in person

Information Systems & Technology

PhD in Information Systems & Technology

With built-in flexibility to accommodate working professionals in Information Systems & Technology, our PhD in program prepares you to conduct relevant IS&T scholarship and make lasting contributions to the academic research community.

The PhD program maintains a design-centric emphasis that focuses on solving pragmatic problems using a mixture of creative designs and existing theory. Technical courses provide the requisite skills to develop these IS&T solutions. Spanning applications in education, health, government, business, and more, our curriculum trains candidates to develop the research and analytical skills to evaluate the effectiveness of designed solutions and their impact on improving human performance and addressing societal challenges. Five available concentrations allow students to customize a track of study that best aligns with their interests and career aspirations while providing a flexible curriculum and schedule that accommodates both full-time students and working professionals.

Program Highlights
  • Well-equipped research clinics and laboratories enable you to work directly on applied and academic research, including:
    • IDEA Lab
    • Data Science Lab
    • Advanced GIS
    • Social Learning
  • You can pursue a PhD in Information Systems & Technology in conjunction with another degree program at CGU, such as an MA in Public Policy. You earn a diploma for each degree, “double count” some units from one program to the other, and decrease your required total units.
  • Our GIS Club convenes students and professionals interested in geographic information systems (GIS) and informs the local community about the latest GIS workshops and conferences.
  • This program is STEM designated, allowing international students who hold F-1 visas to apply for OPT work authorizations for a total of 36 months (an initial 1-year period and a 24-month OPT STEM extension) of paid work experience in the U.S. after graduation.

Program At-a-glance

  • 76 units

    required units

  • PhD in Information Systems & Technology

    degree awarded

  • In Person

    modality

  • Spring, Summer, Fall

    program start

  • 4-7 years | full time*

    estimated completion time

Areas of Concentration

  • Data Science & Analytics

    Explore how massive volumes of data can be used to solve business and societal problems through data mining, specialized programming, and other computational skills.

  • Cybersecurity & Networking

    Develop a fresh perspective on cyber threats, hacker motivations, modern attack patterns, and next-generation mitigation solutions.

  • IT Strategy & Innovation

    Study current IT innovations, key business strategies for internet entrepreneurs, and how to create a successful Internet startup.

  • Geographic Information Systems

    Learn to develop transformative GIS solutions for organizations and companies through geographic data mapping, location-based services, and related technologies.

  • Health Informatics

    Study the relationship between information technology and health care services through a unique partnership with the School of Community and Global Health.

Where You Can Find Our Alumni

Faculty

  • Portrait of Shamir Chatterjee

    Samir Chatterjee

    Fletcher Jones Chair of Technology Design & Management

    Research Interests

    Design science research, Health informatics, Electronics and telecommunication engineering

  • Portrait of Yan Li

    Yan Li

    Associate Professor of Information Systems & Technology

    Research Interests

    Data science, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Health Informatics, Mobile Health, Data Management, Data warehousing, Business intelligence, ICT4D

  • Chinazunwa Uwaoma

    Chinazunwa Uwaoma

    Research Assistant Professor of Information Systems & Technology

    Research Interests

    Internet of Things, Mobile Computing, Computer Communications & Networks, Healthcare Systems, Artificial Intelligence, and Cyber Security

  • Wallace Chipidza

    Wallace Chipidza

    Associate Professor of Information Systems and Technology

    Research Interests

    Dynamics of social networks, Quantum Computing and Applications, Internet Privacy, ICT4D

Curriculum

The PhD in Information Systems and Technology curriculum integrates advanced research training with specialized study in different areas.

The program offers 6 concentrations:

  • Data Science and Analytics
  • AI-Driven Innovation
  • Cybersecurity & Cloud Computing
  • GIS
  • Health Informatics
  • Information Technology Strategy and Innovation

The program prepares students for impactful careers in academia, industry, and government. With concentration-specific practicums and 16 units of electives, you can tailor your education to align with your goals. Designed with flexibility for working professionals, the program combines rigorous coursework with hands-on, real-world application. Exclusive to Claremont Graduate University, this program embodies academic excellence through collaborative research and mentorship with leading IS&T scholars and practitioners.

Degree Requirements

Coursework

  • Research Core Courses: 20 units
  • Mandatory Core Courses: 16 units
  • Concentration Courses: 16 units
  • Electives: 20 units
  • Transdisciplinary Courses: 4 units
  • Total Required Units: 76 units

Practicum

The program incorporates practicum courses within concentrations, such as the Data Science Practicum and GIS Practicum, providing hands-on experience that allows students to apply research methodologies to real-world challenges in technology and data.

Doctoral Qualifying Portfolio

The program requires students to complete a Qualifying Portfolio in addition to their dissertation.

Portfolio Requirements

  1. Reviewed paper published in the proceedings of a conference (e.g., AIS, ACM, IEEE, IFIP, IRMA, and Spring LNCS). *
  2. Reviewed journal article that has been reviewed for publication with at least a “revise and resubmit” decision. *
  3. One grant proposal, consulting engagement, or related practice. Doctoral students are eligible to apply for CGU grants as well as fellowships from federal sources (e.g., NIH, NSF, etc.)
  4. Post-secondary teaching or mentoring (e.g., Preparing Future Faculty Program, Formal Mentoring, taught 10 or more post-secondary courses)
  5. Serve as a peer reviewer. (A minimum of 3 times for a conference paper or journal manuscript.)

* If the paper has multiple student authors, only one student per paper can use it for their portfolio requirement.

Capstone

The PhD program culminates in a dissertation, where students address significant IS&T issues within their field, making original contributions to research and professional practice.

Highlights of the Program

  • Tailored for both working professionals and full-time students, our Ph.D. program in Information Systems & Technology offers the flexibility to advance your career without pausing your professional life.
  • Focus on solving real-world problems through innovative designs and existing theories, equipping you with the skills to bring creative IS&T solutions to life.
  • With our rigorous technical courses, students gain the essential skills needed to develop state-of-the-art IS&T solutions that address complex challenges.
  • The program makes a significant impact in various sectors, including education, health, government, and business, with our comprehensive curriculum designed to improve human performance and solve societal issues.
  • The program focuses on enhancing the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of IS&T solutions and their societal impact, with a strong emphasis on developing advanced research and analytical capabilities.
  • The program offers to select six available concentrations to tailor your academic journey to your personal interests and career goals, ensuring a personalized and relevant educational experience.

Application Guidelines

University Requirements
Application Fee

$80 (fee is non-refundable)

Official Transcripts

Undergraduate/graduate

Applicants must submit a sealed, official transcript from every undergraduate and graduate institution that has granted the applicant a degree. Electronic transcripts sent to admissions@cgu.edu are also accepted. For undergraduate coursework, applicants are required to submit proof of a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Unofficial copies of transcripts are accepted for review purposes, but official copies will be required upon admission.

Applicants currently earning a degree that will be completed prior to attending CGU are required to submit a transcript showing work in progress for evaluation purposes. Once the degree has been granted, a final official transcript documenting the degree conferred must be submitted to CGU.

International applicants are advised to review the International Transcript Guidelines for additional information on submitting international transcripts.

English Proficiency Exam

Required (international applicants only)

A valid score on one of the following examinations TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE, Duolingo English Test is required of all non-native English-speaking applicants. The examination is not required for the following applicants:

  • Citizens or permanent residents of countries where English is the sole official language of instruction, e.g., Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada (except Quebec), England, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Uganda, and Wales (see the CGU Bulletin for a complete list of accepted countries).
  • Applicants who hold an undergraduate or advanced degree, or will have earned such a degree prior to enrolling at CGU, from an institution in the US or in countries where English is the sole official language of instruction (see above).
  • Applicants who have successfully completed an academic English pre-master’s or intensive graduate bridge program from a nationally recognized, regionally accredited four-year college or university in the United States in the last two years, with submitted evidence of successful completion, and subject to curriculum approval.
  • CGU allows for an English proficiency waiver if the applicant has received, or will receive prior to enrollment at CGU, an undergraduate or advanced degree from an institution where English is one of the primary languages of instruction for the majority of courses in the student’s program. To receive the waiver, documentation must be provided by the applicant to show that English is the language of instruction at their university/college.

CGU’s school code for the TOEFL exam is 4053.

International applicants are encouraged to visit our International Applicants page for more information, including score requirements.

Resume

Applicants must submit an up-to-date copy of their resume.

Program Requirements
Statement of Purpose

Please submit a 2-3 page statement of purpose that details your academic and/or professional achievements, your specific areas of research interest within your desired field of study, why you are a strong candidate for graduate studies at CGU, and your career goals.

Letter of Recommendation

2 letters required

When filling out the online application, please enter references acquainted with your potential for success who will submit a written recommendation on your behalf. In most academic departments, references from faculty members who can speak to your academic ability are preferred; applicants with substantial work experience may request professional references. Please do not enter family members as references.

You will be required to input information for your recommenders (whether they are submitting online or not) in the “Recommendations” section of the online application. Please follow the directions in this section carefully before clicking on “Recommendation Provider List” to input the names and contact information for each recommender. You will have an opportunity to indicate if the reference writer will be submitting online. These reference writers will receive an email from CGU with instructions on submitting an online recommendation.

Recommenders who are indicated as offline will not receive an email from CGU with instructions to submit. These reference writers can submit via traditional mail and should use the supplemental New Student Recommendation Form. Recommenders can also email their letter of recommendation to the Office of Admissions at admissions@cgu.edu.

Download the Recommendation Form

Standardized Test Scores

GRE required

All applicants must submit scores from the general section of the GRE unless otherwise stated.

Scores must be less than five years old.
Scores must be sent directly to CGU by the testing agency.
CGU’s school code:
ETS (GRE and TOEFL) 4053

Key Dates & Deadlines

CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.

Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.

Spring 2025
Priority Deadline – November 1, 2024
Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2024
Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2024
Classes begin – January 21, 2025

Summer 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – March 1, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – April 1, 2025
Classes begin – May 19, 2025

Fall 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2025
Classes begin – August 25, 2025

Apply Now

Cost & Aid

ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)
Program 76 units
Tuition per unit* $2,070

*Based on 2025-2026 tuition rates.

STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)
$245 Student Fee
$150 Technology Fee
International Student Services Fee**: $768 fall semester, $851 spring semester
**Applies to all international students (F-1 visa only) who are registered in coursework, doctoral study, or continuous registration. The fee is assessed each fall and spring semester for annual ISO accident and sickness plans and administrative fees. Subject to changes.

For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2025-2026.

review financial aid

Back to the tabs
Apply now

Request More Info

Contact us for more information

Loading...

While waiting for our answer, take a look at our FAQ

Maybe you'll find some answers to your questions

See FAQ