I. Cultivation Objectives

(1) Firmly implement the Party’s lines, principles, and policies, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Demonstrate patriotism, abide by laws and regulations, uphold integrity and fairness, possess both moral integrity and professional competence. Possess a strong sense of professionalism, teamwork spirit, and dedication to scientific pursuits, actively contributing to the cause of socialist modernization.

(2) Possess a solid and broad foundation in disciplinary theories and systematic, in-depth specialized knowledge in finance. Maintain a wide international perspective, proficiently master academic research methodologies within the discipline, and stay abreast of the latest research trends both domestically and internationally. Demonstrate innovative consciousness and capabilities, capable of independent scientific research and certain teaching abilities. Achieve creative accomplishments in science or specialized technology.

(3) Proficiently utilize foreign languages to read disciplinary literature, possess strong writing skills, engage in international academic exchanges, and exhibit excellent oral communication abilities.

(4) Maintain good physical health and mental resilience, adapting to the demands of academic pursuits and future careers.

II. Basic Requirements for Doctoral Degrees

(1) Fundamental Knowledge for Doctoral Graduation in Finance

Doctoral students in finance must possess a solid and extensive foundation in economic theories, profound and systematic knowledge in finance, as well as rigorous and meticulous logical thinking abilities. Based on a mastery of disciplinary knowledge such as mathematical statistics, they should focus on learning advanced theories and methodological frameworks in economics and finance, acquiring the capability to integrate economic and financial theories, scientific empirical research methods, and practical applications. This enables them to effectively explain economic and financial phenomena and their underlying laws. The fundamental knowledge that doctoral students in finance should master primarily encompasses the following five aspects:

1. Fundamental economic theories. Comprehensive understanding of Marxist political economy, modern macroeconomics, and microeconomics theories.

2. Foundational Knowledge in Finance. PhD students majoring in theoretical research of finance should have comprehensive mathematical knowledge and strong logical deduction ability, and be able to put forward innovative viewpoints on solving practical problems. PhD students engaged in empirical analysis and research of finance should master classical econometric analysis methods and big data analysis techniques, and be able to apply economic theories to solve practical problems.

3. Basic knowledge of finance. Understand the historical development process of finance, focus on mastering the basic theories, development status and frontier issues of finance, understand the relevance of finance and other disciplines, and keep up with the frontier of financial academia and the progress of financial technology.

4. Professional literature in research fields. It is necessary to extensively read professional dissertations published in authoritative academic journals at home and abroad to understand the scientific research trends, development directions and academic frontiers in specific research fields, and should screen the corresponding viewpoints and conclusions of the authors of the dissertations with a critical attitude.

5. Foreign language proficiency. It is necessary to master a foreign language (mainly English) proficiently and have strong international academic communication skills.

(2) Basic qualities to be awarded the doctoral degree in this specialty

Academic qualities: they should have the spirit of science, a strong interest in academic research, a sense of historical mission and social responsibility to serve the society, respect for scientific research and intellectual property rights. Possessing the scientific spirit of seeking truth from facts and a rigorous attitude towards studies, establishing a strong concept of the rule of law, protecting intellectual property rights, respecting the labor and rights of others, and complying with research ethics; having the ability to innovate and apply theories, having solid basic theories of Economics and Finance and cutting-edge theoretical knowledge. The students should be able to engage in scientific research independently in the field of Finance, carry out innovative thinking and make creative achievements; they should be aware of the need to participate in a wide range of academic exchanges, and actively participate in academic exchanges and conferences inside and outside the university.

Academic ethics: Students should abide by the code of academic ethics and the law, implement and strengthen the awareness of academic ethics; doctorate students should be honest and objective, rigorous and conscientious, have good moral cultivation and noble moral sentiments, adhere to the scientific truth, respect for the laws of science, the academic style of rigor and truth-seeking, and the courage to explore and innovate, abide by the professional ethics, and safeguard the integrity of science.

(3) Basic academic competencies required for obtaining a doctoral degree in Finance

1. Ability to acquire knowledge: acquiring the cutting-edge developments in Economics and Finance-related research from various literatures, and mastering the standardized paths and procedures for acquiring relevant research results through the Internet.

2. Academic discernment: making value judgments on “research issues, research procedures, and existing results”.

3. Scientific research ability: proposing valuable research topics, selecting and designing suitable theoretical or empirical research methods to carry out independent research, and organizing and coordinating the necessary human and material resources to ensure the successfully progress of the research.

4. Academic innovation ability: carrying out innovative thinking, scientific research and results in the field of Finance.

5. Academic communication ability: having the experience of participating in academic conferences in related fields inside and outside the university, discussing with experts, exchanging opinions and suggestions, and publishing thematic dissertations.

6. Teaching ability: having comprehensive and systematic teaching ability in order to improve their scientific research quality and professionalism.

III. Research Orientation

1. Shanxi Exchange Shop and Financial History

2. Financial Theory and Policy

3. Commercial Bank Operation and Management

4. International Financial Theory and Policy

IV. Curriculum Settings

See Appendix 1 for curriculum settings and credit allocation.

V. Practice and Innovation

This section refers to the requirements of “Chapter 4: Practical and Innovative Cultivation” in the “Administrative Measures of Doctoral Cultivation of Shanxi University of Finance and Economics” (Graduate School of Shanxi University of Finance and Economics [2021] No. 16).

VI. Basic Dissertation Requirements

The basic requirements of the dissertation shall be implemented in accordance with the requirements of “Chapter 5 Doctoral Degree (Graduation) Dissertation” in the “Administrative Measures of Doctoral Cultivation in Shanxi University of Finance and Economics” (Graduate School of Shanxi University of Finance and Economics [2021] No. 16); and the format of the writing shall be implemented in accordance with the “Shanxi University of Finance and Economics Graduate thesis writing template (2019 Edition)”.

VII. Major literature in Finance (see Appendix 2)

Appendix 1：Applied Economics

Curriculum for Ph.D. Courses in Finance

Note: Remedial courses are completed in semesters 1-3 and do not count for credits.

Appendix 2:

Main Literature of Finance