PhD Program Structure
TThe PhD program structure is designed to maximize the emphasis on research. This means that enrolled students will be focusing as much on conducting research and writing papers as on preparing for the classes and examinations.
During the first two years in the program, students need to take the classes to meet the requirements for MIS major courses, research courses, minor courses, and teaching course. After written and oral preliminary examinations, the doctoral dissertation is then completed in the final two years. A typical course sequence (PDF | 17 KB) is available.
MIS Major Courses
A total of five MIS major courses will be taken by the students. These courses provide students with knowledge about MIS research concepts, theories, and frameworks, and exemplary MIS research, at both individual and organizational levels.
Research Courses (Minimum of five required)
It is expected that all students will have completed a business statistics course before entering the PhD program. The course should have covered introductory statistics topics such as means, standard deviations, t–tests, F–tests, etc. If students have not had this course, they need to remedy the situation before starting the program.Students have to take five research courses. Four of the courses are required and one is an elective.
Minor Courses
Students will select a minor (three courses) of their choice outside the MIS Department. These minors can be in other Terry College disciplines or in other disciplines across the University. The student chooses a minor and the courses in consultation with the graduate advisor. All courses selected must be in the same discipline and must be at the doctoral level. The graduate advisor may make exceptions if the student presents compelling rationale.
Teaching Course
One course is required for students with no prior teaching experience. This course provides students with knowledge of pedagogical approaches and available support systems.
Course Load and Sequence
The "normal" course load for PhD students not on assistantship is three three–hour courses for a total of nine hours per semester. The "normal" course load for PhD students on assistantship is four three–hour courses for a total of 12 hours per semester. Students may take more than four courses (12 hours) only with permission of the graduate coordinator.
A typical course sequence (PDF | 17 KB) is available.
