Earning an Online PhD in Finance

Pursuing Online PhD Programs in Finance may help you develop the expertise in the financial field to help both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations develop and maintain top financial strategies. You may also be able to share that knowledge by pursuing a career as a professor or post-secondary teacher at a university or college. That’s because online phd programs in financehelp students gain an expert-level understanding of asset pricing in stocks, bonds, and derivatives and how they may affect corporate financial statements.

Through courses designed to help students understand the intricacies of finance, financial planning, strategies, and software, a PhD in finance degree online provides students the ability to apply theory to helping businesses, organizations, and even government agencies create budgets, manage spending, and better understand the marketplace. [i] Plus, choosing to pursue a finance doctorate degree online may provide the added freedom and flexibility to perform coursework around your busy schedule.

Click on any of the sponsored listings on this page for individual program descriptions of online PhD programs in finance and to contact the schools directly to request more information.

Did You Know?
In 2010, the United States Mint produced nearly 1,856,000,000 one dollar bills.

Online PhD Programs in Finance: Basics

Most doctorate online finance degree programs require you to have already earned a bachelors degree and a masters degree in finance, economics, mathematics, engineering, or other quantitative disciplines. This normally provides applicants with the background necessary to undertake doctoral studies. Some programs also may have minimum GRE scores, as well as specific course requirements while earning your bachelors or masters degree.

Once you’ve been accepted, it typically takes full-time students three years to earn their degree, though some programs take four years. That’s because finance covers a wide range of topics, such as, investments, asset pricing, corporate finance, financial intermediation, and financial statement analysis. PhD in finance online degree programs and courses are structured to provide you the skills and knowledge necessary to be considered an expert in the field of finance.Remember that program lengths for online PhD programs in financewill vary by school.

By completely understanding all of the different components of financial theory, corporate finance, and continuous-time modeling, you may be able to contribute to the future financial theories and apply them to organizational success. Depending on your individual goals and the program you choose, this may be either as a professor, a professional applying the knowledge obtained while earning your online doctorate in finance degree, or both.

This also means that you’ll be taught the skills and knowledge necessary to evaluate emerging trends, technological and social influences, and may have the ability to combine ethical, legal, and regulatory concepts into theory and practice. By learning key concepts and applications of financial analysis to budgeting and spending, you may have the influence to help companies and organizations better understand the marketplace and develop strategies for sustainable growth.

Choosing the Right PhD Finance Online Program

When deciding to pursue a PhD in finance degree online, there are many aspects to consider. This includes choosing a program that fits your goals and objectives by understanding the difference between a PhD in finance online and a DBA in finance online, and how each may enhance your career in different ways. But it also includes the benefits of earning your degree online, such as the freedom to perform coursework on your schedule and to participate in more in-depth class discussions. That’s because some students aren’t as nervous about sharing their true opinions in online discussions as they are in person, which may promote deeper class discussions during your online PhD in finance programs.

Different Doctorate in Finance Degrees Online: PhD vs. DBA

Typically, there are two degree options when it comes to earning a doctorate online finance degree: a PhD (doctor of philosophy) or a DBA (doctor of business administration). While there are many similarities between the two, there are some important differences.

Both a PhD and a DBA in finance online are structured so that students take courses in the first two years, and then, in the third, and possibly fourth year, focus on developing their thesis and oral defense dissertation. However, there are some programs that are blended, or combined between full-time and part-time. While these degrees take longer to earn, they may provide students with the best possible flexibility than simply earning your degree online full-time.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Most PhD programs that offer an online finance degree focus on providing students an education for careers in academia. It’s also important to remember that some of these programs are designed for full-time students who can dedicate more time to researching and developing theories that contribute to business knowledge.
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA): As opposed to focusing on research, a DBA degree in finance is tailored more to students who plan on applying theory to businesses and organizations. This may help students enhance their career while working in the business world as opposed to teaching and researching.

Common Courses While Pursuing Your DBA or Online PhD Finance Degree

While earning your online phd programs in finance or DBA in finance online, courses may prepare students to contribute to academic research though theoretical and empirical investigation, or apply that knowledge to the success of businesses or organizations. Classes may focus on topics such as financing and investment decisions of firms, corporate governance, behavior and detriments of stocks, bonds, and derivatives, and regulations. These courses may also help you apply that knowledge to helping businesses, financial institutions, consulting firms, or government agencies conduct complex financial projects.

Courses you may take while pursuing Online PhD Programs in Finance include:

Advanced Corporate Finance
Advanced Asset Pricing
Price Theory
Qualitative and Case Study Methodology for Business Analysis Research
Quantitative Business Data Analysis
Econometrics
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Investments
Probability

Possible Careers After Attending Online PhDPrograms in Finance

Because finance covers so many different aspects of the financial success and stability of businesses and organizations, there are a number of different careers that you may pursue after earning your degree through online phd programs in finance.

These careers may include, but aren’t limited to:

Post-Secondary Professor
Economist
Financial Research Specialist
Statistician
Financial Analyst
Budget Analyst
Financial Manager
Investment Banker
Accountants and Auditors
Miscellaneous Managers

One of the most common professions for those with a doctorate in finance degree is financial manager. Normally, financial managers have at least a bachelors degree, plus a minimum of five years experience in a business or finance occupation. However, more employers now seek candidates with a masters degree or higher. That’s because these advanced degrees may help students develop a deeper understanding of financial analysis methods, as well as the software commonly used in the field. [ii]

Potential PhD in Finance Salary

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the number of financial managers to increase 7% during the years 2014 to 2024. This is because the United States will continue to be an international financial center creating demand for financial managers with cash management expertise. [iii] The annual median salary for financial managers in 2015 was $117,990.

Take the Next Step to Earning Your PhD in Finance Online Degree

There are many options available to you when seeking online phd programs in finance. Plus, deciding to earn your degree online may provide you with the freedom and flexibility to pursue your degree around your busy schedule. That’s why it’s important to research programs to find the perfect match for your goals.

Click on any of the sponsored listings on this page for more information about individual programs. That includes program descriptions, specific admission requirements, and courses you may take. You can even contact the school directly to request more information on online phd programs in finance. Research as many schools as you need to until you find the perfect match for you to earn your online phd in finance!

[i] bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm#tab-2 [ii] bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm#tab-4 [iii] bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm#tab-5