Dartmouth Finance PhD Program
Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business offers a rigorous and highly selective PhD program in Finance, consistently ranked among the top programs globally. It’s known for its small size, fostering close interaction between students and faculty, and its strong placement record in leading academic institutions.
Program Structure and Curriculum
The program typically takes five years to complete. The first two years are primarily dedicated to coursework, covering a broad range of topics in economics, econometrics, and finance. Core courses include microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, statistical inference, asset pricing, corporate finance, and financial econometrics. Students also have the opportunity to take elective courses tailored to their research interests, often exploring areas like behavioral finance, market microstructure, and derivatives.
Emphasis is placed on developing strong analytical and methodological skills. Students are expected to engage actively in research from the beginning, working closely with faculty on independent projects. This hands-on approach is a hallmark of the Dartmouth program, allowing students to quickly develop the skills necessary to conduct cutting-edge research.
Faculty and Research
Tuck’s finance faculty are internationally recognized for their contributions to various areas of finance. They are actively engaged in research and committed to mentoring PhD students. The faculty’s research interests span a wide range of topics, providing students with diverse research opportunities. Students benefit from the close mentorship and collaborative environment, often co-authoring papers with faculty members.
The program encourages students to present their research at leading conferences and publish in top-tier academic journals. The support and guidance provided by the faculty significantly contribute to students’ research success.
Admissions
Admission to the Dartmouth Finance PhD program is highly competitive. The program seeks candidates with strong academic backgrounds in economics, mathematics, statistics, or related fields. A solid foundation in calculus, linear algebra, probability, and statistics is essential. Strong GRE scores (quantitative reasoning is particularly important) and excellent letters of recommendation are also crucial components of the application. Prior research experience is highly valued.
The admissions committee looks for evidence of intellectual curiosity, analytical abilities, and a genuine interest in pursuing academic research in finance.
Placement
The Dartmouth Finance PhD program boasts an excellent placement record. Graduates have secured faculty positions at prestigious universities worldwide, including top business schools and economics departments. The program’s emphasis on rigorous training and research, combined with the strong reputation of the Tuck School of Business, contributes to its graduates’ success in the academic job market.
The program provides dedicated support to students throughout the job search process, including assistance with preparing application materials, conducting mock interviews, and networking with potential employers.