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Executive Ph.D. in Information Technology

As an experienced IT professional, you have a wealth of knowledge and skills under your belt. But the field of IT never stands still; as it evolves, you need to evolve with it. A PhD in information technology could be what you need to ensure that you stay ahead.

More than a pathway to earning the highest credential in your field, a doctorate program offers the chance to take a deep dive into the IT industry’s challenges and opportunities. That could mean gaining deep knowledge of how machine learning solves business problems, using analytics to plan for growing IT needs, responding to evolving cyber security threats, and much more. Pursuing your executive PhD in information technology offers the license to follow your scholarly interests and make discoveries that could potentially change the industry — and the world.

About The Programme

The executive PhD in Information Technology hybrid degree program from University of the Cumberlands is designed to help you advance your IT career. The doctorate in information technology program comprises 60 required credit hours, including professional research courses, content specialty courses, and required residencies.

The hybrid format executive PhD in Information Technology program is a variation of our fully online program. It includes a residency component, ideal for working professionals who want a program that fits their busy schedules but isn't completely online. The hybrid format of the doctoral degree in information technology also works well for international students with visas who have a CPT/OPT component to their degree. The executive PhD in Information Technology program includes one mandatory residency weekend per semester, followed by 60 credit hours of advanced leadership and practical technical strategies in everything from information governance to emerging threats and their countermeasures.

Course Details

Core Courses - 18 Credits

ITS 831 Information Technology Importance in Strategic Planning (3 Credits)
ITS 832 Information Technology in a Global Economy (3 Credits)
ITS 833 Information Governance (3 Credits)
ITS 834 Emerging Threats and Countermeasures (3 Credits)
ITS 835 Enterprise Risk Management (3 Credits)
ITS 836 Data Science and Big Data Analytics (3 Credits)

Professional Research - 24 Credits

DSRT 734 Inferential Statistics in Decision-making (3 Credits)
DSRT 736 Dissertation Seminar (3 Credits)
DSRT 837 Professional Writing and Proposal Development (3 Credits)
DSRT 839 Advanced Research Methods (3 Credits)
DSRT 850 Qualitative Research Methods (3 Credits)
DSRT 930 Dissertation (3 Credits)
DSRT 931 Dissertation (3 Credits)
DSRT 834 Advanced Statistical Applications (3 Credits)
INTR 799/899 Applied Learning Practicum

Note – For executive format students, the applied learning component (internship/practicum) is established as an integral (essential) part of the established curriculum. Due to this applied learning component required for the executive format students, they must enroll in INTR 799/899 Applied Learning Practicum every term of enrollment. If the dissertation is not completed at the end of DSRT 931, the candidate repeats DSRT 931 as needed, for three (3) credit hours each term, until the dissertation is completed and successfully defended.

Speciality Area Content - 18 Credits

A content specialty area of at least eighteen hours (18) must be earned in one of several disciplines:

Artificial Intelligence
Blockchain
Computer Science
Cyber Engineering
Data Science
Digital Forensics
Information Systems Security
Information Technology

Courses in the following UC Master's programs will matriculate as the Doctoral specialty if the courses are completed beyond the first Master’s degree:

MS Digital Forensics
MS Information Technology
MS Information Systems Security
MS Cyber Engineering
MS Blockchain

In the event a learner needs more classes, other related discipline courses could be considered with the discretion of the Department Chair and Program Director under the direction of the Dean of the School.

For a full list of course offerings or more program specific information, visit our Academic Catalog.

Personal Application - 1 Credit