The doctoral program in the Department of Finance offers an environment for intellectual growth and challenge. The program is designed to develop skills needed to pursue careers at major universities and as researchers in industry and government. Students will work closely with the faculty to produce publishable research. Much of the formal curriculum is devoted to economics and to the examination of theoretical and empirical research considered seminal in the area of finance. Necessarily, the doctoral program is quite theoretical in nature, with heavy emphasis on quantitative and economic methods.

Students pursuing a Ph.D. in finance must meet the requirements outlined in the Handbook for Doctoral Students provided by the College of Business Administration and the USF Graduate Catalog. The curriculum students take in the finance program includes a series of three econometrics courses, additional classes in statistics, three or four upper-level economics courses, and six seminars in finance. To complete these requirements as well as the requirements for the foundation courses required of all Ph.D. students generally takes two full years (three semesters each year) for students with masters degrees, and as much as three full years for students without masters degrees (primarily because these students need additional graduate hours). Once the course work is completed, students are required to pass a qualifying exam constructed by the Department of Finance doctoral faculty. Upon successful completion of the qualifying exam, students write a dissertation that contains original contributions to the field of finance. The dissertation process generally takes about two years to complete. Throughout the doctoral program, students gain competency in teaching by participating in programs designed by the USF Center for Teaching Enhancement, and by teaching undergraduate courses in the department (generally toward the end of the degree process).

Applicants for admission to the doctoral program in the Department of Finance must satisfy the minimum requirements outlined in the Handbook for Doctoral Students provided by the College of Business Administration. Application forms are available online at the website for the USF Graduate School. College application materials can be found on the College of Business Doctoral Program webpage.

To succeed in this discipline, students need excellent quantitative skills. If you feel your quantitative skills need improvement, you should take refresher courses in statistics and calculus prior to applying/entering the Ph.D. program. Financial aid in the form of assistantships and fellowships is available to a limited number of students, and includes a tuition waiver. The college also has funds available from the Gaiennie Grant, which is used to fund travel and research (primarily dissertations) for Ph.D. students while they are in residence.