Accounting Ph.D. Program
Considering a career in academia as a full-time, tenure-track faculty in Accounting?
The University of Scranton's first Ph.D. program, previously known as the Doctor of Business Administration program, is designed to provide experienced professionals with the advanced skills and credentials required to secure and succeed in full-time, tenure-track faculty positions at accredited institutions.
Fall 2026 applications are open!
Submit your application by February 28 for entry into the fall term.
A Degree in Demand
Our extensive peer-reviewed published research and the research of The Pathways Commission show an urgent market need to provide more doctoral programs that enable experienced accounting professionals to transition into academic careers.
The program will help mitigate the current faculty shortage crisis and enhance the practice-relevant educational transformation of business students.
"The Scranton program provided me with incredible research support and the professors were very involved in assisting with research and publications. It felt great to be in such an inclusive and encouraging environment that promoted collaboration between professors and students."
- GREGORY KOGAN, G'22
Nationally Recognized Program
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) recognized The University of Scranton’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program for “Innovations and Best Practices in Canada, Latin America, and the United States.” Only 43 colleges from the two continents were included in the publication that recognized the “impactful ways” AACSB member schools are redefining business education.
AACSB Accreditation
The Ph.D. in Accounting program is housed in our AACSB International-accredited Kania School of Management. We are the only university in Northeastern Pennsylvania to receive this accreditation. Worldwide, only five percent of business schools are accredited by AACSB.
Top Education Research Productivity
- In the 2024 Brigham Young University PhD Program Rankings, our PhD graduates were ranked No. 1 internationally for the most education publications in top academic journals during the most recent three-year and six-year periods.
- The 2024 Brigham Young University Accounting Rankings placed the University of Scranton Accounting Department at No. 2 (tied) internationally for accounting education research published in peer-reviewed accounting journals during the most recent six-year period.
Distinguished Faculty
- Our faculty are scholarly academics and have been awarded state and national recognition in the areas of research and teaching.
- Brigham Young University Accounting Rankings have consistently placed The University of Scranton Accounting Department and faculty among the best in the world.
- Our faculty have been awarded Lybrand Research Medals and Certificates, the highest recognition for any academic institution in the nation.
- Our faculty provides extensive one-on-one mentoring and support designed to enable each student to make a successful career transition from practice into academia.
- Our program offers small cohort sizes (maximum 8 students), which ensures individual attention and mentoring on each student’s development and research.