Important Update

The Estate Planning Certificate program is no longer accepting applications, and the program will be discontinued. Required coursework for current students will be offered until the end of the Summer 2025 term, and the tax faculty has created a teach-out plan so that students may complete the certificate during this period. Current Estate Planning Certificate students should speak with Dean Jen Bretschneider to create individual study plans to complete their certificates during this teach-out term.

Current students in the Estate Planning Certificate program who may be interested in transferring to the Master of Laws in Taxation degree program should speak with Dean Bretschneider  (jennifer.bretschneider@temple.edu) about possible options. The LLM in Taxation will be discontinued and no longer accepting applications, however, current Graduate Tax Certificate students may transfer provided they complete their certificates by Summer 2025 and then the LLM in Taxation by the end of Summer 2027. Required coursework for current LLM students will be offered, and the tax faculty has created a teach-out plan so that students may complete the degree during this period.

About the Program

The Estate Planning Certificate program exposes students to sophisticated concepts and planning tools, as well as the federal income taxation of trusts and estates. The program provides valuable training for practitioners who want to acquire an advanced level of expertise in estate planning and estate administration.

Certificate Requirements

In order to be awarded an Estate Planning Certificate, students must:

  • Earn 9 credits in Estate Planning I (2 or 3 Credits) and at least three of the following estate planning electives:
    • Business and Estate Planning for Closely Held Businesses (2 Credits);
    • Drafting and Analyzing Fundamental Estate Planning Documents (3 Credits);
    • Estate and Gift Taxation (2 Credits);
    • Estate Planning II (1 or 2 Credits);
    • Income Taxation of Estates and Trusts (2 Credits);
    • Non-Tax Issues in Estate Planning (2 Credits); and
    • Orphans’ Court Pleading and Trial Practice (3 Credits).
  • Attain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
  • Complete the certificate requirements within 2 years.