Online PhD in Information Technology
Online PHD Programs
Home
An online PhD in information technology is an intensive course of study available at specific universities. Completing an online PhD can provide considerable opportunities for students with the right aptitude and drive. For these self-directed individuals, the primary purpose of an online PhD in information technology is to develop a comprehensive understanding of technology information systems that allows the graduate to develop workable solutions to data and communications requirements and issues—whether in a corporate or government setting. Completing an online information technology PhD can also lay the groundwork for students who seek an academic career in research and teaching. Clearly, an advantage of an online doctorate in information technology is the variety of areas in which knowledge and skills apply.
Online PhD in Information Technology Requirements
Candidates for top online Information Technology doctorate programs are typically high achievers who are analytical, focused, and committed to pursuing a rigorous course of study. Online doctoral programs in information technology generally require strong GRE or GMAT scores, high-level programming language knowledge, and demonstrable skills in areas such as statistics, differential and integral calculus, discrete math, and linear Algebra. The online doctorate in information technology plainly requires that candidates have a significant math orientation.
A master’s degree in information systems will poise candidates to earn their information technology PhD online. Master’s degrees in engineering, computer science, or mathematics also provide a highly suitable foundation.
Additionally, individuals with significant on-the-job experience can excel when obtaining online doctoral degrees in information technology. Project managers, engineers, and database managers are often exceptional candidates for online doctoral degrees in information technology. These individuals have the technological savvy and organizational experience to quickly apply new knowledge to their prospective roles.
Online PhD in Information Technology Education
Irrespective of their career history, all information technology doctoral students must have obtained a master’s degree in a field appropriate to information technology. The master’s program typically prepares students for examinations that qualify them for an online PhD in information technology.
Once accepted to one of the accredited online PhD programs in information technology, students usually generate their own study plan under expert direction. Instruction typically includes the principles of computer hardware and software components, databases, algorithms, telecommunications, application testing, user tactics, and interface design. The study plan lists the projected courses and their anticipated duration; programs generally take at least two years to complete. The plan should also contain the intended dates of qualifying exams and a tentative subject of the dissertation research.
Information on Information Technology Courses
Within the student plan, the course of study to obtain a doctorate in information technology centers on computer hardware, software, and networking systems. Possible topics covered in coursework include the following:
- IT research methods
- Parallel computation
- Dynamic programming
- Architectures and algorithms of signal processing
- Nonlinear programming
- Queuing models
- Data compression
Sample online PhD program courses in information technology are:
- Course Software Engineering – Application of software engineering principles, design approaches, and tools through real-life scenarios.
- Course Software Maintenance and Reuse – Software and software components’ maintenance and reuse.
- Course Software for Critical Systems – Software analysis of systems for which failure is potentially catastrophic—and methods of preventing catastrophic outcomes through redundancy.
- Course Software Testing – Methods of software analysis for testing purposes.
- Course Information Storage and Retrieval – Topics associated with storing and mining unstructured information.
- Course Security Issues – Security policies and tools related to confidentiality, integrity, authentication, identification, and availability issues associated with information and information systems.
Specializations and Concentrations
The broad spectrum of potential specialization in online PhD degrees in information technology includes information technology management, management in organizational leadership, information systems and technology, and general information technology. The programs vary as to the degree of hands-on involvement within an organization versus behind-the-scenes research into information technology solutions and process improvement. The best online doctoral programs in information technology typically offer a range of options.
Careers in Information Technology
Given the current technology emphasis, it is not surprising that the future looks bright for those completing online doctorate degrees in information technology. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates 16 percent employment growth rate during 2006-2016 for those achieving an online information technology doctorate—a high growth rate compared to many occupations. Earnings for online information technology graduates vary depending on the amount of work performed and the area of specialization, but the median salary at manager-level exceeds $100,000 per year. Professional information technology organizations can provide useful updates regarding specialty areas currently offering the greatest remuneration and growth potential.
Some viable career options include:
- Career Systems analyst
- Career Project managers
- Career Director of information technology
- Career Consultant
- Career Chief technology officer
Those who complete online doctorate programs in information technology are poised to lead technology strategy and advancement in increasingly complex corporate and government technology landscapes. With job prospects burgeoning, online PhD programs in information technology can open doors for the right individuals.
