, it’s not surprising that salaries range significantly. The median annual pay for lawyers in 2018 was $120,910, according to the BLS, but the lowest 10% of lawyers earned less than $58,220. The highest 10% however, earned more than $208,000. An LL.M. may help move you towards the higher end of the spectrum.

The bottom line? Whether you’re a working professional in the legal services industry, a practicing lawyer, or are simply looking for a career change, pursuing an MLS or LL.M. degree online may be a good fit for you.