2013-2014 Bulletin 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2013-2014 Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Information Systems and Technology, PhD


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Programs

The doctoral program prepares students to participate in the academic, information systems and technology research community. Doctoral graduates are prepared to conduct rigorous and relevant research and to apply learning and skills to teaching, consulting, and other activities.

Degree Requirements

Coursework.  A total of 76 units, or 19 courses, are required for the degree.  Credit may be given for coursework taken at other institutions and other courses may be transferred per the University’s transfer credit policies, defined in the Registration and Degree Information  section of the Bulletin.

Screening Exam and Qualifying Portfolio.  The program requires students to pass a screening exam and to develop a qualifying portfolio.

Dissertation.  Requirements and processes for the dissertation are established by University policy.  Refer to the Registration and Degree Information  section of the Bulletin as well as to the registrar’s website.

Grade point average.  Students in the doctoral program must maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

University Policies.  University policies detailed in the Registration and Degree Information  section of the Bulletin apply.

Three Competency Courses - 12 units


The competency courses do not count towards the 76 units required for the doctoral degree. Students are either admitted with equivalent courses or may enroll in the courses at CGU, understanding that the units do not count toward degree requirements.

In addition to the two IST courses below, MGT 306 or another graduate-level Statistics/Qualitative Methods course is required.

Master’s Level Core Courses - 20 units


The Master’s level courses represent the five topics covered by the Doctoral Screening Exam.

Specialization/Concentration - 16 units


Four concentration courses, equivalent to the elective courses permitted for the master’s degree, are required.  Under the direction of a faculty advisor, students design a customized program or select from the specialization areas below, depending upon individual desire to develop expertise in one or more sub-fields.

  • Geographic Information Systems Solution Development
  • Cyber Security & Crisis Management
  • Social Technologies
  • Health Informatics

Additional information is available on the department website.  

Electives - 20 units


Students must take five courses which are not Information Systems and Technology courses, such as courses in management, philosophy, psychology, religion, etc.  One of the five courses must be a transdisciplinary course.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Programs