The PhD program in Finance at the University of Missouri emphasizes university-level research and teaching skills. The program requires a minimum of 72 credit hours of graduate work beyond the baccalaureate degree. The typical time to complete the degree is four to five years.<br><br>The program of study is flexible to accommodate individual student interests. In the first two years of the program, students complete courses in finance, accountancy, economics, and statistics. Following the completion of their doctoral coursework requirements, students take the comprehensive exam. The exam consists of written and oral sections and is typically scheduled prior to the beginning of the fall semester in the third year of study.<br><br>The doctoral seminars and comprehensive exam process prepare students to write original dissertations in finance. These dissertations address questions of interest to business executives, asset managers, and economic policymakers. Students also have the opportunity to pursue joint research projects with world-renowned faculty in the Department of Finance.