Doctor of Philosophy in
Information Science

Excel as an Information Scientist-Practitioner

Position yourself for a rewarding and challenging career in research or information-related roles in business, government, education, or nonprofit organizations.

The strength of the PhD program at CEHC is grounded in collaborations between the College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering (CNSE), the School of Business, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, and the School of Education.

Completing this doctoral program prepares you to succeed in higher-level information management, academic research, and policy-making positions in the private and public sector.

Program of Study
Areas of Specialization
Program Faculty
Admissions Requirements
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Program of Study

programofstudy

Fundamentals of Information Technology

(4 modules):

Python
R
Data Visualization
One additional approved option

Core Courses

Managing Information and Technology in Organizations
Information and Society
Information Organization
Information and Computing

Research Methods

Research Seminar Sequence
Information Science Research Conference
Research Design in Information Science
Doctoral course in statistics/quantitative analysis

Primary Specialization and Field Exam

Six to seven courses in your area of interest.

Secondary Specialization

Three courses in another specialization area.

Comprehensive Exam

Dissertation

Additional Information

PhD Student Manual 2024-2025

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information, contact [email protected].

Areas of Specialization

Geographic Information Science

Required courses: Geographic Thought, Advanced Cartography, Geographic Information Systems

Sample electives: Digital Image Analysis, Advanced Cartography, GIS in Criminal Justice, Graduate Internship in Geography

Information Assurance

Required coursework in: information systems, networks, databases, and statistics.

Sample electives: Data Mining, Cryptography, Information Retrieval, Auditing of Advanced Accounting Systems, Information Security, Computer Forensics

Information, Government, and Democratic Society

Required courses: Foundations of Government Information Strategy and Management, Theories and Research in Political Communication

Sample electives: Message Design and Social Influence, Technology and Contemporary Organizational Life, Responsible Use of Criminal Justice Information, International Law and Organization

Information in Organizational Environments

Choose from two tracks: General Organizational Studies; and Human-Computer Interaction and Organizational Transformation

Sample courses: Cultural Analysis of Organization, Organizational Behavior and Theory, Group Dynamics, Managing Productivity and Quality of Work Life, Complex Organizations and Bureaucracy, Creativity and Entrepreneurship

Knowledge Organization and Management

Required courses: Information and Knowledge Organization, Information Storage and Retrieval

Sample electives: Natural Language Processing, Computational Linguistics, Artificial Intelligence, Logic and Philosophy, Intro to Mathematical Logic

Data Analytics

Required courses: Databases and Data Management; Predictive Analytics OR Machine Learning; and Data Mining OR Analytics and Data Mining

Sample courses: Spatial Statistics, Remote Sensing, Image Analysis, Database and Business Intelligence, Data Mining, Bayesian Data Analysis, Simulation Modeling for Decision Making, Simulation for Policy Analysis and Design

Information for Risk in Emergency Management & Security

Required courses: Fundamentals of Emergency Management, Risk Analysis and Fundamentals of Homeland Security

Sample electives by topic: weather, climate change and societal impacts; health communication and health disparities; planning risk and continuity; intelligence & U.S. national security policymaking; and geographic information systems

International Students

This degree is designated as a STEM program. International students maintaining F-1 status are allowed to apply for up to 12 months of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) following completion/graduation from their degree program. Currently, this degree program is also designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an eligible degree for the F-1 STEM OPT work authorization extension; students who secure qualifying employment may be eligible to apply for the STEM OPT extension for a cumulative total of up to 36 months of F-1 OPT work authorization.

Program Faculty

Gary Ackerman

Professor, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Department

College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity; Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Program of Study

International Students

Admissions Requirements

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Supplemental Degree Programs