Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Information Systems at Nova Southeastern University’s College of Computing and Engineering is especially well suited to professionals working in areas such as information system planning, information security, systems analysis and design, project management, information system administration, information science, or software engineering. It provides information technology professionals with the knowledge and ability to develop creative solutions to substantive real-world problems in information systems.
The degree program is designed for students with a bachelor’s or master's degree in information systems or a closely related field. The B.S. to Ph.D. and M.S. to Ph.D. pathways emphasize core information systems knowledge in areas such as information system planning, information security, software engineering, and more.
Coursework
Students must complete a minimum of 51 credits in the M.S. to Ph.D. pathway or a minimum of 66 credits in the B.S. to Ph.D. pathway.
Qualifier Stage for Admission to Candidacy
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. Additionally, 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.
Comprehensive Stage Dissertation Proposal
Students must successfully pass the qualifier stage, secure an advisor and dissertation committee, and have an approved Idea Paper before pursing dissertation course registration. After the student has achieved sufficient depth in a field of study, they prepare a proposal for the Ph.D. dissertation. Upon approval of the written proposal, the student has to present the proposed work orally to the dissertation committee.
Doctoral Dissertation
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 register for each term following the one in which they enter candidacy.
Dissertation Defense
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.
Time Limitation
The Ph.D. maximum time frame to complete the dissertation is ten years from date of entering the program.