Ph.D.

A Ph.D. gives you the highest level of research-based academic preparation. We offer three complementary concentration areas; FHCE faculty can help you decide which is right for you.

Careers

View career opportunities and placement of our recent graduates.

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Consumer Economics

This concentration develops your expertise in:

  • Consumer decision making
  • Households' interactions with markets
  • Consumer literacy and behavior
  • Poverty and material hardship
  • Government interventions and policies
  • Methods used by research analysts
  • Applied consumer analytics

Upon completion you will have a refined understanding of the challenges and opportunities that face consumers in increasingly complex economic and political environments.

Financial Planning

This concentration develops your expertise in:

  • Creating, managing, transferring wealth
  • Tax matters
  • Teaching personal finance
  • Investment principles
  • Research methods

Upon completion of this concentration you will be prepared to sit for the Certified Financial Planner™ examination.

The University of Georgia does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™ and marks. CFP® certification is granted solely by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. to individuals who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met ethics, experience and examination requirements.

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Housing Management and Policy

This concentration develops your expertise in various aspects of:

  • Affordable housing
  • Community development
  • Housing insecurity & homelessness
  • Government programs & policy
  • Mortgage finance
  • Residential mobility
  • Residential property management

Upon completion you will have a comprehensive understanding of housing as a product, an environment, a service, and a process to shelter a diverse and changing population.

Timetable

You may complete your Ph.D. requirements in 3-4 years by following this timetable.

  1. Form your advisory committee (2nd term)
  2. Develop a preliminary Program of Study (2nd term)
  3. Notify the graduate coordinator that you are ready for comprehensive exams (3rd term)
  4. Finalize your official Program of Study (4th term)
  5. Pass your written comprehensive exam (4th term)
  6. Pass your oral comprehensive exam (5th term)
  7. Apply for admission to candidacy (5th term)
  8. Apply for graduation (6th term)
  9. Have your dissertation proposal approved by your major professor (7th term)
  10. Have your dissertation proposal approved by your advisory committee (7th term)
  11. Complete/document your research, training and service requirements (7th term)
  12. Obtain signatures on your dissertation approval form (7th term)
  13. Defend your dissertation (7th term)
  14. Obtain final approval of your dissertation from major professor (7th term)
  15. Submit the abstract of your dissertation to the Department (8th term)
  16. Provide a final bound copy of your dissertation to the Department (8th term)
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