Accounting PhD FAQs

Accounting PhD FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

General and Program-related

Typically, students finish the PhD in Accounting in five years, with four years being a possibility conditional on a student’s dissertation progress and pipeline of other research. Funding is provided for five years. 

Past graduates have earned faculty positions at premier institutions such as University of Chicago, University of Rochester, University of Texas at Austin, University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Ohio State University, Texas A&M University, University of Georgia, University of Notre Dame, University of Illinois, University of Southern California, Rice University and Washington University at St. Louis, among others. 

All students in our PhD program are awarded a generous financial package that covers full tuition. In addition, all students receive a stipend for living expenses. Additional opportunities to supplement the stipend by teaching extra courses (particularly over the summer and winter) may also be available.

No, our doctoral students are expected to be full time students and not be working outside of the university

Although financial situations are unique to each individual, many students are able to complete the program with little to no debt associated with their cost of living and attendance. 

The cost of living in Tucson is significantly less than in comparable cities such as Seattle, Los Angeles, Houston and Denver. At the same time, the quality of life in Tucson is high. Some students live near campus, though many choose to live slightly further; popular neighborhoods include the foothills northeast of campus or in residential areas to the east or west of campus. Those coming from major metropolitan areas will find refreshingly little traffic in Tucson, with commutes of 20 minutes or less the norm no matter where you choose to live. 

Admissions

At minimum, a four-year undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in accounting, finance or economics is required. Students without an accounting background may need to take additional accounting courses prior to commencing the Accounting PhD Program.

You are also strongly encouraged to take courses in calculus, economics and statistics prior to entering the program. If it has been a while since you took these courses, please consider reviewing them before you start the program. We assume that students have at least one year of calculus and a good understanding of matrix algebra.

Yes, applicants should possess a strong quantitative aptitude as evidenced by successful coursework in calculus.

The minimum requirement to apply is a GMAT of at least 675 with an minimum of 3.0 GPA. Generally, admitted students have a GMAT score in the high 600s or above 700.

A GMAT score is required for admission. We will not accept a GRE score. 

Yes, unless you have obtained a undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution in an English speaking country, you will have to provide a TOEFL score of at least 100 on the iBT (CBT 250, PBT 600).