School of Accountancy
W. P. Carey School of Business
P.O. Box 873606
Tempe, AZ 85287-3606

Phone: 480-965-3631
Fax: 480-965-8392
Email: wpcareyacc@asu.edu

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Accountancy >> Ph.D. Application Process

APPLICATION PROCESS

The School of Accountancy Doctoral Committee reviews applications at the beginning of the January for the class of students selected to begin the Doctoral Program each Fall semester. 
Applicants are encouraged to apply by December and submit all required application materials to the Graduate College by no later than January 15.

  • Admission is granted for the Fall term only.
  • The online application deadline is January 15
  • The supporting documents deadline is January 15

Doctoral Programs applicants need to submit the following to the Graduate College:

It is critical that you write your Document Reference Number on all materials prior to mailing. This number can be obtained from the Graduate College Application Checklist which is the last page of the online application.

You should prepare your personal statement in advance to be uploaded into the online application.  Be sure to carefully proofread your statement prior to submitting.  Please note that special fonts and/or formats (i.e. italics, bold, etc.) may be lost during submission.  Please be concise, yet thorough. The statement should be no more than two to four pages in length.  In review of your personal statement, the admission's committee will seek evidence of your maturity, leadership, strength of purpose, academic potential and ability to communicate clearly and professionally.

Submission of the personal statement allows you, the applicant, an opportunity to highlight the qualities and experiences, which distinguish you as a prospective student for the W. P. Carey doctoral program. Applicants are requested to provide information pertaining to the following areas as part of their statement:

  • Your name as it will appear on the graduate application
  • Your nine-digit ASU identification number, and/or the ASU application reference number assigned to you upon submission of your on-line application
  • Your personal background: include formative events and circumstances, such as extracurricular activities, honors, achievements and community activities you have been involved in
  • Work experience: include credentials you have from your hands-on and professional experiences
  • Other personal attributes and qualities
  • Qualifications and reasons for interest in the W. P. Carey Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in Accountancy 
  • How obtaining a Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in Accountancy will help you achieve your personal career goals and objectives

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You should prepare your employment summary in advance to be uploaded into the online application.  Please note that special fonts and/or formats (i.e. italics, bold, etc.) may be lost during submission.  Please provide the information in the format specified below.  Your employment summary will serve as a resume. 

Work experience will be considered as one of several components in the evaluation of doctoral applicants. In your employment summary, we request you to be specific about the nature of your professional experiences. Start with your current or most recent employment information and include any military service you have been involved in. The admission committees seeks prospective students who have relevant work experience and who possess research and teaching potential, therefore, a minimum of two years of full-time (40 hours per week) work experience is highly recommended.

  1. Undergraduate degree(s)/major(s)
  2. Graduate degree(s)/major(s)
  3. Full-time paid work experience since completion of your undergraduate degree beginning with your most recent work
  4. Part-time paid work experience, include PT work during your undergraduate and graduate study
  5. Internship(s), voluntary positions, or other work experiences
  6. Awards, honors, and special achievements received during your academic and/or work experiences
  7. Computer skills/computer languages in which you are proficient

For areas three through five, provide information in the following format

  • Employer Name  - Employer Address  - Employer Phone
  • Job Start and End Date
  • Hours Worked per Week
  • Annual Salary (in U.S. dollars)
  • Job Title
  • Job Responsibilities
  • Reason for Leaving Job

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We request a minimum of three letters of recommendation to be submitted on your behalf. One letter should be from your current employer (supervisor or manager), and the remaining letters from individuals who can best evaluate your potential for graduate level business study; these typically are faculty or other professional associates.  They should know you personally and be familiar with your career, credentials, leadership strengths, and professional aspirations.  These individuals should also know your personal qualities, current career focus, and potential for success in a graduate business program.  Please have your recommenders send their letters directly to the School of Accountancy at: Arizona State University, School of Accountancy,  Attn:  PhD Admissions Committee, PO Box 873606, Tempe, AZ 85287-3606.  Online letters of recommendation may be sent to:  kathleen.krager@asu.edu.


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The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is a a computer-based standardized assessment - delivered in English - that serves as a uniform standard of measurement for applicants.  The GMAT® exam measures basic verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills that you have developed in your education and work.

W. P. Carey School’s doctoral program applicants should plan to take the test no later than two weeks prior to the January 15 deadline. Official GMAT scores must be sent to the ASU Graduate College.  GMAT scores are only valid for a period of five ears.

The ASU – W. P. Carey School of Business, Doctoral Program Code is: 0GZ-1R-18

For detailed information on the GMAT, please visit:  www.mba.com

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