PhD in Business Administration with a Specialization in Finance

The Finance PhD program prepares students to engage in original research on financial markets and decision-making. Students acquire critical technical skills in economic theory, finance theory, data analysis and coding. They also learn to identify promising ideas, write compelling papers and present effectively.

Contribute to leading edge research

Our faculty’s research interests and technical approaches are broad, with particular strength in fields and methods such as:

  • Corporate finance
  • Household finance
  • Labor and finance
  • Social impact investing
  • Big data
  • Textual analysis
  • Theoretical modeling

Work with top thought leaders

Because the Finance PhD program is small, students benefit from broad access to faculty as co-authors, advisors and mentors. Students also have direct access to leading scholars within professional associations, including five members of the Finance Theory Group, five members (including one founder) of the Labor and

Additional information about our Finance faculty can be found here

General details about the curriculum, requirements, and structure of the program can be found here. Please be aware this document is not an exhaustive list of the requirements for the Program.

How to Apply 

PhD in Finance Program Flyer 

PhD Graduates' Publications


  • Review of Finance 
    David C. Brown (PhD 2014)
    Shaun William Davies
    Matthew Ringgenberg

  • Review of Financial Studies (Editor's Choice as Lead Article)
    David C. Brown (PhD 2014)
    Shaun William Davies

  • Journal of Finance
    Jordan Martel (PhD 2018)
    Brian Waters
    Kenneth Mirkin

  • Journal of Financial Economics
    Eitan Goldman
    Jordan Martel (PhD 2018)
    Jan Schneemier

  • Management Science 
    Gustaf Bellstam (PhD 2018)
    Sanjai Bhagat
    J. Anthony Cookson

  • Journal of Money, Credit and Banking 
    Adam Bordeman (PhD 2015 Accounting)
    Bharadwaj Kannan (PhD 2016)
    Roberto Pinheiro

  • Journal of Financial & Quantitative Analysis
    Saad Alnahdeh (PhD 2017)
    Sanjai Bhagat, Iulian Obreja – U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
  • ​
    Journal of Financial Economics
    David C. Brown (PhD 2014)
    Scott Cederburg
    Michael S O'Doherty

  • Journal of Financial Economics
    David C. Brown (PhD 2014)
    ​Shaun William Davies
     

  • Journal of Banking and Finance
    Sanjai Bhagat
    Brian Bolton (PhD 2006)
    Jun Lu - Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing (PhD 2011)
     

  • Journal of Corporate Finance
    Sanjai Bhagat
    Brian Bolton (PhD 2006)
     

  • Journal of Financial & Quantitative Analysis​
    Sanjai Bhagat
    Brian Bolton (PhD 2006)
     

  • Journal of Financial & Quantitative Analysis
    Sanjai Bhagat
    Brian Bolton (PhD 2006)
    Ajay Subramanian 

Download our PhD brochures to learn more about our programs.

Two students speak while walking down a hallway on the cover of the Finance PhD program brochure.