The Ph.D. in Computer Science program from Nova Southeastern University's College of Computing and Engineering prepares students to make significant contributions to the field through original research. Whether you're interested in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, or another dynamic subject, you'll have the opportunity to work with world-renowned faculty on cutting-edge projects.

Our Ph.D. programs are uniquely designed for working professionals, allowing you to advance your education without putting your career on hold. With no residency requirements, you can earn your Ph.D. from anywhere, seamlessly integrating your studies into your busy schedule. This flexible approach empowers you to balance work, life, and doctoral studies, providing a pathway to achieve your academic goals without disruption.

With access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources, you'll develop the skills and knowledge needed to solve real-world problems and create new technologies. You'll also join a supportive community of scholars and researchers who are passionate about advancing the field of Computer Science.

Our Ph.D. graduates hold prestigious positions across all sectors, from industry to government to academia. They work at organizations such as Microsoft, IBM, and Google, and various United States government agencies, in addition to colleges and universities around the world.

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).

 

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Quick Facts

 Curriculum
Curriculum
NSU’s Ph.D. in Computer Science is a minimum of 51 total credits with the M.S. track or a minimum of 66 total credits with the B.S. track
Start Dates
Start Dates
All College of Computing and Engineering doctoral degree programs begin in AugustJanuary, and May.
Delivery Options
Delivery Options
The Ph.D. in Computer Science program is offered as a blend of online and Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus courses and activities.
Tuition
Tuition
Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information.

Learning Outcomes

A graduate with a Ph.D. in Computer Science will have the ability to:

  1. acquire advanced knowledge and deeper understanding of the field of computer science;
  2. communicate professionally and ethically about computer science research issues;
  3. identify, analyze, and synthesize scholarly literature related to the field of computer science; and
  4. generate new knowledge through research/scholarship and disseminate that knowledge to others by demonstrating the necessary technical and intellectual skills to produce a written document that makes an original contribution to the field of computer science.

Admission Requirements

B.S. or M.S. Degree
from a Regionally Accredited Institution
$50
Nonrefundable Application Fee (USD)
3.2
Or Higher GPA

Curriculum

Core Courses (30 credits)

Credits

(CISC 610
Programming Languages
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 615
Design and Analysis Algorithms
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 640
Operating Systems
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 660
Database Management Systems
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 680
Software Engineering
/Credits: 3)

Elective Courses (15 credits)

Credits

(ISEC 615
Fundamentals of Cybersecurity
/Credits: 3)
(ISEC 620
Applied Cryptography
/Credits: 3)
(ISEC 640
Database Security
/Credits: 3)
(ISEC 650
Computer Networks Forensics
/Credits: 3)
(ISEC 660
Advanced Network Security
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 650
Computer Networks
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 662
Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery in Databases
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 664
Information Retrieval and Web Search Engine Technology
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 665
Distributed Systems
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 668
Mobile Application Development
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 670
Artificial Intelligence
/Credits: 3)
(MMIS 671
Data Analytics
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 672
Data Visualization
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 681
Computer Graphics
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 682
Software Requirements Engineering
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 683
Object-Oriented Design
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 684
Software Testing and Verification
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 685
Interaction Design
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 690
Special Topics in Computer Science
/Credits: 3)

Research Courses (12 credits)*

Credits

(CISD 885
Doctoral Research
/Credits: 3)
(CISD 920
Continuing Dissertation
/Credits: 3)
(CISD 901
Doctoral Dissertation
/Credits: 3)
(CISD 920
Continuing Dissertation
/Credits: 3)
 

Core Courses (15 credits)

Credits

(CISC 610
Programming Languages
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 615
Design and Analysis Algorithms
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 640
Operating Systems
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 660
Database Management Systems
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 680
Software Engineering
/Credits: 3)
(ISEC 615
Fundamentals of Cybersecurity
/Credits: 3)
(ISEC 620
Applied Cryptography
/Credits: 3)
(ISEC 640
Database Security
/Credits: 3)
(ISEC 650
Computer Networks Forensics
/Credits: 3)
(ISEC 660
Advanced Network Security
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 650
Computer Networks
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 662
Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery in Database
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 664
Information Retrieval and Web Search Engine Technology
/Credits: 3)
( CISC 665
Distributed Systems
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 668
Mobile Application Development
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 670
Artificial Intelligence
/Credits: 3)
(MMIS 671
Data Analytics
/Credits: 3)
(CCIS 672
Data Visualization
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 681
Computer Graphics
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 682
Software Requirements Engineering
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 683
Object-Oriented Design
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 684
Software Testing and Verification
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 685
Interaction Design
/Credits: 3)
(CISC 690
Special Topics in Computer Science
/Credits: 3)

Research Courses (12 credits)*

Credits

(CISD 885
Doctoral Research Dissertation Courses
/Credits: 4)

Dissertation Courses (24 credits)**

Credits

(CISD 901
Doctoral Dissertation
/Credits: 8)
(CISD 920
Continuing Dissertation
/Credits: 8)
 

Students must maintain a minimum of 3.2 GPA in core courses for the Ph.D. program and a B or higher in each core course.

Students must successfully complete the core course requirement before taking doctoral research courses.

Each student must defend their research topic concept paper by the end of the second doctoral research course.

  • The research topic concept review is conducted by a faculty committee prior to the official idea paper and dissertation committee formation.
  • If the research concept is not successfully defended by the end of the third doctoral research course, the student will be dismissed.

Upon successful completion of the course and research topic defense requirements, the student is admitted to Ph.D. candidacy.

Students must successfully pass the qualifier stage, secure an advisor and dissertation committee, and have an approved Idea Paper before pursuing dissertation course registration.

After achieving sufficient depth in a field of study, students prepare a proposal for the Ph.D. dissertation.

Upon approval of the written proposal, students must present the proposed work orally to the dissertation committee.

 

The student registers for one year (three terms) of dissertation, at eight credits per term.

Students who have not completed the dissertation after one year of dissertation registrations must register for Continuing Dissertation, three terms per year, until they have satisfied the dissertation requirement.

Students not on approved leave must register for each term following the one in which they enter candidacy.

 

The dissertation defense consists of a presentation given by the candidate on the topic focus of the dissertation. This includes questions from the dissertation committee and others in attendance. The defense is chaired by the Ph.D. advisor.

The Ph.D. maximum time frame to complete the dissertation is ten years from the date of entering the program.

Program Sheet (PDF)

*Each student will be required to complete at least three CISD 885 doctoral research courses. These courses will be taken at the end of the student’s coursework. These faculty supported directed study courses will enable the student to identify a viable research topic and conduct preliminary research that will lead to formal candidacy.

**Students must complete 24 credits of CISD 901 dissertation courses. Students who do not complete the dissertation within 24 credits will register for CISD 920 Continuing Dissertation (four credits) until the dissertation is complete.

For a full list of all course descriptions, visit coursewizard.nova.edu.

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T.J. Moore

DevOps Engineer 2
NSU B.S. in Computer Science Graduate

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Priscila Reyes

NSU B.S. in Computer Science Graduate

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Catalina Bolaños Sippli

IT Consultant
NSU M.S. in Management Information Systems Graduate

 
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Ben Sirof

NSU M.S. in Information Technology Graduate

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Diaa Fathalla

NSU Ph.D. in Computer Science Graduate

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Rita Barrios

Adjunct Professor, Cybersecurity & Information Systems
NSU Ph.D. in Cybersecurity Management Graduate

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The College of Computing and Engineering graduate enrollment office is located on the fourth floor in the Carl DeSantis Building on NSU's Fort Lauderdale-Davie campus in Davie, Florida. Click here for a map.

Phone: (844) 847-5815 or Toll-Free: 800-986-2247 x22031
Email: computing@nova.edu

Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

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