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Thank you for your interest in a Ph.D. program at Nova Southeastern University's College of Computing and Engineering! We are a highly selective program, as we strive to identify students with the potential to succeed in our rigorous research-based program and make significant contributions to their chosen field. We consider both your academic accomplishments and research potential, as well as your personal qualities and evidence of your commitment to excellence.
We evaluate applicants qualitatively and quantitatively, and there is no single formula or scoring system that guarantees admission. However, we look for students who have demonstrated a strong track record of academic achievement, relevant research experience, and the ability to think critically and creatively. We also look for students who are excited about our research and have a strong interest in working with our faculty.
Term Dates and Deadlines
Note: Our doctoral programs do not offer a full-time, on campus format. Therefore, an I-20 cannot be issued for our doctoral programs. Please confer with the Office of International Students and Scholars for details about your status as an international student.
We review applications on a rolling basis. To ensure evaluation for the desired starting term, applications and all required documents must be ready for review at least one month prior to the start of the term. Late applications that cannot be processed in time for the desired starting term will be considered for the next available term.
Admission Requirements
1. An earned bachelor’s or master’s degree with a GPA of at least 3.20 from a regionally accredited institution and with an appropriate major. (see program-specific admission requirements under individual programs).
2. Online application and non-refundable $50.
3. Essay.
4. Sealed official transcripts from the conferred 4-year bachelor's degree and conferred master's degree from the institutions attended.
5. Three letters of recommendation from three people who are familiar with your academic and/or professional capabilities and able to assess your intellectual abilities, maturity, and motivation. Recommendations from your professors are preferred. Recommendations are unacceptable if they are from family members, friends, those without experience in the research-based doctorate, or from those unable to evaluate your academic potential to succeed in the program to which you are applying. Letters of recommendations are requested and submitted electronically after you submit your online application.
6. A resume/curriculum vitae (CV) that provides a short account of your academic background and professional experience.
7. Proficiency in the English language. (Ph.D. students are expected to write numerous papers and a dissertation. Grammatical errors, spelling errors, and writing that does not express ideas clearly will affect a student’s grades and the completion of his or her degree. The faculty will not provide remedial help concerning grammatical errors or other writing problems. Applicants who are unable to write correctly and clearly are urged to seek remedial help before applying to any of the college’s programs.)
The college may request additional documentation to support the application. In addition, the applicants may submit standardized test scores or any additional documentation to strengthen their application.
You may request official transcripts and/or test score reports to be sent by mail to the address below:
Nova Southeastern University
Attn: Enrollment Processing Services (EPS)
3300 S. University Drive
P. O. Box 299000
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33328-2004
Your previous institution may submit an official electronic transcript to: electronictranscript@nova.edu
Once you have submitted your application, you may view your supplemental items on your profile account and upload certain documents. If you want to upload additional documentation that are not listed, please inform the Office of Admissions.
International Admission Requirements
Please visit Admission Requirements for International Students at the NSU College of Computing and Engineering.
Course Load Requirements
Degree Programs
Students pursuing any doctoral program must be registered for a minimum of 8 credit hours in order to be considered full-time status. Student enrolled in 4 credit hours or fewer credits per semester will be considered part-time status.
Campus Attendance
The college offers Ph.D. programs with a blend of on-campus and online courses and activities. The 600-level courses have some on-campus options, but are mostly online. The research and dissertation courses may have at least one on-campus meeting. It will be at the discretion of the dissertation chair and committee.
Our online courses are asynchronous, designed to accommodate students from many different time zones. The current online learning management system at NSU is Canvas. It is recommended to log on to Canvas in your SharkLink Portal every day.
Program-Specific Requirements
Applicants must have a 3.2 GPA in their respective degree and have taken the following course subjects in Calculus I & II, Linear Algebra, Probability and Statistics, Programming, Computer Organization and Architecture, Discrete Math, and Data Structures and Algorithms.
The degree program is designed for students with a bachelor’s or master's degree in computer science, or a closely related field. The B.S. to Ph.D. and M.S. to Ph.D. pathways emphasize core computer science knowledge in programming languages, operating systems, database management systems, software engineering, and design and analysis of algorithms.
Additionally, coursework and research areas leading to the completion of a dissertation include cybersecurity, software engineering, computer systems, artificial intelligence, and data science.
The Ph.D. in Cybersecurity Management is designed for individuals with experience in information security. Successful applicants will have a master's degree in cybersecurity management (or a closely associated degree) with some coursework in information security fundamentals. Additionally, students should have professional experience in information security and have a strong research potential in the areas of information security.
The Ph.D. in Information Systems is designed for the student with a master's degree in information systems, information science, computer science, information technology, or a related area. 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, telecommunications and computer networks, and statistics.
Apply Online Now
If you have already submitted an application, please contact the Office of Admissions first before submitting another one. Otherwise, you will be charged and responsible for an additional $50 application fee.
To start your online application, click the "Apply Now" button above. First time users will need to create a graduate account. Please remember your login email address and password as they will be required should you need to complete your application in more than one session. Additionally, with this account you can return to this site to view a summary of your application, a checklist of items needed to complete your application, and where you can upload documents to complete your application.
Cybersecurity
The National Security Agency (NSA) and its affiliated federal agencies have designated NSU as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Cyber Defense (CD) and Cyber Research (R).
Hottest Jobs in America
Earn a degree leading to one of the hottest technology jobs in America. The College of Computing and Engineering offers degrees that are listed in two of the leading technology placement firms and in U.S. News & World Report. View the details here.