Mar 14, 2025  
University of Alberta Calendar 2025-2026 
    
University of Alberta Calendar 2025-2026

Doctor of Philosophy in Business with a Specialization in Accounting


Students specializing in Accounting will follow a broad, theoretically- and methodologically-focused program

Program Requirements


Coursework


Students are required to complete 36 units during the first two years of full-time study chosen from the following:

Required Courses (12 units)


  • One additional advanced three-credit graduate level accounting course(s) selected in consultation with and approved by the interim advisor or supervisor

Research methods courses (15 units)


  • Four additional 3-unit graduate level courses selected in consultation with and approved by the interim advisor or supervisor

Cognate discipline courses (9 units)


  • Three 3-unit graduate level courses from a cognate discipline selected in consultation with and approved by the interim  advisor or supervisor

Thesis


Registration in 900-level THES

Students must present and defend a thesis embodying the results of their research according to GPS 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 Doctoral Degrees ]

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 & Postdoctoral Studies is six years.