Finance, PhD

Plan of Study

At least 30 credit hours of the approved doctoral degree program, which may include research credit, and 12 dissertation credit hours must be completed after admission to the program. Students may not apply credit hours earned for a doctoral degree previously awarded at ASU or at another institution toward this doctoral degree. However, at the individual academic unit's discretion, students may apply up to 30 relevant credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree toward their doctoral plan of study.

Comprehensive Examinations

After the student has completed all necessary coursework on their approved plan of study, the academic unit may initiate the scheduling and administering of the comprehensive examination. At minimum, the examination consists of a written exam; the academic unit may also require an oral exam.

Candidacy

Doctoral students are notified that they have achieved candidacy status by a letter from the dean of the Graduate College after passing the comprehensive examinations and successfully defending the dissertation prospectus.

Dissertation Requirements

Students are required to present a dissertation to satisfy the research requirement for the doctorate. The dissertation is defended in an oral examination commonly known as the dissertation defense. Students must be enrolled for at least one credit hour that appears on the plan of study or for one hour of appropriate graduate-level credit, such as 795 Continuing Registration, during the semester in which the student defends the dissertation, even if it is a summer session. For detailed information regarding the university's doctoral degree requirements, students should refer to the Graduate College policy and procedures for the PhD.

Maximum Time Limit

Doctoral students must complete all program requirements within 10 consecutive years.