University of Pennsylvania · Accounting Department, The Wharton School
Accounting, PhD
Overview
Research doctorate in accounting at the Wharton School. The curriculum combines accounting research seminars with economics, statistics and finance courses, summer research papers, a comprehensive exam and a dissertation.
- Official program name
- Accounting, PhD
- Awarded degree
- PhD in Accounting · major: AccountingSource: catalog.upenn.edu · verified October 30, 2026
- Degree level
- Doctoral — research doctorate
- Subject focus
- Dedicated degreeThe degree title itself is in accounting, accountancy, taxation or another accounting subject (for example a Master of Accountancy).Source: catalog.upenn.edu · verified October 30, 2026
- School
- Source: accounting.wharton.upenn.edu · verified October 30, 2026
- Location
- Philadelphia, PA
- Subjects
- Accounting — core of the degree
- Required credits
- 19 graduate course unitsSource: catalog.upenn.edu · verified October 30, 2026
- Duration
- Not verified
Why this program is listed
Research PhD in accounting at the Wharton School, campus-based.
Research doctorate whose title names accounting, with accounting research seminars as core requirements.
Source: catalog.upenn.edu · verified October 30, 2026We list associate, bachelor's, master's and research-doctorate programs in accounting, accountancy and taxation at institutionally accredited US schools — degrees in the subject and formal accounting majors or concentrations, never certificates or degrees with a single accounting course. Eligibility rules
Format and attendance
- Formats offered
- On campusSource: accounting.wharton.upenn.edu · verified October 30, 2026
- Internship
- Internship requirement: not verified
- Study intensity
- Not verified
Curriculum
Other
- Summer research papers are written after the first and second years.Source: accounting.wharton.upenn.edu · verified October 30, 2026
CPA-related information
CPA-related statements for this program: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.
A school describing a program as supporting CPA preparation does not establish eligibility for every applicant in every state, and this directory does not label any program “CPA eligible”. Check your own state board's current rules before you enrol. Accounting degrees and CPA requirements
Other professional recognition
Other professional recognition for this program: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.
This directory does not publish pass rates, placement rates or salaries for any program. Occupational statistics for accountants are in the guides, labelled as statistics for the occupation, not outcomes of a school.
Research and doctoral requirements
Qualifying examinations
- Major field exam in accounting taken in the summer after the second year, after coursework and summer research papers.Source: accounting.wharton.upenn.edu · verified October 30, 2026
Dissertation
- After the comprehensive exam, admitted candidates propose and defend a dissertation.Source: accounting.wharton.upenn.edu · verified October 30, 2026
Admissions
Technical preparation
- Prerequisite courses
- RecommendedStrong undergraduate preparation in microeconomics and mathematics is an advantage; no other formal admission requirements are printed.Source: accounting.wharton.upenn.edu · verified October 30, 2026
- Application fee
- Required$80 — $80 non-refundable application fee, not waivableSource: doctoral.wharton.upenn.edu · verified October 30, 2026
Tests
- GMAT
- RequiredGMAT or GRE general test required of all applicantsSource: accounting.wharton.upenn.edu · verified October 30, 2026
- GRE General Test
- RequiredGMAT or GRE general test required of all applicantsSource: accounting.wharton.upenn.edu · verified October 30, 2026
- TOEFL iBT
- RequiredFor applicants whose native language is not EnglishSource: accounting.wharton.upenn.edu · verified October 30, 2026
We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate admission chances.
Start dates and deadlines
Application deadlines: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.
Tuition and fees
Tuition for this program: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.
Scholarships and funding
Wharton doctoral fellowship Fellowship
Covers tuition and health insurance and provides a stipend; a similar level may be awarded for up to 5 years, contingent on satisfactory academic progress.
Eligibility: All admitted Wharton doctoral students
Source: doctoral.wharton.upenn.edu · verified October 30, 2026
Accreditation
Institutional accreditation
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) — accreditedSource: ope.ed.gov · verified October 10, 2026
Business-school accreditation
- AACSB — accreditedUnit: The Wharton SchoolListed as: AACSB business accreditationConfirmed in the accreditor's own directory.Source: aacsb.edu · verified October 26, 2026
Supplemental accounting accreditation
No separate accounting accreditation is on record. AACSB business accreditation does not mean the accounting program holds AACSB accounting accreditation.
Sources and verification
- accounting.wharton.upenn.edu/programs/mba/ — Official program page, verified October 30, 2026
- accounting.wharton.upenn.edu/programs/phd/admission-requirements/ — Official admissions page, verified October 30, 2026
- accounting.wharton.upenn.edu/programs/phd/program-overview/ — Official program page, verified October 30, 2026
- catalog.upenn.edu/graduate/programs/accounting-phd/ — Official catalog / bulletin, verified October 30, 2026
- doctoral.wharton.upenn.edu/expenses-financial-aid/ — Official program page, verified October 30, 2026
- DAPIP — MSCHE institutional accreditation record (data files downloaded 2026-10-10) — U.S. Department of Education dataset (IPEDS / DAPIP), verified October 10, 2026
- AACSB accredited institutions (accreditor directory) — Accreditor directory, verified October 26, 2026
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Accounting Degrees is independent and not affiliated with University of Pennsylvania. Information is collected from official pages and directories and can change; confirm requirements, costs and deadlines with the school.