Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Business Administration - Finance

The PhD Program in Business Administration at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business prepares candidates for research and teaching careers at leading educational institutions and for careers where advanced research and analytical capabilities are required. The PhD program places major emphasis on independent inquiry, on the development of competence in research methodology, and on the communication of research results. Students are introduced at the outset of the program not only to rigorous coursework, but also to the research activities of the faculty and of other students. A ratio of doctoral students-in-residence to faculty of less than one-to-one facilitates this opportunity to work closely with faculty. The PhD program usually requires four to six years of work, with an average of roughly five years. The student and the faculty in his/her area determine the specific program of study in accordance with each student's goals and interests. Each student is required to gain expertise in an area of special interest via coursework or independent study and to take a comprehensive exam in this area, usually during the second or third year of residence. The final requirement is the presentation of a dissertation. The PhD program offers programs of research and training in the areas of accounting, decision sciences, finance, marketing, management, operations management, and strategy. The Fuqua School of Business policy is to provide stipends, tuition and registration, and health fees for all new PhD students. The school provides tuition, registration, and health fees throughout the program and provides stipend support for ten semesters, as long as the student continues to make satisfactory progress toward the PhD. The Ph.D. Program in Finance provides students with the tools and techniques to push the frontiers of research in financial economics. It is not an advanced MBA. It is rigorous and technical and specifically aimed at students who aspire to become faculty members at leading universities and to contribute to the research discourse at these institutions. Students completing the finance program receive a Ph.D. in Business Administration.