Testimonials

Joining the Finance Ph.D. program at Chambers College of Business and Economics is like investing in a high-yield future — intellectually and professionally! The program not only offers a challenging curriculum but also cultivates skills in research, teaching, and programming. The faculty are committed to exceptional mentorship, fostering a family-like, supportive environment.

Being part of the WVU Finance Ph.D. program is a unique experience that leaves a footprint in the heart of every graduate. I personally had the opportunity of working on research under the guidance of great Finance Faculty that were genuinely interested in helping me learn and succeed. It has been a humble experience that I am really thankful for. My years at WVU were the beginning of long-term collaborations with Finance Faculty and some of my Ph.D. colleagues. 

  The WVU Finance Ph.D. program is a highly competitive one. It first exposes students to various finance areas, such as investments, asset pricing, market microstructure, behavioral finance, corporate finance, etc. Then, students identify their own research interests. The program also strongly supports/facilitates students’ work on research by providing access to various well-known datasets. As a Ph.D. student, I also had the great opportunity of teaching various Finance classes. This experience proved to be extremely useful for my work after graduation.

WVU Ph.D. program fosters a close professor-student relationship, which enables great amount of individual attention. The faculty genuinely cares about their students, and it was a joyful experience to study at the Chambers College.

The best decision I have ever made in my life so far is to accept Finance Ph.D. program offer from WVU. The program gives students much flexibility in choosing their supervisors and research fields. All faculties in the department are very nice and are always willing to give their best academic suggestions as well as life tips to students. I have learnt from them how to be a good researcher; how to be a good teacher; how to be a good person. More importantly, after five-years of study, I built very close and strong relations with some professors, and I believe they will be my life-time friends and research partners.

I cannot recommend West Virginia University's Finance Ph.D. program highly enough. The level of mentorship and guidance I received from my dedicated advisor was unparalleled, allowing me to publish two A+ ranked papers in esteemed journals even before graduating. The faculty is a treasure trove of expertise; professors are incredibly approachable and willing to lend their insights on any query, regardless of whether it falls within your specific area of concentration. The curriculum is robust and comprehensive, covering everything from corporate finance to asset pricing, ensuring that students leave with a well-rounded skill set. Furthermore, the program fosters a sense of community that transcends borders; I've built lifelong friendships and professional connections with classmates who have gone on to hold positions in academia across the United States and around the world, including Shanghai, Macau, and Saudi Arabia. This program is a crucible for academic and personal growth, and I consider myself fortunate to be an alumnus.

All views expressed are my own and do not reflect the opinions of any employer or entity with which I may be associated.

I have found that West Virginia University’s PhD in Finance program trains its students to a level others are often surprised by. Our graduates are typically well-rounded and can engage as easily in discussions of corporate finance as they can in market microstructure. There is no doubt that the faculty who painstakingly mold these students into future researchers, policy makers, and corporate executives can stand as proud as the mountains they teach in. If one believes even moderately in positive assortative matching and the certification effects of career progression—then the placements from this program should provide such necessary evidence of quality for a program of this size. I believe the phrase used in boxing, as Jennifer might tell you, is “punching above your weight class.”