How to Get a PhD in Computer and Software Engineering
Two fields that experts say are relatively recession-proof and enjoy excellent long-term growth prospects are computer sciences and engineering. If you become a computer or software engineer, you essentially work at the intersection of these fields--and thus you are likely to improve your chances of having steady and lucrative employment. A PhD in Computer or Software Engineering offers you the opportunity to pursue this type of career path to its fullest.
If you are interested in finding out more, this guide walks you through a step-by-step process for getting started toward a PhD in Computer or Software Engineering. Specifically, you:
- Learn more about why a PhD in Computer and Software Engineering may be valuable.
- Review some possible career paths, which may point you to the right specialty within computer or software engineering.
- Find out how to choose a graduate computer and software engineering program, including deciding between on-campus and online PhD programs, how to evaluate different programs, and what resources are available to you.
- See what is involved in applying for a PhD in Computer and Software Engineering.
The Value of a PhD in Computer and Software Engineering
Computer and software engineering encompasses a variety of different professions, many of which are in high demand and pay very well. In fact, good jobs in this field are often available to people with master's or even just bachelor's degrees, so why pursue a PhD in Computer and Software Engineering?
Answering that question may be your first step along the path to your doctorate. Reasons for pursuing a PhD in Computer and Software Engineering include:
- An interest in research. While there are thousands of day-to-day jobs in computer or software engineering, the most groundbreaking work is done in research--either in academic institutions or corporate research and development facilities. A PhD in Computer or Software Engineering qualifies you to play a prominent role in this type of research effort.
- Professional curiosity. A bachelor's or master's degree might give you a working knowledge of the subject, but a doctorate in computer science or software engineering introduces you to the possibilities that lie on the cutting edge of the field.
- An interest in teaching. If you want to teach at the postsecondary level, a doctorate in computer or software engineering (either a PhD or an EdD) would almost certainly be called for, especially for tenure-track positions.
- A desire to lock in your career competitiveness. General levels of educational attainment are rising all the time. For example, from 2000 to 2008, the number of people in the U.S. with bachelor's degrees increased by 26 percent. The number with master's degrees increased by 41 percent. These numbers don't even account for the international marketplace. Staying ahead of the curve could mean going to the terminal degree level, which in this field would be a doctorate in computer or software engineering.
Career Paths with a PhD in Computer and Software Engineering
Once you've decided to earn a doctorate in computer or software engineering, the next step is to visualize what kind of career path interests you. This helps you know what area of specialization to look for when you start looking at PhD programs.
The following are some of the possibilities:
- Computer design. Hardware engineers help design new computers in all forms, from mass-market laptops to highly-sophisticated servers.
- Information technology director. High-level corporations and other institutions with large, advanced computer operations need highly-qualified hardware or software engineers not just to oversee their existing operations, but to continually investigate what new alternatives would help do the job more cost-effectively.
- Hardware research. Computing power has increased exponentially even while size and power requirements have become smaller. This is due in no small part to research into new hardware solutions being done at the theoretical and applied levels.
- Software engineer. This is a level above software programming, in that it involves coming up with the fundamental logic needed to perform a desired function, whether as an improvement on existing functions or creating entirely new applications. While the actual programming can be readily outsourced, the creative problem-solving involved in software engineering is a much more specialized and value-added role. This can be applied to everything from business software to computer games.
- Software application engineer. This role involves analyzing an organization's needs and putting together the right mix of commercially-available and proprietary software applications to meet those needs.
- Systems software engineer. This involves helping an organization maintain and advance its existing computing capabilities.
- Computer or software engineering professor. Given that the demand for computer and software engineers is rising, teaching those skills should also be a promising occupation in the years ahead.
Selecting a Graduate Computer and Software Engineering Program
Once you have a general idea of what kind of career path you'd like to pursue, you are in a better position to select a PhD program that meets your needs. The following explores some of the issues involved in choosing a program.
On-Campus and Online PhD Programs
As a starting point, you should be sure to consider both on-campus and online PhDs in Computer or Software Engineering. Why? The most fundamental reason is freedom of choice. Online PhD programs have grown tremendously over the years, and in doing so have added greatly to the choices available to you. When it comes to weighing all the evaluation criteria described below, you have the best chance of finding the right fit if you include the full range of on-campus and online PhD programs.
Another reason for considering an online PhD in Computer or Software Engineering might be location. Depending on where you live--and your ability to pursue your education in a remote location--an online PhD program might offer the best (or only) opportunity to bring the right mix of educational resources and specialization to your location. While some courses of study are better suited to distance learning than others, the fact that this field is computer-based by nature makes an online PhD in Computer Science or Software Engineering especially suitable.
On the other hand, if you find a suitable on-campus program in your area, or can afford to travel and live on campus in another area, you may find the personal relationships with peers and professors to be an important part of the experience involved in earning your doctorate degree. Fortunately, if you already have had some experience with earning prerequisite degrees, you may be able to evaluate first-hand how much an in-person campus experience means to you.
A final consideration is time and scheduling. If you are pursuing a doctorate to advance a career that is already underway, earning your PhD online might allow you to maintain your current job while preparing for future advancement.
Evaluation Criteria
Once you have a sense of your desired career path and of some of the issues involved in on-campus and online graduate degree programs, you can start evaluating individual programs. Some issues include:
- Resources in your specialty. You need to choose a school that puts a reasonable focus on your chosen area of specialization. This means having the courses, faculty, and technical resources that are going to give you the background needed for your chosen career.
- Accreditation. Accreditation is complicated, because there are a variety of accrediting agencies out there. Look for an accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Further, you need to understand the distinction between institutional accreditation, which applies to an entire school, and program accreditation, which may apply only to a particular department or major.
- Quality of faculty. The quality of a college department's faculty can be assessed in a few ways, including degrees held, industry experience, and articles or books published. A strong faculty may not only give you a better learning experience, but it could also reflect well on you with potential employers, and even provide you with networking contacts.
- Admission standards. This is where some realistic self-assessment comes into play. You want to aim for a school with high standards that reflects well on you once you graduate, but you also have to target schools where you have a realistic chance of being accepted. Find out everything you can about a school's standards, such as test scores and grades, and target schools where your credentials are competitive.
- Reputation and ranking. Publications like U.S. News & World Report and Kiplinger's publish annual rankings of colleges and universities based on various criteria, so this can give you some insight into how different schools stack up. Also, talk to people in your chosen field (including potential future employers, if possible) to see which programs are considered the most prestigious.
- Cost. Ultimately, you need to be able to afford to complete your education. Naturally, you should look at this expense as an investment that will pay off in the future, but there is no point in starting work toward a doctorate if you are not going to be able to afford to complete the degree.
- Type of environment. Think about what type of learning experience you want--on campus or online, big or small school, urban or rural setting. Putting yourself in the right environment can strongly increase your chances of success.
Resources for Finding On-Campus and Online PhDs in Computer and Software Engineering
With so many criteria to consider, the search for the right school may seem overwhelming. Fortunately, though, there are several resources you can use to help with your search.
Online guides are available to help you find the right PhD program. These guides not only bring together information from a wide variety of institutions, but they can allow you to search for a program according to your specific criteria to find just the right fit.
You can also visit the U.S. Department of Education's Web siteto find out which accreditation agencies it recognizes. The Department also has a Web sitededicated to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This site helps you research financial aid options and guides you through the application process.
Applying for a PhD in Computer and Software Engineering
The first step when you apply for a PhD program is to make a list of the admissions requirements for your target schools. Naturally, you want to make sure you meet the requirements for prior academic achievement, which may include having already earned a master's degree in a related field. The application itself may require that you submit college transcripts, standardized test scores, and/or letters of recommendation. Schools often have applications available online, so you can generally find out what is required just by doing some checking on their websites.
Because it may take some time to get the necessary materials together or take specialized testing for a program, the next step, once you have a list of the relevant requirements, is to create a schedule of when you should complete each step in the application process to make sure you have planned everything out with time to spare before each program's application deadline.
Applying to graduate schools can be a time-consuming and expensive process. This makes it all the more important to have done your research up front, so you can apply to a small number of schools that meet your requirements and that offer you a realistic chance of earning admission.
Conclusion: Making the Most of Your PhD in Computer and Software Engineering
Just as continuing your education is an investment in your future, taking the time to properly assess your options before choosing a doctorate program is a similar investment. You are going to be living with your choice for a long time--not just in the years spent earning your degree, but over the course of your subsequent career when that degree may be a factor in your ability to get jobs and earn promotions. Therefore, use online resources to assemble the necessary information, and make a careful decision based on this material. In this way, you have a great chance of making this a decision you can live with happily.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Computer Software Engineers
- Florida A&M University, Graduate Program: Master of Science in Software Engineering Science
- George Mason University, The Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering, Informal Guide to the Ph.D. and Engineer Programs
- IEEE Computer Society, Developer, Engineer, or Architect?, by Andrew Anguelo
- PC World, IBM Aims to Counter Researcher Shortage in India, by John Ribeiro
- U.S. Census Bureau, Educational Attainment
- U.S. Department of Education, Institutional Accrediting Agencies
- wiseGEEK, What are the Different Types of Computer Science Graduate Programs?
