Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many students are admitted to the program each year?
A: The School of Accountancy program is quite small, allowing for greater student/professor interaction. As such, generally two students are admitted each year. Admissions typically occur only during fall semester.
Q: When should I submit my application to the Ph.D. program?
A: Check the College of Business Web site for the deadline which is usually December 31.
Q: Are GRE scores an acceptable substitute for the GMAT?
A: 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 catalog - http://catalog.grad.usf.edu)
Q: Are TOEFL scores required at the time of application?
A: 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. Any applicant with a TOEFL score of less that 213 on the computer-based test or less than 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 TSE (Test of Spoken English) or SPEAK scores be submitted with the application for such candidates. A TSE score of at least 50 is required.
Q: What factors are considered by the selection committee?
A: 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.
Q: Does your Ph.D. program have a specific focus?
A: Yes. The program has a strong accounting information systems focus, which is combined with another area of accounting, such as audit or financial accounting. Additionally, the Ph.D. program focuses more on behavioral research than archival research.
Q: Can I enroll in the Ph.D. program part-time?
A: No. Only full-time students are admitted.
Q: How long will it take to complete the Ph.D. program?
A: 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. As a caveat, the School of Accountancy requires that Ph.D. students have a master’s of accountancy (MAcc) degree or its equivalent. Therefore, any student accepted into the Ph.D. program without a MAcc degree will be required to complete additional coursework, which can increase the time required to complete the Ph.D. program. University policy states that students must complete dissertations within four years of being admitted to candidacy, which occurs when the candidate has passed the doctoral comprehensive examination and has formed a dissertation committee.
Q: What is the structure of the USF PhD program?
A: Typically the program requires two years of course work, after which the student must pass a comprehensive examination. The student is then admitted to candidacy, following which the student must develop and successfully defend a dissertation proposal and then complete and defend the dissertation
Q: Where have your graduates been placed?
A: 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 the 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.
Q: Who should I contact if I have additional questions about the Ph.D. program?
A: Dr. Jacqueline Reck, Associate Professor, School of Accountancy
jreck@coba.usf.edu
813-974-6721
