The objective of the Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in Accountancy is to prepare scholars to conduct high-quality research and to teach in the fields of Financial and Managerial Accounting, Auditing, Information Systems, and Taxation. This program allows students to develop the capability to review, analyze, conduct, and publish research through a series of research seminars and theory-building and statistical course work that supplement and complement students' abilities and desires. In addition, Ph.D. students participate in ongoing research projects in conjunction with faculty members in the School of Accountancy and Information Management. The doctoral program of study consists of a minimum of 84 semester hours of graduate-level course work beyond the bachelor's degree.
Students work with their program committees to determine an appropriate program of study .
Common areas of functional specialization among doctoral studies include Financial and Managerial Accounting, Auditing, Information Systems, and Taxation. Within these functional areas, doctoral studies may emphasize experimental or archival research methods. All accountancy doctoral students are required to take a three-semester sequence of accountancy doctoral course work. A maximum of six approved graduate hours can be transferred to satisfy program requirements. The comprehensive examination is taken once all course work has been completed.