Phd in finance exams

qualifying examination

The purpose of the qualifying examination is to examine whether students have sufficient background and foundation to pursue rigorous financial and economic analysis in various modern finance seminar classes that will be offered in the second year of the Ph.D. program. The examination is comprised of written questions in Microeconomic theory, Econometric theory and Financial theory.

Administration of the Exam

The qualifying examination generally will be given during May of each year (usually, a week after the end of the Spring semester's finals). The Finance Ph.D. Coordinator will solicit examination questions from faculty members of the Finance department and other departments, and will prepare and administer the examination. Each semester the Finance Ph.D. Coordinator may specify a departmental faculty member as administrator of the departmental examination process.

Performance

A student must receive either a "pass" (C+ average or better) or "fail" on the basis of the evaluations of the qualifying exam. No conditional passes will be allowed. A student receiving a D grade or lower on either Microeconomic theory, Econometric theory, or Financial theory will automatically fail the qualifying exam. The decision regarding a student's performance on the qualifying exam shall be provided to the student within three weeks of the completion of the exam. This decision will be communicated to the student in writing by the Finance Ph.D. Coordinator with copies to the BCB Office of Student Services and the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee. In the case of a fail, the letter shall cite the specific deficiencies warranting such action.

A failure of the qualifying exam will result in dismissal from the doctoral program in Finance.

Notification of Results

A student must receive either a "pass" (C+ or better) or "fail" on the basis of the evaluations of the written exam. No conditional passes will be allowed. The decision regarding a student's performance on the qualifying exam shall be provided to the student within three weeks of the completion of the exam. This decision will be communicated to the student in writing by the Finance Ph.D. Coordinator with copies to the BCB Office of Student Services and the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee. In the case of a fail, the letter shall cite the specific deficiencies warranting such action.