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
UNITS
76 units
ESTIMATED COMPLETION TIME*
Full-time: 4–7 years
Part-time: varies
*Actual completion times will vary and may be higher, depending on full- or part-time course registration, units transferred, and time to complete other degree requirements.
COURSES BEGIN
Fall | Spring | Summer
DEGREE AWARDED
PhD in Information Systems & Technology
Featured Courses
IST 302
Databases
Introduces concepts and techniques for database design and management emphasizing the relational model, query optimization and performance tuning, and more.
IST 303
Software Development
Provides an understanding of modern software development principles and practices to support more advanced information systems and technology courses.
IST 500
Introduction to IS&T Research
Introduces the nature of doctoral studies, the conceptual foundations for information science research, past and current research areas, and researchers in the discipline.
IST 503
Qualitative Research
Provides hands-on experience in designing, conducting and writing up qualitative research while exploring issues in research on information systems questions.
IST 504
Quantitative Research Methods
Explores the design of quantitative studies (experimental and non-experimental), the development and validation of measurement instruments, sampling strategies, and more.
IST 505
Design Research Seminar
Develops students’ skills for implementing and evaluating the techniques and methods that are used in the various phases of design research.
Explore how massive volumes of data can be used to solve business and societal problems through data mining, specialized programming, and other computational skills.
Learn to develop transformative GIS solutions for organizations and companies through geographic data mapping, location-based services, and related technologies.
Study the relationship between information technology and health care services through a unique partnership with the School of Community and Global Health.
Additional Program Requirements
Research Tools Requirement
Primary Text Language
Secondary Research Language: Research Tool
Qualifying Portfolio
The Qualifying Portfolio compiles activities that reflect your ability to succeed as a PhD candidate. Although you will work with your faculty advisor to create a portfolio customized to your needs, there are five required items:
A refereed paper published in the proceedings of a conference
A refereed journal article that has been published, accepted for publication, or revised and resubmitted with the student as a primary author
One grant proposal, consulting engagement, or related practice
Post-secondary teaching or mentoring
Service as a peer reviewer
PhD Completion
PhD qualifying exams
Dissertation proposal
Dissertation and oral defense
Partnerships
Esri
Claremont Graduate University’s comprehensive partnership with Esri, the world’s leading supplier of geographic information systems (GIS) software, offers numerous benefits, including:
Scholarships for Esri employees
The Esri Development Center enables CGU students and faculty to teach and develop state-of-the-art applications in the university’s Advanced GIS Lab
GIS training and student recognition through an Esri-sponsored annual achievement award
Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance
CISAT is also a Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance Member, which gives our students and researchers access to the latest technologies for use in classroom assignments and projects.
IBM Watson Analytics Academic Program
To ensure students work with leading data analytics technologies, CISAT is part of the Watson Analytics Academic Program (WAP), which provides no-cost use of IBM® Watson Analytics software for classroom teaching and research
Faculty & Research
Samir Chatterjee
Fletcher Jones Chair of Technology Design & Management
Research Interests
Design science research, Health informatics, Electronics and telecommunication engineering
