Information Systems, Ph.D.
For information regarding deadlines and requirements for admission, please see https://grs.uncg.edu/programs/.
In addition to the application materials required by the Graduate School, applicants must submit a one-page personal statement and a resume. Applicants should consult the Ph.D. Program Director for specific admission requirements.
Students without a master’s degree in business will need to take additional courses to establish an understanding of business processes.
Degree Program Requirements
Required: 71 credit hours
Leveling Courses/Prerequisites
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
To be taken as needed to remedy deficiencies: * | ||
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Applications for Business | ||
Organizing Data for Analytics | ||
App Design and Programming | ||
Designing Secure Computer and IoT Networks for Business | ||
Information Systems Management | ||
Students with no business background must take at least three of these four courses: * | ||
Financial and Managerial Accounting | ||
Marketing Management | ||
Operations for Competitive Advantage | ||
MBA 709 (COURSE INACTIVE) |
- *
In consultation with the Ph.D. Program Director.
Major
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Courses (21 credits) | ||
ISM 760 | Contemporary Research Methods in Information Systems | 3 |
ISM 785 | Theories of Information Systems | 3 |
ISM 786 | Principles of Scientific Inquiry in Information Systems Research | 3 |
ISM 788 | Seminar in IS Research Methods | 3 |
Select three courses (9 credits) from the following: | 9 | |
Information Systems Research Seminar I | ||
Information Systems Research Seminar II | ||
Information Systems Research Seminar III | ||
Information Systems Research Seminar IV | ||
IS Teaching Education (4-7 credits) | ||
Select 4-7 credits * | 4-7 | |
IS Research Seminars (7-8 credits) | ||
Select a minimum of 7 credits ** | 7-8 | |
Knowledge Area (9 credits) | ||
Select 9 credits, possible courses include: * | 9 | |
Predictive Analytics in Information Systems Research | ||
Data Visualization for Information Systems Research | ||
Cognitive Computing and Artificial Intelligence in Information Systems Research | ||
Cyber Security Principles in Information Systems Research | ||
Blockchains and Cryptography in Information Systems Research | ||
Global Cyber Threats and Risk Management | ||
Information Technology Driven Disruptive Innovations | ||
Generative AI for Business and Information Systems Research | ||
Deep Learning Applications for Business and Information Systems Research | ||
Cloud Computing and Security Analytics and Information Systems Research | ||
Research Methodology (12 credits) | ||
Select 12 credits, possible courses include: * | 12 | |
Introduction to Qualitative Inquiry: A Social Justice Approach | ||
Multivariate Analysis | ||
Structural Equation Modeling in Education | ||
Advanced Statistics in the Behavioral and Biological Sciences I | ||
Advanced Statistics in the Behavioral and Biological Sciences II | ||
Multivariate Analysis | ||
Dissertation (18-24 credits) | ||
ISM 799 | Dissertation | 18-24 |
Total Credit Hours | 71 |
- *
Chosen in consultation with the Ph.D. Program Director. Courses in other departments may be taken with the approval of the advisor.
- **
Taken throughout the program.
Organizational Research Internship
Required of students lacking relevant work experience, as determined by the Ph.D. Program Director.
Research Apprenticeship
Two papers must be submitted for publication in conference proceedings or journals prior to taking written comprehensive examinations.
Comprehensive Written Examination
Upon completion of the required course work and research apprenticeship, the student will be eligible to sit for written comprehensive examinations. The major examination will have two parts:
- The first part will be composed of IS content from various courses and existing literature.
- The second part will be designed to evaluate the research readiness of the student.
Typically, the major examination is given in the Fall semester. If the student fails at the first attempt, a second attempt may be allowed by the Ph.D. Program Director.
Oral Examination
Following the successful completion of the written comprehensive examination, the student will be given an oral examination by the doctoral Advisory/Dissertation Committee. Upon successful completion of the oral examination, the student may apply for doctoral candidacy.
Proposal Defense
Following the oral examination, the student will prepare a dissertation proposal that will be defended before the doctoral Advisory/Dissertation Committee. The defense may be attended by others outside the committee.
Dissertation
A minimum of 18 credits will be devoted to research that culminates in the preparation of the required doctoral dissertation.