|
Ph.D. Program: FAQs
Accounting Ph.D. program FAQs:
Q: How do I evaluate whether a Ph.D. in accounting from GSU is right for me?
Q: What do I do with a Ph.D. in accounting from GSU?
Q: What is GSU's Ph.D. program like (duration, type of work, etc)?
Q: What is the typical program of study (coursework) for the GSU accounting Ph.D.?
Q: What is the current state of the accounting Ph.D. job market?
Admissions FAQs:
Admissions Overview
Q: How many students do you accept each year?
Q: When do you admit students into the Ph.D. program?
Q: Can I be admitted on a part-time basis?
Q: Do I need a master's degree to be considered for the Ph.D. program?
Q: Do I need work experience to be considered for the Ph.D. program?
Q: What is the minimum GMAT score needed to be considered for admission?
Q: Do I need to have my CPA license to apply for the program?
GSU accounting Ph.D. program FAQs:
Q: How do I evaluate whether a Ph.D. in accounting from GSU is right for me?
A: When looking at any program, you need to consider faculty fit (Do the faculty share your research interests and desired method? Do faculty members actively mentor Ph.D. students?), placement fit (Where did the faculty members obtain their degrees? Where have recent graduates placed?), and resources (What is the TA/RA mix, amount of pay, years of support, conference/research support, etc.?).
The goal of our program is to place students at research universities, preferably ones with a Ph.D. program. Our program focuses on preparing students to critique and produce scholarly accounting research that is publishable in premier accounting journals.
Research is a critical component of earning a Ph.D. in accounting from GSU. To determine whether this program is right for you, read over some academic accounting journals (see below); at least some of the articles should whet your appetite for conducting accounting research.
During your time in our program you will be reading and critically reviewing articles such as those found in the journals below. Our program (via faculty mentoring and coursework) focuses on preparing you to eventually work at a research university and publish in these types of journals:
A good starting place is The Accounting Review (TAR)
(Sponsored by the American Accounting Association (AAA), TAR publishes articles in all areas of accounting. Abstracts are free to view at the above link.)
Some other premier journals:
- Journal of Accounting Research (JAR) – published by University of Chicago more narrowly focused than TAR
- Journal of Accounting & Economics (JAE) – published by University of Rochester, more narrowly focused than TAR
- Contemporary Accounting Research (CAR) – published by Canadian Academic Accounting Association
back to top>>
Q: What do I do with a Ph.D. in accounting from GSU?
A: Typically, students who earn a Ph.D. in accounting from GSU go on to become tenure track professors at research universities.
Accounting professors are involved in teaching, research and service; the mix depends upon the university. Typically, this involves:
- Teaching: 3-4 courses taught per academic year
- Research: You are expected to publish in premier journals
- Service: depends on the university
Most universities will evaluate you for tenure after 5 – 6 years. The tenure decision is based primarily on the quality of your research as well as your teaching performance.
The idea that a professor teaches class a couple of hours a week and otherwise lives a life of leisure is a myth. A typical work week can be 50 – 60 hours, with the vast majority being outside the classroom. However, it is true that an accounting professor enjoys a great deal of flexibility on the job. We work hard, but we get to choose (mostly) when we work and what we work on.
This is a rewarding job for those that choose this path. It is intellectually stimulating and we are making a difference both in our research and in the classroom.
back to top>>
Q: What is GSU's Ph.D. program like (duration, type of work, etc.)?
A: This is a long-term commitment that cannot be done on a part-time basis. A typical Ph.D. student takes five years to complete the program. The main focus of an accounting Ph.D. program is RESEARCH.
The first two years of the program are devoted to course work and exploration into potential research projects. This coursework consists of research seminars, statistics and economics courses. This is followed by a comprehensive exam, typically in the fall semester of your third year.
Once the comprehensive exam is successfully completed, the dissertation and other research projects with faculty take up the remainder of a student's program. The goal is to have a portfolio of research in addition to your dissertation upon graduation.
Throughout your program you will be acting as a teaching assistant and/or research assistant. The life of Ph.D. student is just as busy as the life of an accounting professor.
back to top>>
Q: What is the typical program of study (coursework) for the GSU accounting Ph.D.?
A:There are currently four accounting seminars required (one per fall/spring semester, with critical thinking required every semester for the first three years). The sequencing of these seminars depends on the year you enter the program. These are:
- ACCT 9200 Auditing (3 credit hours)
- ACCT 9300 Managerial Accounting (3 credit hours)
- ACCT 9400 Financial Accounting (3 credit hours)
- ACCT 9100 Critical Analysis (9 credit hours)
In addition, the following classes are required for successful completion of coursework:
- Econ 8100 Applied Microeconomics
- MGS 9920 Probability & Statistics I
- MGS 9940 Experimental Design
- MGS 9950 Regression
- MGS 9960 Multivariate Analysis
- Another quantitative elective
- Another theoretical/quantitative elective
- Another theoretical/quantitative elective
There is flexibility within this program to substitute courses that meet your individual needs at the discretion of the Ph.D. program coordinator.
back to top>>
Q: What is the current state of the accounting Ph.D. job market?
A:There is currently a shortage of accounting Ph.D.'s in the marketplace, with more openings than candidates to fill them. The relation between supply and demand depends on the area of accounting. There is an ongoing demand for new doctorates in all areas of accounting, and this demand is expected to increase due to the fact that 53% of current accounting professors nationwide are age 50 or older.
However, placement at research universities is competitive. The better your portfolio of research, as well as evidence of your teaching ability, the better your quality of placement will be upon graduation. Please see the AAA website for studies on supply and demand.
back to top>>
Admissions FAQs:
Admissions Overview
Admission is highly competitive and many factors are considered. Among these are:
- GMAT: quantitative & verbal
- Degrees and GPA, rigor of coursework
- Professional work experience
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal essays, interviews (maturity, passion, creativity and intellect of candidate)
- Fit with faculty
back to top>>
Q: How many students do you accept each year?
A: We typically accept 2-3 students each fall into our program.
back to top>>
Q: When do you admit students into the Ph.D. program?
A: We admit students only once per year during the fall semester. The application deadline is February 1.
back to top>>
Q: Can I be admitted on a part-time basis?
A: No. Earning a Ph.D. in accounting at GSU is a full-time endeavor that requires an investment of your time for a minimum of five years.
back to top>>
Q: Do I need a master's degree to be considered for the Ph.D. program?
A: The majority of our students do have a master's degree. However, we evaluate the entire application packet and if you are strong in all other areas, a masters may not be necessary.
back to top>>
Q: Do I need work experience to be considered for the Ph.D. program?
A: The majority of our students do have work experience. However, we evaluate the entire application packet and if you are strong in all other areas, work experience may not be necessary. It also depends on your research interests. It is difficult to pursue Ph.D. research in some areas, such as auditing, without relevant work experience.
back to top>>
Q: What is the minimum GMAT score needed to be considered for admission?
A: There is no absolute minimum GMAT score necessary to be considered for admission, but a serious candidate should aim for the highest score possible in both the quantitative and verbal sections. Both types of skills are important for succeeding in our Ph.D. program. The average GMAT score for students currently in our program is 700. GMAT performance is one of several factors that we consider.
back to top>>
Q: Do I need to have my CPA license to apply for the program?
A: No. It might give you a slight advantage at some universities in the application process, but you do not need to be a CPA to pursue a doctorate in accounting.
back to top>>
|
