Graduate Program

Program Overview

Students majoring in Consumer Economics will explore financial management, family and consumer economic analysis, investment and retirement planning, financial counseling practices, and insurance and tax planning. Texas Tech's Consumer Economics Ph.D. program is the first and only Ph.D. program that is registered with the CFP Board. Students who choose minor in Personal Financial Planning (with Consumer Economics major) will have the eligibility to sit for the CFP® certification examination.

A Ph.D. without master’s degree may be pursued if applicants meet specific criteria (A comprehensive preliminary exam will be required after the first 12 hours of coursework). Students who have master's degrees without a thesis will take additional classes on statistics and research methodology.

Ph.D Minimum Admission Requirements
Admission to the CEED Ph.D. program specializing in Personal Financial Planning (PFP) is based on a comprehensive review of information submitted rather than any single factor. Decisions are based on a comprehensive review of the following criteria:

• Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution,
• GPA from undergraduate and graduate degree programs, GRE or GMAT scores,
• TOEFL scores (international students only),
• Copies of official transcripts,
• Three letters of recommendation (Preferably from both academic and industry sources)
• Writing Sample: Personal statement consisting of the following:
  • Identify the area of financial planning in which you would be interested in developing a specialization. Where would you like to be career wise in five years?
  • Identify your major research interests. How do you expect to expand that into a dissertation? Be sure to discuss grant funding, data availability, and possible outlets for publication and presentation.
  • What assets and strengths do you bring with you into your desired program? (Include educational experiences in addition to practical experiences).
• Campus and/or telephone interview
• Unique contribution as evidenced in applicant's resume or vita:
  • Special accomplishments in industry or academic pursuits,
  • Leadership experience and potential,
  • Other unique life experiences relevant to the pursuit of a graduate degree.

More Information
For further information concerning program overview, requirements, career options and/or procedures, contact:
Dr. Michael S. Finke
Department of Applied and Professional Studies
Box 1210
College of Human Sciences
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX 79409-1210
Phone: (806)742-5050
Fax:(806)742-5033