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We place graduating students in top-ranked research universities, both internationally and in the United States, because of our commitment to developing each of our students into robust scholars.

Applications for Fall 2025 are now open.

Application deadlines:.

• January 10, 2025: Accounting, Management & Leadership, Marketing, Supply Chain Management
• March 31, 2025: Finance, Management Information Systems

Fields of Study

The Ph.D. programs at the Bauer College of Business offer six fields of study. Click on the links below for details about each field.

• Management & Leadership
• Supply Chain Management

Is a Ph.D. Right for you?

Our Ph.D. programs have a mission to cultivate stewards of the discipline. Our alumni have gone on to become university professors who generate new knowledge through research and educate a new generation of business students and executives.

Contrary to a common misconception, a Ph.D. in business administration is not a professional degree. It is not an “advanced MBA.” Our doctoral students are expected to engage in rigorous academic research using both quantitative and qualitative methods and to publish research articles in top-tier journals.

Most doctoral students graduate within 4-6 years, which is the norm for a business Ph.D. in the United States. The training received by our students is intensive. Therefore, all of our Ph.D. programs require a full-time commitment. Successfully meeting the requirements of a high-caliber Ph.D. program like ours on a part-time basis is impossible. We strongly discourage students from taking on part-time side gigs.

If you are seeking a professional degree, consider Bauer College’s nationally-ranked MBA and Master of Science degrees. If you possess extensive business experience and are looking for a degree orientated toward applying business theories and practices to real-world problems, Bauer’s part-time 3-year Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) program could be the right choice for you.

Recent Events and News

A tremendous recognition.

Arpit Agrawal , a Ph.D. student in the Department of Marketing & Entrepreneurship at Bauer College, is a winner of the 2024 Organizational Frontlines Symposium's Young Scholar Competition and the INFORMS Society for Marketing Science (ISMS) Doctoral Dissertation Early-Stage Research Grants competition, and was selected as runner-up for the 2024 AMA Sales SIG Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Award.

Read the story

Sharing the Knowledge

Doctoral candidates participated in a Ph.D. Research Paper Competition on Nov. 10.

See photos from the event

Ph.D. Spotlight

... I was fortunate to have had opportunities to work with many faculty while studying in the program. Some of them have become co-authors on research projects and others are good friends and mentors.”

The program has considerable research strengths in analytical and empirical paradigms, so I took advantage of it and learned to seek sound theoretical foundation for empirical tests. I was fortunate to have had opportunities to work with many faculty while studying in the program. Some of them have become co-authors on research projects and others are good friends and mentors.

"The program has considerable research strengths in analytical and empirical paradigms, so I took advantage of it and learned to seek sound theoretical foundation for empirical tests. I was fortunate to have had opportunities to work with many faculty while studying in the program. Some of them have become co-authors on research projects and others are good friends and mentors."

— Zeyun Chen | Assistant Professor, University of Colorado, Boulder

... The leadership is extremely supportive of the PhD program in ensuring that students are supported with ample resources and opportunities to present their work at conferences.”

The faculty is diverse and well recognized in their respective research areas. They are very approachable and willing to work with doctoral students on research projects. The department holds an active workshop series where reputed external scholars present their latest work. This workshop series, in which doctoral students are encouraged to actively participate in, exposes them to the cutting edge accounting research. The leadership is extremely supportive of the PhD program in ensuring that students are supported with ample resources and opportunities to present their work at conferences.

"The faculty is diverse and well recognized in their respective research areas. They are very approachable and willing to work with doctoral students on research projects. The department holds an active workshop series where reputed external scholars present their latest work. This workshop series, in which doctoral students are encouraged to actively participate in, exposes them to the cutting edge accounting research. The leadership is extremely supportive of the PhD program in ensuring that students are supported with ample resources and opportunities to present their work at conferences."

— Tharindra Ranasinghe | Assistant Professor, Singapore Management University

The University of Houston Ph.D. program in Marketing encourages students to pursue original and impactful academic research, and to think and act like aspiring scholars ...”

The University of Houston Ph.D. program in Marketing encourages students to pursue original and impactful academic research, and to think and act like aspiring scholars. The support of the world-class research faculty provides an ideal environment to develop interesting research ideas while at the same time fostering intellectual rigor. What I really appreciated was the encouragement and kindness of the faculty members at the Marketing Department — they treat students as colleagues from the first day.

"The University of Houston Ph.D. program in Marketing encourages students to pursue original and impactful academic research, and to think and act like aspiring scholars. The support of the world-class research faculty provides an ideal environment to develop interesting research ideas while at the same time fostering intellectual rigor. What I really appreciated was the encouragement and kindness of the faculty members at the Marketing Department — they treat students as colleagues from the first day."

— Sonja Prokopec | Associate Professor, ESSEC, Paris

... Bauer gives you the opportunities, resources, and training you need to succeed.”

No matter your area of interest, UH has a strong advisor for you. Mike Ahearne was my supervisor. I have learned over the years that Ph.D. students in our field are amazed when they hear about the Bauer experience. In Mike, I have a lifelong role model, a dedicated mentor, a close friend, and a titan in our field who is my biggest advocate. For these reasons, there isn't another institution in this world I would have rather attended. Bauer gives you the opportunities, resources, and training you need to succeed.

"No matter your area of interest, UH has a strong advisor for you. Mike Ahearne was my supervisor. I have learned over the years that Ph.D. students in our field are amazed when they hear about the Bauer experience. In Mike, I have a lifelong role model, a dedicated mentor, a close friend, and a titan in our field who is my biggest advocate. For these reasons, there isn't another institution in this world I would have rather attended. Bauer gives you the opportunities, resources, and training you need to succeed."

— Jeff Boichuk | Postdoctoral Fellow, Darden School of Business

The faculty members are genuinely invested in doctoral students. They adopt an open door policy, so during my program, I had the luxury of interacting with them very often ...”

The faculty members are genuinely invested in doctoral students. They adopt an open door policy, so during my program, I had the luxury of interacting with them very often. The Ph.D. students are very collegial. Our friendship extends beyond the Ph.D. program. The marketing department at Bauer has always been one of the most productive in many substantive areas. The department also runs Friday seminars and an annual doctoral student consortium, which offer its doctoral students valuable networking opportunities with outstanding researchers and cohorts from other universities.

"The faculty members are genuinely invested in doctoral students. They adopt an open door policy, so during my program, I had the luxury of interacting with them very often. The Ph.D. students are very collegial. Our friendship extends beyond the Ph.D. program. The marketing department at Bauer has always been one of the most productive in many substantive areas. The department also runs Friday seminars and an annual doctoral student consortium, which offer its doctoral students valuable networking opportunities with outstanding researchers and cohorts from other universities."

— Son (Sonny) Lam | Associate Professor, University of Georgia

The Ph.D. program has been a very enriching experience ...”

The Ph.D. program has been a very enriching experience. I am a biologist and did not have any interest in business when I graduated from college. I started working and became curious about the things that happened in the lab that had nothing to do with biochemistry. Why were we pursuing this or that alliance? How were the companies we worked with choosing which projects to fund? How did the entrepreneurs I worked with decide to enter such risky ventures? Even the daily interactions with my bosses and co-workers mystified me. This is how I became interested in business, and the Bauer Ph.D. in management program has been an excellent match for this curiosity.

"The Ph.D. program has been a very enriching experience. I am a biologist and did not have any interest in business when I graduated from college. I started working and became curious about the things that happened in the lab that had nothing to do with biochemistry. Why were we pursuing this or that alliance? How were the companies we worked with choosing which projects to fund? How did the entrepreneurs I worked with decide to enter such risky ventures? Even the daily interactions with my bosses and co-workers mystified me. This is how I became interested in business, and the Bauer Ph.D. in management program has been an excellent match for this curiosity."

— Susana Velez-Castrillon | Assistant Professor, University of West Georgia

Through guidance of faculty, I was empowered to choose my coursework, research topics, and even how to teach my classes ...”

If I could sum up my experience my Bauer Doctoral experience, I would do so in one word, empowering. Through guidance of faculty, I was empowered to choose my coursework, research topics, and even how to teach my classes. While this led to much frustration and many failures early in the program, I was able to develop my own identity as an academic very early in my career. As a result, I found a true passion for research, particularly for topics I never thought I would enjoy.

"If I could sum up my experience my Bauer Doctoral experience, I would do so in one word, empowering. Through guidance of faculty, I was empowered to choose my coursework, research topics, and even how to teach my classes. While this led to much frustration and many failures early in the program, I was able to develop my own identity as an academic very early in my career. As a result, I found a true passion for research, particularly for topics I never thought I would enjoy."

— Zachary Hall | Assistant Professor, Texas Christian University

I am especially grateful the Finance Department offers systematic PhD courses that helped me to form my knowledge foundation and gradually build up my intuition for future research ...”

I joined the PhD program of Finance Department at Bauer College of Business in 2007. With a physics background, I am especially grateful the Finance Department offers systematic PhD courses that helped me to form my knowledge foundation and gradually build up my intuition for future research. I also benefit a lot from the weekly seminar and colloquium, which share research progresses and encourage discussion. The faculty at Finance department are strong both in their research abilities and advising students. They are productive, insightful, and always willing to help. I greatly appreciate that they set high standards for PhD students.

"I joined the PhD program of Finance Department at Bauer College of Business in 2007. With a physics background, I am especially grateful the Finance Department offers systematic PhD courses that helped me to form my knowledge foundation and gradually build up my intuition for future research. I also benefit a lot from the weekly seminar and colloquium, which share research progresses and encourage discussion. The faculty at Finance department are strong both in their research abilities and advising students. They are productive, insightful, and always willing to help. I greatly appreciate that they set high standards for PhD students."

— Bingxin Li | Assistant Professor, West Virginia University

Finance professors at Bauer School sowed in me strong seeds of both learning and thinking that were essential for later growth, academic and otherwise ...”

I cherish my rich four years spent at Bauer, at the Melcher Hall — where I first languished and later thrived — quickly became a home and its fellow inhabitants my family. Finance professors at Bauer School sowed in me strong seeds of both learning and thinking that were essential for later growth, academic and otherwise.

"I cherish my rich four years spent at Bauer, at the Melcher Hall — where I first languished and later thrived — quickly became a home and its fellow inhabitants my family. Finance professors at Bauer School sowed in me strong seeds of both learning and thinking that were essential for later growth, academic and otherwise."

— Madhu Kalimipalli | Associate Professor, Wilfrid Laurier University

The Bauer Ph.D. program was a great opportunity for me to achieve my academic goals ...”

The Bauer Ph.D. program was a great opportunity for me to achieve my academic goals. It was structured in a way that students were able to learn various areas of their field of study throughout coursework and focus on their research areas by working on research projects. It was also a great experience working with Bauer faculty during my Ph.D. studies. They were very research active and tried to help students develop skills for research and teaching.

— Eunju Lee | Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts Lowell

The Bauer doctoral program has enriched my life in so many ways, not only academically and professionally, but also personally as well with great friendships ...”

I feel privileged to have earned my doctorate in Business Administration from C. T. Bauer College of Business. The Bauer doctoral program has enriched my life in so many ways, not only academically and professionally, but also personally as well with great friendships. I am thankful for all that I learned in the program, especially the training I received to have a successful career in higher education.

"I feel privileged to have earned my doctorate in Business Administration from C. T. Bauer College of Business. The Bauer doctoral program has enriched my life in so many ways, not only academically and professionally, but also personally as well with great friendships. I am thankful for all that I learned in the program, especially the training I received to have a successful career in higher education."

— Rachel Sturm | Assistant Professor, Wright State University

In addition to the academic rigor supported by experienced and qualified faculty, the program taught me valuable life lessons — to stay committed, focused, and organized ...”

The Ph.D. program in Management at UH was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences for me. In addition to the academic rigor supported by experienced and qualified faculty, the program taught me valuable life lessons — to stay committed, focused, and organized. It provided me with several opportunities to self-learn and explore varying topics of interest. In my current position as Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of Houston-Downtown, I encounter new challenges and learning almost on a daily basis.

"The Ph.D. program in Management at UH was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences for me. In addition to the academic rigor supported by experienced and qualified faculty, the program taught me valuable life lessons — to stay committed, focused, and organized. It provided me with several opportunities to self-learn and explore varying topics of interest. In my current position as Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of Houston-Downtown, I encounter new challenges and learning almost on a daily basis."

— Faiza Khoja | Associate Professor, University of Houston-Downtown

Kenneth was the first in his family to graduate from high school and a first-generation college student ...”

Kenneth Sweet is an alum of the doctoral program in Management. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Management at Angelo State University in San Angelo, TX. Kenneth was the first in his family to graduate from high school and a first-generation college student. He has been a member of the U.S. Army and Texas Army National Guard for more than 18 years and is currently assigned as a Special Technical Operations Planner for 71st Theater Information Operations Group at Camp Mabry, TX.

"Kenneth Sweet is an alum of the doctoral program in Management. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Management at Angelo State University in San Angelo, TX. Kenneth was the first in his family to graduate from high school and a first-generation college student. He has been a member of the U.S. Army and Texas Army National Guard for more than 18 years and is currently assigned as a Special Technical Operations Planner for 71st Theater Information Operations Group at Camp Mabry, TX."

— Kenneth Sweet | Assistant Professor, Angelo State University

(Bauer) faculty members mentored me and gave me great appreciation of the importance of research, teaching, and service ...”

I earned my doctorate from the Bauer College of Business back in 1978. During my Ph.D. program I had the great fortune to work with such outstanding faculty as Skip Szilagyi, Bob Keller, and the late Jack Ivancevich. These individuals, as well as several other and other faculty members, mentored me and gave me great appreciation of the importance of research, teaching, and service. The department equipped me with the skills necessary to perform at a high level across all three of these areas.

"I earned my doctorate from the Bauer College of Business back in 1978. During my Ph.D. program I had the great fortune to work with such outstanding faculty as Skip Szilagyi, Bob Keller, and the late Jack Ivancevich. These individuals, as well as several other and other faculty members, mentored me and gave me great appreciation of the importance of research, teaching, and service. The department equipped me with the skills necessary to perform at a high level across all three of these areas."

— Ricky Griffin | Distinguished Professor, Texas A&M University

The doctoral program is challenging yet supportive. I never stopped working: reading, thinking and writing ... enjoying every minute ...”

When deciding between PhD programs, I was searching for both rigor and collegiality. I found both at the Bauer College of Business. The doctoral program is challenging yet supportive. I never stopped working: reading, thinking and writing … enjoying every minute. But, it’s the people, faculty and fellow students that made the difference.

"When deciding between PhD programs, I was searching for both rigor and collegiality. I found both at the Bauer College of Business. The doctoral program is challenging yet supportive. I never stopped working: reading, thinking and writing … enjoying every minute. But, it’s the people, faculty and fellow students that made the difference."

— JéAnna Abbott | Professor, University of Houston

Sonja Prokopec

University of Houston Ph.D. program in Marketing encourages students to pursue original and impactful academic research, and to think and act like aspiring scholars. The support of the world-class research faculty provides an ideal environment to develop interesting research ideas while at the same time fostering intellectual rigor. What I really appreciated was the encouragement and kindness of the faculty members at the Marketing Department – they treat students as colleagues from the first day. I have fond memories of my time there and take time to visit my former mentors and professors as often as I can.

Learn more about Sonja Prokopec at the ESSEC web site.

– Sonja Prokopec Associate Professor ESSEC, Paris

Tharindra Ranasinghe

The accounting doctoral program at Bauer trains you rigorously and provides you with ample opportunities and resources to become a successful accounting scholar. Bauer’s coursework strongly emphasizes on both empirical and analytical accounting research and allows you to develop an understanding of the discipline that is both broad and deep. The faculty is diverse and well recognized in their respective research areas. They are very approachable and willing to work with doctoral students on research projects. The department holds an active workshop series where reputed external scholars present their latest work. This workshop series, in which doctoral students are encouraged to actively participate in, exposes them to the cutting edge accounting research. The leadership is extremely supportive of the Ph.D. program in ensuring that students are supported with ample resources and opportunities to present their work at conferences. Located in a one of the most internationally diverse, economically vibrant, and affordable cities in the USA, the accounting doctoral program at Bauer enables you to accomplish your academic ambitions while enjoying an enriching student life.

Ranasinghe graduated with a Bauer Ph.D. in Accounting in 2012. Learn more about Tharindra Ranasinghe at the University of Maryland's web site.

– Tharindra Ranasinghe Assistant Professor University of Maryland

Son (Sonny) Lam

The Ph.D. program in marketing at the University of Houston is unique in many ways. The faculty members are genuinely invested in doctoral students. They adopt an open door policy, so during my program, I had the luxury of interacting with them very often. The Ph.D. students are very collegial. Our friendship extends beyond the Ph.D. program. The marketing department at Bauer has always been one of the most productive in many substantive areas. The department also runs Friday seminars and an annual doctoral student consortium, which offer its doctoral students valuable networking opportunities with outstanding researchers and cohorts from other universities. I feel very privileged to have earned my Ph.D. in Marketing from Bauer College of Business.

Learn more about Son (Sonny) Lam at the University of Georgia's web site.

– Son (Sonny) Lam Associate Professor University of Georgia

Zachary Hall

This brings me to my advice to current and future doctoral students is, choosing the safe route very dangerous. For example, when I was a 1st year student, I was empowered to lead my own research project based on my paper in a seminar class. I had a choice: (a) I could take the safe route of study for my qualifying exam as all the other students were doing or (b) the risky route of beginning a research project that would take up most of my time for the next year. If I would have chosen (a), I would have likely added 1-2 years on my Ph.D. program and missed out on a few publications.

Learn more about Zachary Hall at Texas Christian University's web site.

– Zachary Hall Assistant Professor Texas Christian University

I joined the Ph.D. program of Finance Department at Bauer College of Business in 2007. With a physics background, I am especially grateful the Finance Department offers systematic Ph.D. courses that helped me to form my knowledge foundation and gradually build up my intuition for future research. I also benefit a lot from the weekly seminar and colloquium, which share research progresses and encourage discussion. The faculty at Finance department are strong both in their research abilities and advising students. They are productive, insightful, and always willing to help. I greatly appreciate that they set high standards for Ph.D. students. While I struggled and eventually solved the problem, I learned and was inspired to approach excellence. During my Ph.D. study, I gained not only valuable knowledge and skills, but also passion and confidence in research.

Learn more about Bingxin Li at West Virginia University's web site.

– Bingxin Li Assistant Professor West Virginia University

Rachel Sturm

I feel privileged to have earned my doctorate in Business Administration from C. T. Bauer College of Business. The Bauer doctoral program has enriched my life in so many ways, not only academically and professionally, but also personally as well with great friendships. I am thankful for all that I learned in the program, especially the training I received to have a successful career in higher education. Since graduating, I have been able to apply the knowledge learned and the skills that have been developed to my new job as an Assistant Professor at a university in the Midwest. I have been well prepared for this new position in my career and am excited for the opportunities that lie ahead.

Learn more about Rachel Sturm at Wright State University's web site.

– Rachel Sturm Assistant Professor Wright State University

Faiza Khoja

The Ph.D. program in Management at UH was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences for me. In addition to the academic rigor supported by experienced and qualified faculty, the program taught me valuable life lessons — to stay committed, focused, and organized. It provided me with several opportunities to self-learn and explore varying topics of interest. In my current position as Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of Houston-Downtown, I encounter new challenges and learning almost on a daily basis. The knowledge and training I received in the Ph.D. program is allowing me to address and cope efficaciously in my professional career. I am proud to be a graduate of this prestigious program.

Learn more about Faiza Khoja at University of Houston-Downtown's web site.

– Faiza Khoja Associate Professor University of Houston-Downtown

JéAnna Abbott

When deciding between Ph.D. programs, I was searching for both rigor and collegiality. I found both at the Bauer College of Business. The doctoral program is challenging yet supportive. I never stopped working: reading, thinking and writing … enjoying every minute. But, it’s the people, faculty and fellow students that made the difference. I had the opportunity to work with highly accomplished and dedicated faculty while studying alongside some of the most supportive individuals I have ever known. This shared commitment gave me strong research capabilities and a fantastic network of friends. The Ph.D. program at Bauer literally transformed my life. Everyone cared about me as both a student and human being, and left me with a far broader intellectual perspective.

Presently, I am a professor at the Conrad N. Hilton College, and Ombudsperson for the University of Houston. I consistently publish in top tier journals and engage in state of the art research in the hospitality industry. My experience at the Bauer College of Business provided me with the tools to flourish as a top researcher at a tier one-research university.

Learn more about JéAnna Abbott at University of Houston's web site.

– JéAnna Abbott Professor University of Houston

I joined the Ph.D. program in Accounting at University of Houston in August 2004 and was among the first of the students to go through the entire of the completely revamped program. I studied under a new regime – one that provides much more rigorous research training. The program has considerable research strengths in analytical and empirical paradigms, so I took advantage of it and learned to seek sound theoretical foundation for empirical tests. I was fortunate to have had opportunities to work with many faculty while studying in the program. Some of them have become co-authors on research projects and others are good friends and mentors. UH holds a Bauer Accounting Research Conference every year, which exposes Ph.D. students to top researchers in the field. It offers a great opportunity for learning as well as networking and I really enjoyed its exciting and fostering research environment.

Chen graduated with a Bauer Ph.D. in Accounting in 2009.

– Zeyun Chen Assistant Professor Texas Christian University

Jeff Boichuk

Bauer is a great place to earn a doctorate in marketing. No matter your area of interest (CB, quant, or strat), UH has a strong advisor for you. Mike Ahearne was my supervisor. I have learned over the years that Ph.D. students in our field are amazed when they hear about the Bauer experience. In Mike, I have a lifelong role model, a dedicated mentor, a close friend, and a titan in our field who is my biggest advocate. For these reasons, there isn't another institution in this world I would have rather attended. Bauer gives you the opportunities, resources, and training you need to succeed. My dreams were enlarged and realized during my time at UH, and I will forever be thankful to its faculty and Ph.D. students for their unwavering help and support.

– Jeff Boichuk Postdoctoral Fellow Darden School of Business

Susana Velez-Castrillon

From the start, Ph.D. students are encouraged to pursue their research interests. Some of the papers I have presented in national conferences began as class assignments in my first year, and I think this is because professors are really involved in hearing our ideas and helping us to better formulate questions and develop research. The people at Bauer are a tough crowd: always questioning your logic, asking why, telling you different ways to think about the issues you are considering. This is hard, but it creates a very stimulating environment for discussion and has sharpened my skills as a researcher (not to mention my ability to stand in front of audiences!) I am constantly exposed to the research of Bauer’s faculty and also of top researchers from across the globe who attend our seminars. I have gotten to hear many different perspectives, view different methods to answer questions in management, and see how these renowned scholars have shaped their careers.

The constant exposure to research has not given definite answers to the questions I had when I joined the program. If anything I have more questions now. What has changed is that I have acquired many tools to answer these questions, and am now well equipped to be part of the management field intellectual conversation.

Learn more about Susana Velez-Castrillon at University of West Georgia's web site.

– Susana Velez-Castrillon Assistant Professor University of West Georgia

Madhu Kalimipalli

I am an Associate Professor in Finance at the School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU), and an affiliated member of the Waterloo Research institute in Insurance, Securities and Quantitative finance (WatRISQ), University of Waterloo, and MS2Discovery Institute at Laurier. I was in the Bauer College of Business Ph.D. Finance program during 1995-99. I immensely benfitted from the rigour and depth of its Ph.D. course work and training. I cherish my rich four years spent at Bauer, at the Melcher Hall — where I first languished and later thrived — quickly became a home and its fellow inhabitants my family. Finance professors at Bauer School sowed in me strong seeds of both learning and thinking that were essential for later growth, academic and otherwise. The close research guidance and caring support I received from Arthur Warga and Raul Susmel, and numerous fruitful interactions with Praveen Kumar, Ed Kao, Latha Ramchand, Bong Soo Lee and others significantly contributed to my progress and hence are truly invaluable.

Learn more about Madhu Kalimipalli at his web site.

– Madhu Kalimipalli Associate Professor Wilfrid Laurier University

Ricky Griffin

I earned my doctorate from the Bauer College of Business back in 1978. During my Ph.D. program I had the great fortune to work with such outstanding faculty as Skip Szilagyi, Bob Keller, and the late Jack Ivancevich. These individuals, as well as several other and other faculty members, mentored me and gave me great appreciation of the importance of research, teaching, and service. The department equipped me with the skills necessary to perform at a high level across all three of these areas. Since leaving UH I served on the faculty at the University of Missouri-Columbia for three years and then moved to Texas A&M in 1981. Among other things, I have served as editor of the Journal of Management and held several administrative positions. I currently serve as Interim Dean of Mays Business School. I credit the Bauer College and its great faculty for preparing me for my career in higher education.

Learn more about Ricky Griffin at Texas A&M University's web site.

– Ricky Griffin Distinguished Professor Texas A&M University

The Bauer Ph.D. program was a great opportunity for me to achieve my academic goals. It was structured in a way that students were able to learn various areas of their field of study throughout coursework and focus on their research areas by working on research projects. It was also a great experience working with Bauer faculty during my Ph.D. studies. They were very research active and tried to help students develop skills for research and teaching. I remember whenever I became frustrated with the lack of research progress or uncertainty about my future career, they encouraged me to overcome such difficulties and keep moving forward. These memories will always remain in my mind, and I am trying to do my best to give my students the same precious memories I have had from Bauer.

Learn more about Eunju Lee at University of Massachusetts Lowell's web site.

– Eunju Lee Assistant Professor University of Massachusetts Lowell

Kenneth Sweet

Kenneth Sweet is an alum of the doctoral program in Management. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Management at Angelo State University in San Angelo, TX. Kenneth was the first in his family to graduate from high school and a first-generation college student. He has been a member of the U.S. Army and Texas Army National Guard for more than 18 years and is currently assigned as a Special Technical Operations Planner for 71st Theater Information Operations Group at Camp Mabry, TX. Kenneth holds the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from HRCI and is a SHRM-Certified Professional from the Society of Human Resource Management.

Learn more about Kenneth Sweet at Angelo State University's web site.

– Kenneth Sweet Assistant Professor Angelo State University

Application Information

Our website contains rich information regarding the admission process and financial aid . We also have a comprehensive FAQ page.

Costs & Financial Aid

• Graduate Costs & Financial Aid

Graduate Financial Information

A graduate education is an excellent investment in your future. Among other dividends, you'll reap expanded opportunities, dramatically higher earnings, and the lifelong joy of learning.

At the University of Houston, a graduate education is surprisingly affordable. Tuition and fees are comparatively low, and we offer a wealth of assistantships , fellowships , grants and loans to support your education. For more information, please visit the UH Graduate School Funding website .

Why Should You get Your Finance Ph.D. at McCombs?

Our faculty are not only intellectual leaders, they are also highly devoted to our Ph.D. students. Faculty frequently co-author with current and former students teaching them the skills to successfully publish and helping jump-start their publishing careers. We hold a weekly Ph.D. research seminar for Ph.D. students where students present their ongoing work to faculty and we discuss prominent avenues for research. We have a strong collaboration with the Economics Department and our program of work has a strong economics foundation.

UT Austin is a fantastic place to do a Ph.D. in Finance. The faculty are extremely nurturing and genuinely care about the Ph.D. program. They challenge you and yet are always approachable. With such a large department, you can find anyone working on something related to what you are interested in. Finally, you can’t beat living in Austin.

Ph.D. Alumnus

The UT Finance Ph.D. program has been a tremendous launchpad for my academic career. Among its many strengths, the department is especially oriented towards fostering genuine relationships between faculty and students. All faculty, from junior to senior, seem interested in my success. This tight-knit atmosphere makes it easy for Ph.D. students to approach world-class researchers and has helped launch papers for almost all of my cohort. The steady stream of great seminars and conferences has also been an invaluable opportunity for me to connect with many giants of our profession in a warm environment. The combination of this exposure and strong foundational training has made UT an ideal place to start my academic career.

Current Ph.D. Student

The faculty put so much time and effort into the students. They want to see us succeed and have fostered an environment where they are readily available and frequently provide feedback. Their advice made the transition to research easier, and my own work has improved greatly from insights I gathered discussing with them.

Preparation and Qualifications

The Texas McCombs Finance doctoral program assumes that students have taken advanced courses to establish a reasonable mathematical, statistics, and economics background. Adequate computer programming skills are necessary for coursework.

Prospective applicants are required to hold a four-year bachelor’s degree (does not need to be a degree in finance) or equivalent before starting the program.

See our FAQs for more information.

We have some of the most influential faculty in the profession with important leadership and editorial positions.

Dr. Sheridan Titman

View Faculty Profile

Editor, Review of Financial Studies: 1996-1998 Editor, International Review of Finance: 1999 ± 2004 Editor, Foundations and Trends in Finance: 2013- present Associate Editor, Real Estate Economics: 1986-present Associate Editor, Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics: 1987-present Associate Editor, Review of Financial Studies: 1987-1990 Associate Editor, Journal of Finance: 1990-2000 Associate Editor, Journal of Housing Economics: 1991-present Associate Editor, Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis: 1991-1995 Associate Editor, Pacific Basin Finance Journal: 1991-present Associate Editor, Review of Financial and Quantitative Analysis: 1994-present Associate Editor, Journal of Financial Research: 1996-2000

Officer Positions

Vice President: Western Finance Association: 2004-2005 Program Chair: Western Finance Association: 2005-2006 President: Western Finance Association: 2006-2007 Vice President: American Finance Association 2010 President Elect: American Finance Association 2011 President: American Finance Association 2012 Vice President and Program Chair: American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association 2016 President: American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association 2018

Dr. John Griffin

Associate Editor, Review of Financial Studies, June 2012-May 2015

President, Western Finance Association, 2022. Vice President, President-Elect, Western Finance Association, 2020, 2021. Chair, Society of Financial Studies (SFS) Cavalcade, 2013. Vice-Chair, Society of Financial Studies (SFS) Cavalcade, 2012

Dr. William Fuchs

Associate Editor for the American Economic Review 2012 -2014 Associate Editor for the Journal of Mathematical Economics 2019 Associate Editor for the Journal of Economic Theory 2019-current

President, Finance Theory Group

Dr. Laura Starks

Editor, Review of Financial Studies (2008-2014) Editor,FMA Survey and Synthesis Series (2016-present) Advisory Editor, Financial Analysts Journal (2016-present) Advisory Editor, Financial Management (2016-present)

President: AFA (American Finance Association), present President: Society of Financial Studies (2017-2020) Vice-President: Society of Financial Studies (2014-2017) President: Western Finance Association (2015-2016) President-elect and Program Chair: Western Finance Association (2014-2016) Vice-President: Western Finance Association (2013-2014) President: Financial Management Association (1999-2000)

Dr. Clemens Sialm

Review of Financial Studies, Editor, 2023-present Journal of Finance, Associate Editor, 2022-2023 Review of Asset Pricing Studies, Editor, 2022-2023 Journal of Pension Economics and Finance, Editor, 2016-2023 Financial Management, Associate Editor, 2016-2023 Journal of Financial Markets, Associate Editor, 2016-2023 International Review of Finance, Associate Editor, 2014-2023 Review of Financial Studies, Associate Editor, 2010-2013 Management Science, Associate Editor, 2009-2019 Review of Asset Pricing Studies, Associate Editor, 2017-2021

Chief Executive Officer, Texas McCombs Investment Advisors, 2017-present Vice President, Midwest Finance Association, 2022-present

Dr. Robert Parrino

Associate Editor, Journal of Corporate Finance, 2001-18 Associate Editor, Journal of Financial Research, 2006-11

President Elect, Financial Management Association International, effective October 2020 Immediate Past Vice President-Program, Financial Management Association International, 2019-20 Vice President-Program, Financial Management Association International, 2018-19 Vice President-Program Elect, Financial Management Association International, 2017-18

Recent Graduate Placements

Yingfan Linda Du – 2024 – Carnegie Melon University

Mahyar Sefidgaran – 2024 – Baylor University

Lin Yang – 2024 – Citadel Securities as a Quantitative Researcher (Industry)

Alex Priest – University of Rochester

Iman Dolatabadi – Cornerstone Research

Tim Park – Analysis Group

Jonathan Serrano – Brex

David Xiaoyu Xu – Southern Methodist University

Lee Seltzer – The New York Fed

Jangwoo Lee – Chinese University of Hong Kong

Gregory Weitzner – McGill University

Xuewei (Erica) Jiang – University of Southern California

Garrett Schaller – Colorado State University

Shuo Liu – City University of Hong Kong

Amin Shams Moorkani – Ohio State University

Avishai Schiff – Cornerstone Research

Jacelly Cespedes – University of Minnesota

Qifei Zhu – Nanyang Technological University

Zach Liu – University of Houston

Adam Winegar – Norwegian Business School

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Accelerate Your Career

• STEM designation: The MS Finance program is a STEM Designated Degree Program. International students on an F-1 visa are eligible for up to 24 months of Optional Practical Training extension (OPT STEM extension). 
• Concentrations: Pursuing an MS Finance with a concentration in Business Analytics equips students with data skills to make high-stakes financial decisions across diverse industries. A concentration in Healthcare Administration prepares graduates to lead financially sustainable healthcare organizations by blending financial acumen with sector-specific insights. 
• CFA Topics: The MS Finance program integrates a range of key topics from the CFA Level 1 curriculum, preparing students for both academic and professional success. 

A Degree Program that Fits Your Life

We offer classes in different formats for your convenience:

• Hybrid: Half your class time is online, while the other half is face-to-face;
• Online : From the comfort of your home or office. UHCL is the only Houston-based university offering an accredited fully online MS Finance program.
• The MS Finance program offers opportunities to network with employers through finance employer mixers, helping students connect with industry professionals. Students gain hands-on experience by working on projects with real-world financial data, providing them with practical skills that are highly valued in today’s finance industry. 

In addition, you'll be learning from the best. College of Business finance faculty consult, serve on boards, involve themselves in the community, continue to have active professional roles in their respective fields, publish, and do extensive research. Earn Your Degree Online

Admission Requirements

We're excited that you want to enroll in University of Houston-Clear Lake as a student in our College of Business. Examine the important steps in the admissions process today.

• Admission Deadline Standard Graduate Admission Deadline
• Application A standard university application is required.

Criteria that require submission of a standardized test score :  Less than 3.000 cumulative GPA on the last 60 hours of coursework and submission of GMAT score. Criteria that waive a standardized test requirement:

• 3.000 cumulative GPA on the last 60 hours of coursework; and Earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a country where English is the native language or from an accredited college or university in a country on the SBEC-approved list of countries ; or
• Earned a graduate or professional degree from a country where English is the native language or on the SBEC-approved list of countries ; or
• Earned a Ph.D., M.D., Ed.D., D.D.S. or J.D. from accredited U.S. institution (or have U.S. Licensure).
• How to Apply as a Graduate Student
• How to Apply as an International Graduate Student

Degree Requirements

Understanding the classes you need to take for your degree in the College of Business is crucial to planning out your education. Learn how you can pursue success at University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Cost Information

Put your budding business degree to work with an analysis of the potential costs of your UHCL degree.

Tuition and Fees Net Price Calculator Fee Schedule Calculator

Deadlines for Applying

• Graduate Deadlines
• Fall New Degree-Seeking Students - August 1 Returning UHCL Students - August 15
• Spring New Degree-Seeking Students - January 5 Returning UHCL Students - January 15
• Summer New Degree-Seeking Students - May 1 Returning UHCL Students - May 25

Please note, some graduate programs have special deadlines and requirements. For more information, go to How to Apply as a Graduate Student . The online application is scheduled to close for Graduate students after the Formal UHCL Student deadline of each semester.

Applying After the Priority Deadline

New, non-degree seeking, and returning UHCL students applying after the deadlines above may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the appropriate graduate enrollment counselor for more information. A $50.00 Late Registration Fee or $50.00 Late Payment may apply.

Review the UHCL Academic Calendar for registration and payment dates and deadlines.

• International Deadlines

Priority Deadline - May 1 Extended Deadline - June 1

Deadline - October 1

Deadline - April 1

For more information regarding deferring your application, please visit Deferring International Admission .

Students interested in qualifying for scholarships &/or applying for visas outside the U.S. should apply and submit the application documents/test scores by the priority deadline

*International freshmen applicants will not be accepted for Summer semester.

University of Houston-Clear Lake

2700 Bay Area Blvd Houston, TX 77058 Phone: 281-283-7600

UHCL Online

Bayou Building, Room 1406 2700 Bay Area Blvd Houston, TX 77058 Phone: 281-212-1611

Make the most of a hectic schedule and study from home or the office through UHCL Online, offering the same level of excellence for more than 20 undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs.

About UHCL Online

Hybrid programs combine the flexibility and convenience of online learning with the benefits of in-person instruction.

Accreditations and Distinctions

Finance M.S. Faculty

Anne Anders

Associate Professor of Economics, Business

Contact number:   281-283-3255 Email:   [email protected]

Anne Anders Faculty Bio

Yvette M. Bendeck

Professor of Finance, Business

Contact number:   281-283-3221 Email:   [email protected]

Yvette M. Bendeck Faculty Bio

Stephen Cotten

Professor of Economics, Business

Contact number:   281-283-3207 Email:   [email protected] Office:  B3121

Stephen Cotten Faculty Bio

Timothy Michael

Associate Professor of Finance, Business

Contact number:   281-283-3193 Email:   [email protected] Office:  B3121.4

Timothy Michael Faculty Bio

Jason Murasko

Contact number:   281-283-3107 Email:   [email protected] Office:  Bayou Building, Suite 3121, Room 22

Jason Murasko Faculty Bio

Ivelina Pavlova-Stout

Contact number:   281-283-3208 Email:   [email protected] Office:  Bayou Building Suite 3121, Room 30

Ivelina Pavlova-Stout Faculty Bio

Edward R. Waller

Dean and Professor of Finance, Business

Contact number:   281-283-3206 Email:   [email protected] Office:  Bayou Building, Suite 2239

Edward R. Waller Faculty Bio

Jeffrey Whitworth

Contact number:   281-283-3218 Email:   [email protected] Office:  Bayou Building Suite 3121, Room 28

Jeffrey Whitworth Faculty Bio

Melissa A. Williams

Department Chair of Decision Sciences, Economics, Finance and Marketing and Associate Professor of Finance, Business

Contact number:   281-283-3211 Email:   [email protected] Office:  Bayou Building, Suite 3121 Room 29

Melissa A. Williams Faculty Bio

C.T. Bauer College of Business    > Department of Finance    > Finance, MS - Quantitative Specialization (MSF-Q)

The MSF-Q specialization combines PhD courses with advanced MS Finance courses, and is aimed at students who are interested in taking highly quantitative finance classes without continuing into the PhD program and writing a dissertation. It is ideal preparation for students who are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Finance but lack the necessary quantitative skills.

Please visit the Quantitative Specialization in Finance, MS program page for more information.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking to pursue this specialization are admitted in fall semesters only and must first receive approval from the MSF-Q Specialization Director and Finance Department Chair. Such students will usually have a solid quantitative background; with knowledge of calculus, mathematical statistics, and linear algebra. This specialization may be taken on a full- or part-time basis; however, Ph.D. level courses are offered only during the day.

Degree Requirements

Credit hours required for this degree: 36.0

The MSF-Q specialization consists of 36 hours of coursework. There is a required core of 4 Ph.D. level courses (10.5 credit hours) and 4 MS level courses (7.5 credit hours). Students can select the remaining credit hours from the elective courses listed below. Other MS Finance courses can be counted as credit towards the degree subject to the approval of the MSF-Q specialization Director.

Required Courses (18.0 Credit Hours)

10.5 Credit Hours

• FINA 7A97 - Selected Topics in Finance Credit Hours: 1.5
• Mathematics for Finance
• FINA 8397 - Selected Topics in Finance Credit Hours: 3.0
• Econometrics I
• FINA 8338 - Seminar in Financial Management I Credit Hours: 3
• FINA 8368 - Seminar in Investments Credit Hours: 3

7.5 Credit Hours

• FINA 7A10 - Valuation Credit Hours: 1.5
• FINA 7A20 - Capital Markets Credit Hours: 1.5
• FINA 6A31 - Analyzing Financial Statements Credit Hours: 1.5
• FINA 7397 - Selected Topics in Finance Credit Hours: 3
• Object Oriented Programming in Finance

Note: FINA 6A31 - Analyzing Financial Statements  can be replaced by  ACCT 6331 - Financial Accounting subject to the approval of the MSF-Quant Director.

Elective Courses (18.0 Credit Hours)

Required total: 18.0 credit hours from PhD or Master elective course options.

• Econometrics II
• Financial Management II
• Derivatives
• Price Theory I
• Continuous Time Finance
• Fixed Income
• FINA 7A23 - Portfolio Theory and Practice Credit Hours: 1.5
• FINA 7A33 - Mergers & Acquisitions I Credit Hours: 1.5
• FINA 7A30 - Advanced Corporate Finance Credit Hours: 1.5
• FINA 7352 - Energy Derivatives Credit Hours: 3.0
• FINA 7354 - Financial Econometrics Credit Hours: 3
• Optimizaton

Academic Policies

• University Academic Policies  
• Academic Policies: C.T. Bauer College of Business