Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Ph.D. in Finance program at Stuart School of Business is both practice and research oriented, preparing students to initiate advanced techniques and research to solve problems in investment and corporate finance, to address regulatory issues in risk management and market functions, and to take on roles in finance in both industry and academia.

Program Details

• Program Type: Doctoral
• Degree: Ph.D.
• Department: Business
• College: Stuart School of Business
• Program Location: On Campus
• STEM Designated: Yes
• Meets F-1 Visa Requirements: Yes

Curriculum

The Ph.D. program requires successful completion of at least 72 credit hours. Students who enter with a completed master’s degree from Illinois Tech or elsewhere may apply to have their course requirements reduced by up to 12 credit hours.

Admission Requirements

• Completed online application
• Official transcript submission with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• GMAT or GRE scores are required
• A one-page statement of purpose, with goals and objectives
• Three to four letters of recommendation from professors or employers
• English proficiency exam, if required
• Fall Semester Admission Only: New students are only admitted to this program in the fall semester of each year.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Ph.D. in Finance program have a wide choice of careers, including:

• Senior research positions and other roles in investment management, risk management, trading, corporate finance, commercial banking, think tanks, and government policy and regulation
• Tenure-track positions in academia

Research Areas

The program focuses on applying cutting-edge practice and techniques in financial technology, financial economics, quantitative finance, business finance, and applied statistics to solve problems in investing, corporate finance, risk management, and regulation.

Scholarships

The Stuart Doctoral Scholarship is available for select students pursuing a Ph.D. in Management Science and Analytics, with a maximum award of $25,500.

Faculty and Research

Stuart School of Business faculty are research mentors for doctoral students and frequently collaborate with students and recent graduates on research papers published in top scholarly journals.

Experiences to Build Your Career Path

• Assistantships with Stuart faculty members provide opportunities for Ph.D. students to take on roles in the classroom, research, or academic program administration.
• Adjunct teaching positions at universities and colleges in the Chicago area are available for students interested in academic careers.
• Illinois Tech’s unique Elevate program guarantees opportunities for internships and other hands-on experiences for students looking toward careers in industry, nonprofit organizations, and government.

Featured Faculty

• Ricky “Rick” Cooper, Director, Ph.D. in Finance and Associate Professor of Finance
• Haizhi Wang, Professor of Finance
• Benjamin E. Van Vliet, Director of the Center for Strategic Finance and Associate Professor of Finance
• Li Cai, Associate Professor of Finance
• Sang Baum “Solomon” Kang, Assistant Director, Undergraduate Programs in Business and Associate Professor of Finance
• Priyanka Sharma, Associate Professor of Economics
• Siva K. Balasubramanian, Associate Dean of Accreditation and Research and Professor of Marketing

Flexibility to Pursue a Master’s or Doctorate

Students who are currently enrolled in the Stuart M.S. in Finance program may apply to transfer into the Ph.D. in Finance program provided they meet certain criteria.

Accreditation and Recognition

Stuart is AACSB Accredited, with only 6% of business schools globally holding this accreditation. It is also the only business school in a tech-focused university in Chicago, offering students the flexibility to complete their Ph.D. full-time or part-time.