Ph.D. in Computer Information Systems (DCIS)
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This program offers a course of study leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Computer Information Systems or the Ph.D. in Computer Information Systems with Concentration in Information Security. The program is especially well suited to information technology professionals in business, government, industry, or education who are involved with research, design, implementation, management, evaluation, utilization, or teaching of computer information systems. It provides information technology professionals with the knowledge and ability to develop creative solutions to substantive real-world problems. Each student must complete eight core courses, two research courses, and a dissertation.
Students taking courses attend four cluster sessions per year, held quarterly over an extended weekend (Friday, Saturday, and half-day Sunday) at the university. These sessions bring together students and faculty for participation in classes, seminars, and dissertation counseling, and provide ample opportunity for student-faculty and student-student interaction. Between sessions, students work on course assignments and research, and participate in online activities that facilitate frequent interaction with the faculty and with other students.
The concentration in information security is recognized by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) based on its certification of the school’s curriculum for compliance with the requirements of NSA national training standards NSTISSI No. 4011 (Information Systems Security Professionals) and CNSSI No. 4013 (System Administrators). Students who complete the concentration may also request a graduate certificate.
A graduate with a Ph.D. in Computer Information Systems will have the ability to: (1) acquire advanced knowledge and deeper understanding of the field of computer information systems; (2) communicate professionally and ethically about computer information systems research issues; (3) identify, analyze, and synthesize scholarly literature related to computer information systems; and (4) generate new knowledge through research/scholarship and disseminate that knowledge to others by demonstrating the necessary technical and intellectual skills to produce a written document that makes an original contribution to the field of computer information systems.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
This program is designed for the student with a master’s degree in computer information systems, computer science, information technology, or a closely related field. In addition to holding a relevant master’s degree, the applicant should satisfy graduate prerequisites or have equivalent experience in information systems, programming languages, database systems, systems analysis and design, and data communications and networks. Alternatively, GSCIS master’s students in computer science, computer information systems, information security, or information technology may apply for early admission into the Ph.D. program.
Curriculum for the Ph.D. in Computer Information Systems
The program requires at least 64 credit hours, of which 40 are for courses and at least 24 are for the dissertation. Courses and dissertation registrations are listed below:
Core Courses (four credits each) (Select eight of these.)
Research Registrations Students are required to complete two sections (four credits each) of DCIS 898, Directed Research, before entering candidacy. Students must register for the course with a particular faculty member as directed in the course description. Students are advised to register for the two sections of Directed Research in sequence, not in parallel. Students are further advised to wait for the second year of study before registering for Directed Research. Students may repeat Directed Research with the same faculty member only with permission of that faculty member.
Dissertation RegistrationsCurriculum for the Ph.D. in Computer Information Systems with Concentration in Information Security
The Ph.D. in Computer Information Systems with Concentration in Information Security was developed to address the rapidly growing global problems of maintaining and securing computer information. The program requires at least 64 credit hours, of which 40 are for courses and at least 24 are for the dissertation. The dissertation must be in an area closely related to information security. Courses and dissertation registrations are as follows:
Required Core Courses (four credits each)Elective Core Courses (four credits each) (select two of these)
Research Registrations Students are required to complete two sections (four credits each) of DCIS 898, Directed Research, before entering candidacy. Students must register for the course with a particular faculty member as directed in the course description. Students are advised to register for the two sections of Directed Research in sequence, not in parallel. Students are further advised to wait for the second year of study before registering for Directed Research. Students may repeat Directed Research with the same faculty member only with permission of that faculty member.
Dissertation Registrations
