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 are required for the degree.
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 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 on the student’s transcript. 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.
The Qualifying Exam will be administered for the first time in Fall 2015 and is drawn from material from the following courses.
- IST 500 - Introduction to IS&T Research
- IST 503 - Qualitative Research
- IST 504 - Advanced Quantitative Research
- IST 505 - Design Research
Students admitted to the doctoral program no earlier than Spring 2013 or who have completed less than 24 units in the program may petition to take the Qualifying Exam and are responsible for the all material covered by the exam.
Screening Exam. All doctoral students admitted to the program prior to Summer 2014 are required to take the Screening Exam within 18 months of starting the program. Students must petition to take the Screening Exam, which is administered in the Fall and Spring semesters. 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 on the student’s transcript.
The Screening Exam is drawn from material from the following courses.
- IST 302 - Database Concepts
- IST 303 - Software Development
- IST 304 - Communications & Networking
- IST 305 - Management of IS&T
- IST 321 - Delivering Business Value through IS&T Leadership
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. Questions from previous Screening Exams are available on the department website.
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 Doctoral Degrees section of the Bulletin as well as to the registrar’s website.
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.