Frequently Asked Questions
- Who should apply?
Our program is designed for students who desire an academic position at a top university to engage in innovative and influential research. You should not apply if your primary goal for getting a PhD is to teach.
- How many recommendation letters are required?
Three letters are required, but you may provide more if you wish.
- What are the Codes for sending test scores?
GMAT code is J7Z-5J-13
TOEFL code is 5812
GRE code is 5812- What is the average test score of recently admitted applicants?
The average GMAT score of recently admitted applicants is 720.
- Is a Masters degree required for admission to the Ph.D. program?
No.
- Is a background in accounting required for admission to the program?
No. We prefer entering students to have a proficiency in accounting and business similar to that of an undergraduate accounting major, but do not require students to have a formal accounting degree to demonstrate this proficiency.
- Is formal working experience in accounting required for admission to the Ph.D. program?
No. We prefer entering students to have formal working experience in a business environment for at least one year.
- Do you accept applications after the deadline?
Yes. We still consider applications after the deadline if the positions have not been filled.
- What should I expect after submitting my application?
If your application material is complete, the Ph.D. program coordinator may contact you as early as in December for further questions. Students on the short list will be invited for campus interviews between December and the spring of the following year for the Fall term start. After the campus interviews, offers may be extended. Please do not contact us for status updates until after the first week of March.
- How often are new students admitted?
We admit new students once per year during the Fall semester.
- How long does it take to complete the Ph.D. program?
The program typically takes 5 years to complete and requires full-time residence during this period. Students may complete the degree study within 4 years.
- Do you offer a distance or a weekend program?
No. All PhD students are required to study in residence throughout the program.
- Does a Masters degree reduce the time required for the Ph.D. program?
No. The required course work in the Ph.D. program rarely overlaps with courses from a professional Master’s degree program.
- Is health insurance available to graduate students?
The University allows certain graduate students to participate in a low-cost health insurance program. Visit the Student Health Care Center website for more details on the program.
- What sort of math, statistics, or economics background is useful for the Ph.D. program?
Minimum math skills include a full year of calculus and at least some study of matrix or linear algebra. It is preferable to complete at least the math courses before your first semester in the Ph.D. program. The following UF classes (or equivalent at other universities) provide a useful background before starting the PhD program. Occasionally, we admit students with math deficiencies and ask them to take the math courses in their first year of the Ph.D. program.
- MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
- MAC 2312 Analytical Geometry & Calculus 2
- MAC 2313 Analytical Geometry & Calculus 3
- MAS 4105 Linear Algebra 1
- STA 4321 Mathematical Statistics I
- STA 4322 Mathematical Statistics II
- ECO 3101 Intermediate Microeconomics
- Where should I look for academic accounting papers to get a feeling of accounting research?
- The Accounting Review
- Journal of Accounting Research
- Journal of Accounting & Economics
- Review of Accounting Studies
- Contemporary Accounting Research
- Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory
- The Journal of the American Taxation Association
Visit the Faculty Profiles section of the Fisher School of Accounting website to learn about the research activities of our current faculty.