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Doctoral students in finance at Boston College complete a program of study that leads to competency in three areas: quantitative methods, economics, and finance. The program begins with course work in quantitative methods, economics, and finance. In the third year, students complete a major research project designed to develop their ability to do original research. Through hands-on experience as teaching assistants, students gain important pedagogical experience. Finally, each student completes a doctoral dissertation that contributes substantial, original work to the field of finance.

Coursework

Students must complete a program of study that leads to competency in three areas: quantitative methods, economics, and finance. The requirements of the program of study are typically satisfied by completing 14 courses in the first two years in the program. In some cases, course work prior to entering the program or successful performance on waiver examinations may be substituted for required courses. However, each student must complete a minimum of 12 courses while in the program.

Comprehensive Examination

Satisfactory performance on a comprehensive examination marks the student鈥檚 transition from course work to full-time thesis research. The examination is intended to allow the student to demonstrate substantial knowledge of the literature and theory of finance and economics and competence in the area of quantitative methods. The examination consists of two steps.

• Step 1: Students take an exam in the middle of the second year in the program. The exam covers all Finance Ph.D. classes taken during the first year as well as the Fall semester of the second year in the program. Whereas some of the questions will be specific and will test a particular听topic, other questions will focus on broader understanding of the literature.听Each student will be notified of their exam performance, immediately after it has been graded. There will be no second attempt to take the exam. If a student fails the exam, the only way to get admitted into 鈥淧h.D. candidacy鈥� would be to perform exceptionally well in Step 2.
  
• Step 2: Students submit independent research papers by the end of the summer of the second year in the program (August 31) to the Ph.D. program coordinator.听Students present research papers in the first half of the Fall semester. Ph.D. committee members will attend the presentation and will jointly evaluate the paper. Students will be evaluated听based on their performance in the exam (step 1)听补苍诲听the quality of research paper presentation (step 2).

Research

Doctoral students are expected to engage early in research. The culmination of the program is the doctoral dissertation, a substantial, significant, and original contribution to the field that is prepared under the guidance of a thesis committee of three or more faculty members. When the research is complete, students present a thesis-defense seminar that is open to the Boston College community.

Research and Teaching Assistant Requirement

Doctoral students at the Carroll School are expected to serve as research assistants, teaching assistants, and/or instructors throughout their studies. Students work for a set number of hours per week, throughout the duration of their Ph.D. programs. In exchange, the Carroll School provides financial support for doctoral students in the form of a stipend and tuition remission.

Sample Course Sequence

Course Descriptions