Admissions

Admission to the Ph.D. program is based on a comprehensive review of information rather than any single factor. Decisions are based on a review of the following criteria: 

• Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution
• GPA from undergraduate and any graduate degree programs
• Official transcripts 
• One letter of recommendation is required, but up to three are accepted
• Personal statement addressing these topics:
  • Describe the content area in which you would like to develop a specialization and research agenda. Please refer to the 2021 CFP Board Principal Knowledge Topics, AFC® Core Competencies, and CFT-I™ Competencies for examples of potential focus areas.
  • Describe what motivates you to pursue a Ph.D. to conduct research in your content area identified above.
  • Discuss where you would like to be career-wise in five years.
  • Identify your unique contribution as evidenced in your resume or vita, such as: 
    • Special accomplishments in industry or academic pursuits
    • Assets and strengths you will use in your research and teaching
    • Leadership experience and potential
    • Other unique life experiences relevant to the pursuit of a graduate degree
  • Describe your commitment to research, teaching, service, and practice in personal finance (including financial planning, financial counseling, financial psychology, financial therapy, and financial education, etc.).

Candidates demonstrating the potential for success based on their submitted application materials will be invited to a virtual interview. Final decisions for acceptance will be based on a holistic review of the submitted materials and interview.

Application Deadlines

The School of Financial Planning has established application deadlines to ensure that applications are processed in a timely manner that allows the accepted applicant to begin their graduate studies in an efficient and timely manner. The School's graduate faculty will review complete applications received by the deadline published below at the next meeting following the deadline.

Submitting an application by the deadline does not guarantee an assistantship position, it will ensure that all applicants desiring a position will be known to the program and will be able to receive full consideration.

All applications for the PhD program are due by December 1 in the year preceding your intended fall start. For example, if you intend to begin Fall 2026, the deadline is December 1, 2025.

How to Apply

The Graduate School online application system is designed to help you easily navigate through the application process and ensure you complete your application in a timely manner. ALL documents must be submitted through the online portal.

Application Process & Cost

Applicants are admitted by the Graduate School at the recommendation of the School of Personal Financial Planning.

Nonrefundable Application Fees:

• Initial Application Fee = $75
  • Domestic Graduate Student, International Graduate Student Applications
  • Graduate School – Subsequent/Secondary Applications
    • $25 cost for the following:
      • Currently enrolled PFP grad students wanting to add a program in the same dept above their current level (ex. from MS to PhD)
      • Currently enrolled PFP grad students requesting to change their program level.
      • Former TTU Grad School readmits
    • $0 cost for the following:
      • Currently enrolled PFP graduate students wishing to add a program in the same dept under their current level (ex. adding a PFP certificate)

If you have any questions, please call Esmeralda Torres at 806-834-1115

Who Should Apply? 

Students can be accepted into the Ph.D. program directly out of a B.S. degree program. Neither an M.S. degree nor a degree in Personal Financial Planning is required. The ideal Ph.D. students for this program have a genuine interest in studying, teaching, and conducting research in personal financial planning, often with the goal of becoming a professor in an existing personal financial planning program or building a new personal financial planning program.

Ph.D. students must possess intellectual curiosity and the willingness and ability to learn new things. This requires an inquiring and open mind, as well as flexibility and adaptability. Critical thinking ability, good writing and language skills (in English), and strong numeracy skills are necessary to answer a research question and to articulate a coherent and persuasive argument. Other required skills include the ability to work independently, good time management and organizational skills, and a strong work ethic.

Requirements

Test Scores

• The GRE, GMAT, or LSAT are not required.

International Students

• These are the minimal English language proficiency scores. For a list of English proficiency exempt countries, please visit English Proficiency Exempt Countries.
  • TOEFL Internet: 79
  • TOEFL Paper-Based: 550
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • ELS: 112
  • CAE: B
  • CPE: C

Resources

• Become a University Professor through Graduate Studies at TTU
• Graduate School Fellowships
• Ph.D. Manual
• Ph.D. Degree Plan
• Course Descriptions