The Degree of PhD in Business with a Specialization in Finance [Graduate]

Students specializing in Finance may focus their research on corporate finance, corporate control, asset pricing, portfolio theory, derivatives, market microstructure, behavioral finance, financial institutions, international finance, or valuation.

Program Requirements

Normally, all students should complete ★36 during the first two years of study.

Required courses (★12):

Elective courses (★6)

At least two graduate-level courses in finance, management science, or economics with the approval of the supervisor.

Cognate discipline courses (★18)

Finance students must complete courses in two additional cognate areas chosen from the following: statistics/econometrics, economics, accounting, or other supporting courses with the approval of the supervisor.

Statistics/Econometrics (★9):

Any three of:

MGTSC 705 - Multivariate Data Analysis I (Recommended)
MGTSC 707 - Applied Business Analysis of Time Series and Panel Data
ECON 508
ECON 599 - Applied Econometrics
STAT 580 - Stochastic Processes
STAT 679
Other courses containing equivalent or higher level material may be substituted, with the approval of the supervisor.

Economics (★9):

Accounting (★9):

ACCTG 731
ACCTG 732
ACCTG 733

Students can substitute other graduate courses with the approval of the supervisor.

Thesis

Registration in 900-level THES
Students must present and defend a thesis embodying the results of their research according to FGSR regulations.

Comprehensive and Candidacy Exams

All students are required to complete comprehensive and candidacy exams. Comprehensive examinations must be successfully completed within the first 24 months; students are eligible to write the comprehensive exam for their specialization after completing the course requirements. Departments within the Faculty of Business are responsible for administering the comprehensive examinations for students in their specializations. [See Regulations of FGSR>Doctoral Degrees>Program Requirements ]

Length of Program

The program is full-time; candidates are expected to complete the required coursework and comprehensive exams in the first two years, normally followed by at least two years to complete the PhD thesis.

The maximum time to completion as set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research is six years.