Doctoral
The Wayne State Ph.D. in Finance focuses on corporate finance and asset pricing, with a strong emphasis on empirical research. Students typically enter with an average GMAT score of 691. The program prepares graduates for tenure-track faculty positions at top research universities, boasting a 100% placement rate. Graduates often publish in leading journals like The Accounting Review and Financial Management within their first year.
Placements
The Wayne State finance Ph.D. program fosters academic careers and equips students with the skills needed to excel in academia and beyond.
Shriya Shekhar, 2023, Gonzaga University, Assistant professor of finance, Dissertation title: Essays on bank certification of initial public offerings, Dissertation committee: Dr. Sudip Datta (chair), Dr. Mai-Iskandar Datta, Dr. Francesca Toscano, and Dr. Young-Ro Yoon
Min-Jeong Kwon, 2023, Mars Hill University, Assistant professor, Dissertation title: Essays on the Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on Financial Decisions, Dissertation committee: Dr. Anand Jha (co-chair), Dr. Manoj Kulchania (co-chair), Dr. Mbodja Mougoue, Dr. Francesca Toscano, and Dr. Ashrafee Hossain
Trang Doan, 2018, Eastern Illinois University, Assistant professor of finance, Dissertation title: Gender in the C-Suite: Evidence from the CFO hiring decision, Dissertation committee: Dr. Mai-Iskandar Datta (chair), Dr. Sudip Datta, Dr. Manoj Kulchania, and Dr. Li Way Lee
Norkeith Smith, 2015, California State University - Chico, Assistant professor, Dissertation title: Essays on Horizontal Divestiture and Product Market Relationships, Dissertation committee: Dr. Ranjan D'Mello, Dr. Margaret Smoller, Dr. Atif Ikram and Dr. Li Way Lee
Matt Ross, 2014, Western Michigan University, Assistant professor, Dissertation title: Elections and Asset Pricing: The Politically Sensitive Equity of US Military Contractors, Dissertation committee: Dr. Mbodja Mougoué (chair)
Chenguang Shang, 2014, Bentley University, Assistant professor, Dissertation title: Deal Innovations in Mergers and Acquisitions: Do Go-Shop Provisions Create Real Benefits? Dissertation committee: Dr. Sudip Datta (chair), Dr. Mai Iskandar-Datta, Dr. Scott Julian and Dr. Robert Rossana
Xinghua Gao, 2012, Governor State University, Assistant professor, Dissertation title: Economic Deregulation and Corporate Dividend Policy Dissertation committee: Dr. Ranjan D'Mello (chair), Dr. Mbodja Mougoue, Dr. Margaret Smoller and Dr. Li Way Lee
Yonghong Jia, 2012, Iowa State University, Assistant professor, Dissertation title: Essays on International Cash Holdings, Dissertation committee: Dr. Mai Iskandar-Datta (chair), Dr. Sudip Datta, Dr. Mbodja Mougoué and Dr. Kevin Cotter
Mark Gruskin, 2011, Penn State Lehigh Valley, Assistant professor, Dissertation title: Essays on Reverse Leveraged Buyouts, Dissertation committee: Dr. Sudip Datta (chair), Dr. Ranjan D'Mello, Dr. Mai Iskandar-Datta, Dr. Robert Rossana
Curriculum requirements
The Ph.D. in Business Administration requires a minimum of 90 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree. The division of these credits is as follows:
Master's level courses (7000 level)
These courses form the business core of the program and provide a cross-section of business operations, ethics and strategy.
All courses are three credits. Details are available by clicking each course link. At least 15 credits are required.
Students can transfer 15 master's level credits to their doctoral academic plan.
- BA 7000 Managerial Accounting (3 credits)
- BA 7020 Corporate Financial Management (3 credits)
- ECO 7020 Fundamentals of Economic Analysis (3 credits)
- FIN 7220 Advanced Managerial Finance (3 credits)
- FIN 7230 Investment Policies (4 credits)
Finance courses
The courses below form the doctoral core for the finance track. These courses establish the high-level knowledge base required of Ph.D. students.
Each course is three credits unless noted. Course details are available by clicking each course link. At least 13 credits are required.
- BA 8777 Professional Development (1-3 credits)
- BA 8120 Theory of Finance
- BA 8121 Seminar in Corporate Finance
- BA 8122 Empirical Methods in Finance
- BA 8123 Seminar in Corporate Governance
- BA 8124 Seminar in Asset Pricing
Quantitative methods
The courses below form the quantitative emphasis of the finance track. These courses establish the high-level quantitative base required of Ph.D. students.
Each course is four credits unless noted. Course details are available by clicking each course link. At least 11 credits are required.
- ECO 6100 Introduction to Econometrics
- ECO 7020 Fundamentals of Economic Analysis
- ECO 7100 Econometrics I
- ECO 7110 Econometrics II
Minor and elective courses
To satisfy the minor requirement, students must enroll in the following courses outside the Mike Ilitch School of Business that support their Ph.D. track and area of interest.
- ECO 7000 Microeconomics Theory I
- ECO 7050 Macroeconomic Theory I
Dissertation research and preparation
The Ph.D. program requires the submission and defense of a dissertation, based on the student's original research.
During its preparation, the student registers for BA 9991 - BA 9994 Dissertation Research and Direction I IV (7.5 credits each semester, 30 credits total).
Graduation requirements
All coursework must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the Graduate School and the Mike Ilitch School of Business.
Students enroll on a full-time basis and must complete the program within seven years of admission.
Learn more
Our Ph.D. program is a member of DocNet-Consortium of Business Doctoral Programs and the Ph.D. Project.