Online Doctorate Degree Programs in Information Systems
A doctoral degree in information systems trains students for careers in research, data-intensive industries and academic fields. Graduates may go on to study the impact of technology and information on society, create and develop new technologies, and teach those who are following in their footsteps.
What to expect from an information systems doctorate program
The most common doctoral-level information systems degree is the Ph.D., but some institutions offer a Doctor of Science, or D.Sc., instead. Both degrees emphasize a research-based approach to understanding information systems. Ph.D. programs may focus on either business or technical aspects of information systems, and after taking core courses in the field, students generally choose a niche of specialization.
Core instruction typically include research methods and survey courses that outline the history and progression of theory and technology in the field. Some possible areas of specialization include the following:
- Information security and risk management
- Data management
- Network architecture and administration
- Artificial intelligence
- Health care information systems
Graduates with a Ph.D. in information systems should be armed with advanced math skills and the ability to analyze and solve complex problems, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Online doctoral degrees in information systems are available in a range of formats, from fully online programs that offer maximum flexibility to hybrid models that require students to attend short, campus-based residencies throughout the program. Because collaboration with faculty and peers can be an important component of a doctorate, some distance programs follow a cohort model in which students move through coursework at the same pace as their classmates. Typically, dissertation research is carried out independently, and students can work through the dissertation on a self-scheduled pace.
Requirements for an online information systems doctorate
Many schools require students to hold a master's degree in a technology-related field. Applicants holding a bachelor's degree, however, may be admitted if they can demonstrate satisfactory knowledge of the field. Other requirements for admission can include letters of recommendation, GMAT and/or GRE scores, writing samples, a resume and an adequate undergraduate GPA depending on the school.
After two years of structured coursework, you can choose a specialization and begin work on your dissertation research. The research, dissertation and oral defense often take another two to three years to complete.
Finding a doctoral degree that's a good fit for you requires researching program formats and specializations. Get started by looking through some of the schools below and requesting additional information from any programs of interest.
