Accounting
No matter what your background is (e.g., business, engineering, philosophy, sciences), if you are intellectually curious, have an analytical mind, and enjoy challenges, you should consider the Ph.D. program in Accounting at the University of Kansas. The program prepares you to be a leader in the field. You will have the opportunity to work with internationally known faculty members, on research projects utilizing advanced technology to improve decision-making processes, as well as other research projects. The distinguished visiting scholars at the Ernst & Young Center for Auditing Research and Advanced Technology (E&Y CARAT) at the University of Kansas provide additional opportunities to work with leading scholars in the field. Moreover, the small size of the program allows you to have close interaction with the faculty.
Overview of the PhD Program in Accounting
The doctoral program in Accounting at the University of Kansas includes a combination of formal coursework, informal interaction with faculty and other students, and hands-on experience in both teaching and research. You will emerge as a new scholar ready to enter the professoriate. Currently, the University of Kansas program trains students in two areas of accounting: Auditing and Financial Accounting. While successful candidates for admission are expected to have a background in accounting, applicants without such background will be considered provided they agree to undertake additional coursework in accounting as part of their doctoral program.
Overview of Formal Coursework
Accounting Area core courses
1. DSCI 920: Probability for Business Research
2. DSCI 921: Statistics for Business Research
3. BE 917: Advanced Managerial Economics
4. ECON 700: Microeconomic Theory OR an equivalent course (other than BE 917)
5. ECON 715: Econometrics OR an equivalent course
6. DSCI 922: Advanced Regression OR an equivalent course
Major:
7. ACCT 995: Introduction to Accounting Research
8. ACCT 995: Seminar in Financial Accounting Research
9. ACCT 995: Seminar in Auditing Research I
l0. ACCT 995: Behavioral Research Methodology
Financial track:
11. FIN 937: Seminar in Business Finance OR another Finance or Economics Seminar
12. FIN 938: Seminar in Investments OR another Finance or Economics Seminar
Auditing track:
11. Advanced course with advisor approval
AND/OR
12. Advanced course with advisor approval
Minor:
Research Methodology concentration:
A minor concentration consists of two or more additional courses from the below list, plus two or more courses from a second concentration area. Alternatively, a concentration requires four or more additional courses from the above list if there is no second concentration area. Methodology courses not shown in the above list can be substituted with approval (for example, certain Math courses).
13-16. ACCT 995: Seminar in Auditing Research II-Bayesian and
Belief Functions Applications OR
ECON 817: Econometrics I OR
ECON 818: Econometrics II OR
ECON 915: Advanced Econometrics I OR
ECON 916: Econometrics II OR
DSCI 934: Seminar in Probability and Statistics OR
DSCI 995: Time Series Analysis OR
PSYC 791: Statistical Methods in Psychology II OR
PSYC 990: Multivariate analysis OR
PSYC 991: Structural equation modeling OR
PRE 811: Analysis of variance OR
PRE 905: Multivariate analysis
Finance concentration:
A minor concentration in Finance consists of two or more additional courses (numbered FIN 705 or above), plus two or more courses from a second concentration area. Alternatively, a Finance concentration requires four or more additional courses (numbered FIN 705 or above) if there is no second concentration area
Teaching Courses
Students must take a teaching seminar on effective classroom techniques and management concurrent with their first teaching assignment. Teaching assignments generally are not made until at least the third semester of the program. Prior to graduation, all doctoral students will have independently taught at least two undergraduate courses in two different semesters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)How many students do you accept per year?
Normally, we admit no more than two per year and sometimes only in alternating years. It is important to us to ensure that all candidates admitted to the program be placed at a peer-level institution upon completion of the program. As such, we are sensitive to market conditions as it relates to admission to our program.
What is a typical Accounting Ph.D. student profile?
We look for three characteristics in our applicants: i) a good student as demonstrated by prior degrees, GPA, and GMAT scores; ii) some professional experience; iii) some academic experience in teaching and/or research. Not all of our current students have all three characteristics, because we are looking for people we believe are most likely to succeed, rather than following a fixed formula.
What qualifications do I need to be accepted?
Applicants who gain admission typically have a GPA of 3.6 or higher and a GMAT score of 660 or higher. Most, but not all, have MBA degrees. Some have very eclectic backgrounds.
Is there a part-time option available?
The program is full-time and no part-time program is available.
How many years are required to complete the program?
Most students take four years to complete the program, including the final defense of the dissertation. In some cases, a fifth year is necessary to complete the program but this is not considered the norm.
What kind of financial support is available during the program?
The financial support available to work on your Ph.D. degree in accounting depends on your experience, interest, and qualifications. Our support package, including stipend and tuition waiver, is well over $36,400.
How is your placement record?
University of Kansas graduates in accounting have been placed at many high quality Ph.D. granting institutions such as Arizona State University, Michigan State University, Northwestern University, Penn State University, Rutgers University-Newark, and University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Can an interview be arranged as part of the application process?
Applicants are strongly encouraged to interview. Usually we first schedule telephone conversations and then invite interested candidates to visit on campus in the spring. Please contact Professor Rajendra Srivastava (rsrivastava@ku.edu) if you are interested in auditing and Professor Mike Ettredge (mettredge@ku.edu) for financial accounting. Also, visit the homepage of Ernst & Young Center for Auditing Research and Advanced Technologyfor addition information.
