Finance

Degree Types: PhD

The Finance doctoral program offers rigorous training in finance, economics, mathematics and statistics, combined with supervised independent research. This preparation enables students to make original contributions to the study of financial markets and institutions and to pursue successful research careers.  

The program emphasizes both empirical and theoretical methods and aims to produce scholars capable of creative, high-level research in finance and economics. Students work closely with faculty to develop their research agendas and benefit from strong ties with Northwestern’s Department of Economics through joint seminars, shared advising, and research collaboration. Faculty expertise spans a wide range of topics, fostering an intellectually rich environment for innovative research.

Active research areas focus on asset pricing and corporate finance and include corporate governance, household financial decisions, macro-finance, financial crises, the pricing of securities in financial markets, international finance, financial history, development economics, market microstructure, regulation, and financial econometrics.

Additional resources:

• Department website
• Program handbook(s)

Degree Requirements

The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in The Graduate School Policy Guide.

Requirements can also be found in the Program Guidelines for Finance PhD students issued by the Kellogg School of Management.

Master’s

While the goal of our doctoral program is the awarding of a PhD degree, a Master of Science (MS) degree may be awarded to currently enrolled, qualified Kellogg doctoral students. Students who are continuing for a PhD degree, or students who withdraw from the PhD program, may be considered for one of two MS degree options noted below.

1. MS in Managerial Economics & Strategy – successfully completing the nine PhD course sequence in macroeconomics, microeconomics, and econometrics.
2. MS in Finance – successfully completing the nine PhD course sequence in economics and the six PhD course sequence in finance.

Both MS degrees require that students be in good academic standing and have successfully completed the required coursework for each degree earning quality letter-graded courses (ABC, not P/NP or S/U) authorized for graduate credit with a cumulative 3.0 GPA across the sequences.

PhD

Total Units Required: 18

Students in the PhD program are required to take 18 courses or a minimum of 3 courses in fall, winter, and spring  quarters during years one and two. Required courses for the degree are listed below.

• Examinations:  Students are expected to demonstrate competence in economics and finance. (1) Economics: At the end of year one students must achieve a 3.0 GPA in the nine required courses in economics. (2) Finance: At the end of year two students must pass the preliminary (field) exams in the two core areas: asset pricing and corporate finance. Note: Preliminary exam waivers may be provided if students achieve a 3.6 GPA across the six-course Finance sequence. Oral examination of a dissertation prospectus (“proposal”) is presented to faculty by the end of fall quarter of the fourth year.
• Research/Projects: Presentation of current research during PhD student seminars. Oral presentation of a research paper at the end of summer of the second year, at which time the performance on required courses in economics and finance, prelim exams and second-year paper are reviewed and students are passed into candidacy.
• PhD Dissertation: Original and significant research; topic should be selected in second year or beginning of third year, in collaboration with the advisor or advisors; presentation of preliminary results at department seminars from the third year until completion of the program. 
• Final Evaluations: Oral final examination on dissertation and submission of an approved dissertation.