How to Get a PhD or SciD in Information Systems

Information systems refers to the interaction between people with computers, specifically the organization, management, and movement of information. Databases, maps, the Internet, spreadsheets--all contain information that requires special attention and care. If you're interested in boosting your credentials, or simply seeking advanced study in a field that piques your interest, a PhD or Doctor of Science (SciD) in information systems may be the degree for you. Nothing shows your dedication to this fast-growing field like earning a doctorate degree.

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Understanding Information Systems and Potential Career Paths

While "information systems" may cover a wide range of information technology and network occupations, the Bureau of Labor Statistics breaks down the field into five core specializations:

Computer network implementation. Building, installing, and modifying computer networks to fit the unique needs of a business, government organization, or private client.
Hardware and software installation. Installing and/or upgrading physical components or programs.
Internet and Intranet site development. Creating informational and/or interactive sites, wikis, and other Web- or network-based communicative platforms.
Programming and systems design. Developing a specific computer program or system to fit a specific purpose, e.g. a content management system or a client relationship management system (CRM).
Security network maintenance. Making continued improvements to networks to maximize security and ensure continued reliability.

If you already work in one of these areas, earning a SciD in information systems could be a great way to not only enhance your knowledge base, but to increase your career prospects. Many SciD programs focus on professional development and cater to those currently employed in the field. In contrast, if your interests lie more in education and theory, a PhD in information systems may be more your style. PhD programs often concentrate on the theoretical, including how both old and new theories apply to some of today's hot button issues. In sum, before entertaining visions of your first day in class, think about potential careers paths, and how a PhD or SciD can help you get there.

Choosing a Graduate School for a PhD or SciD in Information Systems

Once you've figured out which path (PhD or SciD) may be right for you, it's time to look at specific programs. The first place many people consider when applying to graduate programs is their alma mater, or the school closest to where they live. If you are currently enrolled in or living near a school offering a SciD or PhD in information systems, definitely think about applying. A nearby school can make it easy for you to talk to admissions counselors, faculty, and current students in person. However, you should also look around to see if there is a better fit educationally or financially, most notably to gain exposure to a new network of people, and to have a backup plan in case you are not accepted.

No matter where you live or what your status, when you look for a doctorate degree in information systems, keep the following questions in mind:

Does the school offer the degree you need?
Does the program offer the specialization you seek?
Do the program and faculty have good reputations?
What are the requirements and how do you apply?
How will you afford it?
How likely are you to complete your degree?

This last point may be the most important consideration of all, but it is one that is often overlooked. Everyone who begins graduate study expects to complete it. Yet, according to research conducted by the Council of Graduate Schools--which tracks completion and attrition of PhD candidates in more than 50 schools in the U.S. and Canada--approximately 75 percent of students finish their degrees. Selecting the right school can position you to be among that majority.

Researching Doctoral-Level Degrees in Information Systems

WorldWideLearn.com offers a few helpful resources with which to begin your research. You can look for degrees by level or degrees by subject. You can also look for on-campus and online doctoral programs. You can even complete a brief form and let schools send their information to you--making the process even easier.

The U.S. Department of Education hosts the College Navigator, an online tool that lets you search for schools by a number of parameters, including but not limited to degree, distance from your current address, size of student body, availability of student housing and financial aid, minimum scores on entrance exams, and religious affiliation. The search capability is robust, and the service is free.

U.S. News & World Report contains a wide range of resources as well. Under the Education tab, you can find their lists of "best schools", including best computer science graduate schools. The ranked lists show on campus programs only, but you can also find an unranked list of information systems programs that are available from online graduate schools.

If you want to work with a hard copy, consider the Peterson's Graduate Programs in Engineering and Applied Sciences 2010 guide, available in some bookstores and libraries. Section eight of this guide has the stats and facts of all campus-based graduate programs in computer science and information technology.

Once you have winnowed your picks by your must-have criteria, the next step is to thoroughly investigate the programs' Web sites for detailed information to determine best matches and how to apply.

Doctorate Degree in Information Systems: Narrowing Your Focus

Now that you have an idea of which degree you'd like to pursue (PhD or SciD), and which schools you're interested in, it's time to whittle down your list. When evaluating potential schools and PhD programs within, keep the following four criteria firmly in mind.

Specializations

Selecting a specialization is key to completing a PhD or SciD in information systems. It's where you will likely focus your research, which, in turn, can influence your career, both the kind of work you do and by whom you are employed. If one of the five specializations listed above doesn't pique your interest, seek out academic and professional literature to see what foremost minds in the field are working on. A new cutting-edge technology or a certain interdisciplinary project may steer your educational and/or career path into an entirely new direction.

Faculty

Once you've pinpointed a specialty worth investigating further, turn your attention to faculty. Those who research, lecture, and publish as part of a program can determine both its influence and whether or not it's a good match for you. For example, Richard Feynman is the reason some students chose the Cal Tech physics program. That is not to say you should search out only Nobel prize winners, however. Many university professors do great research and help their students without gaining an ounce of stardom.

Besides reading about faculty, you can read their published research, talk with doctoral candidates, and schedule a phone call or campus visit. While this may sound like a lot of work--and you do not need to do it for every program to which you apply--you should consider this part of the application process for at least your top two picks.

Program Type: On-Campus vs Online Degrees

Both on-campus and online PhD degrees have their own benefits. The one you choose may depend on your professional goals, family commitments, location, and financial situation, among others. Here's a quick rundown of each.

Benefits of the Online Doctorate

If you're a working professional or have personal responsibilities that make daily visits to campus (or relocation) impossible, an online, or, distance doctorate, may be the solution. Many online doctorate programs allow you to work at your own pace, interact with fellow students via Web conferences, discuss reading materials or research with professors via forums, and more. Many online programs also offer access to extensive Internet-based resources to aid doctoral students with research projects. Basically, online programs provide flexibility to those who need it.

Benefits of the Campus Doctorate

Enrolling in a campus-based programs can put you in constant, face-to-face contact with both peers and mentors. This option is great if you learn well in a public and more communicative environment. The campus option also offers access to materials that may not be available online, e.g. special research equipment or state-of-the-art labs.

WorldWideLearn.com can help you find online doctoral programs in a variety of fields, including online PhD and SciD programs in computer science and information systems.

Accreditation

When vetting programs, make sure you investigate its accreditation status. While there may be quality programs that have yet to receive accreditation, having that credential helps ensure you'll receive federally backed financial aid--a key criterion for any potential doctoral student. Also, accreditation lets possible employers know that your program has been properly checked for quality by an unbiased third party.

There are many accreditation boards, but not all are perceived as equal. To learn more about this topic see Accreditation Answers on WorldWideLearn.com.

Applying to a Doctoral Program in Information Systems: First Steps

The first step in applying is to make note of the application deadlines. There may be multiple deadlines for submitting the application itself, letters of recommendation, test scores, and transcripts. When you apply, you must usually apply to the school and to the department, so you may need multiple sets of documents, and they may have different deadlines.

Make it easy for your references to help you by giving them a written reminder of what classes you took from them and when, and what grades your received, as well as anything else that might help them remember you.

As part of the application, prospective students usually must write a letter of intent, explaining why they want to attend and what they intend to do both during school and beyond. You should begin composing this document long before it is due so you have time to edit it at least once.

Almost all applications and supporting documents are filed electronically, and you can monitor their receipt, even the receipt of your recommendations. Stay on top of all submissions.

Financial Aid

At the doctoral level a common form of financial aid is assistantships. If you are attending an on-campus program you may have the opportunity to teach. Doctoral candidates often teach undergraduate classes and are either paid directly for their services or have the equivalent of what would be paid deducted from tuition.

Whether you attend in person or virtually, you may also assist with research (apart from the research you do as part of your dissertation). Although the work is different, research assistantships are based on the same model as teaching assistantships as far how they are paid. Additionally, the funding for research assistantships may come from an outside company or from the government instead of the college or university itself, although it is paid through the educational institution.

There are always scholarships, grants, and loans available. Scholarships and grants are outright gifts, whereas loans need to be repaid, usually with interest. Some loans can be paid off (or partially paid off) through a year or more of work after graduation. Doctoral students should not count on being able to work off loans unless that option is documented at the time the loan is accepted.

Acceptance and Completion

When it's time to choose among your offers, just remember to base your decision on the core criteria discussed above. In other words, the factors that best fit your lifestyle. It may take some serious thought--and it should--to decide between an on-campus or an online doctoral program, or between a PhD or SciD in information systems. Once you've made your decisions, though, there's nothing left but to start applying and moving toward your future in this cutting-edge field.

Sources

BNET, Would you get an online MBA?
Council of Graduate Schools, PhD Completion Project
Peterson's and Jill Schwartz, Graduate Programs in Engineering and Applied Sciences 2010
University of California, Berkeley, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
U.S. News & World Report, Best Graduate Schools
U.S. Department of Education, The Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator