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The 10 Best PhD Programs in Finance

In essence, finance is the study of economics and the claims on resources. The best PhD programs in finance help you develop professionally so you can make difficult decisions around fund allocation, financial planning, and corporate financial management. This qualification will also equip you for a career in teaching or research at top universities.

Which of the 10 best finance PhDs is best for you?

Read on to learn everything you need to know.

Table of Contents

Why Get a Doctorate in Finance?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), finance managerial professionals have an average salary of $131,710 per year, and jobs are estimated to grow by 17% from 2020 to 2030. This is much more than the average across all occupations. With a PhD in finance, you may work as a finance manager or even become a CEO of a large corporation.

Jobs and Salaries for Doctors of Finance

After earning a PhD in finance, you can find well-paid jobs as a professor or in various corporate finance roles.

Here are some of the most common finance professions with the average annual salaries for each:

Financial Manager ( $96,255 )
Financial Analyst ( $63,295 )
Finance Professor ( $73,776 )
Chief Financial Officer ( $140,694 )
Investment Analyst ( $67,730 )

The University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School

The University of Pennsylvania’s renowned Wharton School of Business is home to faculty who are well-known in the field of business research. The school boasts a low student-faculty ratio in an atmosphere that allows you to work with faculty members as peers. This doctor of finance program emphasizes subjects like asset pricing, corporate finance, and portfolio management. This helps students become experts in research and teaching in these areas.

Courses include: Topics in asset pricing, financial economics, and international finance.
Credits: 18 courses
Financial aid: Fellowships, grants, student employment, health insurance, stipend, and loans.
Acceptance rate: 9%
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

Booth School of Business is a major center for finance education because its faculty includes Eugene F. Fama, Nobel laureate and the father of modern empirical finance. This finance doctoral degree has an option for a joint PhD in collaboration with the university’s economics department.

Courses: Financial economics, financial markets in the macroeconomy, and behavioral finance.
Tuition : Refer tuition page
Financial aid: Grants, stipends, health insurance, scholarships, fellowships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and loans.
Acceptance rate: 7%
Location: Chicago, Illinois

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Gies College of Business

The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign is one of the best places for studying and conducting research in finance. Its finance research faculty was ranked #4 in the UTD Top 100 Business School Research Rankings between 2016-2019. In this PhD in finance program, students can take the qualifying examination at the end of the first year and, if successful. They’ll be able to start their research project earlier and complete the degree sooner.

Courses include: Empirical analysis in finance, corporate finance, and statistics & probability.
Duration: 4-5 years
Financial aid: Full tuition waiver, stipends, scholarships, grants, student employment, and loans.
Acceptance rate: 63%
Location: Champaign, Illinois

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management

The Sloan School is one of the top research centers in the world, which aims to transform students into experts who can handle real-world problems in a wide range of spheres, from business and healthcare to climate change. This PhD program in finance gives students the flexibility to choose between a wide range of electives and even study some courses at Harvard.

Courses include: Current research in financial economics, statistics/applied econometrics, and corporate finance.
Duration: 6 years
Financial aid: Full tuition, stipend, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, health insurance, fellowships, scholarships, and loans.
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management

The Kellogg School of Management allows students to conduct independent research under the supervision of faculty who’ve made significant contributions to the field and have earned numerous prestigious awards. This doctorate of finance program’s admission process has a dual application option. You can also apply to the Economics PhD simultaneously, so if you are not selected for the finance program, you may be considered for economics.

Courses include: Econometrics, corporate finance, and asset pricing.
Duration: 5.5 years
Financial aid: Tuition scholarship, stipends, health insurance, moving allowance, and subsidies.
Location: Evanston, Illinois

The University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business

The Haas School of Business in Berkeley is an innovative institution that questions the status quo, takes intelligent risks, and accepts sensible failures in its path to progress. This finance PhD program offers students opportunities to learn about cutting-edge research from faculty from around the world.

Courses include: Corporate finance theory, stochastic calculus, and applications of psychology & economics.
Tuition : Refer cost page
Financial aid: Fellowships, grants, tuition allowance, stipends, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships.
Acceptance rate: 17%
Location: Berkeley, California

The University of Texas at San Antonio, Alvarez College of Business

The Alvarez College of Business is one of the forty largest business schools in the USA. It follows a comprehensive and practical approach to education that allows students to apply the knowledge they gain directly in the workplace. This PhD in finance encourages students to do collaborative research with the faculty, which helps them publish their own academic papers before they even complete the program.

Courses include: Corporate finance, international financial markets, and microeconomic theory.
Credits: 84 (post-bachelors)
Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, work-study, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, research fellowships, and loans.
Acceptance rate: 84%
Location: San Antonio, Texas

Liberty University, School of Business

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Finance

Liberty University is a non-profit institution among the top five online schools in the USA and has been offering fixed tuition fees for the past seven years. This is one of the best PhD in Finance programs you can do completely online. It aims to prepare students to address issues in business finance through research, best practices, and relevant literature.

Courses: Managerial Finance, Investments & Derivatives, Business Valuation, etc.
Credits: 60
Duration: 3 years average
Tuition : $595 per credit
Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, work-study, veteran benefits, and loans.
Delivery: Online
Acceptance rate: 50%
Location: Lynchburg, Virginia

Northcentral University

PhD in Business Administration (PhD-BA) – Finance Management

Northcentral University was founded with the objective of offering flexible, fully-online programs to working professionals around the world. This doctorate degree in finance online is flexible and allows you to design your own schedule. You will also get one-on-one personal mentoring from qualified faculty.

Courses include: Business financial systems, business statistics, and business leadership & strategy.
Duration: 84 months average
Tuition: $1,105 per credit
Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, and military scholarships.
Acceptance rate: NA
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona

Things To Consider When Choosing a Finance PhD Program

The right PhD program for you is a very personal decision and will depend on several individual factors.

However, these general questions will help you to make the right choice:

Is the university properly accredited?
Does the university conduct innovative and cutting-edge research?
Are there renowned faculty members who you’ll want to work with?
Do they offer subjects or specializations that match your career goals?
What is the school’s placement history?
What are the tuition fees, costs, and options for scholarships and financial aid?
Does the program offer online study options?

It’s also important to consider if you want to pursue a career in academia or work in organizations as a senior finance professional. A PhD degree will generally set you up for a career in research or academia, while a DBA is more suited to a career in business or government.

Preparing for a Finance Doctorate Program

It’s important to start preparing early if you want to be selected for one of the best finance PhD programs.

These handy tips can help you put your best foot forward:

Research the requirements of the best universities offering PhD in finance degrees, including pre-requisite subjects and qualifying grades. Keep these in mind when completing your bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Understand your strengths and weaknesses in relation to the program’s requirements. Work on your weaknesses and continue to hone relevant skills.
Read extensively in the field and keep up-to-date on regional and global developments.
Join communities of finance professionals to build your network and be exposed to the latest knowledge in the discipline.

Skills You Gain from Earning a PhD in Finance

The most important skills you learn as a doctor of finance include:

Communication skills, including writing and presentation skills
Data analytical skills
Economics and accounting skills
Critical thinking skills
Mathematical skills
Analytical software skills
Management and leadership skills
Problem-solving skills

PhD Programs in Finance FAQs

How long does a phd in finance take.

PhD programs in finance usually take between three and eight years to complete.

Is It Worth Getting a PhD in Finance?

A PhD in Finance is a qualification that’s in high demand today. It is a terminal degree and can help you get top-level jobs with lucrative salaries in corporate or large organizations.

How Much Can You Make With a PhD in Finance?

With a finance doctorate, you can expect to earn a salary anywhere from around $45,000 to $150,000, depending on your experience, role, and the organization you work for. According to the BLS, the average salary for finance PhD holders is $131,710 .

What Do You Need To Get a PhD in Finance?

The admissions requirements vary depending on the program, but you’ll typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in finance. The programs can take three to eight years of coursework and research.

To apply, you’ll usually need to submit:

Application
Academic resume
Academic transcripts
Recommendation letters
GRE or GMAT score
Personal essay

Final Thoughts

With a doctorate in finance, you can build a rewarding career in academia, research, or the business sector. Like any doctorate, these programs ask for dedication and hard work. By planning early, you’ll set yourself up to pursue one of the best PhD programs in finance.

For more on how to build your career in the field, take a look at our guides to the best master’s degree in finance , the highest paying PhDs , and fully-funded PhD programs .

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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Phd in finance: requirements, salary, jobs, & career growth, what is phd in finance.

A PhD in Finance is a doctoral-level academic degree program in finance that focuses on advanced research and theoretical study. It is intended for people who want to work in academia, research, or advanced positions in the financial industry.

A PhD in Finance usually entails extensive training in finance, economics, statistics, and research methods. It also necessitates the completion of a substantial research project, frequently in the form of a dissertation, in which the student conducts original research and contributes to the body of knowledge in finance.

A PhD in Finance program’s curriculum may include financial theory, investments, corporate finance, financial econometrics, risk management, asset pricing, derivatives, and other specific fields of finance. Quantitative research approaches, such as econometrics, statistical modeling, and data analysis, may also be emphasized in the program.

How much money do people make with a PhD in Finance?

Individuals with a PhD in Finance can earn a wide range of salaries depending on criteria such as their years of experience, location, company, and job duties. PhD holders in Finance typically earn better income than people with less schooling in the industry, as their postgraduate degree denotes knowledge and specialization.

PhD holders in Finance may work in academia as professors or researchers in universities or business schools. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual income for postsecondary business teachers (including finance professors) was $83,960 in May 2020.

Salaries, on the other hand, can range from $50,000 to far over $150,000 or more, depending on factors such as rank, experience, and location.

Individuals with a PhD in Finance may work in the private sector as financial analysts, quantitative researchers, risk managers, investment managers, or consultants, among other positions. Salaries in the private sector can vary greatly depending on job title, level of responsibility, and business size and location.

According to Glassdoor data, the average annual pay for a financial analyst with a PhD in Finance in the United States in 2021 was roughly $102,000, while a quantitative researcher with a PhD in Finance may earn $150,000 or more per year.

What is expected job growth with PhD in Finance?

As businesses and organizations rely on financial skills to manage their operations, investments, and risk, the field of finance is projected to evolve and flourish.

Finance experts with extensive education and specialized knowledge, such as those with a PhD in Finance, may be in high demand in academic and research contexts, as well as professions requiring advanced quantitative and analytical skills.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of postsecondary teachers, particularly business teachers (such as finance professors), is expected to expand 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the national average. The need for higher education, as well as the ongoing demand for research and education, are driving this predicted growth.

What can you do with a PhD in Finance?

A PhD in Finance can lead to a variety of professional prospects in a variety of fields. Individuals with a PhD in Finance may pursue the following professional paths:

1. Academia: Many PhDs in Finance go on to become professors or researchers at universities or business schools. They may teach finance classes, conduct research, publish scholarly articles, and contribute to the progress of financial knowledge through their research findings. In addition, they may mentor and advise students, oversee dissertations, and attend academic conferences and seminars.

2. Research: PhD holders in Finance may work in research-related positions in university institutions, government agencies, or private research enterprises. They may perform novel research on financial markets, investments, risk management, corporate finance, or other finance-related topics. Their discoveries can help to build financial theories, models, and regulations, and they may have practical implications in the financial business.

3. Financial Services: PhD holders in Finance may work as financial analysts, quantitative researchers, risk managers, or investment managers in the financial services industry. They may evaluate financial data, design investment plans, manage risks, and provide strategic financial advise to customers or organizations using their sophisticated knowledge of finance and mathematical skills.

4. Consulting: PhD holders in Finance may operate as financial consultants, providing clients with specific experience in areas such as investment management, risk management, financial analysis, or corporate finance. They may operate in consulting firms, financial advisory firms, or specialist consulting practices within bigger corporations, advising clients on strategic financial matters.

5. Policymaking and government: Finance PhD holders may work in government agencies, international organizations, or policy-making institutions, providing knowledge in financial policy, regulations, or economic analysis. They may be involved in the development of financial policies, the assessment of the impact of financial legislation, or the provision of strategic financial advice to government agencies or policymakers.

6. Corporate Finance: PhD holders in Finance may work in corporations, particularly in financial strategy, capital budgeting, risk management, or financial analysis areas. They may offer financial advice in strategic decision-making, financial planning and analysis, investment analysis, or corporate valuation, assisting firms in improving their financial performance.

7. Entrepreneurship and Innovation: PhD holders in Finance may apply their financial skills to entrepreneurial initiatives or professions requiring innovation. They may work at start-ups, venture capital companies, or innovation-focused organizations, where they evaluate business models, assess investment opportunities, manage financial risks, and provide strategic financial advise to assist entrepreneurial activities.

What are the requirements for a PhD in Finance?

The particular criteria for a PhD in Finance can differ depending on the university or educational institution that offers the program, as well as the country or location in which the program is located. However, some common PhD in Finance requirements often include:

1. Educational Qualifications: Most PhD programs in Finance require applicants to have a solid educational background, often a master’s degree in a relevant topic such as finance, economics, business, or a comparable quantitative study. Some schools may accept applicants with a bachelor’s degree, however this is uncommon and sometimes necessitates additional requirements or experience.

2. Graduate Admissions examinations: Applicants to PhD programs in Finance may be required to submit results from standardized graduate admissions examinations such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). (GMAT). These assessments measure applicants’ abilities in areas such as verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing.

3. Research Proposal: Because the PhD in Finance program is research-intensive, applicants may be required to submit a research proposal explaining their intended study topic or research interests. Typically, this proposal comprises a summary of the research issue, study aims, methodology, and predicted contributions to the subject of finance.

4. Academic Transcripts: Typically, applicants must produce official transcripts from their previous undergraduate and graduate degrees, demonstrating their academic record and achievements.

5. Letters of Recommendation: Applicants may be expected to present letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources who can speak to their abilities, skills, and prospects for success in a PhD program.

6. Statement of Purpose: Applicants are often required to provide a statement of purpose explaining their rationale for obtaining a PhD in Finance, as well as their professional objectives and research interests. This statement assists the admissions committee in determining the applicant’s fit with the program and their likelihood of success.

7. English Language Proficiency: Many PhD programs in Finance may demand confirmation of English language proficiency for applicants whose native language is not English, such as scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System. (IELTS).

8. Interviews: As part of the admissions process, several PhD programs in Finance may ask applicants to engage in an interview. This interview may take place in person, over the phone, or via video conference, and it will assess the applicant’s research interests, academic abilities, and enthusiasm for pursuing a PhD in Finance.

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How long does it take to get a phd in finance.

The time it takes to earn a PhD in Finance depends on a number of factors, including the program structure, the student’s progress, and the individual’s dedication to their study. However, it usually takes 4 to 5 years of full-time study to get a PhD in Finance.

The completion of a PhD in Finance can be divided into many stages, which may differ based on the program and the individual’s progress:

1. Coursework: During the first year of a PhD in Finance program, students often do coursework to provide a solid foundation in finance theory, research methods, and other related fields. Coursework time varies, but it normally takes 1 to 2 years to finish.

2. Comprehensive Exams: Some PhD programs in Finance require students to complete comprehensive exams after completing courses to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the discipline. Depending on the program’s requirements, comprehensive exam preparation and completion can take several months to a year.

3. Research Proposal: After passing the comprehensive tests, students usually work on writing and defending a research proposal outlining their desired study topic, methodology, and expected contributions to the discipline. The development and defense of the research proposal might take several months to a year or more, depending on the complexity of the research and the student’s progress.

4. Dissertation Research: Following the successful defense of the research proposal, students begin their dissertation research, which is the capstone of their PhD program. The dissertation research stage’s time might vary greatly based on the research topic, methodology, data gathering, and analysis needs. The dissertation research and writing process normally takes two to three years or more.

5. Dissertation Defense: After completing their dissertation, students usually defend their research findings in front of a committee of faculty members. The time it takes to schedule and complete the dissertation defense can vary, although it normally takes several months to a year or more, depending on committee member availability and other practical concerns.

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Do you need a masters in finance to get a phd in finance.

A Master’s degree in Finance or a similar discipline is not always required for entrance to a PhD program in Finance. However, admission requirements may differ based on the program and institution.

Some PhD programs in Finance may require applicants to have a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, whereas others may allow applicants with only a Bachelor’s degree provided they have additional qualifications or experience.

A Master’s degree in Finance or a closely related discipline can provide a solid foundation in finance theory, research methodologies, and mathematical skills, which can be useful for PhD study in Finance.

It can also reflect a greater degree of academic preparation and may assist applicants in standing out during the difficult admissions process.

Some PhD programs in Finance, however, may provide a combined Master’s and PhD program in which students acquire a Master’s degree while pursuing their PhD. In such instances, admittance may not require a separate Master’s degree.

What are the Best PhD in Finance Degree programs?

1. massachusetts institute of technology (mit) – phd in finance 2. stanford university – phd in finance 3. university of chicago – phd in finance 4. columbia university – phd in finance and economics 5. new york university (nyu) – phd in finance 6. university of pennsylvania (wharton) – phd in finance 7. harvard university – phd in business economics (with a concentration in finance) 8. university of california, berkeley (haas) – phd in finance 9. princeton university – phd in finance 10. northwestern university (kellogg) – phd in finance, leave a comment cancel reply.

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How Long Does It Take to Get a Ph.D. Degree?

Earning a Ph.D. from a U.S. grad school typically requires nearly six years, federal statistics show.

How Long It Takes to Get a Ph.D. Degree

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A Ph.D. is most appropriate for someone who is a "lifelong learner."

Students who have excelled within a specific academic discipline and who have a strong interest in that field may choose to pursue a Ph.D. degree. However, Ph.D. degree-holders urge prospective students to think carefully about whether they truly want or need a doctoral degree, since Ph.D. programs last for multiple years.

According to the Survey of Earned Doctorates, a census of recent research doctorate recipients who earned their degree from U.S. institutions, the median amount of time it took individuals who received their doctorates in 2017 to complete their program was 5.8 years. However, there are many types of programs that typically take longer than six years to complete, such as humanities and arts doctorates, where the median time for individuals to earn their degree was 7.1 years, according to the survey.

Some Ph.D. candidates begin doctoral programs after they have already obtained master's degrees, which means the time spent in grad school is a combination of the time spent pursuing a master's and the years invested in a doctorate. In order to receive a Ph.D. degree, a student must produce and successfully defend an original academic dissertation, which must be approved by a dissertation committtee. Writing and defending a dissertation is so difficult that many Ph.D. students drop out of their Ph.D. programs having done most of the work necessary for degree without completing the dissertation component. These Ph.D. program dropouts often use the phrase " all but dissertation " or the abbreviation "ABD" on their resumes.

According to a comprehensive study of Ph.D. completion rates published by The Council of Graduate Schools in 2008, only 56.6% of people who begin Ph.D. programs earn Ph.D. degrees.

Ian Curtis, a founding partner with H&C Education, an educational and admissions consulting firm, who is pursuing a Ph.D. degree in French at Yale University , says there are several steps involved in the process of obtaining a Ph.D. Students typically need to fulfill course requirements and pass comprehensive exams, Curtis warns. "Once these obligations have been completed, how long it takes you to write your dissertation depends on who you are, how you work, what field you're in and what other responsibilities you have in life," he wrote in an email. Though some Ph.D. students can write a dissertation in a single year, that is rare, and the dissertation writing process may last for several years, Curtis says.

Curtis adds that the level of support a Ph.D. student receives from an academic advisor or faculty mentor can be a key factor in determining the length of time it takes to complete a Ph.D. program. "Before you decide to enroll at a specific program, you’ll want to meet your future advisor," Curtis advises. "Also, reach out to his or her current and former students to get a sense of what he or she is like to work with."

Curtis also notes that if there is a gap between the amount of time it takes to complete a Ph.D. and the amount of time a student's funding lasts, this can slow down the Ph.D. completion process. "Keep in mind that if you run out of funding at some point during your doctorate, you will need to find paid work, and this will leave you even less time to focus on writing your dissertation," he says. "If one of the programs you’re looking at has a record of significantly longer – or shorter – times to competition, this is good information to take into consideration."

He adds that prospective Ph.D. students who already have master's degrees in the field they intend to focus their Ph.D. on should investigate whether the courses they took in their master's program would count toward the requirements of a Ph.D. program. "You’ll want to discuss your particular situation with your program to see whether this will be possible, and how many credits you are likely to receive as the result of your master’s work," he says.

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Emmanuel C. Nwaodua, who has a Ph.D. degree in geology, says some Ph.D. programs require candidates to publish a paper in a first-rate, peer-reviewed academic journal. "This could extend your stay by a couple of years," he warns.

Pierre Huguet, the CEO and co-founder of H&C Education, says prospective Ph.D. students should be aware that a Ph.D. is designed to prepare a person for a career as a scholar. "Most of the jobs available to Ph.D. students upon graduation are academic in nature and directly related to their fields of study: professor, researcher, etc.," Huguet wrote in an email. "The truth is that more specialization can mean fewer job opportunities. Before starting a Ph.D., students should be sure that they want to pursue a career in academia, or in research. If not, they should make time during the Ph.D. to show recruiters that they’ve traveled beyond their labs and libraries to gain some professional hands-on experience."

Jack Appleman, a business writing instructor, published author and Ph.D. candidate focusing on organizational communication with the University at Albany—SUNY , says Ph.D. programs require a level of commitment and focus that goes beyond what is necessary for a typical corporate job. A program with flexible course requirements that allow a student to customize his or her curriculum based on academic interests and personal obligations is ideal, he says.

Joan Kee, a professor at the University of Michigan with the university's history of art department, says that the length of time required for a Ph.D. varies widely depending on what subject the Ph.D. focuses on. "Ph.D. program length is very discipline and even field-specific; for example, you can and are expected to finish a Ph.D, in economics in under five years, but that would be impossible in art history (or most of the humanities)," she wrote in an email.

Kee adds that humanities Ph.D. programs often require someone to learn a foreign language, and "fields like anthropology and art history require extensive field research." Kee says funding for a humanities Ph.D. program typically only lasts five years, even though it is uncommon for someone to obtain a Ph.D. degree in a humanities field within that time frame. "Because of this, many if not most Ph.D. students must work to make ends meet, thus further prolonging the time of completion," she says.

Jean Marie Carey, who earned her Ph.D. degree in art history and German from the University of Otago in New Zealand, encourages prospective Ph.D. students to check whether their potential Ph.D. program has published a timeline of how long it takes a Ph.D. student to complete their program. She says it is also prudent to speak with Ph.D. graduates of the school and ask about their experience.

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Kristin Redington Bennett, the founder of the Illumii educational consulting firm in North Carolina, encourages Ph.D. hopefuls to think carefully about whether they want to become a scholar. Bennett, who has a Ph.D. in curriculum and assessment and who previously worked as an assistant professor at Wake Forest University , says a Ph.D. is most appropriate for someone who is a "lifelong learner." She says someone contemplating a Ph.D. should ask themselves the following questions "Are you a very curious person... and are you persistent?"

Bennett urges prospective Ph.D. students to visit the campuses of their target graduate programs since a Ph.D. program takes so much time that it is important to find a school that feels comfortable. She adds that aspiring Ph.D. students who prefer a collaborative learning environment should be wary of graduate programs that have a cut-throat and competitive atmosphere, since such students may not thrive in that type of setting.

Alumni of Ph.D. programs note that the process of obtaining a Ph.D. is arduous, regardless of the type of Ph.D. program. "A Ph.D. is a long commitment of your time, energy and financial resources, so it'll be easier on you if you are passionate about research," says Grace Lee, who has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and is the founder and CEO of Mastery Insights, an education and career coaching company, and the host of the Career Revisionist podcast.

"A Ph.D. isn't about rehashing years of knowledge that is already out there, but rather it is about your ability to generate new knowledge. Your intellectual masterpiece (which is your dissertation) takes a lot of time, intellectual creativity and innovation to put together, so you have to be truly passionate about that," Lee says.

Curtis says a prospective Ph.D. student's enthusiasm for academic work, teaching and research are the key criteria they should use to decide whether to obtain a Ph.D. degree. "While the time it takes to complete a doctorate is an understandable concern for many, my personal belief is that time is not the most important factor to consider," he says. "Good Ph.D. programs provide their students with generous stipends, health care and sometimes even subsidized housing."

Erin Skelly, a graduate admissions counselor at the IvyWise admissions consulting firm, says when a Ph.D. students struggles to complete his or her Ph.D. degree, it may have more to do with the student's academic interests or personal circumstances than his or her program.

"The time to complete a Ph.D. can depend on a number of variables, but the specific discipline or school would only account for a year or two's difference," she wrote in an email. "When a student takes significantly longer to complete a Ph.D. (degree), it's usually related to the student's coursework and research – they need to take additional coursework to complete their comprehensive exams; they change the focus of their program or dissertation, requiring extra coursework or research; or their research doesn't yield the results they hoped for, and they need to generate a new theory and conduct more research."

Skelly warns that the average completion time of a Ph.D. program may be misleading in some cases, if the average is skewed based on one or two outliers. She suggests that instead of focusing on the duration of a particular Ph.D. program, prospective students should investigate the program's attritition and graduation rates.

"It is worthwhile to look at the program requirements and the school's proposed timeline for completion, and meet current students to get their input on how realistic these expectations for completion are," Skelly says. "That can give you an honest idea of how long it will really take to complete the program."

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The field of finance covers the economics of claims on resources. Financial economists study the valuation of these claims, the markets in which they are traded, and their use by individuals, corporations, and the society at large.

At Stanford GSB, finance faculty and doctoral students study a wide spectrum of financial topics, including the pricing and valuation of assets, the behavior of financial markets, and the structure and financial decision-making of firms and financial intermediaries.

Investigation of issues arising in these areas is pursued both through the development of theoretical models and through the empirical testing of those models. The PhD Program is designed to give students a good understanding of the methods used in theoretical modeling and empirical testing.

Preparation and Qualifications

All students are required to have, or to obtain during their first year, mathematical skills at the level of one year of calculus and one course each in linear algebra and matrix theory, theory of probability, and statistical inference.

Students are expected to have familiarity with programming and data analysis using tools and software such as MATLAB, Stata, R, Python, or Julia, or to correct any deficiencies before enrolling at Stanford.

The PhD program in finance involves a great deal of very hard work, and there is keen competition for admission. For both these reasons, the faculty is selective in offering admission. Prospective applicants must have an aptitude for quantitative work and be at ease in handling formal models. A strong background in economics and college-level mathematics is desirable.

It is particularly important to realize that a PhD in finance is not a higher-level MBA, but an advanced, academically oriented degree in financial economics, with a reflective and analytical, rather than operational, viewpoint.

Faculty in Finance

Anat r. admati, juliane begenau, jonathan b. berk, greg buchak, antonio coppola, peter m. demarzo, darrell duffie, steven grenadier, benjamin hébert, arvind krishnamurthy, hanno lustig, matteo maggiori, paul pfleiderer, joshua d. rauh, claudia robles-garcia, ilya a. strebulaev, vikrant vig, jeffrey zwiebel, emeriti faculty, robert l. joss, george g.c. parker, myron s. scholes, william f. sharpe, kenneth j. singleton, james c. van horne, recent publications in finance, behavioral responses to state income taxation of high earners: evidence from california, beyond the balance sheet model of banking: implications for bank regulation and monetary policy, fee variation in private equity, recent insights by stanford business, cashless: is digital currency the future of finance, nine stories to get you through tax season, “geoeconomics” explains how countries flex their financial muscles.

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Finance Requirements

The PhD finance concentration requires a strong mastery of economic theory. Students spend the first year taking a doctoral-level sequence in microeconomic theory and a sequence in econometric analysis. They are also required to take four, two-credit finance PhD seminars in the first year. The program encourages students with a more limited technical background to select appropriate courses in mathematics or statistics, and students with no previous finance coursework are encouraged to audit MBA program finance courses

In the second year, coursework includes doctoral seminars on current topics in finance along with elective courses generally in accounting, economics, or mathematics. Some students, depending on their course of study, may take the microeconomics written preliminary examination at the end of their first year.

Students also write summer papers at the end of their first and second year of coursework and complete the finance written preliminary examination at the end of their second year. Students who successfully complete their summer papers and pass the written and oral preliminary exams begin work on a dissertation leading to the PhD in Business Administration.

Students are required to complete all finance PhD seminars offered plus an additional 8 credits of required ECON coursework: either the Econ 8001-04 sequence or the Econ 8101-04 sequence for a total of at least 24 major field credits. Students must also complete a minimum of 16 additional credits of supporting field coursework in areas such as economics, statistics, and accounting, for a total of at least 40 credits of degree program coursework to progress to the prelim exams.

Course descriptions:

Fina 8802: Theory of Capital Markets I: Discrete Time

The course covers the essentials of modern asset pricing theory using static and discrete time frameworks. The fundamental asset pricing equation is introduced that uses the stochastic discount factor to price securities. The course develops a general approach that is then used to examine several classical models in finance-CAPM, consumption-based CAPM, and the APT. The course also introduces students to essential concepts of complete markets, representative agent and Pareto optimality. Some of the advanced topics discussed include overview of the present challenges to the theories and some modern approaches such as habit formation and heterogeneous agents (incomplete markets) model.

Fina 8803: Theory of Capital Markets II: Continuous Time

This course is an introduction to the theory of continuous- time financial economics. The emphasis is on the main mathematical and statistical tools on which the theory is built. Course content includes Ito processes, Girsanov’s theorem, and risk-neutral pricing. Upon completion of the course, students should be sufficiently familiar with these tools to be able to formulate and analyze continuous-time models.

Fina 8804: Advance Continuous Time Finance

This course continues where Fina 8803 ended. Some of the topics investigated include the pricing of fixed income securities, optimal capital structure, and general equilibrium. From there, classic papers in this field will be read and replicated by the students.

Fina 8810 : Topics in Asset Pricing This course investigate current topics in the asset pricing literature. The goal is to have students read these papers, rederive the main results, identify the main assumptions, and thus identify ideas on how to improve upon the current literature.

Fina 8812: Corporate Finance I

This course covers theoretical work in four major areas of corporate finance: corporate control, managerial incentives, corporate governance, and capital structure. The perspective taken is that understanding corporate finance decisions is impossible without a solid understanding of the theory of the firm-what assets are collected within the firm and what determines the boundaries of the firm. Empirical evidence in support of theoretical models is also discussed. The course will begin with a review of modern theories of the firm based on incomplete contracts. Each of the subsequent topics will then show how corporate finance decisions either expand or limit the scope of the firm.

Fina 8813: Corporate Finance II

This course covers varied topics in theoretical corporate finance like initial public offering, dividend policy, financial distress and its resolution, financial intermediation and applications of auctions in finance. The course will also cover some topics in market microstructure.

Fina 8820: Topics in Corporate Finance

This readings course will focus on recent contributions in corporate finance. Goal is to produce ideas for new research. Course offered yearly, alternating between theory and empirics.

Fina 8822: Empirical Methods in Finance

This course will introduce students to many of the empirical methods used in modern financial economics. The course focuses on the empirical techniques used most often in the analysis of financial markets and how they are applied to actual market data. The list of topics includes: a) statistical properties of asset returns and the efficient markets hypothesis, b) empirical tests of asset pricing models (CAPM, APT, Intertemporal CAPM, Consumption CAPM), c) tests of conditional asset pricing models, and d) other relevant topics.

Fina 8823: Empirical Corporate Finance

The course focuses on current empirical research on corporate finance, mergers/acquisitions, equity offerings, event studies, tests of market efficiency, impact of corp. governance, etc.

Fina 8890: Seminar: Finance Topics

Topics vary.

First year students will be tested on two intro and two intermediate courses that have been taken during their first year. Students must take and pass this exam in the summer between their 1st and 2nd years in the program. A retake of this exam may be permitted, pending department approval. Those who retake the exam must pass it before the end of their 2nd year in the program. Failing this exam twice will result in the student’s removal from the program.

Students are expected to work on research during the summer. Their 1st summer paper is due by Sept. 15th of the 2nd year. The goal of the 1st summer paper is to get the students started on independent research. The topic and the scope of the paper must be approved by the PhD coordinator in consultation with the student’s adviser. The requirements for the 2nd summer paper are more stringent. It should be original research. The 1st draft of the paper is due on Sept. 15 of the 3rd year. To satisfactorily meet the requirement, the paper has to be approved by 2 readers and the presentation has to be deemed satisfactory by the department’s faculty. Students are expected to incorporate feedback and submit the final draft by Dec. 15th of the 3rd year. After the final draft is turned in, students can progress to the oral exam, which is based on this research paper.

Second year students will be tested on the two intermediate courses taught in their second year. Students will take the written exam in early summer after completion of the second year. Though subject to change, the exam is usually given over a series of days during a 2-week time period in June.

The oral exam is often based on the summer research paper that students complete by the beginning of their 3rd year in the program, though this format is not mandatory. The exam will normally occur during spring semester of the student's third year.

Should be completed in spring semester of the fourth year.

In the third and the fourth years, students will independently teach 3 credits per year. The timing of the courses can be adjusted depending on departmental need.

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The Ins and Outs of a PhD in Finance

Landing a PhD in finance – the ultimate undertaking for intrepid souls who yearn to ascend to the highest academic echelons of finance. If you’re serious about being an overseer in this industry, a Doctorate of Philosophy in Finance is what you need! So if wading through tutorials and textbooks isn’t exactly how you want to spend your weekends, we totally understand.

That’s why we’ve broken down in glorious detail all that there is to know about landing a finance doctorate – so no more stressful nights scouring Google for advice on statements of purpose or wondering whether learning Python coding is necessary!

Are You Finance PhD Program Material?

If you’re someone who loves crunching numbers and has a passion for delving deep into financial issues to fully grasp the capital market’s fluctuations, then earning your finance PhD could be just what you need to accelerate your career ! As the financial landscape evolves to include high-speed trading and complex derivative investments, doctoral finance degrees are no longer just for students interested in teaching or research. Instead, these educational programs are offering more opportunities for those looking to take advantage of advancing technologies and modernized markets.

Possessing a finance PhD no longer confines professionals to the traditional lecture hall setting. Instead, this prestigious degree serves as your passport to some of the most innovative jobs available in financial institutions, on Wall Street, and further.

Programs at many universities are typically geared toward the study of theoretical finance and train students to gain a comprehensive understanding of financial markets. These graduate-level degrees allow students to delve deeper into business knowledge, as well as provide a stepping stone for those looking to pursue an academic career such as college professors or researchers. PhD students undertaking this degree are at the forefront of understanding and developing new markets, theories, and ideas. Furthermore, PhD in finance students have a unique opportunity to shape future leaders who will one day be responsible for managing our ever-changing world. After completing this higher-learning finance program, graduates are usually well-prepared to pursue successful careers either in the public sector or as consultants and researchers within administration or business.

What is a Finance PhD Program?

A PhD in Finance is a terminal finance degree for students seeking to specialize in advanced financial topics and theories. This degree program typically requires PhD students to gain expertise in areas such as investments, corporate finance, quantitative methods, theoretical modeling, modern empirical finance, and international finance. Most finance PhD programs involve rigorous coursework and the completion of a dissertation project that demonstrates the student’s knowledge within his or her chosen area. With this degree, graduates are well-prepared to pursue a career as an academic researcher or work as a financial analyst in a variety of settings. Upon completion of the program, students can be confident that they possess the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their chosen field.

What Are the areas of specialization for PhD programs in finance?

PhD programs in finance typically offer a variety of specializations, depending on the university. Common areas of specialization for these programs may include corporate finance, financial risk management, international finance, financial market regulation and banking law, real estate investments, corporate governance, quantitative methods, and econometrics. Depending on the program chosen, PhD students may also specialize in areas such as financial engineering, computational finance, empirical asset pricing, and derivatives. PhD candidates in finance may also specialize in a particular country’s banking system or a specific type of financial instrument.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a PhD in Finance?

Getting a PhD in Finance is not an easy task , and it requires considerable dedication and hard work. Generally, the duration of a finance PhD program depends on the institution, department, research topic, and degree requirements. On average, completing a PhD in Finance may take four to five years. This includes coursework, passing qualifying exams, conducting independent research, and writing the dissertation. In some cases, doctoral students may have to take additional courses or complete an internship to fulfill the requirements for graduation. Additionally, some universities require that their doctoral students attend and present at conferences or publish scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals. All these add up to the total time it takes to complete doctoral studies. Ultimately, the length of time it takes to complete a PhD in Finance depends on the student’s level of commitment and dedication.

What Jobs Can You Get with A PhD in Finance?

Pursuing this type of finance degree can provide you with the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to become an expert in your chosen field. With a PhD, you will gain the skills and expertise to succeed in a variety of finance-related roles. You’ll be able to analyze financial data, develop financial models, and advise both individuals and organizations about the best strategies to achieve their goals. You will also gain valuable research experience that can help you make valuable contributions to the field of finance. With a PhD in finance, you can enjoy a broad range of career options in the banking, finance, and accounting industries. These can include roles such as financial analyst, portfolio manager, investment banker, risk manager, or financial consultant. The possibilities are virtually limitless; you could be a leader and innovator in the field of finance, or simply use your skills to help others make wise financial decisions.

How Difficult Is It to Get Admitted into a Good Program?

Pursuing a PhD in finance can be an incredibly challenging endeavor. The amount of knowledge required and the rigorous academic requirements to gain admission to a top-tier finance program are daunting. Because of the rigorous admissions process, competition for admission is intense. Applicants must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of financial concepts, strong quantitative and analytical skills, as well as an ability to think critically and independently. Prospective PhD students must also demonstrate a strong commitment to academic research, as well as the ability to develop and complete original research projects. Those who are successful in gaining admission to a PhD in finance program will reap the rewards of a top-tier education and will be well-prepared for an exciting career in the field of finance.

What Does the Application Process Look Like?

A Ph.D. in Finance is a terminal degree, meaning the highest level of education available in that field. It requires years of study and rigorous coursework to earn. To be eligible, students must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a major in finance or a related field and have acquired a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.3. Most programs require that applicants submit GRE scores , letters of recommendation, and professional experience.

Generally, doctorate programs require four to five years of in-depth assessment and coursework as well as the writing of a dissertation; therefore, it stands to reason that admission into such programs will be highly selective. During the application process, admissions committees formed by finance faculty strive to guarantee that a student will do whatever is necessary for them to be successful in their program. This can take some time because universities are searching for worthy candidates with knowledge of their field and impressive academic credentials.

To be considered as an applicant, the following materials and resources are needed:

submitting your paper or online application form
a statement of purpose
covering the applicable fees
providing official transcripts from any educational institutions attended.
well-crafted letters of recommendation from former employers and instructors that are familiar with his/her academic accomplishments.
a scholarly writing sample accompanied by official GRE or GMAT scores.

After you’ve submitted your documents, the end step of the application process is usually an interview with a member of the admissions committee. Each business school is different and thus has specific admission requirements; while one program may need candidates to go through an interview , another might only require providing a writing sample portfolio.

Is A PhD in Finance Worth It?

The answer to this question depends on your individual career goals and ambitions.A PhD in finance can open doors to a variety of interesting and lucrative careers in the financial sector. It can also provide you with an opportunity to advance your research and teaching skills, and it may even lead to a higher salary. However, it takes a substantial amount of time and effort to complete a PhD program, so you should weigh the pros and cons carefully before deciding if it is the right move for you.

What Are The Top 10 PhD in finance programs in the world?

The top 10 PhD in Finance programs in the world are highly sought-after for their rigorous curriculum, finance faculty, and international recognition. The most distinguished programs can be found at institutions such as Harvard University, the Yale School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford, London Business School, the Wharton School of Business , Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management, the Kellogg School of Management, and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. These esteemed programs provide students with the opportunity to explore cutting-edge finance topics from a global perspective. With access to world-renowned faculty members, highly competitive internships, and outstanding research facilities, graduates from these top 10 PhD in Finance programs are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to become leaders in the field. Pursuing a PhD in finance from any of these schools will give students a unique advantage as they enter the corporate world or pursue academic positions.

How Competitive Is It to Get Admitted Into a Top PhD in Finance Program?

PhD in finance programs are highly competitive and rigorous, requiring a strong knowledge base and advanced research skills to succeed. Many of the top universities offering PhD in finance programs have extremely select criteria for admissions, including GRE scores, academic achievement, professional experience, and recommendations from faculty members. The competition for admission is intense; most universities will only admit a handful of students each year.

How Can You Increase Your Chances of Getting Admitted into a Phd in Finance Program?

Completing a doctorate in finance is an ambitious endeavor, but it’s not impossible. To make yourself a more competitive applicant when applying to a doctoral program in this field, it’s important to focus on building your qualifications and doing meaningful research prior to applying. Start by obtaining a high GPA during your undergraduate education and impressing your professors through meaningful research and participation in course discussions. Then, gain relevant experience with internships or other professional opportunities that relate to the field of finance. From there, build a strong portfolio of academic achievements such as journals, published articles, presentations, and awards. Once you have established yourself as an ambitious researcher with a commitment to the finance field, you are ready to apply for a PhD program.

Working with a graduate school admission consultant prior to applying to a PhD program can also increase your chances of getting accepted by providing you with a solid foundation on how to build a portfolio that impresses admissions committees. A specialized consultant can help you make sure all your application materials are in order, as well as provide insight into the admissions process and what makes an applicant stand out—and get noticed. Make sure to check out our PhD application services or schedule a free consultation to find out how we can help you reach your career goals!

With a Master’s from McGill University and a Ph.D. from New York University, Dr. Philippe Barr is the founder of The Admit Lab . As a tenure-track professor, Dr. Barr spent a decade teaching and serving on several graduate admission committees at UNC-Chapel Hill before turning to full-time consulting. With more than seven years of experience as a graduate school admissions consultant, Dr. Barr has stewarded the candidate journey across multiple master’s and Ph.D. programs and helped hundreds of students get admitted to top-tier graduate programs all over the world .

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for weekly tutorials on navigating the PhD application process and live Q&A sessions!

PhD Programs

Accounting & Management
Business Economics
Health Policy (Management)
Organizational Behavior
Technology & Operations Management

Students in our PhD programs are encouraged from day one to think of this experience as their first job in business academia—a training ground for a challenging and rewarding career generating rigorous, relevant research that influences practice.

Our doctoral students work with faculty and access resources throughout HBS and Harvard University. The PhD program curriculum requires coursework at HBS and other Harvard discipline departments, and with HBS and Harvard faculty on advisory committees. Faculty throughout Harvard guide the programs through their participation on advisory committees.

How do I know which program is right for me?

There are many paths, but we are one HBS. Our PhD students draw on diverse personal and professional backgrounds to pursue an ever-expanding range of research topics. Explore more here about each program’s requirements & curriculum, read student profiles for each discipline as well as student research , and placement information.

The PhD in Business Administration grounds students in the disciplinary theories and research methods that form the foundation of an academic career. Jointly administered by HBS and GSAS, the program has five areas of study: Accounting and Management , Management , Marketing , Strategy , and Technology and Operations Management . All areas of study involve roughly two years of coursework culminating in a field exam. The remaining years of the program are spent conducting independent research, working on co-authored publications, and writing the dissertation. Students join these programs from a wide range of backgrounds, from consulting to engineering. Many applicants possess liberal arts degrees, as there is not a requirement to possess a business degree before joining the program

The PhD in Business Economics provides students the opportunity to study in both Harvard’s world-class Economics Department and Harvard Business School. Throughout the program, coursework includes exploration of microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, probability and statistics, and econometrics. While some students join the Business Economics program directly from undergraduate or masters programs, others have worked in economic consulting firms or as research assistants at universities or intergovernmental organizations.

The PhD program in Health Policy (Management) is rooted in data-driven research on the managerial, operational, and strategic issues facing a wide range of organizations. Coursework includes the study of microeconomic theory, management, research methods, and statistics. The backgrounds of students in this program are quite varied, with some coming from public health or the healthcare industry, while others arrive at the program with a background in disciplinary research

The PhD program in Organizational Behavior offers two tracks: either a micro or macro approach. In the micro track, students focus on the study of interpersonal relationships within organizations and the effects that groups have on individuals. Students in the macro track use sociological methods to examine organizations, groups, and markets as a whole, including topics such as the influence of individuals on organizational change, or the relationship between social missions and financial objectives. Jointly administered by HBS and GSAS, the program includes core disciplinary training in sociology or psychology, as well as additional coursework in organizational behavior.

Accounting & Management

Business economics , health policy (management) , management , marketing , organizational behavior , strategy , technology & operations management .

Students working on an assignment with laptop open.

PhD in FInance Program

Find and Compare Programs
PhD in Business - Finance

Who's It For?

Primary research areas of concern within the program include:

The behavior of asset prices, e.g., stocks, bonds, options and real estate
The financing of corporations, including the choice of investments and sources of funds
Household finance and individual investor behavior
Corporate governance and incentives of corporate executives and employees
The management and regulation of banks and other financial intermediaries

Internationally recognized faculty members of Miami Herbert’s Department of Finance, as well as the university’s many research centers and programs, create an environment of learning in which PhD students develop new knowledge and disseminate it among the academic community and into business practice.

Policies and Procedures

Program Type Doctoral

Location On Campus

Time Commitment Full Time

Start Date August

Request for Information

Interested in exploring a PhD in Business? We’ll send you a program overview and get you connected to one of our advisors. Request Information

Miami Herbert Business School will not share or sell your personal information. Privacy Policy

All admitted students are required to complete a core curriculum. During the first two years in the program, students complete courses in economics and five core finance courses. Additional electives are available from Miami Herbert, as well as other schools and departments at the University of Miami (e.g., Psychology, Law, Neuroscience).

Students work as research assistants during the academic year and summers. In addition, students attend a pre-seminar workshop during the academic year, which provides opportunities to discuss the latest research in finance, and improve and refine their research presentation skills.

The research emphasis of the department, and myriad areas of faculty expertise, provides students with opportunities to work closely with faculty members on projects in their specific areas of interest. The department is invested in the development of graduate students and emphasizes work leading to publication, as well as conference presentations. Students are encouraged to work on research and read research papers from the beginning of their graduate studies.

Learn More About the Department of Finance.

Miami Behavioral Finance Conference

Showcasing Women in Finance Conference

Three students work together in a classroom on a laptop

The PhD in Finance at Miami Herbert unfolds as an integrated program of advanced study and research. Applicants should have an adequate academic background, personal maturity. and the ability to meet the program's high level of demand for initiative and scholarship.

Being a student in the Finance PhD program means a commitment to full-time and in-residence study.

All students in the PhD in Business also complete a core curriculum. Follow the link below for details.

What Distinguishes Our Finance PhD

Behavioral finance.

Our finance faculty has created a strong profile in the area of behavioral finance, which emphasizes interdisciplinary scholarship, such as finance combined with psychology research. An important goal of the PhD program includes training doctoral students interested in this emerging research area.

Finance Seminars

The finance faculty organize a weekly Finance Seminar Series with invited speakers from top research universities in the U.S. and around the world. The department also organizes a Finance Brown Bag Seminar Series as a forum for presentations by its own faculty and PhD students.

Close Relationships with Faculty

With an average of only 2-3 admitted students per year, the program ensures selectivity and the ability of the finance faculty to closely advise and mentor each of the students in the program on an individual basis.

Faculty Academic Journal and Association Involvement

Our faculty frequently publish in top academic journals, including the Journal of Finance and Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis. Faculty members are also active on several highly respected journal editorial boards and professional associations.

George Korniotis

Indraneel Chakraborty

Stefanos Delikouras

Meet your program coordinator.

Alok Kumar, professor of finance, is the program coordinator for the PhD in Business - Finance. His research interests include behavioral science, empirical asset pricing, corporate finance, and computional economics.

Start Your Miami Journey

UCL School of Management

University college london, phd programme in financial economics.

Start date: September 2024 Duration: 5 years (1 year MRes + 4 years PhD) Fees: We offer fully-funded scholarships to all admitted students who have applied by the 31 January 2024 (see details below) Application deadline: 31 January 2024, 17:00 UK time (late applications submited by the 05 April 2024 may still be considered, see details below) Entry: Applicants must hold a distinction in a master’s degree in Economics or a closely related subject. Applicants must demonstrate a high level of analytical and quantitative skills (such as in mathematics and statistics), evidenced by strong performance in relevant modules taken on previous degree programmes and/or through relevant standardised test performance (such as GRE Quantitative of at least 160). International students, please note that UCL’s English language requirement for this programme is a ‘ Level 2 ’ (IELTS and TOEFL are the preferred test, however others on the UCL recognised test list will be accepted if required) - further details regarding this can be found on the UCL English Language Requirements page.

The MRes and PhD in Financial Economics is a joint programme between the UCL Department of Economics and the UCL School of Management.

The MRes programme is the first year of the five-year integrated MRes/PhD programme in Financial Economics. The MRes programme will provide you with training in research methods together with an advanced understanding of financial economics, to enable you to conduct insightful and original PhD level research in financial economics.

The MRes will firstly provide quantitative training in microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, and finance. These will be taught in the context of cutting-edge research and relevant applications. Secondly, it will provide you with analytic frameworks and transferable skills that will allow you to identify relevant and promising research topics, present ideas in order to obtain feedback, and provide feedback yourself.

The subsequent years (for students who progress from the MRes to MPhil) will focus on the skills you will need to run research projects to completion and to present completed research projects to various kinds of specialised audiences. Likewise, teaching skills will also be developed.

PhD Structure

The MRes programme consists of taught modules (Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics. Real Analysis and Probability with Economic Application), a hybrid module (Financial Economics) with taught components and research based components, and a research project in the final part of the year. For the MRes project, you work under supervision to design and carry out a substantial piece of original research. This enables you to gain a deep understanding of the entire research process.
Superior performance is required for automatic progression from MRes to MPhil. In particular, students should achieve an average mark of not less than 60% in the independent, original research components of the programme, and not less than 50% in the taught element.
Our highly selective and small-sized PhD programme ensures that each student receives personal attention and guidance from our faculty members throughout their doctoral study. The close mentorship process forms the foundations of a successful academic career. At the same time, you will be part of both the School of Management PhD cohort and the Economics PhD cohort, with which you will share most of the taught modules.
We expect our PhD graduates to have as their goal an academic career as a faculty member in a top business school or Economics department or in the research group of an international institution or a central bank.

Students take a total of 180 credits in the MRes year. This is made up of the MRes Research Project (MSIN0135) and 75 credits of compulsory taught modules.

All modules in the MRes year are core modules, there are no optional modules.

ECON0107 - Macroeconomics, 15 credits
ECON0106 - Microeconomics, 15 credits
ECON0108 - Econometrics, 15 credits
ECON0118 - Real Analysis and Probability with Economic Applications, 15 credits
MSIN0234 - Topics in Financial Economics, 30 credits
MSIN0135 - MRes Financial Economics Research Project, 105 credits

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and class discussion. Student performance is assessed through presentations, coursework, projects, and examinations.

Students will study 4 compulsory taught modules. A typical taught module is taught over two terms (2 x 10 weeks) with 4 hours of contact hours per week (3 hours of lecture + 1 hour of review session). In addition, students spend approximately 6-8 hours a week for each module on assessment and independent study to further develop the skills and knowledge covered in lectures and seminars.

Students will also undertake a substantial research project, which would usually start in Term 2 and be completed over the Summer. The total number of weekly hours will vary according to the weekly activities being undertaken.

Why choose us

What makes us different:.

Unlike many PhD Programmes in finance, our programme has a full anchor in economics and econometrics. Hence, we offer a unique world-class environment that combines the best of a leading business school, located in Canary Wharf, the heart of London’s modern financial district, and the tradition of economic research and teaching of the Department of Economics, which is located in Bloomsbury, London’s historical intellectual centre.

If you want to become an academic economist conducting research in finance, this programme is for you.

UCL School of Management and the Department of Economics

Founded in 2007, UCL School of Management has forged a reputation for world-leading research in management studies with 95% of the School’s research deemed to be world-leading or internationally excellent, the second highest percentage of any business school in the UK, according to the 2021 REF . The PhD programme is an integral part of our School’s active and ambitious research environment where students receive rigorous academic training and personalised research mentorship.

The UCL Department of Economics has an outstanding international reputation in key areas of current research. The Department ranked top in the UK for research environment and outputs in the field of Economics and Econometrics in the 2021 REF .

Our research programme offers a unique education and research experience with the intent of preparing you for scholarly careers at the highest level. Our highly selective and small-sized programme ensures that you receive personal attention and an opportunity for guidance from our world-leading scholars. The close mentorship process forms the foundations of a successful academic career.

As a research student you will join a highly active research environment which involves frequent research seminars and visits by leading scholars worldwide, reading groups, brown bag seminars and panels in which PhD students and faculty members present and discuss their ongoing work. Such forums provide an excellent opportunity to receive critical constructive feedback on your research and to develop academic, generic and transferable skills.

Applications

Applying for our mres/phd programme.

Entry requirements and admissions criteria:

Applicants to the MRes+PhD programme must hold a distinction in a master’s degree in Economics or a closely related subject. Applicants must demonstrate a high level of analytical and quantitative skills (such as in mathematics and statistics), evidenced by strong performance in relevant modules taken on previous degree programmes and/or through relevant standardised test performance (such as GRE Quantitative of at least 160). Submitting a GRE test result is encouraged but not compulsory and is only one of the components used to assess the strength of applications.

We only have a single intake in September. We accept applications throughout the year. Successful candidates who have submitted their MRes application by 31 January 2024 will receive a scholarship (full fee waiver plus a stipend). Successful candidates who have submitted their application after this date may receive a scholarship subject to availability, or will come with their own funding.

In your personal statement you are expected to suggest one or more faculty members as potential supervisors. On the application form you may see that it states that it is preferred that you contact potential supervisors beforehand. However, we strongly discourage applicants from contacting individual faculty members or potential supervisors when applying to our programme. All applications are first evaluated by a joint admissions committee, so contacting potential supervisors separately will not increase your chances.

We also require you to submit IELTS or TOEFL scores if English is not your first language. Our School requires a “Level 2” English language qualification which corresponds to:

IELTS: Overall grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the sub-tests.

TOEFL: Score of 96 overall, plus 24/30 in the reading and writing subtests and 22/30 in the listening and speaking subtests.

Application Deadline

The application window closes 31 January 2024 (17:00 UK time) and a late submission window closes on 05 April 2024 (17:00 UK time). We advise those interested in the programme to apply before 31 January 2024, as those applying in the late submission window will only be considered if there are still places remaining.

Application Procedure

Apply via UCL Postgraduate Admissions System here . When starting the application, you must select the MRes Financial Economics option. In addition to filling out the online application form, please upload a copy of the following documents:

Official Transcripts of Grades / Course marks
A 1 page personal statement that clearly indicates: (i) your research interests and preliminary research ideas, (ii) potential faculty member(s) you may want to work with (this is a suggested list, you don’t need to contact potential supervisors beforehand), and (iii) your motivation to do a PhD.
Your GRE score report, if you took the test.
Your IELTS/TOEFL score report, if English is not your first language.

Funding/Scholarships

We offer fully funded five year scholarships to all admitted students who apply before the 31 January 2024. The scholarship is open to all nationalities. It covers all tuition fees, and includes an annual stipend of £25,000 which is tax-free.

Successful candidates who have submitted their application after 31 January 2024 may receive a scholarship subject to availability or will come with their own funding.

Additional Costs

This programme does not have any compulsory additional costs outside of purchasing books or stationery, printing, thesis binding or photocopying. Students may have the opportunity to participate in conferences in the UK and internationally. The UCL School of Management provides MRes/PhD students with an annual budget for conferences, which students will use to cover the travel, accommodation, food and other costs whilst at conferences, in line with UCL’s expenses policy.

Further Information and Contact Details

The full-time MRes/PhD programme runs from September each academic year. Entrance is therefore every September. While we may accept applications until 05 April 2024 we encourage candidates to apply as early as possible. Our programme is very selective and we only admit a limited number of students, so applying before 31 January 2024 increases your chances.

How to Apply

For queries about the MRes/PhD Programme that are not addressed on our web pages, please contact [email protected] .

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Frequently Asked Questions about the UCL School of Management MRes/PhD Programme

Programme Information

Application process, admissions requirements.

Students are required to possess a “Level 2” English language qualification if it is not their first language. This means: TOEFL: Score of 96, plus 24/30 in the reading and writing, and 22/30 in the listening and speaking subtests. IELTS: Overall grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the subtests.

Further Information

If you have any other questions regarding the programme that are not addressed on our web pages please email the programme team ( [email protected] )

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How Long Does It Take To Get a PhD?

A PhD program typically takes four to seven years, but a variety of factors can impact that timeline.

[Featured Image] A woman in a library is holding a pen to her temple and looking at her laptop.

A PhD , or doctorate degree , is the highest degree you can earn in certain disciplines, such as psychology, engineering, education, and mathematics. As a result, it often takes longer to earn than it does for a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

While many PhD programs are designed to be finished in four or five years, the average completion time is much longer when you factor in the time it takes to research and write a dissertation. In 2020, for example, doctoral students took between six and twelve years to complete their PhDs [ 1 ]. By comparison, you can complete a master's degree in one to three years.

In this article, we'll explore the requirements of a PhD, what often ends up adding to the length of time, and important factors you should consider when deciding whether it’s the right choice for you.

PhD requirements + general timeline

Doctoral programs typically require PhD candidates to take take advanced courses, pass a comprehensive exam (sometimes called "comps"), and produce an original body of research, such as a dissertation, to obtain the degree. In some cases, you may also be expected to fulfill a teaching assistantship or research assistantship, both of which are meant to prepare you for a career in academia or research.

PhD requirements

The precise requirements you'll need to complete in order to get your PhD vary from one program to another, but some common tasks include:

Advanced coursework: Graduate-level coursework that explores a number of advanced sub-topics related to your field

Comprehensive exam: An exam that requires you to show knowledge of your field, such as its history, important figures, major theories or research, and more

Dissertation: An original body of research you contribute to your field

PhD timeline

The specifics of a PhD program vary by college and university, but the following estimates give you an idea of what to expect during your time in graduate school:

Year 1: Complete advanced coursework.

Year 2: Complete advanced coursework and begin preparing for your comprehensive exams.

Year 3: Study, take, and defend your comprehensive exams. Begin researching your dissertation proposal.

Year 4: Submit your dissertation proposal to your committee chair, and, once approved, begin working on your dissertation.

Year 5: Finish writing your dissertation and submit for committee approval. Defend your dissertation and apply for graduation.

Note that while this timeline gives a general timeline of how long it will take to complete a PhD program, it's very common for candidates to take more than one year to research and compose their dissertation.

Read more: Should You Go Back to School? 7 Things to Consider

PhD timelines by focus

Some PhD programs take longer to complete than others. For example, earning a doctorate in a science and engineering field typically takes less time than earning a doctorate in the arts or humanities, according to data from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) [ 1 ]. The list below shows the median length of time it took doctorate students to earn their degree in 2020:

Physical and Earth Sciences: 6.3

Engineering: 6.8 years

Life sciences: 6.9 years

Mathematics and computer science: 7 years

Psychology and Social Sciences: 7.9 years

Humanities and arts: 9.6 years

Education: 12 years

Learn more: What Is a Terminal Degree and Do I Need One?

Why does it take so long to complete a PhD?

There are a few reasons why it takes more time to complete a PhD compared to other advanced degrees.

1. Dissertations

Once a doctoral student has successfully passed their comps, they are considered “All But Dissertation” or “ABD.” Yet, the number of students who successfully complete their PhD program remains low—estimates show that nearly 50 percent of students drop out, often after reaching the dissertation phase [ 2 ].

The dissertation phase can often take much longer to complete than the other requirements of a PhD. Researching and writing a dissertation takes significant time because students are expected to make an original and notable contribution to their field.

2. Assistantship obligations

Teaching and research assistantships are beneficial because they can help pay for a PhD program, but they may also take time away from working on your dissertation. Some students are expected to teach at least one class per semester on top of their other obligations as graduate students.

For universities that reduce the teaching or research load that students have as part of their assistantship, times to completion tend to improve. Humanities students at Princeton University began finishing their degree in 6.4 years (compared to 7.5 years) thanks to the institution's financial support and the reduced number of classes students taught [ 3 ].

3. Other responsibilities

Doctoral students tend to be older. Graduate students pursuing a PhD in science or engineering were an average of 31.6 years old by the time they earned their degree in 2016, according to the National Science Foundation [ 4 ]. In effect, some PhD students may have competing obligations, such as family. If a student’s funding has run out, and they have to find full-time work, it also may affect the time they can dedicate to writing their dissertation.

Is a PhD right for you?

People pursue PhDs for various reasons: Some want a job that requires the degree, such as teaching at a university, while others want the challenges or intellectual engagement that a graduate program offers. Identifying why you want to earn a PhD can help indicate whether it’s your best choice.

If your career aspirations don't require a PhD, it might be better to focus on gaining professional experience. Or if you're interested in an advanced education, a master's degree may be a better option. It takes less time to complete than a PhD and can lead to more career opportunities and larger salaries than a bachelor's degree.

Learn more: Is a Master’s Degree Worth It?

Benefits of a PhD

The primary advantage of earning a PhD is your increased demand and marketability in the workforce.

In 2018, less than 5 percent of the United States population had a doctorate degree, compared to about 48 percent with a bachelor's degree and 21 percent with a master's degree, according to the US Census Bureau [ 5 ]. As a member of this elite group, the potential for advanced roles, promotions, or pay raises may be greater.

Even before you have a degree in hand, working toward a PhD gives you opportunities to hone valuable skills , including writing, research, and data analysis . Furthermore, completing a PhD program can demonstrate to potential employers that you have specialized knowledge and the fortitude to finish such an advanced degree.

Costs of a PhD

Beyond the time they take to complete, PhD programs can be expensive. The average cost of a PhD program in the United States is just under $100,000. At some schools, the cost of a PhD can even exceed $200,000 [ 6 ]. While many institutions offer funding support in the form of assistantships or scholarships, many PhD students still graduate with student loan debt. In 2023, the average student loan debt for PhD was $134,797 [ 7 ].

Another factor to consider is the loss of income you might incur while you're working toward your degree. Some graduate students accept teaching or research assistantships to help fund the cost of their program, but these may not pay as much as full-time positions. Working on your education may also mean pausing the professional experience you’d gain in the workforce—and potentially losing out on promotions and raises. However, it’s worth noting that graduate degree holders earn much more over the course of their lifetime than bachelor’s degree holders, according to the US Social Security Administration [ 8 ].

Read more: How to Pay for Graduate School: 8 Ways

Set yourself up for success

A PhD is a major accomplishment. As you think about your long-term goals and whether a PhD will help you achieve them, it's important to understand ways you can set yourself up for success. According to the University of Georgia, success in a PhD program often means [ 9 ]:

Understanding the demands and expectations of the program

Receiving adequate program orientation

Getting support from peers and faculty

Feeling a sense of belonging as a member of an academic community

These conditions underscore the importance of choosing the right program and school to fit your personal and professional goals. Take time to research the ways your potential institution offers financial support, mental health support, and career placement support, among other program features.

An advanced degree can be a lucrative credential. You can earn your master’s in a number of in-demand fields from top universities on Coursera. Earn a degree in computer science , business , management , or public health , all while enjoying greater flexibility than an in-person degree program tends to offer. Earning your master's can also help you discern whether a PhD makes sense for your larger objectives.

Article sources

Survey of Earned Doctorates. " Path to the doctorate , https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf22300/report/path-to-the-doctorate." Accessed January 30, 2024.

International Journal of Higher Education. “ Who Are the Doctoral Students Who Drop Out? , https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1188721.pdf.” Accessed January 30, 2024.

The New York Times. " Exploring Ways to Shorten the Ascent to a PhD , https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/03/education/03education.html." Accessed January 30, 2024.

National Science Foundation. " Science and Engineering Doctorates , https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/2018/nsf18304/report/age-at-doctorate-award-what-are-the-overall-trends-and-characteristics/characteristics-of-doctorate-recipients-sex.cfm." Accessed January 30, 2024.

US Census Bureau. " About 13.1 Percent Have a Master’s, Professional Degree or Doctorate , https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2019/02/number-of-people-with-masters-and-phd-degrees-double-since-2000.html." Accessed January 30, 2024.

Education Data Initiative. " Average Cost of a Doctorate Degree , https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-a-doctorate-degree." Accessed January 30, 2024.

Education Data Initiative. " Average Graduate Student Loan Debt , https://educationdata.org/average-graduate-student-loan-debt." Accessed January 30, 2024.

Social Security Administration. " Education and Lifetime Earnings , https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/research-summaries/education-earnings.html." Accessed January 30, 2024.

A Data-Driven Approach to Improving Doctoral Completion. " Chapter 2: Description of Projects , https://cgsnet.org/cgs-occasional-paper-series/university-georgia/chapter-2." Accessed January 30, 2024.

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PhD in Finance

Updated on
Jan 31, 2023

Offering an opportunity to delve into advanced and technical issues in the field of Finance and its related branches, a PhD in Finance concerns research areas such as valuation of financial instruments, topics in international finance, market volatility, trading mechanics, and so forth. It is generally undertaken after a Master of Finance or related degree programs in closely related disciplines and involves heavy portions of theoretical learning as well as practical and mathematical analysis. Doctoral scholars more often than not work in the capacities of a research assistant or scholar at research organizations and universities along with multinational asset and wealth management firms. Read on to know more about what a doctorate in finance entails and the top universities you should consider.

PhD in Finance: What is it About?

The structure of a typical Doctoral degree, be it PhD in Finance or other programs generally run for around 3 to 7 years varying on the destination. The typical structure involves a variety of components so as to prepare a candidate for a solid research career in Finance .

This includes core and required courses, electives, practical training, fieldwork, teaching experience, exams, dissertation, research projects, and a host of other elements.
The quantity and mix of these elements vary depending on the objectives of the course. Further, on the conclusion, a dissertation needs to be submitted by the candidate on a topic of choice based on his research and fact-finding experiences under a guiding professor.
As a general rule for admission, a strong research-oriented and mathematically-inclined master’s degree is required although many universities now offer an integrated PhD as well which caters to candidates who have attained an undergraduate degree.

Why Pursue PhD in Finance?

The following are the reasons to pursue PhD in finance:

Finance is a highly in-demand field and the demand for skilled professionals in the field in continuing to increase
Finance stream offers some of the highest-paying jobs
There are abundant of opportunities for finance professionals in both public and private sector
PhD in finance will widen your knowledge about various financial subjects

Skills Required

The following are the skills required for PhD in Finance:

Analysis and Problem solving
Project Management and Organization
Interpersonal and Leadership skills
Research and Information Management
Communication Skills
Self-Management and Work Habit

PhD in Finance Eligibility

Whether you are planning to apply for PhD in Finance in India or abroad, you will be required to fulfil certain prerequisites in order to be eligible for the course. Though the actual course requirements can differ from one university to another, here are the general eligibility requirements for PhD in Finance in India and abroad:

The applicant must have completed a master’s degree in Finance or any other related field from a recognised academic institution with the minimum scores specified by their chosen university.
To apply for PhD in Finance in India, you might be required to qualify PhD entrance exams .
If you are aspiring to pursue PhD abroad, you will have to provide GRE scores along with English Language Proficiency scores such as IELTS , TOEFL , etc. Further, you will also have to submit a Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Letters of Recommendation (LORs) apart from other academic documents.

PhD in Finance Admission Process

In order to get admission for PhD in Finance, you need to follow a crucial admission process. Here is the admission process you should follow:

Fill the application form on the institute website where you wish to apply. The application can be filled online or offline
Take the entrance test depending on your desired institute. Once you have qualified the entrance test by scoring marks equal to or higher than required, you will be invited for further process.
The next part is the interview. You will be invited only if you qualify the entrance test. There can be one or more interview processes.
In the interview, you may be asked about your thesis plan and why you wish to pursue PhD. If you qualify these interviews, you will get a confirmation letter from your institute.

PhD in Finance: Entrance Exams

As stated above, to pursue PhD in Finance in India, candidates need to qualify entrance exams. Majority of the institutions in India provide admission in this course on the basis of GATE score or UGc NET score, what a few institutions also conduct a few entrance exams of their own.

Mentioned below are the popular PhD in finance entrance exams that one must target to pursue this course-

UGC NET
JNU PhD Entrance Exams
SIU PET Exam
GTU PhD Entrance Exam

PhD in Finance Syllabus

Candidates pursuing or aspiring to study a PhD in Finance can expect to study a range of core, specialised and elective subjects as per their research topic, objective and future research inclinations. These subjects belong to both in core areas of finance such as risk, decision making, financial instruments, economic analysis, information economics, bargaining, auctions, public finance, etc. More subjects perused in this degree are mentioned below.

Best Finance Ph.D. Programs

There are several specializations in the field of Ph.D. for Finance that you can opt for. Here is a list of them with a brief on each:

Ph.D. in Financial Management

Ph.D. in financial economics deals with the study of taxation, macroeconomics, attitude towards risks, and impact of information. It trains students in finance, economics, and quantitative learning.

Ph.D. Quantitative Finance

This field of Finance deals with mathematical and quantitative ways to create and disrupt financial practices. This field focuses on enhancing return and reducing risks in the market.

Ph.D. in Accounting and Finance

Ph.D. in Finance and Accounting directly focuses on the fundamental aspects of finance and accounting. It perfects you in financial management and understanding the monetary affairs of a nation.

Ph.D. Computational Finance

Ph.D. in computational finance looks upon the modelling of financial markets, usage of computational intelligence in making financial decisions. This field takes you to become a portfolio manager, quantitative analyst, etc.

Ph.D. Financial Economics

The program focuses on economics and its impact on finance. The specialization areas create a joint curriculum to focus on asset pricing, metrics, macroeconomics, and banking.

Ph.D. in Banking and Finance

Ph.D. in banking and finance focuses on understanding the major section of the domestic and international banking sector through the view of finance and economics.

PhD in Accounting and Financial Management

PhD in Accounting and Financial Management is usually a part of PhD in Business Administration. It is usually chosen for work in analytical, logical and time management. Some of the topics covered are Business Environment, Business Finances, Financial Management, etc.

PhD Financial Engineering

The course is layered above a strong foundation of financial science in a logically coherent world. In qualifications, a Master’s in Science or a Masters’ in Financial Engineering (MFE) will gear you up towards new quantitative roles such as delivering risk models and trading directly, library control, model validation, risk management, and programming.

Must Read: Financial Engineering Courses

Phd in Finance Topics

Here are some of the most interesting topics for thesis in PhD in Finance:

Financial Economics
Corporate finance
Behavioural Finance
Financial Markets
Cognitive Behaviour in Renewable Energy
Determinants of Credit risk in Banks
Impact of the Macroeconomic variables on the Non-performing loans
Optimal capital ratio to the commercial banks’ survival
Equity Strategies using Fundamental Momentum

PhD in Finance Best Universities

Here are some of the top universities in the world that offer PhD in Finance:

L ondon School of Economics

A Ph.D. in Finance from London School of Economics requires the following:

GRE / GMAT (GRE is preferred)
Masters in Finance or Economics
Academic Records
Outreach Research Proposal
Sample of Written Work

MIT offers a Ph.D. in Finance. While they mention the prerequisites, other instructions are mentioned during the application process:

Bachelors degree
Quantitative background
Deep Knowledge of Micro economics and Macroeconomics
GMAT/ GRE Score
TOEFL / IELTS test
Transcripts
Resume

Harvard offers a Ph.D. in Business Economics that includes Finance. The requirements for Ph.D. in Harvard are:

Specific coursework for Masters in Finance or Economics is required
All courses should have a minimum grade of B.
Students must teach or assist for one semester
Dissertation proposal in the third year

Stanford University has a specific requirement from their students for Ph.D. in Finance. You must fill their online application along with submitting the following documents:

GMAT / GRE Score
Three references
Submitted application fees
$125 application fees or INR 10,210
Official Transcripts

Oxford University offers a D.Phil in Finance. The school expects intellectual people with good academic records. Here are the requirements:

A good bachelors degree with a 3.5 gpa or equivalent
TOEFL/ IELTS
Three academic references
Three pieces of written work

PhD in Finance: Best Universities

The location of the institution plays a major role in the orientation of the PhD program as well as the career outlook and future prospects. Glance over the following list of universities providing PhD in Finance and its related fields which you must consider before making your decision.

Note: The admission procedure of universities for a specific program may differ according to university policies and requirements. Students are advised to visit official university websites for further information.

Best Universities in India

Apart from these, here are the top universities offering PhD in Finance in India:

IIT Madras, Chennai
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi
Alliance School of Business, Bangalore
Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi
Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management, Mumbai
National Institute of Technology, Silchar
Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad
Kalinga Institute of Technology, Bhubaneshwar

PhD in Finance Scope

Being a multidisciplinary field, you can find employment opportunities as a researcher or a full-time role upon completing a PhD in Finance in government and private sectors, international organizations like World Bank , International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organisation, etc. Here are some popular profiles in which you can work:

Finance Consultant
Budget Analyst
Chief Financial Officer
Securities and Commodities Specialist

Jobs Profile and Salary

PhD in Finance is a great career option as it offers several high-paying jobs. Here are some of the jobs and their respective salaries in the field:

Best Books for PhD in Finance

As stated in the above mentioned section, it is vital for the candidates to have a thorough knowledge about the quantitative foundations of finance, thus, one shall aim at collecting study material that can help them with this. Mentioned below are some of the important books for this course-

A PhD in Finance can take anywhere between 3-7 years to complete. In the initial years, theoretical knowledge is provided through diverse subjects. In the culminating years, you will spend time in industrial projects.

Yes, you can pursue a PhD after an MBA in Finance. It is an excellent option, specially for those, who want to establish a career in Research or want to delve deeper into a particular domain of Finance.

1. Complete your Masters in Finance or a related discipline. 2. Obtain a good score in GMAT/GRE exam. 3. Obtain a minimum percentile in English proficiency tests like IELTS/TOEFL. 4. Write a Statement of Purpose. 5. Collect essential documents like transcripts, LORs, etc. 5. Apply to the university of your choice.

Pursuing a PhD in finance or in any other field of interest is a difficult decision to make, especially taking into account the number of years that you will be devoted to as well as the rigorous nature of the study. Take the assistance of Leverage Edu ’s AI-enabled tool which suggests course and university combinations based on your personalized skills and abilities and assist you in finding an ideal degree and institution to pursue your PhD from.

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PhD in Management

Finance - PhD in Management

Areas of specialisation.

Accounting and Control
Decision Sciences
Entrepreneurship
Organisational Behaviour
Technology and Operations Management

INSEAD Doctoral Courses

Core Courses
Advanced Courses
Admissions and Financing
View PhD Student Profiles

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September 2024

Finance – PhD Specialisation

Finance studies the workings of an economy's financial system, its role in channelling financial resources from suppliers of capital to its final users, and allocating risk among investors. More specifically, finance examines the determinants of investment, portfolio, and financing choices of firms and individuals and their mutual interactions. These issues are explored from a theoretical and an empirical perspective, employing various tools ranging from game theory and stochastic calculus to econometrics and statistics.

The general area of finance can be divided broadly into three main fields: investments, corporate finance, and financial markets and institutions. The field of investments examines the determinants of portfolio allocation decisions of individual investors and the implications for the pricing of financial instruments such as stocks, bonds, and derivative securities. Corporate finance examines the criteria that firms use in their capital expenditure decisions and their choice of the financial instruments that are issued to finance these expenditures. Finally, the study of financial markets and institutions focuses on the role of financial intermediaries and organised securities exchanges in facilitating the funding of corporate investments, as well as the secondary market trading of financial instruments.

The Finance area at INSEAD comprises a diverse faculty actively involved in research in several of the abovementioned areas. Their current research interests include:

Banking regulations after the crisis
Managing for value
Conflicts of interests in the exchange-traded fund (ETF) industry
Portfolio management and strategies of mutual funds
Microstructure and trading of fixed income: the role of CDSs
Legal investor protection and corporate control
Institutional ownership, block-ownership and family firms around the world
The effect of equity lenders' preferences on the shorting market and asset prices
Currency risk
Impact of media on financial markets
Costs and benefits of financial misrepresentation
Maximising shareholder value
Liquidity and asset pricing
International asset pricing / global risk sharing

The Finance faculty is well-recognised for its excellence in research and has consistently produced articles in top finance and economics journals, such as the Journal of Finance , the Review of Financial Studies , the Journal of Financial Economics , and the Journal of Political Economy , among others.

Visit the Finance Academic Area Page

What are we looking for in a PhD Candidate?

The Finance area is known for its quantitative rigour, requiring students to possess a strong foundation in quantitative skills and an insatiable curiosity. Thus, the area seeks candidates with strong academic backgrounds in economics, mathematics, statistics, finance, or related fields. Exceptional degrees in rigorous disciplines and a genuine desire for research are highly valued in the selection process. Having prior research experience and a background in finance can provide valuable insights and enhance the candidate's potential for success in our programme.

Download the Call for applications 2024 intake .

Here are some of our current students' backgrounds:

BSc Industrial Engineering and Master of Finance
BS Computer Science; MS Finance and Economics; and MS Financial Engineering
BA English; MA Accountancy-Economics; and MSc Financial Economics
BA Economics; MSc Applied Economics; and Master in Analysis and Politics in Economics
BSc Finance and Arts in English Literature
BSc Economics of Int'l Markets and New Technologies; and MSc Quantitative Finance

View the current PhD in Finance students' profiles

Where are our Finance PhD Graduates now?

Our PhD Alumni have gone on to achieve great success after graduation, securing positions at top business schools worldwide and continuing their professional growth at prestigious academic institutions across the globe. Some of these institutions include the London School of Economics, ESSEC (France), HEC Paris, Tilburg University, and the University of Amsterdam in Europe; MIT, University of Chicago Booth, Yale, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of North Carolina, University of Southern Carolina, and Purdue University in the US; McGill University in Canada; and ESSEC (Singapore) and Nanyang Business School in Asia.

To discover more about the impressive achievements of our Global PhD Alumni Community, please visit our website .

What are the next steps?

We encourage prospects to plan for their application for the PhD in Management. Application for the following year's intake starts in the early Fall of the current year, with a preferred deadline of mid-December.

Go to the Admissions and Financing page

Moreover, we encourage prospects to attend our upcoming recruitment events or register below to receive the URLs of the Special Area Webinars we have conducted over the years.

Registration Link

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Is it worth doing a PhD to secure a job in finance?

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Jonathan Black

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

This week’s problem

Is it worth doing a PhD in finance? While I do not intend to be an academic, will the qualification increase my chances of securing a position in the banking industry? Anonymous

Jonathan’s answer

The banking and finance industry covers a wide range of activities and roles, from buyside fund managers, analysts and researchers to sellside sales, trading and market making. It will help if you can narrow down the sort of job you seek as only some of these roles would benefit from advanced skills in specific areas such as quantitative analysis, modelling, and coding.

Studying for a PhD can enable you to demonstrate some important traits of successful bankers; including a keen interest in and wider understanding of banking and global markets, high analytic intelligence, confidence with figures, stamina, energy, and maintaining good working relationships with colleagues when under pressure.

Many of these skills can be learnt on the job, but a PhD could help you gain them while also learning some specific technical skills, and networking widely to understand the industry better.

While you say that you do not intend to be an academic, a PhD would keep that option open if you were to change your mind, maybe after a spell in industry.

In their study of a sample of PhD graduates, Billy Bryan and Kay Guccione identified four domains of doctoral value: career, skills, social and personal values. While your question focuses on just one of these, the instrumental use of a PhD to gain a career advantage, the PhD graduates in the study cited these three other factors. They noted that within the career area, a doctorate gave them professional credibility and enhanced reward, as well as the issue behind your question: the ability to land the job.

The PhD graduates recognised the transferable and project-based skills they had learnt, many of which can be applied in the banking industry. Socially, they felt the PhD had brought them esteem, status, and access to rewarding networks of colleagues around the world. At a personal level, the graduates felt a strong sense of achievement and enhanced personal identity from having a PhD.

You will have to decide which of these you already have, which you would like, and of those you don’t have and would like, whether you can get them via a PhD or on the job. If you are concerned only with the career enhancing properties of a higher degree, then a masters will probably provide sufficient skills to give you an edge in gaining an analyst or research role in banking, and would be quicker.

Readers’ advice

I know investment bankers who followed the same path. They obtained the doctorate . . . and were promoted quickly to VP level. During your PhD studies you will build vital skills. Mo.

I know nothing about finance but something about getting a PhD. It took three and a half years of everything I had: personally, emotionally, intellectually. It was exhausting and exhilarating. Do not go down that path unless you cannot bear the thought of anything else. Particularly do not go down it just because, oh, it might be useful. xerxes

If you have the time and conceptual ability it is deeply rewarding for its own sake. StrategyProf

Jonathan Black is director of the Careers Service at the University of Oxford. Every fortnight he answers your questions on personal and career development, and working life. Do you have a question for him? Email [email protected]

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Best Online Doctorate in Finance Programs (PhD/ DBA)

We’ve provided the essential information you need to decide if earning an online PhD in finance or a DBA in finance is right for you. Learn about the best programs and get started on your doctoral journey.

Search hundreds of top schools for the doctorate YOU want.

Kyra Sutherland

Last updated

Jul 31, 2023

If you’re considering getting your doctorate in finance, you might be ready for a career as a college professor or as an executive-level financial expert. The world needs more finance professionals who can successfully navigate the financial risks and rewards that come with major organizational decisions as well as those who can teach those skills to business and finance students.

To help meet the growing demand for highly educated finance professionals, more colleges are turning to distance education for their doctoral programs to meet the needs of working students who require flexibility, resources, and support to earn their degrees.

But which programs offer the best academics and other features? Is a DBA or PhD in finance the better choice for my career goals? How much will it cost and how long will it take?

The questions and concerns you have about earning your doctorate in finance online are valid and deserve thoughtful, thorough answers. This guide addresses these and other questions you have to help you make an informed choice about which program and school is the best for you. Keep reading to explore this year’s top-ranked programs and get other key information about getting your finance doctorate online.

Programs that might interest you:

Best Online Doctorates in Finance for 2023

We’ve highlighted two top-notch online doctoral programs in finance that stand out for their overall affordability, curriculum quality, and study flexibility. Learn more about each school below to see if one meets your budget, schedule, and career goals.

College Rankings Methodology

PhDs.me’s college rankings are based on the most recent data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) . To be eligible for our rankings, colleges were required to have the following characteristics:

At least one doctoral program in subject area offered partially online or fully online.
Accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Academic counseling and career placement services.

Eligible colleges were then scored on their performance in the following areas to determine the final ranking:

Cost: Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on in-state graduate tuition per academic year.
Selectivity: Based on overall admissions rate. More selective schools ranked higher.
Online learning availability: Based on percentage of grad students taking at least one class online and number of online doctoral programs in subject area reported by the school.
Student-to-faculty ratio: Schools with lower overall ratios ranked higher.

Accreditation Glossary

ABHE: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation

ATS: Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools

DEAC: Distance Education Accrediting Commission

HLC: Higher Learning Commission

MSCHE: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

NECHE: New England Commission of Higher Education

NWCCU: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

SACSCOC: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

TRACS: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission

WSCUC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

The ACBSP-accredited Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree from Liberty University is offered in many concentrations, including finance. The finance specialization is ideal for current business professionals seeking professional growth into higher levels of management. While completing this fully online curriculum, students learn advanced business research and analytic skills within the financial realm, which can be critical in making strategic decisions for an organization. To apply, students need a master's degree in business or similar field and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. While most students take about three years to complete the program, the curriculum is self-paced, which means students can take more or less time based on their personal and professional responsibilities and prior graduate coursework. Up to half of the DBA program requirements can be met with approved transfer credits.

Program Highlights:

Doctor of Business Administration in Finance

Credits: 60
Length: About 3 years
Cost: $595/credit (full-time) and $650/credit (part-time)
Mode: 100% online
Accreditation: ACBSP

Kansas State University's Personal Financial Planning doctorate has several distinctions that make it unique. One of the first to be available mostly online, this program's coursework during the spring and fall semesters is delivered online. However during the summer, students participate in 10-day summer intensives on campus. It's also one of only four programs to be registered with the CFP Board. The curriculum consists of 90 credits, 46 of which are in research. Supporting and professional courses make up 32 credits and the remaining 12 consist of electives, thus allowing students to tailor their degree to their personal interests and professional needs. Even though students' paces will vary, many finish their doctorate in less than five years.

Personal Financial Planning Doctorate

Credits: 90
Length: Varies
Cost: $635.60/credit
Mode: Partially online
Accreditation: HLC

Online Finance Doctorate Spotlights

Walden University

Walden University’s online Doctor of Business Administration finance specialization is designed to give students the knowledge and skills they need to maximize their firm’s value, including valuation, capital budgeting and structure, working capital management, multinational concepts, and Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). As students work through the program and develop their leadership and expertise in finance, they’ll explore more advanced theories such as option pricing, derivatives, and hedging. The program requires two face-to-face residencies—one at the beginning of the program and one nearing its completion. They can be attended virtually or in person. Students will be continuously registered in the doctoral study course until their capstone project is completed and approved.

Time to Completion: 2.5-8 years
Cost: $54,675-$163,335

Northcentral University

The online DBA in financial management from Northcentral University is the ultimate example of flexibility. Students don’t have scheduled lecture hours or group projects, and they have weekly assignments that they can complete around their own schedules. The program is designed to help students gain advanced skills in fiscal analysis, budgeting, and spending for public and private organizations. Students will also explore advanced business financial decision models and examine domestic and global financial issues, including the causes of fluctuations in interest and monetary exchange rates. Students who choose NCU’s Doctor of Philosophy in business administration with a specialization in financial management will become familiar with the research and development analyses used to manage and allocate financial resources and will develop effective strategic planning skills for projection and ROI issues. Students in both programs will learn advanced finance skills like financial statement analysis, investment selection techniques, and how financial institutions generate earnings and manage risks.

Credits: 48 (DBA), 60 (PhD)
Average Time to Complete: 39 months (DBA) and 45 months (PhD)

Benefits of Earning Your Finance Doctorate Online

Earning an online PhD in finance versus opting for a traditional on-campus degree opens up many opportunities for students who don’t have the time or means to travel to a campus. Working students, full-time professionals, stay-at-home parents, and military members choose online degrees for many reasons, including:

Flexible schedules . Online courses are often asynchronous which means that while students still have deadlines, they can watch lectures and read over coursework on their own time, whether that’s late at night, on their lunch hour, on the bus, or during a child’s nap. If a course is synchronous, lectures are often held one night a week, but students will still have the flexibility of location. As long as they have internet access, students can carve out time to watch the lecture without ever having to go to campus.
Affordability : Choosing to earn your doctorate in finance online can save money. While not always the case, some online courses carry a distance learning fee, but it’s typically cheaper than paying the facility and parking fees that on-campus students pay. Studying online also eliminates the expense of traveling to and from campus. You’ll also find that in some online programs, students are charged the same tuition whether they are located in the same state as the school or a different one.

With online learning becoming more popular, opportunities for education in finance are more accessible than ever, but that doesn’t mean it’s a one-size-fits-all. Before you jump in, take a look at the types of online learning being offered to see if online learning can meet your needs.

Learning Formats for Online Doctorates in Finance

As a potential online doctorate student of finance, there are two program formats that you need to be familiar with—fully online and partially online (hybrid). Here we’ll give you an idea of what they are, but you’ll need to do your own research to determine which one is right for you in your current situation.

Fully online programs will have all coursework, communication, and lectures available online. They can be synchronous, which means you’ll meet virtually at a specified time for lectures or discussions, or asynchronous, meaning that everything is prerecorded, and you can watch or participate at your own convenience. It’s important to research each program thoroughly, because while some programs advertise that they are available 100% online, they require doctoral students to come to campus to defend a dissertation or present a project at the end of the program.

A partially online, or hybrid, program typically has lectures on campus and all required coursework online. Since many doctoral students are full-time professionals or have familial obligations, lectures are often held in the evenings or on the weekends and sometimes will have several weeks between meetings. Students in a hybrid program will also probably be required to come to campus for various intensives or residencies to learn and network with peers and professors. Some programs even require an international capstone experience that exposes students to financial issues in a comparative and global framework.

PhD vs. DBA: Which Finance Doctorate is Right for You?

Whether you choose an online PhD in finance or an online DBA in finance depends on your goals. PhDs. are geared to students who want to pursue a career in academia and make a contribution to business knowledge and theory. A DBA in finance is a professional doctorate for students that want to contribute to the practice of management and make a difference in the industry. Below you’ll learn about some of their major differences.

Timeline for Earning Your Finance Doctorate Online

The timeline of a PhD or DBA in finance can vary from one student to another. Students who can study full time may be able to finish their degrees in three years, but students who need to study part-time may take six years or more. Most programs require students to finish their degree in no more than seven or eight years. If you’ve completed industry-related master’s coursework beforehand, that can also help speed things up. Learn what students can generally expect to study each year of their degree program below.

Students begin with courses that focus on proficiency in business operations and the basic disciplines. These credits may be completed by taking graduate courses prior to program application, after being admitted to the program, or sometimes through approved independent study. Students will also take several elective courses to help narrow down their interests and identify potential faculty advisors. At this point, students are usually required to submit a plan of study that outlines the courses they will take for the duration of the program.

Once students’ plans of study are approved, they will start taking courses that relate to their area of interest, will help them become proficient in those areas of research methodology and statistical analysis, and may help them identify potential capstone project/dissertation topics. At the end of this year, students will need to be moving toward or taking their comprehensive/candidacy examination.

Full-time students will have passed their candidacy examination to be nominated for PhD candidacy or their qualifying examination to become eligible for the master’s in business degree. part-time students may still be preparing for their qualifying exams. Advanced research coursework, the choosing of dissertation committees, and the proposal and progression of the student’s dissertation will all happen this year. Some full-time students may get so far as to complete the defense of their dissertation at the end of year three.

Full-time students should successfully defend their thesis by the middle or end of year four. This includes registration for the defense as well as distribution of the paper to the committee beforehand. Getting their dissertations published may also happen during this year. Part-time students should have passed their comprehensive/candidacy exams, chosen their dissertation committees, presented their dissertation proposal, and started their research. Since the dissertation or capstone project represents a major research project, students can expect to spend a year, or the equivalent of a year, of full-time work in close cooperation with their committee.

Full-time students will spend the remainder of their time working to get their dissertations published. Part-time students will work closely with their dissertation committee to finish up the writing portion of their dissertation and will be preparing for the defense.

Year six-seven

Part-time students should be working toward and finishing up the defense and publication of their dissertation.

Program completion times vary for the DBA and PhD in finance depending on many factors. When choose a program, be sure to take this into consideration and ask your program advisor any specific questions about completion timeframes you have.

Learning Outcomes of Finance Doctorates

Learning outcomes are the backbone of a program’s curriculum. They indicate where the students should be at the end of the program and provide a goal that students and instructors should work toward. Learning outcomes explain to the students why the knowledge and skills they are learning will be useful to them and help guide instructors in performing assessments and evaluations of their students.

Develop Business Knowledge : Students will study and evaluate current theoretical and applied research in business administration to obtain broad, industry-wide knowledge and attain a good understanding of the methods used in theoretical modeling and empirical testing.
Obtain Knowledge of Advanced Models & Software: Students will gain the knowledge and capability to apply advanced models that are related to asset pricing, corporate valuation, and financial risk management. Students will also become proficient in advanced software programs for statistical and econometric analysis such as time series and cross-sectional analysis.
Perform Quality Research: Throughout the program, students will gain the ability to formulate a research question and apply appropriate testing methodologies to provide empirical evidence. This ability will translate into solving practical business problems based on the student’s original research, designing scholarly papers and dissertations, and defending them orally.
Recommend Solutions: Students will recommend solutionsfor the improvement of business and organizational systems and practices based on their understanding of current research and their knowledge of relevant literature and best practices. These solutions will be founded on the practical application of current theories.
Create Business Strategies: Students will evaluate business practices that positively impact society and become familiar with ethical codes and standards. These tenets will guide their professional decisions as they construct socially responsible and ethical business strategies.

Accreditation for Online Finance Doctorates

Attending an accredited university is critical because accreditation proves to the world that the curriculum is rigorous, appropriate, and upholds high standards. Accreditation can be given at the program or institutional level. There are many accredited universities and programs out there, but when considering an online doctorate in finance, you should know about the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

The ACBSP is an organization that offers accreditation services to business programs focused on teaching and learning. Some of the best business programs receive the distinction of being ACBSP accredited. If possible, choose an accredited online degree in finance doctorate that has the ACBSP’s badge of approval in addition to the school being accredited as a whole, either regionally or nationally. If a school offers online programs, its regional or national accreditation should include any online degrees as well.

Applying to an Online PhD or DBA in Finance Program

The application process for graduate business finance programs is a little more rigorous than for undergraduate programs. You’ll need to submit your past college transcripts and proof of English proficiency (if applicable), pay an application fee, and meet a minimum GPA requirement to be considered for your PhD or DBA in finance. You might also find programs that require written statements, letters of recommendation, interviews, and a professional resume.

Prior Education: Though most college programs require you to submit all your college transcripts, an online PhD in finance will require you to have at least completed a bachelor’s degree, though not always in a related field. A DBA in finance will require you to have a master’s degree in a relevant field, for example, an MBA.
Written Personal Statement: A written personal statement will help the admissions committee get to know you and understand your intent in pursuing additional education and your plans once the program is completed. This is also where you should detail your qualifications for the program as well as a history of relevant business experience.
Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation help the admissions committee verify whether you are qualified to start your studies in the program. A well-written letter of recommendation will also indicate how you have developed and applied your skill set in a way that might be applicable to your program of interest.

Tuition and Fees

The option of online learning could be the tipping point for some students as they consider furthering their education, especially when it comes to cost. Many universities charge online students the resident tuition rate regardless of their location. Additionally, many fees typically charged to an on-campus student, like facility and parking fees, aren’t applicable to online students, which could add up to hundreds of dollars in savings over a few years.

Studying remotely allows you to skip commute costs and forgo opportunity costs, like taking time off of work or missing a child’s basketball game. Online students need to secure their own computers and internet access, but renting one from the school or using your local library are both affordable options. Below you’ll find a tuition comparison to help you get an idea of what your baseline cost will be.

NOTE: It’s worth looking into your college’s financial aid options since many schools offer tuition assistance, grants, and other payment help specifically for PhD and doctorate students. This could significantly reduce your out-of-pocket cost. As you research online PhD finance programs, don’t let yourself be paralyzed by the dollar signs. Contact a financial aid representative to learn what your options are, and keep in mind you’ll often pay far less than the advertised program’s price. Also, read through our guides to scholarships and grants and financial aid to find financial aid options you can start working on now.

Salaries with an Online PhD or Doctorate in Finance

Your salary as a PhD finance graduate will largely depend on your experience, but to give you a frame of reference, professionals with a PhD in finance earn an average base salary of $125,000 per year , according to PayScale. The yearly median salary for accountants was $77,250, while the yearly median salary of a chief executive was $179,520, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Your area of expertise, geographical location, and relevant experience will be strong determining factors when it comes to how much you’ll earn with your finance doctoral degree.

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Is a Doctorate Degree Worth It?

A blue graphic with an outline of a student wearing a grad cap next to a student using her laptop researching if a doctorate degree is worth it

Know before you read At SNHU, we want to make sure you have the information you need to make decisions about your education and your future—no matter where you choose to go to school. That's why our informational articles may reference careers for which we do not offer academic programs, along with salary data for those careers. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

Earning a doctorate takes time, money and discipline. Like many things worth doing, the process is challenging but also rewarding. Becoming an expert in your subject area and immersing yourself in your chosen area of study makes the process of earning a doctorate important to many people. Certain professions require or value a doctorate for promotion potential.

In fact, career advancement, love of the subject matter and personal satisfaction are three of the top reasons why Dr. Bridgitte Kiprop '23 , Dr. Jennifer Barry ’23 and Dr. Torialyn Draper Crook earned their doctorates.

For Kiprop '23, part of her motivation for earning a doctorate in International Business was setting an example for her six children.
For Barry, ’23, who earned a doctor of education degree in educational leadership, part of her motivation was to prepare for success in meeting her long-term career goal to become a university president.
And for Crook, earning her doctorate in education was a commitment that she undertook to honor her family’s legacy of valuing education.

How Difficult is Earning a Doctorate?

For Kiprop, time management was her key to success. With six children, she had to make the most of any time in the day that she could find. “If I had … five minutes, I would use the five minutes,” she said. “Other times, I was luckier (and had) two hours.”

Despite the time-management challenges of earning an advanced degree while raising her family, Kiprop feels that the process of earning that degree was a way to inspire her children to work hard to meet their own goals.

“I really hope that my children will ... know that whatever it is they feel called to do, whatever their ambitions, their goals are achievable,” she said.

To manage the challenge of advanced studies, having the right people around you as you work on your degree is essential, according to Crook. “Surround yourself with family, friends, colleagues and mentors who can provide encouragement during challenging times,” she said.

Crook stresses that everyone’s journey to earning their doctorate is unique. She recommends being prepared for the unexpected, and remaining flexible in adjusting your path as you work toward completing your degree.

How Long Does a Doctorate Take?

Students may have family commitments, health challenges or need to work full or part-time while attending school . Many students face all of these circumstances. Crook managed to complete her doctorate in 5 years, though it wasn't easy for her. She faced a significant personal health challenge and was raising two children while also attending school.

For Barry, earning her doctoral degree is part of an educational path that started with her bachelor’s degree at SNHU (formerly New Hampshire College) in 2000. She then continued her education to earn a master's degree throughout several jobs and geographic moves.

Barry views her entire educational journey as part of the process that led to meeting her ultimate goal of earning a doctorate.

What Skills Are Needed to Earn a Doctorate?

While every academic program is different, Crook finds certain skills and competencies necessary for success, regardless of field. These skills include:

Building relationships
Organizational skills
Self-motivation
Writing skills

Crook finds building relationships particularly important. While working on her degree, the strong relationship that she developed with her dissertation chairperson proved essential. She also built positive relationships with other doctoral students, which led to a strong peer support network throughout her program.

Kiprop echoes the importance of building relationships in her field as well. For her, building new relationships is a way to open your mind to new experiences and opportunities.

Find Your Program

What types of jobs can you get with a doctorate.

While a doctorate is helpful for working in leadership roles at colleges and universities, there are many opportunities for doctoral degree holders to work at the highest levels in their profession outside of higher education as well.

Some of the top professions that require a doctoral or professional degree and have a faster-than-average predicted growth rate, according to the BLS, are:

Astronomers* (SNHU does not currently offer graduate degrees in astronomy or physics)
Biochemists and biophysicists* (SNHU does not currently offer graduate degrees in biochemistry or biophysics)
Clinical and counseling psychologists* (SNHU does not currently offer doctorates in psychology, but you could start with a bachelor's in psychology , followed by a master's in psychology )
Higher education teachers and professors — particularly business, computer science and engineering teachers*

Two more examples of areas where a doctorate can help prepare you for advancement in your career are educational leadership and international business.

A doctorate in educational leadership can be a Doctor of Philosophy degree, known as a PhD, or a Doctor of Education degree, known as an EdD. The PhD in Education Leadership typically leads to higher education roles in teaching and research. The EdD in Educational Leadership , which Barry earned, typically leads to leadership and strategy roles in an education setting that may be at the higher education or secondary school level.

A PhD in International Business may include addressing a gap in an existing body of knowledge by conducting research. Kiprop, who earned her doctorate at SNHU, plans to use her degree to research entrepreneurship in small business finance.

Motivated by being from a developing country — Kenya — she has a personal interest in helping grow small businesses in similar developing areas. “I can also use that same knowledge at the New Hampshire level because the issues there perhaps are different but still … relevant,” she said.

Regardless of your program field, the process of earning a doctorate can help you explore ways of applying your newfound and existing knowledge that you may not have considered prior to starting your program.

Is it Better to Have a Master’s or Doctorate?

Both a master’s degree and a doctorate offer opportunities for career advancement. Choosing which to earn, or whether to earn both, is a highly personal decision based on your personal and professional goals and aspirations, according to Crook.

Before deciding which degree is right for you, consider your goals. Speaking with a career counselor or graduate admissions counselor to learn about career options and pathways toward earning the degree can be a helpful step toward making this decision.

In many fields, a master’s degree is enough to move forward in your career. But, earning a doctorate is an opportunity to take your career a step further, according to Crook. That step “gives one the opportunity to direct their career trajectory specifically through research and other specialized skills and knowledge,” she said.

How Valuable is a Doctorate?

A doctorate isn’t for everyone, but it can be right for you depending on your chosen field and career path.

For many people, earning a doctorate is just as important as a personal accomplishment as it is a professional one. “I (always) understood the significance of progressing in my career and staying connected to my field of higher education,” Crook said. “My doctoral journey was worthwhile as it aligned with my career goals and personal aspirations,” she said.

For Barry, the doctorate was worth it because she believes strongly in the power of education . “You see how (education) transforms people’s lives and … gives people opportunities that they didn’t see before,” she said.

She has seen many people earn degrees only for their family members to then continue in their footsteps. “I just think that generationally, (education) is creating pathways for people,” she said.

Deciding whether to pursue a doctorate is ultimately a very personal decision, but one that can lead you to build new relationships and a new knowledge base while helping you reach or exceed your career goals.

A degree can change your life. Find the SNHU doctorate degree that can best help you meet your goals.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

A former higher education administrator, Dr. Marie Morganelli is a career educator and writer. She has taught and tutored composition, literature, and writing at all levels from middle school through graduate school. With two graduate degrees in English language and literature, her focus — whether teaching or writing — is in helping to raise the voices of others through the power of storytelling. Connect with her on LinkedIn .

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SNHU is a nonprofit, accredited university with a mission to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs . Our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH is home to over 3,000 students, and we serve over 135,000 students online. Visit our about SNHU page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards.

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10 facts about today’s college graduates

A San Jose State University graduate prepares for commencement ceremonies with his family in December 2021.

Having a bachelor’s degree remains an important advantage in many sectors of the U.S. labor market. College graduates generally out-earn those who have not attended college, and they are more likely to be employed in the first place. At the same time, many Americans say they cannot afford to get a four-year degree – or that they just don’t want to.

Here are key facts about American college graduates.

This Pew Research Center analysis about U.S. college graduates relies on data from sources including the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the National Center for Education Statistics, the National Student Clearinghouse and the Federal Reserve Bank, as well as surveys conducted by the Center.

Everyone who took the Pew Research Center surveys cited is a member of the Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP), an online survey panel that is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. This way nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of selection. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories. Read more about the ATP’s methodology .

Nearly four-in-ten Americans ages 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree, a share that has grown over the last decade. As of 2021, 37.9% of adults in this age group held a bachelor’s degree, including 14.3% who also obtained a graduate or professional degree, according to data from the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey. That share is up 7.5 percentage points from 30.4% in 2011.

An additional 10.5% had an associate degree in 2021. About four-in-ten Americans ages 25 and older had a high school diploma with no further education (25.3%) or completed some college but didn’t have a degree (14.9%).

In a reversal, women are now more likely than men to graduate from college, according to the Current Population Survey . In 2021, 39% of women ages 25 and older had a bachelor’s degree or more education, compared with 37% of men in the same age range. The gap in college completion is even wider among adults ages 25 to 34: 46% of women in this age group have at least a bachelor’s degree, compared with 36% of men.

A line graph showing that women in the U.S. are outpacing men in college graduation

In an October 2021 Pew Research Center survey of Americans without a degree, 34% of men said a major reason why they have not received a four-year college degree is that they just didn’t want to. Only one-in-four women said the same. Men were also more likely to say a major reason they didn’t have a four-year degree is that they didn’t need more education for the job or career they wanted (26% of men said this vs. 20% of women).

A chart showing that about a third of men who haven't completed four years of college say they 'just didn't want to' get a degree

Women (44%) were more likely than men (39%) to say not being able to afford college was a major reason they don’t have a bachelor’s degree. Men and women were about equally likely to say a major impediment was needing to work to help support their family.

A line graph showing that since 2000, the share of Americans with a bachelor's degree has increased across all races and ethnicities

There are racial and ethnic differences in college graduation patterns, as well as in the reasons for not completing a degree. Among adults ages 25 and older, 61% of Asian Americans have a bachelor’s degree or more education, along with 42% of White adults, 28% of Black adults and 21% of Hispanic adults, according to 2021 Current Population Survey data. The share of bachelor’s degree holders in each group has increased since 2010. That year, 52% of Asian Americans had a four-year degree or more, compared with a third of White adults, 20% of Black adults and 14% of Hispanic adults.

The October 2021 Center survey found that among adults without a bachelor’s degree, Hispanic adults (52%) were more likely than those who are White (39%) or Black (41%) to say a major reason they didn’t graduate from a four-year college is that they couldn’t afford it. Hispanic and Black adults were more likely than their White counterparts to say needing to work to support their family was a major reason.

While a third of White adults said not wanting to go to school was a major reason they didn’t complete a four-year degree, smaller shares of Black (22%) and Hispanic (23%) adults said the same. White adults were also more likely to cite not needing more education for the job or career they wanted. (There weren’t enough Asian adults without a bachelor’s degree in the sample to analyze separately.)

A bar chart showing that only about 62% of college students finish their program within six years

Only 62% of students who start a degree or certificate program finish their program within six years, according to the most recent data from the National Student Clearinghouse , a nonprofit verification and research organization that tracked first-time college students who enrolled in fall 2015 with the intent of pursuing a degree or certificate. The degree completion rate for this group was highest among students who started at four-year, private, nonprofit schools (78.3%), and lowest among those who started at two-year public institutions (42.2%).

Business is the most commonly held bachelor’s degree, followed by health professions. According to the National Center for Education Statistics , about a fifth (19%) of the roughly 2 million bachelor’s degrees conferred in 2019-20 were in business. Health professions and related programs were the second most-popular field, making up 12.6% of degrees conferred that year. Business has been the single most common major since 1980-81; before that, education led the way.

The least common bachelor’s degrees in 2019-20 were in military technologies and applied sciences (1,156 degrees conferred in 2019-20), library science (118), and precision production (39).

There is a growing earnings gap between young college graduates and their counterparts without degrees. In 2021, full-time workers ages 22 to 27 who held a bachelor’s degree, but no further education, made a median annual wage of $52,000, compared with $30,000 for full-time workers of the same age with a high school diploma and no degree, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This gap has widened over time. Young bachelor’s degree holders earned a median annual wage of $48,481 in 1990, compared with $35,257 for full-time workers ages 22 to 27 with a high school diploma.

The unemployment rate is lower for college graduates than for workers without a bachelor’s degree, and that gap widened as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. In February 2020, just before the COVID-19 outbreak began in the U.S., only 1.9% of college graduates ages 25 and older were unemployed, compared with 3.1% of workers who completed some college but not a four-year degree, and 3.7% of workers with only a high school diploma. By June 2020, after the pandemic hit, 6.8% of college grads, 10.8% of workers with some college, and 12.2% of high school grads were unemployed.

By March 2022, the unemployment rate had nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels for college graduates (2%) while dropping to 3% among those with some college education but no four-year degree, and 4% among those with only a high school diploma.

A line graph showing that underemployed recent college grads are becoming less likely to work in 'good non-college jobs'

Recent college graduates are more likely than graduates overall to be underemployed – that is, working in jobs that typically do not require a college degree, according to an analysis of Census Bureau and BLS data by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York . As of December 2021, 41% of college graduates ages 22 to 27 were underemployed, compared with 34% among all college graduates. The underemployment rates for recent college grads rose in 2020 as the COVID-19 outbreak strained the job market, but have since returned to pre-pandemic levels.

As of the end of 2021, only 34% of underemployed graduates ages 22 to 27 worked what the Fed defines as “good non-college jobs” – those paying at least $45,000 a year – down from around half in the 1990s. The share of underemployed graduates ages 22 to 27 in low-wage jobs – those earning less than $25,000 annually – rose from about 9% in 1990 to 11% last year.

A chart showing that among household heads with at least a bachelor's degree, those with a college-educated parent are typically wealthier and have greater incomes

When it comes to income and wealth accumulation, first-generation college graduates lag substantially behind those with college-educated parents, according to a May 2021 Pew Research Center analysis . Households headed by a first-generation college graduate – that is, someone who has completed at least a bachelor’s degree but does not have a parent with a college degree – had a median annual income of $99,600 in 2019, compared with $135,800 for households headed by those with at least one parent who graduated from college. The median wealth of households headed by first-generation college graduates ($152,000) also trailed that of households headed by someone with a parent who graduated from college ($244,500). The higher household income of the latter facilitates saving and wealth accumulation.

The gap also reflects differences in how individuals finance their education. Second-generation college graduates tend to come from more affluent families , while first-generation college graduates are more likely to incur education debt than those with a college-educated parent.

Most Americans with college degrees see value in their experience. In the Center’s October 2021 survey , majorities of graduates said their college education was extremely or very useful when it came to helping them grow personally and intellectually (79%), opening doors to job opportunities (70%) and developing specific skills and knowledge that could be used in the workplace (65%).

Younger college graduates were less likely than older ones to see value in their college education. For example, only a third of college graduates younger than 50 said their college experience was extremely useful in helping them develop skills and knowledge that could be used in the workplace. Among college graduates ages 50 and older, 45% said this.

Higher Education

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How Many Years Is a PharmD Degree? Program Information and Frequently Asked Questions

Want to know how long a PharmD degree is? Learn what you can expect during your time at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

The number of years necessary to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (or PharmD degree) will depend on several factors, from your desired program to how much flexibility you have in your schedule. In this article, we’ll cover your program options and give you a glimpse into your six years at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS).

How Many Years Is a PharmD Degree?

At MCPHS, the full program is six years total—two years of prerequisite course options followed by a four-year professional phase.

The PharmD is required to become a licensed pharmacist in the United States, as is the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX)—a main component of gaining your license to be a professional pharmacist. MCPHS prepares future pharmacists for these milestones.

In addition, beginning in the fall of 2024, all new students admitted to MCPHS’ six-year PharmD program will receive a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and Life Sciences. This additional STEM-designated degree will be awarded upon completion of the fourth year of the PharmD program. Graduates of the program will be prepared to launch careers in sectors outside of pharmacy, including biopharmaceuticals, public health, and life sciences.

Let's break down what you can expect during the PharmD program, one year at a time.

The first year of your PharmD prerequisite course section will introduce you to pharmaceutical sciences, basic medical sciences, and other important foundational topics like biology, medicinal chemistry, and calculus to better prepare you for upcoming program requirements in your pharmacy education.

The second and final year of prerequisite coursework will build upon the foundational knowledge gained in year one. Professors will dive deeper into pharmaceutical-specific topics and further prepare you for clinical pharmacy practice. Courses cover such topics as intro to pharmacy, microbiology, anatomy, and physiology.

Your third year is the first of the professional study phase. It’s a critical part of the education process, transitioning you from more base-level knowledge to extensive clinical experiences and information. You’ll enroll in courses like healthcare delivery and practices, physiology, medical biochemistry, and pharmaceutical calculations, and explore research methods in pharmacoepidemiology. This will be your first year of hands-on learning in a dosage forms laboratory.

The program’s fourth year consists of classes like pharmacology, therapeutics, deeper medicinal chemistry, and pharmaceutical biotechnology. This year will cover the doctor-patient relationship and care process as a whole.

As you continue to build your knowledge of practice management, you’ll study healthcare ethics, clinical pharmacokinetics, pharmacy law, patient self-care, and advanced therapeutics. Learning opportunities will be available to you outside the traditional classroom-style setup, including associated seminars, required labs, and other immersive academic activities. You'll also study and prepare to take the Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes Assessment Exam, which you’ll need to complete by the end of your fifth year.

Your sixth and final year of the MCPHS PharmD program is a time to deepen your understanding of the pharmaceutical world and grasp how best to care for patients. You’ll take courses like institutional pharmacy practice, ambulatory care, community pharmacy practice, and two electives in either administration, critical care medicine, gastroenterology, or infectious diseases.

You’ll work with other students in your year to participate in advanced pharmacy rotations. You'll also focus on reviewing NAPLEX modules. The NAPLEX was created by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy to help individual state boards of pharmacy determine if a student is ready to get their license and begin practicing.

MCPHS is located in the hub of healthcare and life science innovation in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area, giving you several job opportunities right off campus. Outside of our location, we offer pharmacy program graduates specialized training within the biopharmaceutical sector through our Biopharmaceutical Industry Fellowship Program.

Our Fellowship program is the second-largest in the nation, placing over 100 fellows each year. This highly competitive program attracts top talent from across the country and offers hands-on training, professional development, and industry connections to participants. With a proven track record of success, the fellowship can help aspiring biopharmaceutical professionals launch their careers.

What Program Options Are Available?

Undergraduate, pharmacy (pharmd) - direct entry.

This program is the six-year pathway detailed earlier in this article. Undergraduate pharmacy students will first complete a preprofessional phase before entering a four-year professional phase.

Our direct entry program allows students who complete their pre-professional requirements, obtain a minimum GPA of 2.8, and finish an oral interview and writing proficiency exam (the Progression Interview) to move directly into the professional phase of the program. Whereas many other traditional PharmD programs require students to take a pharmacy college admission test.

Pharmacy (PharmD) - Accelerated

The accelerated PharmD program allows students to earn their pharmacy degree in three years. Learners with a bachelor’s degree or the appropriate amount of college credits and prerequisites may apply.

Pharmacy (NTDP) - Non-Traditional Pathway

This part-time online program enables students to earn an NTDP degree in three phases, which include 27 credits, five semesters of learning, and up to 16 credits of experiential education.

There aren’t specific prerequisite classes for this pathway, but all applicants must have a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, a license to practice pharmacy in the United States, and be employed in the patient-care setting.

Where Should You Study To Become a Pharmacist?

MCPHS was the first institution of higher ed founded in Boston and the second university of pharmacy founded in the United States. Rich in history and experience, our university has been preparing students to enter the medical workforce since 1823.

If you’d like to join our group of accomplished alumni upon graduation, start your career journey today by applying to MCPHS to become a PharmD student.

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The 10 Best PhD Programs in Finance
This is one of the best PhD in Finance programs you can do completely online. It aims to prepare students to address issues in business finance through research, best practices, and relevant literature. Courses: Managerial Finance, Investments & Derivatives, Business Valuation, etc. Credits: 60. Duration: 3 years average.
PhD in Finance: Requirements, Salary, Jobs, & Career Growth
The completion of a PhD in Finance can be divided into many stages, which may differ based on the program and the individual's progress: 1. Coursework: During the first year of a PhD in Finance program, students often do coursework to provide a solid foundation in finance theory, research methods, and other related fields. Coursework time ...
PhD Program
Program of Study. Wharton's PhD program in Finance provides students with a solid foundation in the theoretical and empirical tools of modern finance, drawing heavily on the discipline of economics. The department prepares students for careers in research and teaching at the world's leading academic institutions, focusing on Asset Pricing ...
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Kee says funding for a humanities Ph.D. program typically only lasts five years, even though it is uncommon for someone to obtain a Ph.D. degree in a humanities field within that time frame ...
Finance
The Programs PhD Fields of Study Finance. Finance. The field of finance covers the economics of claims on resources. Financial economists study the valuation of these claims, the markets in which they are traded, and their use by individuals, corporations, and the society at large. At Stanford GSB, finance faculty and doctoral students study a ...
What is a Doctorate in Finance Degree?
Both degrees may take four to five years for a full-time student to complete. However, a DBA and a PhD in finance take different approaches to the subject matter and contain distinct objectives throughout their curriculum. The PhD in Finance. PhD in Finance programs are academic degrees that tend to be more theoretical.
PhD Finance Requirements
Finance Requirements. The PhD finance concentration requires a strong mastery of economic theory. Students spend the first year taking a doctoral-level sequence in microeconomic theory and a sequence in econometric analysis. They are also required to take four, two-credit finance PhD seminars in the first year. The program encourages students ...
The Ins and Outs of a PhD in Finance
Many of the top universities offering PhD in finance programs have extremely select criteria for admissions, including GRE scores, academic achievement, professional experience, and recommendations from faculty members. The competition for admission is intense; most universities will only admit a handful of students each year.
PhD Programs
The PhD program in Health Policy (Management) prepares students to effect powerful change rooted in data-driven research on the managerial, operational, and strategic issues facing a wide range of organizations. Coursework includes the study of microeconomics theory, management, research methods, and statistics.
PhD in Business
Alok Kumar, professor of finance, is the program coordinator for the PhD in Business - Finance. His research interests include behavioral science, empirical asset pricing, corporate finance, and computional economics. About Dr. Kumar. Alok Kumar, Professor of Finance and Program Coordinator. [email protected] 305-284-1882.
PhD Programme in Financial Economics
Overview Start date: September 2024Duration: 5 years (1 year MRes + 4 years PhD)Fees: We offer fully-funded scholarships to all admitted students who have applied by the 31 January 2024 ... Unlike many PhD Programmes in finance, our programme has a full anchor in economics and econometrics. Hence, we offer a unique world-class environment that ...
PhD Program Information
PhD Program Information. Find out more about the Finance admission requirements, overview of the PhD program, preliminary exams, transfer credit policy, application procedures, student involvement and placements, and other information. Admission and Basic Requirements. Applying for your Degree - Master's or Ph.D. Candidacy.
How Long Does It Take To Get a PhD?
A PhD, or doctorate degree, is the highest degree you can earn in certain disciplines, such as psychology, engineering, education, and mathematics.As a result, it often takes longer to earn than it does for a bachelor's or master's degree.. While many PhD programs are designed to be finished in four or five years, the average completion time is much longer when you factor in the time it ...
PhD in Finance: Eligibility, Syllabus, Universities & Scope
PhD in Finance: What is it About? The structure of a typical Doctoral degree, be it PhD in Finance or other programs generally run for around 3 to 7 years varying on the destination. The typical structure involves a variety of components so as to prepare a candidate for a solid research career in Finance.. This includes core and required courses, electives, practical training, fieldwork ...
194 PhD programmes in Finance
4 years. Through the Finance MPhil/PhD programme from The University of Exeter you'll be part of a vibrant research community, with more than 150 current doctoral students. Ph. D. / Full-time, Part-time / On Campus. The University of Exeter Exeter, England, United Kingdom. Ranked top 1%.
PhD in Finance| INSEAD
Finance - PhD Specialisation. Finance studies the workings of an economy's financial system, its role in channelling financial resources from suppliers of capital to its final users, and allocating risk among investors. More specifically, finance examines the determinants of investment, portfolio, and financing choices of firms and ...
How long does it take to get a PhD?
In the United States, PhDs usually take between 5-7 years: 2 years of coursework followed by 3-5 years of independent research work to produce a dissertation. In the rest of the world, students normally have a master's degree before beginning the PhD, so they proceed directly to the research stage and complete a PhD in 3-5 years.
Is it worth doing a PhD to secure a job in finance?
Studying for a PhD can enable you to demonstrate some important traits of successful bankers; including a keen interest in and wider understanding of banking and global markets, high analytic ...
Best Online PhD/Doctorate in Finance Programs for 2023
Up to half of the DBA program requirements can be met with approved transfer credits. Program Highlights: Doctor of Business Administration in Finance. Credits: 60. Length: About 3 years. Cost: $595/credit (full-time) and $650/credit (part-time) Mode: 100% online. Accreditation: ACBSP.
On doing a PhD in Finance after a few years in the industry
Nowadays, after five years in a Finance PhD program, I observe that people have two, sometimes three papers fully written. ... PhD students in Finance work long hours for many years and face major ...
Master's vs PhD
The two most common types of graduate degrees are master's and doctoral degrees: A master's is a 1-2 year degree that can prepare you for a multitude of careers. A PhD, or doctoral degree, takes 3-7 years to complete (depending on the country) and prepares you for a career in academic research. A master's is also the necessary first ...
Do PhD have any value in Finance ? : r/FinancialCareers
A PhD is a lot of money to hope you get 1 of maybe 3,000 jobs. The average quant doesn't have a PhD in economics, at least from my experience most quant colleagues I talk with have physics, maths or mathematical finance PhDs. Or some kind of financial engineering masters, or maths/phys masters. This is correct.
PhD in Finance & Accounts Syllabus, Distance Education, Admission
PhD in Finance & Accounts is a minimum 3-year full-time course which can be extended to 5 years dealing with the basics of finance and accounting. PhD in Finance is a doctorate level course dealing with various aspects of finance. It does not include any accounting principles in its curriculum. Duration: 2 Years to 5 years: 2 Years to 5 years ...
Is a PhD Worth It?
Like many things worth doing, the process is challenging but also rewarding. Becoming an expert in your subject area and immersing yourself in your chosen area of study makes the process of earning a doctorate important to many people. ... from 5 to 12 years. This wide range is due to the number of variables between which degree program you may ...
Key facts about U.S. college graduates
Nearly four-in-ten Americans ages 25 and older have a bachelor's degree, a share that has grown over the last decade. As of 2021, 37.9% of adults in this age group held a bachelor's degree, including 14.3% who also obtained a graduate or professional degree, according to data from the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey.
Henrietta Mann and the Legacy of Sand Creek
"The greatest challenge for a true human being is to think with both heart and mind." ~Dr. Henrietta Mann Please help us welcome renowned Cheyenne educator and advocate Dr. Henrietta Mann to the CU Boulder campus. A descendant from survivors of the Sand Creek Massacre, this evening event with Dr. Mann will reflect on the lasting effects of this tragic event on Cheyenne women.
How Many Years Is a PharmD Degree?
Learn about our PharmD program, understand admission details, and unlock a promising future in the pharmaceutical industry.

The 10 Best PhD Programs in Finance

Why Get a Doctorate in Finance?

Jobs and Salaries for Doctors of Finance

Read More: The Highest Paying PhD Programs

Read Next: The Average Cost of a Master’s Degree in Finance

The University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School

The University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Gies College of Business

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management

Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management

The University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business

The University of Texas at San Antonio, Alvarez College of Business

Liberty University, School of Business

Northcentral University

Things To Consider When Choosing a Finance PhD Program

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What Do You Need To Get a PhD in Finance?

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