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Ph.D. in Accounting Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: What do you look for when you evaluate potential students? A: We look at the "big picture" in evaluating applications. This means that we look at traditional measures like GMAT, GPA (particularly undergraduate accounting GPA), recommendation letters, professional experience and transcripts. But, we're also interested in intangibles like fit with the program and placement potential. This is why we recommend that potential students visit campus and get to know the faculty and current Ph.D. students. It also helps applicants assess the program relative to their own goals and objectives. Q: What are the minimum and preferred GMAT scores for admission to your program? A: The College of Business has a minimum GMAT requirement of 600. However, recently admitted accounting doctoral students, have GMAT scores that range from 640-770. Q: I'm a non-native English speaker. What are the TOEFL or iBT requirements? A: The minimum score for TOEFL is 600 if the paper version is taken and 250 for the computer version. We also require that non-native English speaking applicants take the Test of Spoken English (TSE) in order to qualify for a teaching assistantship. Both the TOEFL and TSE exams have been combined into the new, internet-based TOEFL (iBT). The minimum score on the iBT exam is 100. Q: Can students start the program in the spring or summer semesters? A: No. Students start the program only in the fall semester. Q: How many students do you admit in a typical year? A: We typically recruit a class of 2-3 new students each year. Q: Do you have part-time or online options for the doctoral program in accounting? A: No. The doctoral program in accounting at FSU is full time and requires students to be in residence. Q: Do I need a postgraduate degree to apply? A: No. However, many admitted students have a masters degree. We have an option for students to enter directly into our program without a graduate degree. This option requires a year-long sequence of courses (to a large extent to meet program prerequisites). Q: Do you admit students who have not completed all of the prerequisites? A: Yes. However, not completing any prerequisites prior to starting the doctoral program obviously adds to the coursework to be completed during the program. Q: How long does it take to complete the doctoral program? A: The FSU doctoral program in accounting is designed to be a four-year program, with two years of coursework followed by two years of intensive research work, culminating with the dissertation. Q: What is the emphasis in the doctoral program in accounting at FSU? A: Although we value teaching a great deal and help our students excel in this area, a Ph.D. in accounting is primarily a research-focused degree. We seek to prepare students to do high quality scholarly research in accounting and to place them in respected universities of their choice around the world. Q: What do you mean by "research in accounting"? A: Scholarly research in accounting can address a variety of broad research questions related to the profession. In this way, it is different than the applied research that consulting firms might do for a specific client. Our program allows students to follow one of two basic tracks: (1) archival-based research typically using databases of corporate disclosures, stock prices and/or financial analyst forecasts, or (2) experimental research involving human subjects in a laboratory setting. The archival track includes finance and econometrics courses as support areas, whereas the experimental track includes psychology or economics courses as a support area. Thus, for example, rather than conducting research for a client to determine whether a particular accounting treatment is consistent with GAAP, scholarly research might be concerned with whether financial statement users understand the accounting treatment. This could be a topic of interest for students in either track. Q: What can I do to prepare for a doctoral program in accounting? A: Since our doctoral program is focused on producing research, the best thing to do would be to become familiar with the content and methods involved in the research process. We encourage applicants to skim through academic journals that publish accounting research, such as The Accounting Review, Journal of Accounting Research or Journal of Accounting and Economics. Q: Can I get financial assistance? A: Yes. Each student admitted to the doctoral program in accounting gets financial assistance The standard assistantship/fellowship package includes in-state or out-of-state tuition waivers, as well as a cash stipend of $22,500. After the first year in the program, out-of-state applicants are expected to establish Florida residency and will receive in-state tuition waivers. Students are responsible for non-academic university fees, of approximately $470 for in-state students and $740 for out-of-state students each semester. There are also fellowships available for potential students. You can read more about these fellowships and other financial opportunities available to doctoral students at the graduate studies website: http://www.gradstudies.fsu.edu/Funding-Awards Q: I hear that your program has a reputation for producing minority graduates. Is this true? A: We have a very diverse student body at FSU and we are proud of it. Along these lines, we know of no other university that has produced as many minority doctoral graduates in business as FSU. We welcome applications from students of all ethnic and social backgrounds. Q: Do you waive the application fee for McKnight applicants? A: Yes, we do. Q: Where can I get more information about the FSU doctoral program in accounting? A: For general questions about graduate education in the FSU College of Business or the application process, please contact Jennifer Clark (jsclark2@cob.fsu.edu) in our graduate programs office. Professor Rick Morton (rmorton@fsu.edu) is the accounting doctoral program director, and he can address other questions concerning the program of study. Q: Where can I get more information about other doctoral programs in accounting? A: The American Accounting Association is an excellent source for information about accounting doctoral programs. You can learn more by visiting their website: http://aaahq.org/temp/phd/StudyMaterials/index.htm. For more information on the Accounting Ph.D Program, please contact Dr. Rick Morton. |