Ph.D. in Finance
Program information
At the University of Kansas, finance doctoral students are trained to teach at the university level, to do research that is publishable in top academic journals, and to analyze questions that are important to government agencies and the private sector. Successful students develop close working relationships with the KU finance faculty, both in the classroom and on co-authored research. 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.
We emphasize 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.
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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.
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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.
Program details
Core courses
Statistical Methods
BSAN 920: Probability for Business Research OR MATH 727: Probability Theory
BSAN 921: Statistics for Business Research OR MATH 728: Statistical Theory
BSAN 922: Advanced Regression
Economics
ECON 800: Optimization Techniques I
ECON 801: Microeconomics I
ECON 802: Microeconomics II
BE 917: Advanced Managerial Economics
Concentration courses
FIN 901: Current Research in Finance
FIN 937: Seminar in Business Finance
FIN 938: Seminar in Investments
FIN 939: Seminar in Financial Institutions
Supporting courses
ECON 817: Econometrics I
ECON 818: Econometrics II
One of the three sequences below
Sequence 1: Minor in Research Methods
ECON 715: Elementary Econometrics
Advanced elective research methods course
Sequence 2: Minor in Research Methods and Financial Accounting
ACCT 928: Introduction to Accounting Research
ACCT 932: Seminar in Financial Accounting Research I
Sequence 3: Minor in Research Methods and Applied Economics
ECON 770: Economics of the Labor Market
ECON 870: Applied Microeconomics
For more information, view a detailed list of courses in the academic catalog.
Notes:
A course that is not being offered within a reasonable timeframe, or a course in which a student can demonstrate competence my be, with the approval of the area group and the Ph.D. Team, replaced with another course.
Area-specific core requirements may by changed subject to the approval of the area group and the Ph.D. Team.
A minimum of 15 courses, plus BUS 902 and BUS 903 are required for completion of the degree.
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
- Pass the Finance Qualifier Assessment
- Present first-year research paper
- Teach an undergraduate finance class
- Summer research
Year 3
- Coursework
- Pass the Finance Comprehensive Exam
- Present second-year research paper
- Teach an undergraduate finance class
- Summer research
Year 4
- Present your dissertation proposal
- Teach an undergraduate finance class
Year 5
- Defend your dissertation proposal
