Auburn University, Harbert College of Business Department of Finance Doctoral Program

About the program

QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates should have a strong interest in research. A master's degree in finance, economics, or related areas is recommended but not required. Additionally, candidates with solid quantitative and computational skills are preferred. Strong verbal and written communication skills in English are essential.

FUNDING: Incoming students are typically offered a graduate assistantship (GA) that includes a tuition waiver and an annual stipend of $35,000 (including summer funding).

The assistantship is renewable for up to five years with satisfactory annual progress. 

Exceptional candidates are eligible for competitive Presidential Awards that carry additional stipends of $1 5,000 per year for the first three years. To be nominated for this award, applicants must apply for admission before January 1 , 2027.

DESCRIPTION: The Harbert College Ph.D. in Finance is a research-oriented degree that prepares students for tenure-track faculty positions at research-oriented institutions. Faculty work closely with students and have nearby offices. Students typically work on a joint research project with one or more professors early in their program. Thus, students are quickly immersed in doing high-quality research. Recent placements include University of Toledo, Loyola Marymount University, Elon University, University of Tampa, and University of Northern Colorado.

Most coursework can be completed in the first two years. The core coursework is an
intensive study of the theory and empirical analysis of finance, focused on investments, corporate finance, and financial institutions and markets. Graduate courses in microeconomics and econometrics are also required. Students typically serve as teaching/research assistants during the first two years, with teaching responsibilities beginning in the third year. As a full-time student, you will receive office space, computer resources, and departmental office support.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Deadlines:
January 1 , 2027 (early deadline for Presidential Award consideration);
February 1 , 2027 (final deadline).

Requirements:

• Complete the online Graduate School application
• A personal statement of interest
• At least two letters of recommendation
• Send official undergraduate and graduate transcripts to the Graduate School
• Send GMAT or GRE scores to the Graduate School

International students must submit TOEFL/IELTS scores to the Graduate School.
For more information, please go to https://harbert.auburn.edu/degrees-programs/doctoral/phd-business-
finance/index.html or contact Dr. Albert Wang, Ph.D. Program Coordinator (albertwang@auburn.edu)

About the Department & Programs
The Department of Finance includes 1 4 tenure-track faculty and, with over 1 ,000 majors, is the largest department in Auburn's largest college. Faculty research spans top journals (including Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial Economics, Review of Financial Studies), and the department offers both Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Finance. Based on UTD Research Rankings (top three finance journals) over the past five years (2021 -2025), Auburn is ranked 68th.

Why Auburn? Why Harbert?
Auburn University is a top-tier public research institution and one of the most respected universities in the nation. The Harbert College of Business is home to more than 7,000 students and ranked among the top 50 public business schools by U. S. News & World Report. The college is known for its commitment to excellence, robust corporate engagement, and its forward-looking approach to business education. More information about the college can be found in the following link
(https://harbert.auburn.edu/about/why-the-harbert-college-of-business.html).

Auburn, Alabama boasts a wide range of public amenities, a highly ranked public school system, has been rated among the ‘Top 1 00 Best Places to Live in America' by Money magazine in 201 9 and one of the ‘1 0 Best Small College Towns in America' by THE HILL in 2022. Auburn is conveniently located along Interstate 85, 90 minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with Alabama's beautiful Gulf Shores beaches less than four hours away.
Auburn University is an EEO/Vet/Disability employer.
 

More Information