Finance

The Traditional Ph.D. program offers a concentration in finance. The program generally consists of two years of coursework, followed by comprehensive exams and a dissertation, and it usually takes a minimum of four years to complete. The program is designed to allow for many opportunities for conducting research.

Comments from our alumni emphasize the type of program we strive to achieve.

“One of the distinctive features of the Ph.D. program at FAU was that the professors and students formed a collaborative and supportive community in which academic success and scholarship flourished.”  Dr. Marek Marciniak, 2013

"The Ph.D. program at FAU had a significant impact on my career and on the person I am today. The professors were very friendly and accessible and I was able to meet with them on a regular basis. I got to collaborate with some great professors from early on in the program and I learned a lot from their research experiences and their approach to teaching and research. As a result, I was able to graduate with publications, teaching experience, and knowledge on how to be successful in an academic career. These traits significantly improved my marketability upon graduation and have helped me throughout my academic career."  Dr. Arjan Premti, 2014

“The program at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has a culture of community and support. The faculty work closely with students from first year to completion and guide them throughout the job market process. There is a lot of support and opportunity concerning research, travel, and teaching for Ph.D. students. Students also tend to get placements upon completion as well. It is a well-structured program in a great location as well and I do not regret coming to FAU.” Dr. Charles Danso, 2018

“I highly recommend the Ph.D. Program at FAU. It taught me valuable research and teaching skills that have helped me to be successful in my career. The commitment and effort from the faculty is unmatched and I was able to graduate the Program with publications in top finance journals. The faculty members work closely with students from the first day, which leads to successful research and mentoring opportunities. Even in the years after the Program, I still speak to and work on research with many of my former professors and fellow Ph.D. students. These connections will continue to help me advance my career well into the future.”  Dr. Jason Damm, 2022

"The Ph.D. program at FAU has truly been a game-changer for me, shaping who I’m today. Academically, it provided me with the tools and techniques needed to become a Finance professor and develop meaningful research projects. Thanks to this strong foundation provided, I secured a position at a respected academic institution as Assistant Professor and established a solid pipeline of research projects. On a personal level, my time at FAU was incredibly rewarding, filled with experiences that my family and I will always cherish. Choosing FAU was definitely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!" Dr. Pedro Monteiro, 2022

"The Ph.D. program at FAU was transformative for my professional and personal growth. It provided opportunities for meaningful research collaborations and hands-on teaching experience, thoroughly preparing me for an academic career. The faculty's dedication to mentorship and their accessibility were instrumental in my development and in navigating the job market. The program also provides generous travel support, allowing me to present my research at various conferences and expand my professional network. I am grateful for the invaluable support and guidance I received while studying at FAU." Dr. Masim Suleymanov, 2022

During the two years of coursework, the following topic areas are usually covered (for students who had any course listed here, a substitute course is determined the Finance Ph.D. Coordinator).

Tool Courses

University Business Teaching 

Finance Courses

Financial Markets
Financial Management and Investment Decisions
Investments
Risk Management
Multinational Finance
Financial Theory
Corporate Finance
Seminar in Capital Markets
Seminar In Investments
Seminar in Corporate Financial Theory
Seminar on International Finance

Electives

Elective courses are also available and are decided by the student in consultation with the Finance Ph.D. Coordinator.

Dissertation

The dissertation involves comprehensive research on a finance topic that is a significant contribution beyond the foundation of related research. Dissertations completed by finance Ph.D. students at FAU have focused on a wide variety of research topics in finance, including initial public offerings, acquisitions of bankrupt firms, mergers, bond offerings, mutual funds, investment banking, bank regulation, and poison pills.

Finance Ph.D. students are expected to remain at FAU for one year after the completion of their course work and Comprehensive Exam so that they can focus full-time on completing their dissertation.

More Information

For information about the academic job market for Ph.D. students click here.

Please consult the College of Business Ph.D. Program Handbook for additional information.

If you have questions about the Finance Ph.D. concentration area or about pursuing a Ph.D. in Finance, contact the Finance Ph.D. coordinator, Dr. Luis Garcia-Feijoo - lgarciaf@fau.edu.