Ph.D. in Finance

QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates should have a strong interest in research. A master’s degree in finance, economics, or related areas is recommended but not required. Additionally, candidates with solid quantitative and computational skills are preferred. Strong verbal and written communication skills in English are essential.

FUNDING: Incoming students are typically offered a graduate assistantship (GA) that includes a monthly stipend and waived tuition. The assistantship is renewable for up to five years with satisfactory annual progress. Other sources of funding (i.e., summer funding) can bring the total stipend to $35,000 per year. Exceptional candidates are eligible for competitive Presidential Awards that carry additional stipends of $15,000 for the first three years. To be nominated for this award, applicants must apply for admission before January 1, 2025.

DESCRIPTION: Most coursework can be completed in the first two years. The core coursework is an intensive study of the theory and empirical analysis of finance, focused on investments, corporate finance, and financial institutions and markets. Graduate courses in microeconomics and econometrics are also required. Students typically serve as teaching/research assistants during the first two years, with teaching responsibilities beginning in the third year. As a full-time student, you will receive office space, computer resources, and departmental office support.

The Harbert College Ph.D. in Finance is a research-oriented degree that prepares students for tenure-track faculty positions at research-oriented institutions. Faculty work closely with students and have nearby offices. Students typically work on a joint research project with one or more professors early in their program. Thus, students are quickly immersed in doing high-quality research. Recent placements include Loyola Marymount University, Elon University, University of Tampa, and University of Northern Colorado.

Deadline: February 1, 2025.
Requirements:
-Complete the online Graduate School application (https://applygrad.auburn.edu/portal/apply)
-A personal statement of interest
-At least two letters of recommendation
-Send official undergraduate and graduate transcripts to the Graduate School
-Send GMAT or GRE scores to the Graduate School
-International students must submit TOEFL/IELTS scores to the Graduate School.

The Department of Finance is composed of 14 tenure track faculty, 4 full-time lecturers, and 2 full-time positions devoted to the professional development of undergraduate students. With over 950 majors, the Department of Finance is the largest department in the largest college at Auburn University. With a very successful Financial Management Honor Society, our undergraduate program boasts some of the most successful placements (many in investment banking) and highest starting salaries at Auburn. The Department of Finance also has an M.S. in Finance program, and our faculty have diverse research interests and publish in top-tier journals such as Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial Economics, Review of Financial Studies, and Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis.

Auburn, AL, is a vibrant and thriving college town and community. Southern Living recently recognized the city of Auburn as one of the top small towns in the South and Money magazine named Auburn as the best place to live in Alabama. Known as the ‘Loveliest Village on the Plains,’ Auburn offers a high quality of life, including a vibrant cultural scene at the new Gogue Performing Arts Center, SEC sports throughout the academic year, national award-winning chefs and restaurants, a K-12 school system that is top-ranked in the state, general and concierge healthcare options, and an exceptional College of Veterinary Medicine for pet care. The Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport is only 90 minutes away, with multiple shuttle service options to/from Auburn daily. Birmingham is a similar drive to the north and Montgomery, the state capital, is only 50 minutes to the southwest.