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.

Admission requirements are available in the Admission  section of the Bulletin.

Degree Requirements

Coursework.  A total of 76 units are required for the degree including one 4-unit Transdisciplinary course .

Transfer Credit.  Credit may be given for coursework taken at other institutions and other courses may be transferred per the University’s policy on transfer credit .

Qualifying Exam.  Students beginning the doctoral program in Summer 2014 and later are required to take the Qualifying Exam within 18 to 24 months after starting the program.  To be eligible to take the exam, students must have completed the specific courses covered by the exam and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5, with no grade of less than B+ in those courses.  Students who do not pass the exam on the first attempt are permitted only one additional attempt, to be taken within one year of failing the first attempt.

Doctoral Research Seminars

• IST 501A - Introduction to IS&T Research
• IST 503 - Qualitative Research
• IST 504 - Quantitative Research
• IST 505 - Design Research

Qualifying Portfolio.  The program requires students to develop a qualifying portfolio.

Dissertation.  Requirements and processes for the dissertation are established by University policy.  Refer to Academic Policies - Doctoral Degree Regulations  section of the Bulletin as well as to the registrar’s website.

Time to Degree. Degree requirements for the IST doctoral degree program must be completed within ten years of the semester in which the student was admitted to the program.  Students who are unable to complete their PhD in ten years will be dismissed from the program.  Per CGU policy the time period when transfer credit is accepted toward the degree is as follows:

• Reduced by 6 months if 12 units or less of transfer credit is accepted
• Reduced by 12 months if 13 or more units of transfer credit is accepted.

Therefore, students who enter with 13 or more units of transfer will have a maximum of 9 years to complete the program; students who enter with 1-12 units of transfer will have 9.5 years to complete the program.

Grade point average.  Students must comply with the Satisfactory Academic Progress  policies of the University.  The doctoral program in Information Systems & Technology requires students to maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

University Policies.  University policies detailed in the Academic Policies  section of the Bulletin apply.