PhD Programs in Accounting
PhD Programs in Accounting : What to expect
There are so many excellent reasons for you to pursue your doctoral degree in the field of accounting right now. Career-wise, it’s a wise decision because there is a shortage of doctoral degree holders in the accounting field. But daydreaming about PhD programs in accounting is one thing, committing to one is something else entirely. What exactly does a PhD program in accounting entail?
Comparing PhD study to other graduate and undergraduate programs
PhD programs are significantly different than undergraduate work, of course, but they’re also quite different from master’s programs. PhD programs are not nearly as class/course oriented; rather, they’re designed to focus on conducting research. In graduate school, you probably learned to focus your research on primary sources of information–i.e. you got your information from researchers who conducted it. In PhD programs, you’re going to learn to become the primary source, not just to track it down.
This means that candidates in PhD programs in accounting need to be driven, motivated, and independent. You will work closely with an advisor, and may assist your advisor in his or her own research–but so far as your research, your dissertation, you will need to take the lead, and do so decisively. Students often find the transition from the classroom to the “field” as it were a hard one. If you don’t love research, writing, and teaching, think twice before you apply to any PhD programs in accounting.
Of course, you will have some coursework. Your required classes will be minimal and will focus on research and analysis methods. Depending on the topic of your dissertation, you may wish to take additional upper level courses that help you build a foundation of information that relates to your topic before and during your research. Be sure to choose among PhD programs in accounting that have the courses you’ll want to take available.
|
|