Ph.D. Program in Information Studies - Program Structure

The program requires 48 credits of post-master's level courses, plus a minimum of 12 credits at the dissertation stage. A minimum of six credits must be taken in each of the first two semesters of study. The remaining 36 credits may be completed at a varying pace. In addition to the course work, students must successfully pass a comprehensive examination, defend a dissertation proposal and, upon completion of the approved research, defend the dissertation. A typical program is as follows:

• Required doctoral level courses (12 credits)
• Elective course work (36 credits)
  • Elective doctoral level courses (18 credits minimum)
  • Elective advanced master's level courses or independent study (0-9 credits)
  • Elective co-related courses (9 credits)
• Comprehensive examination
• Dissertation proposal preparation
• Dissertation proposal defense
• Dissertation research
• Dissertation defense
• Graduation