In addition to formal coursework, the student must reach these milestones:
- Summer Research Paper
Students are required to complete a potentially publishable research paper by the end of the third semester in the program. Students should take advantage of first-year coursework to develop a viable proposal, and are then expected to devote much of the summer following the first year to this project.
- Preliminary Examination in Finance
Normally taken after the fourth semester, this exam covers broad material in the fields of economics and financial theory, econometrics, and empirical methods.
- Qualifying Examination (Dissertation Proposal)
In order to be on track for four-year degree completion and enter the academic job market during the fourth year, students should defend a written dissertation proposal by the end of their third academic year in the program. To remain in good standing in the program, students must defend a dissertation proposal by January 1 of their fourth year in residence. After the proposal is successfully defended, a student is formally admitted into PhD candidacy.
- PhD Dissertation Defense
The final dissertation defense is normally held during the eighth semester. According to the rules of the Graduate School, the dissertation must be defended no later than four years after the dissertation proposal is defended.
