FAQs

Will I be considered if I apply after the admission deadline?

Applications submitted before the December 15 admission deadline will be given priority consideration for admission and financial aid. The second-round application deadline is January 15. Late applications may be considered depending on available space in the program until the final deadline of April 15.

Can the GMAT/GRE requirement be waived?

No. GMAT or GRE scores are required for all applicants. Please make sure to submit your official GMAT or GRE report with your application as soon as possible. Applications without official GRE or GMAT scores will not be reviewed by the committee.

Is TOEFL or IELTS required for all international applicants?

Yes. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for all applicants whose undergraduate degrees are from non-English speaking countries. For a list of qualifying exempt countries, please refer to: English Language Proficiency Requirements | Graduate Admissions | West Virginia University. For requirements related to Graduate Teaching Assistants, please refer to: English Proficiency for GTAs | Global Affairs | West Virginia University.

I received an MBA with a concentration in finance from another school. Will I be considered for admission to the Finance Ph.D. Program?

Yes, we believe it is important to have a broad understanding of the key areas of finance including corporate finance, investments, derivatives, and financial statement analysis. Students with this background will receive strong consideration in the application process.

I received an MBA with no concentration or a non-finance concentration. Will I be considered for admission to the Finance Ph.D. Program?

It is likely that you will need to enhance your finance background with additional courses beyond what you took in a general MBA program. Most general MBA programs require corporate finance and financial statement analysis but not necessarily courses in investments, portfolio theory, and financial markets. These are important components for a broad perspective of finance necessary to be successful in a Ph.D. Program in Finance.

Do I need to identify/contact a potential dissertation advisor before submitting my application?

You do not need to identify or contact a potential advisor at this stage. It is useful to consider what areas of research you find interesting and to look at recent research of our finance faculty. However, we do not expect that at the time of the application you will know exactly what your research interests are going to be.

What financial aid is available to accepted doctoral students?

We offer 12-month graduate assistantships, including a salary, medical insurance coverage, and tuition waivers. The assistantships carry research and/or teaching responsibilities within the Department of Finance amounting to 20 hours per week.  

Do you require a personal interview?

After reviewing your application materials, we may invite you to a personal interview. The interview may be conducted by Zoom (or in person, if practical).

When will I know if I have been admitted?

If you submit your application by the deadline, and you are selected for an interview, you can expect to hear from us by the end of January. The final admission decisions are generally made by mid-February.

When do classes start?

Fall semester classes start in mid to late August.

Can I attend the Ph.D. program part-time?

No. This is a full-time program that requires students to be in residence all year, including summers.