Program: Management (Finance) PhD - University at Buffalo

Apr 02, 2025

2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

Built on a foundation of excellence, the Management PhD program will provide the training education and skills you need to launch a successful academic career. Choose from six majors: accounting, finance, management science and systems, marketing, operations management and strategy, or organization and human resources.

Finance Emphasis Requirements

First Year

Fall Semester

Typically five of the following:

ECO 609SEM - Macroeconomic Theory 1 Credits: 3
ECO 611SEM - Mathematics for Economists 1 Credits: 3 (required)
ECO 613SEM - Introduction to Econometric Theory Credits: 3 (required)
MGF 740SEM - Theory of Finance Credits: 3 (required when open)
ECO 665SEM - Microeconomic Theory 1 Credits: 3
MGG 700SEM - Intro to Research Methods Credits: 3

Spring Semester

Typically four of the following, with at least one being a finance class:

MGF 631LEC - Financial Management Credits: 3
MGF 636LEC - Complex Financial Instruments Credits: 3
MGF 638LEC - Fixed Income Securities Credits: 3
MGF 741SEM - Corporate Finance Credits: 3
ECO 665SEM - Microeconomic Theory 1 Credits: 3 (required)
ECO 612SEM - Mathematics for Economists 2 Credits: 3 (required)
ECO 614SEM - Econometric Applications and Methods Credits: 3 (required)
By the end of the first year, you will be expected to present a paper outlining your current progress in an area of research and how you might contribute in the future.

Second Year

Fall Semester

Typically four of the following:

MGF 633LEC - Investment Management Credits: 3
MGF 696LEC - Portfolio Theory and Strategy Credits: 3
MGF 743SEM - Research Methodology Credits: 3
MGF 647TUT - Supervised Research Credits: 1 - 6
MGF 742SEM - Information & Capital Markets Credits: 3
MTH 558LEC - Mathematical Finance Credits: 3
ECO 712SEM - Econometrics: Time Series Analysis Credits: 3

Spring Semester

If research interests dictate, you may register for research seminars or other classes in related disciplines such as econometrics (e.g., ECO 712SEM - Econometrics: Time Series Analysis ; ECO 713SEM - Advanced Econometrics I ; ECO 796SEM - Special Topics ), accounting (e.g. accounting research methodology, seminar in financial accounting), computer science (e.g. machine learning, big data, computing), industrial and systems engineering (e.g. simulations and stochastic models), etc. Some of these are subject to approval by your PhD advisor.

By the end of your second year, you will be required to present a full research paper of publishable quality. The Department of Finance uses the 2nd-year paper requirement in order to evaluate each student’s potential and ability to develop and execute research ideas independently. The evaluation of research potential/capabilities will be made by the Second-Year Paper Committee (hereafter ‘committee’). The committee is chosen by the student and should consist of at least two finance faculty members (including a committee chair and a committee member).

In the summer after the second year, you will be required to pass the comprehensive exam. The exam consists of two written parts and takes two days. On day one, you will be asked to answer questions inspired by the finance research classes you have taken. On the second day, you will be required to write a paper review for a hypothetical finance journal.

MGF 744SEM - Empirical Methods in Finance (required when open)
MGF 797TUT - Research in Finance Credits: 1 - 12

Third Year and Beyond

After passing the comprehensive exam, you will work closely with your faculty advisor toward the completion of your thesis. While you may continue to take regular classes, your focus will be on the quality of your research and its publishability.

MGF 797TUT - Research in Finance Credits: 1 - 12

External Area of Focus for Management Students

If you are a doctoral student in the School of Management who is interested in obtaining an external area of focus in Economics, you should consult with your academic advisor. The following courses satisfy the Management doctoral core requirements in statistics (two courses) as well as the requirements for an external focus area in Economics (a grade point average of 3.0 is required in external focus area courses).

ECO 611SEM - Mathematics for Economists 1 Credits: 3
ECO 613SEM - Introduction to Econometric Theory Credits: 3
ECO 665SEM - Microeconomic Theory 1 Credits: 3

Plus one course from the following:

ECO 614SEM - Econometric Applications and Methods Credits: 3
ECO 712SEM - Econometrics: Time Series Analysis Credits: 3
ECO 731SEM - Optimal Contract Theory Credits: 3
ECO 666SEM - Microeconomic Theory 2 Credits: 3
MGO 797TUT - Research In OMS Credits: 1 - 12

Total Credit Hours: 72

3.0 Degree GPA required

Instruction Method

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

Full/Part Time Options

Full Time

Credits Required

72 Hours

Time-To-Degree

3 to 5+ Years

Application Fee

$50

Program Contact

School of Management
Office of Strategic Marketing and Enrollment Management
150 Jacobs Management Center
Buffalo, NY 14260
Contact Admissions

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).

Online programs/courses may require students to come to campus on occasion. Time-to-degree and number of credit hours may vary based on full/part time status, degree, track and/or certification option chosen. Time-to-degree is based on calendar year(s). Contact the department for details.