Ph.D. in Finance

Finance doctoral students at KU are trained to teach at the university level, to conduct research that is publishable in top academic journals, and to analyze questions important to government agencies and the private sector.

What sets KU apart

  • Collaboration with internationally known faculty: Work on cutting-edge research with globally recognized professors who rank among the best in the world.
  • Personalized mentorship and small cohort: Our program's small size ensures extensive faculty and student interaction, faculty mentoring and hands-on research and teaching opportunities.
  • Access to premier resources: Connect with a wide range of research databases and resources to support your scholarly work.
  • Designed to your goals: Complete your doctorate in five years, tailored to your research and career goals.

Mentorship that drives success

Successful students develop close working relationships with the KU Finance faculty, both in the classroom and on co-authored research. Many KU finance doctoral students publish their first research study before finishing the program, and most students accept jobs at universities rated “high” or “very high” in research activity by the Carnegie Foundation.

The KU doctoral program in finance emphasizes rigorous training and hands-on experience. Five semesters of coursework include a firm grounding in economic theory, thorough training in statistics and econometrics, and an immersion in the most important research studies in corporate finance, investments and financial institutions.

View a list of published faculty research

Application deadlines

  • Priority: December 15

  • Final: January 10

Admissions

List

  • Research

    Students begin their own research during the first year of the program and present their first research seminar early in the second year of the program. Many of our students publish their first research study before finishing the program, and most students accept jobs at universities rated “high” or “very high” in research activity by the Carnegie Foundation.

List

  • Teaching

    We emphasize rigorous training and hands-on experience. Successful students develop close working relationships with the KU finance faculty, both in the classroom and on co-authored research. Students typically teach three undergraduate finance classes before graduating.

What to expect in the program

View degree requirements and a detailed list of courses in the KU Academic Catalog.

Notes:

  1. A course that is not being offered within a reasonable timeframe, or a course in which a student can demonstrate competence may be, with the approval of the area group and the Ph.D. Team, replaced with another course.
  2. Area-specific core requirements may by changed subject to the approval of the area group and the Ph.D. Team.
  3. A minimum of 15 courses, plus BUS 902 and BUS 903 are required for completion of the degree.
  4. Courses recommended for preparation for the qualifier assessment may not be included in the concentration or minor areas.
  • Year 1
    • Coursework
    • Summer research
  • Year 2
    • Coursework
    • Present first-year research paper
    • Summer research
  • Year 3
    • Coursework
    • Pass the Finance Comprehensive Exam
    • Present second-year research paper
    • Summer research
  • Year 4
    • Present your dissertation proposal
  • Year 5
    • Defend your dissertation proposal

Program faculty

Finance doctoral students

Questions?

Contact Charly Edmonds, doctoral program director.