Ph.D. in Accounting
Ph.D. in Accounting
Develop expertise in accounting principles, quantitative methods, economics, and finance on your way to becoming a successful teacher and scholars. You will collaborate with both peers and faculty mentors, and be encouraged to present your work at conferences, as well as submit articles for publication in top research journals.
Coursework
Accounting Ph.D. students complete a program of study that begins with coursework in accounting, quantitative methods, economics, and finance. Through seminar courses, you will become fluent on the existing state of research literature, appropriate research methods, and proper management of the publication process.
Course requirements are typically satisfied in the first two years of the program. In addition to doctoral seminars, Ph.D. students will take courses in the departments of finance and economics, and are encouraged to explore inter-disciplinary pursuits.
Comprehensive Examination
A comprehensive examination will be administered at the conclusion of the second year in the program. Satisfactory performance on the exam marks your transition from course-work to full-time thesis research.
Research
Doctoral students begin engaging in the research process as early in the program as possible. A first-year summer paper, which can be a replication or an extension of an existing study, provides early hands-on experience in research design, programming, data management, and statistical analysis.
Students must then complete a second-year paper based on an original research idea and present this research in early December of their third year to qualify as a Ph.D. candidate.
In the spring of their fourth year, students submit and present their dissertation proposal, which should make a substantial, significant, and original contribution to the field. Input from faculty during the proposal process outlines the work that students need to complete over the summer for their dissertation proposals to become their job market papers for the fall of their fifth year.
Research and Teaching Assistant Requirement
Doctoral students at the Carroll School are expected to serve as research assistants, teaching assistants, and/or instructors throughout their studies. Students work for a set number of hours per week, throughout the duration of their Ph.D. programs. In exchange, the Carroll School provides financial support for doctoral students in the form of a stipend and tuition remission.
First Year
| PRE-FALL |
| Mathematics for Economists |
| FALL |
| Microeconomic Theory I |
| Investments |
| Statistics |
| PhD Seminar in Asset Pricing Theory |
| Financial Accounting Practice I* |
| SPRING |
| Microeconomic Theory II |
| Econometrics |
| PhD Seminar in Accounting Research Part I |
| PhD Seminar in Corporate Finance Theory |
| Financial Accounting Practice II* |
| SUMMER |
| Programming Skills |
*If required
Second Year
| FALL |
| PhD Seminar in Empirical Asset Pricing |
| PhD Seminar on Empirical Topics in Accounting |
| PhD Seminar in Accounting Research Part II |
| SPRING |
| Applied Econometrics |
| PhD Seminar in Accounting Research Part III |
| PhD Seminar in Empirical Corporate Finance |
| SUMMER |
| Comprehensive Exam |
The following information reflects data for the entering classes of 2020–2024. Updated September 10, 2024.
Class Size
| Year | Size |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| Overall Selectivity | 5.2% |
Academic & Professional Profile
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Average GMAT (10th Edition) Score | 733 |
| GMAT (10th Edition) 80th Percentile Range | 720–744 |
| Average GRE Score | 327 |
| GRE 80th Percentile Range | 322–331 |
| Average Full-Time Work Experience | 1.3 years |
| Students Holding Master's Degree | 78% |
Demographics
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Average Age | 29 |
| Age Range | 25–36 |
| Women | 78% |
| International Students | 89% |
Where do our graduates work?
Boise State University
California State University, Fullerton
Indiana University
University of Illinois Chicago
University of Iowa
Ph.D. Admission FAQ
Are international students required to apply for a visa before they apply for admission to the Carroll School?
<p>No, international students do not need to submit visa-related materials at the time of application. However, once you confirm your enrollment, Boston College’s <a href="https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/sites/global-engagement/sites/office-of-international-students-and-scholars.html" target="_blank">Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)</a> will work with you to ensure that your materials are prepared in a timely fashion to complete your visa application and I-20 appointment.</p>
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Are international students required to submit financial documents with their applications?
<p>No, international students do not need to submit financial documents during the initial application process. Financial documents are only required for enrolled students. You will need to submit your original financial documents when you apply for your I-20 form through BC's Office of International Students & Scholars.</p>
bc:schools/carroll/admission/search-tags/phd-international-financial-docs
Can I visit a Ph.D. class?
<p>Unfortunately, we do not offer Ph.D. class visits through the Graduate Admissions Office. If you would like to gain a better understanding of our Ph.D. programs and meet with current students or faculty members, please contact the Accounting, Finance, or Organization Studies Ph.D. director.</p>
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Do I need to have an interview to be admitted into the Ph.D. program?
<p>Interviews for the Ph.D. program are available by invitation of the Admissions Committee only.</p>
bc:schools/carroll/admission/search-tags/phd-interview
How much funding will I receive from the Carroll School of Management to pursue my Ph.D. program?
<p>Effective for incoming students in Fall 2024, the financial support for doctoral students is $43,000 per year in addition to full tuition remission. A student in good standing may receive this support for a maximum of five years. In return for this support, students serve as research and/or teaching assistants throughout the duration of their Ph.D. programs.</p>
<p>This support is based on the fact that students are expected to devote their full energies to the Ph.D. program during the entire calendar year, not just the academic year.</p>
bc:schools/carroll/admission/search-tags/phd-funding
How selective is the Ph.D. in Accounting program?
<p>We aim to enroll two to four doctoral candidates each year. We receive around 75 applications to the Ph.D. in Accounting program each year. Please review our <a href="https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/schools/carroll-school/graduate/phd-programs/phd-accounting.html#tab-class_profile">class profile</a> to see how your scores and grades compare to those of our current students.</p>
bc:schools/carroll/admission/search-tags/phd-selective-accounting
How selective is the Ph.D. in Finance program?
<p>We aim to enroll four doctoral candidates each year. We receive around 150 applications to the Ph.D. in Finance program each year. Please review our <a href="https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/schools/carroll-school/graduate/phd-programs/phd-finance.html#tab-class_profile">class profile</a> to see how your scores and grades compare to those of our current students.</p>
bc:schools/carroll/admission/search-tags/phd-selective
How selective is the Ph.D. in Organization Studies program?
<p>We aim to enroll four doctoral candidates each year. We receive around 75 applications to the Ph.D. in Organization Studies program each year. Please review our <a href="/content/bc-web/schools/carroll-school/graduate/phd-programs/phd-organizational-studies.html#tab-class_profile" target="_blank">class profile</a> to see how your scores and grades compare to those of our current students.</p>
bc:schools/carroll/admission/search-tags/phd-selective-org-studies
Application Link & Deadlines
Application Deadline: The deadline to apply for Fall 2025 is January 7, 2025.
Application Fee: All applicants are required to pay a nonrefundable application fee of $100 USD.
Interviews: If selected, applicants will be invited to interview in early spring.
Admission Decisions: Applications are generally reviewed after the final deadline has passed. There is no specific decision notification date for Ph.D. programs. Final decisions are typically available by mid-spring.
CV and Resume
Your current curriculum vitae should include your education, research, and professional information.
We also require a separate Employment History, using the form provided within the online application.
Recommendations
Recommendations from two individuals who can provide an objective appraisal of your capacity for intensive graduate study and potential for professional success.
Transcripts
All applicants must possess a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. You must submit transcripts from every institution where you were enrolled in a degree-granting program. At the time of application, only a self-reported transcript is required but if you are admitted, we will require an official transcript sent directly from your degree-granting institution. Transcripts should include:
Course names
All grades received (including transfer credits and study abroad programs)
Cumulative GPA
Degree conferral information
Graduates of non-U.S. institutions must possess a college or university degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree. If admitted, international students are required to submit an official English translation of all academic credentials, along with a third-party degree verification from an agency such as SpanTran/TEC or World Education Services (WES).
GMAT or GRE Scores
Applicants must submit GMAT or GRE scores from within the past five years. We accept both the GMAT Exam and GMAT Focus Edition. Our test codes are:
- GMAT school code: 44x-J5-96
- GRE school code: 3033
While Graduate Admissions does not have a preference between the GMAT or GRE, we encourage you to consult class profile data for average test scores in order to gauge where you stand.
English Proficiency
If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you are required to submit an English language proficiency exam score with your application. We accept TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores. We do not accept the Duolingo English Test.
Scores must be from within the past two years, and applicants must meet the following minimum scores:
TOEFL, iBT, and TOEFL iBT Home Edition: 100
IELTS: 7.5
PTE: 68
You are eligible to waive the language test requirement if you meet either of the following criteria:
You have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree or a two-year master’s degree (or higher) at an institution where the medium language of instruction is English. You must have completed your degree in its entirety at the English-medium institution. The medium language of instruction must be indicated on your transcript or verified in an official letter from the institution.
You have worked in a full-time, post-degree position for at least two years in the United States or a country where English is an official language. NOTE: Working for a company that conducts its business in English in a country where English is not an official language will not qualify you for a language test waiver.
If you are eligible to waive the language test requirement, you do not need to submit a waiver request beforehand and can simply move forward with your application.
Required & Optional Essays
Applicants must submit a required essay discussing their research interests and career objectives. You may also submit an optional essay that addresses aspects of your candidacy that have not already been covered in other parts of the application.
Questions
If you have any further questions, please email us at bcmba@bc.edu, or schedule a phone call or Zoom appointment with a member of the Graduate Admission team.