School of Accountancy Doctoral Program - Frequently Asked Questions

The School of Accountancy program is quite small, allowing for greater student/professor interaction. As such, an average of two students is admitted each year. Generally, admissions occur only during fall semester.

Check the College of Business Web site for the deadline, which is usually January 2.

The School of Accountancy requires that a GMAT score be submitted as part of the application process. GMAT scores must have been earned within 5 years of the desired entry term. (For additional information, see the University's graduate web site - http://grad.usf.edu)

Yes. TOEFL scores are required if English is not the applicant's native language, or the applicant has not earned a degree in the United States. TOEFL scores must be earned within two years of the semester of entry into our program. Any applicant with a TOEFL score of less than 79 on the internet-based test, 213 on the computer-based test or 550 on the paper-based test is automatically denied admission.

Since all School of Accountancy Ph.D. students are required to teach as part of the degree requirement, the School of Accountancy requires that iBT scores be submitted with the application. In accordance with University policy a score of at least 26 is required on the Speaking Section of the iBT. (For additional information see the University's graduate web site (http://grad.usf.edu)

The policy of the School of Accountancy is that to be admitted to the program an applicant must be proficient in accounting as evidenced by one or more of the following: a bachelor's degree in accounting, a master's degree in accounting, professional certifications, or significant and relevant work experience in an accounting field.

The selection committee evaluates a student's GMAT score, GPA, work experience, reason for pursuing a Ph.D. and letters of recommendation. A GMAT score of 600, or better, is generally necessary for an applicant to be considered by the committee. While overall GPA is considered, grades in accounting are particularly scrutinized. Because of the small program, the committee carefully evaluates the applicant's reason for pursuing a Ph.D. The School of Accountancy is looking for students who are highly motivated and have a basic understanding of what is entailed in earning a Ph.D. Additionally, the committee looks for a good fit between the applicant's interests and the interests of the School of Accountancy's Ph.D. program faculty.

Yes. The program has a tradition of a strong accounting information systems focus, which is combined with another area of accounting, such as audit or financial accounting. More recently we have started to support other areas of accounting. Additionally, the Ph.D. program focuses more on behavioral research than archival research. However, we do support other research interests.

No. Only full-time students are admitted.

The average time to completion is 5 years. However, it is possible to complete the program in 4 years and several of our students have completed within four years. Completion time relates to student ability and motivation. University policy states that students must complete the dissertations within seven years of being admitted to the program.

Of those students completing the program, all but one student was placed in an academic institution. The non-placed student opted not to seek employment in an academic institution. Students have accepted offers from a variety of institutions; for example, public and private universities, and Ph.D. granting and non-Ph.D. granting universities. Since 2000 our graduates have taken positions at Wake Forest, Western Illinois University, University of San Diego, California State University—East Bay, Northern Illinois University, North Carolina State University, University of North Texas, Texas A & M—Corpus Christi, California State University–LA, Louisiana State University, Miami University, Millsaps College, Old Dominion and Texas A&M.

Dr. Uday Murthy, Interim Director, School of Accountancy
umurthy@usf.edu
813-974-6516