How to Get a PhD in Network Administration

If you are seeking to advance your career to the highest possible level, you may be considering a PhD in network administration. A PhD in network administration can open numerous career opportunities, from technology director at a global organization to academic researcher.

But there's no question that applying to PhD programs can be challenging. Yet you may have significant success finding the program that's right for you if you know what you're looking for, and if you take the time to research.

This guide can help you identify your wants and needs in a PhD program as well as find a school that can meet them. Take the time to follow the steps below, and you could be well on your way toward joining an elite group of technology professionals who hold a coveted doctorate in network administration.

Overview of a PhD in Network Administration

Computer science began as an academic discipline in the 1960s, concurrent with major advances in operating systems and the invention of new programming languages, such as BASIC. Information technology and information systems emerged as distinct disciplines in the 1980s.

A PhD in network administration is most likely to be offered as a specialty within the broader disciplines of computer science or information technology and information systems. (The field of information technology is sometimes housed within business schools.) Those disciplines are generally distinguished by their orientation.

• Computer science tends to focus on the scientific aspect of technology, with curricula involving theory, math, algorithms, and artificial intelligence.
• Information systems and information technology emphasize applications of technology and encompass web technology, databases, and computer security.

Because network administration is, by title, a practical profession, you may find a doctorate in network administration through an information technology or information systems department. If scientific theory is more to your liking, look for networking specializations within a computer science program.

Terminal degree titles vary, but a PhD is the degree most commonly offered in the field of computers and technology. You may also see a Doctor of Science degree title if your degree is within the field of computer science. Both degrees are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as research doctorate degrees. Other degree titles you may encounter include a Doctor of Information Technology or Doctor of Computer Science.

While the process of obtaining a PhD in network administration usually requires getting a master's degree first, most schools do not require you to have a master's degree upon entry. In fact, your chances at obtaining funding through a fellowship are best for students applying to PhD programs directly, rather than masters' programs.

From a PhD in Network Administration to the Workforce: Career Opportunities

Network administrators are needed in nearly every context you can imagine--in the public and private sector, as consultants, educators, and researchers, and more. Network administrators can hold jobs in small companies, managing information and technology systems, or they can develop and oversee global networks--for highly lucrative pay. A PhD in network administration can open the door to a wide spectrum of jobs. All it takes is a clear career vision, and finding the doctorate degree program that can get you there.

An Option for Busy Adults: Online PhD in Network Administration

If you're exploring a doctorate in network administration, you may already be working in the field. Thanks to the number of schools offering online PhD degrees, you may be able to combine your career and educational pursuits through an online PhD in network administration.

Online PhD programs are usually tailored to meet the needs of busy adults who wish to pursue their education from home on a flexible schedule. Many of these adults are professionals working in the field; thus, one advantage of an online education is that students in the program benefit from the real-world experience brought to the table by fellow students.

Another significant difference is that an online doctorate in network administration is most likely to be a practitioner's degree, as opposed to an academic degree (i.e. research degree). That said, because network administration is usually a practical field as opposed to a theoretical one, some campus-based programs also emphasize practice in the field.

Finding the Right Doctorate Degree Program: The Research and Application Process

The following steps walk you through the process of identifying and applying to the PhD programs that meet your needs.

Step 1: Identify Core Criteria for a PhD in Network Administration

The first step seems obvious: Identify your baseline criteria for a PhD in network administration. By establishing these criteria, you can eliminate programs right off the bat and reduce the scope of your research.

Make sure to consider the following.

• Accreditation. For any PhD program, accreditation is a key. Accreditation is often a prerequisite for financial aid, as well as for employers who review your resume.
• On campus or online? When deciding on a program's format, consider the time commitment you can make to a program (online PhD programs can often be pursued on a part-time basis, for example), and your career ambitions (practitioner versus researcher).
• Location. If a move isn't in your future, limit your options to schools within a particular geographical radius or to distance learning programs, such as an online PhD in network administration.

Step 2: Assess Your Options for a PhD in Network Administration

With your core criteria in hand, you're ready to begin researching programs.

Survey the Field

There are numerous programs to choose from--but you need to identify them. Take advantage of the many online sources of information about doctorate degree programs in computer science and information technology. Try the following list, for starters.

• Accredited programs. ABET, Inc. is responsible for the accreditation of educational programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. Its website offers a database of accredited programs in computer science, information technology, and information systems, among other topics.
• Online directory sites. Sites such as WorldWideLearn.com offer a wide range of information about graduate schools and programs. At WorldWideLearn.com, you can search online degrees by level, online degrees by subject, online degrees by school, or search for campus-based programs, organized by location, level, and subject.
• Rankings. U.S. News & World Report ranks more than 75 graduate programs in computer science and lists another 75 programs that aren't ranked.

Use your search results to maintain a running list of PhD programs in network administration that meet your basic criteria.

Step 3: Narrow the Field of Campus-Based or Online PhD Programs in Network Administration

In this step, the real research begins. Explore programs in depth to determine whether they meet your needs. There are several factors you should consider.

1. Department Size

A small department usually offers greater personal contact and one-on-one interaction with faculty and fellow students. A large department, on the other hand, will likely have more specializations from which to choose and better research facilities. In the case of an online PhD in network administration, you may have the best luck finding the right advisor in a program that has numerous faculty members.

2. Specializations

Network administration is typically offered as a specialization within the broader fields of computer science and information technology. Therefore, it's important for you to review departments' specializations in depth to determine whether you will be able to pursue a PhD in network administration.

As you review specializations, also examine faculty expertise to assess whether someone stands out as a potential advisor. An advisor can play a key role in guiding your research and helping you progress through the program.

3. Quality of the Program

The quality of PhD programs depends on many factors, including the following:

• Faculty. Do faculty members hold PhDs or have significant work experience?
• Faculty/student ratio. The smaller the ratio, the better faculty members may be able to provide you with one-on-one support through your pursuit of a doctorate degree.
• History. Does the program have a solid history to back it? If it is new, is it well organized and comparable to other programs?
• Reputation. Professionals in the field--and professors--will be able to tell you which programs produce PhDs best qualified for the workforce.

4. Program Cost

Even more important than a program's "sticker price" is whether it offers fellowships in the form of teaching or research assistantships to students. Many doctorate degree programs in technology offer significant financial assistance to qualified PhD students.

5. Admission Requirements

Can you get into the program? In the technology field, work experience can be just as important as academic credentials. If you have made significant innovations in the area of network administration or have otherwise demonstrated proficiency in technology, you might be qualified to gain entry to a top school. Be certain, however, that if you choose to apply to some highly selective programs, also apply to programs that are more certain to grant you admission.

6. Graduate Placement

Each program differs in its orientation, with some training students to work as researchers and others preparing students to work as professional network administrators. Gather information about graduate placement to see where graduates are working, and whether their jobs are in keeping with the philosophy and orientation of the program.

You may also want to determine just how many students who begin the program actually complete it. It can be a long path to a PhD in network administration--3 to 7 years--so make sure you have the support you need to complete your degree.

Where to Get Information

Now that you know what to look for, you'll need to know where to look. Many schools' Web sites offer a surprising amount of detail. Make a note of any questions you have about a program after perusing its website, and call the school directly to get answers.

At some point, you'll want to visit campuses. Some prospective students prefer to do this after they've been accepted to programs. Schools are more likely to pay for you to visit if they've already accepted you to the program and are trying to "woo" you into attending. On the other hand, if you are able, visiting schools before you even apply can be a good idea: You'll get the most information about a program by talking directly to faculty and students.

Whenever you choose to visit a campus, just be certain that you make the time to do it. Your PhD in network administration will require a significant commitment in time and personal initiative, so you'll want to be certain that the program is a good fit.

Step 4: Apply to the PhD Programs of Your Choice

You've identified your top programs, and now you're ready to apply to a campus-based or online PhD in network administration. Make sure you carefully review each school's requirements, and allow yourself plenty of time to complete your applications. Preparing a separate folder for each school's materials is always a good idea.

Most programs require the following:

• Transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Qualifying exams, usually the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Application fees
• Other requirements, such as examples of original research or a statement of purpose

Send your materials well in advance of the deadline to spare yourself any last-minute stress. The hard part is over (until you enter a doctorate degree program!), so now you can dedicate some time to preparing for your future as a graduate student.

Step 5: Know Your Academic Community

Familiarize yourself with experts and current research in the field of network administration to get a jumpstart on your PhD program. Get up-to-speed in network administration by:

• Subscribing to network administration-related publications
• Joining professional organizations and associations
• Attending academic conferences

Step 6: Visualize Your Future Career

Maintaining a clear vision of your career objectives throughout the program can greatly enhance your chance of success. Whether you aspire to become a researcher, executive, or consultant, keeping your career goals firmly in mind can help give you the initiative and perseverance to reach the apex of academic achievement: a doctorate in network administration.

Sources

• Association for Computing Machinery, Choosing a PhD Program in Computer Science, by Rachel Pottinger
• Capella University, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Information Technology
• Carnegie Mellon Computer Science Department, History
• The Computer Science Department at the United States Naval Academy, Why Computer Science or Information Technology?
• Computing Research Association Committee on the Status of Women in Computing Research, Graduate School Information Guide
• George Washington University, PhD in Computer Science
• Purdue University College of Science, Academic Programs at Computer Science
• University of California Berkeley School of Information, PhD Program Requirements
• University of Waterloo, A Very Brief History of Computer Science, by Jeffrey Shallit