I think it depends on what you did while you were in that Master's program, and if you're reasoning for leaving makes sense to the decision team. Financial reasons are perfectly acceptable, especially if you were being funded and then the program cut your funding. I got my first Master's in School Counseling, then went to a second Master's program to complete courses for licensure in my state. At the interview for one PhD program, they asked why I only completed part of that Master's program and they were content with my answer, and I got accepted into the program. Do you have research experience? If you want to teach at a University, you will have to be involved in research a large amount of your time. You could always apply to the Master's program at one of the schools you're looking at for the PhD, and get involved in research there, and then apply for their PhD program. This works well for some people at many different schools, but some schools only take a small selection of applicants from their own Master's candidates.
