Computer Information Systems, PhD
Build the expertise needed to publish world-class research through advanced academic training and close faculty mentorship. Leverage artificial intelligence, statistics and economics to advance innovative information technology research with real-world business impact.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
The Department of Information Systems offers a computer information systems concentration within the Doctor of Philosophy degree in business administration, positioned at the intersection of AI, information technology and economics. This full-time doctoral program prepares you to be an exceptional scholar with a research-driven career at a top university or worldwide leading research institution.
You receive intensive research training through close collaboration with faculty on high-impact projects and develop rigorous skills in research design, empirical and computational methods, and scholarly writing. Research spans both established and rapidly evolving areas, including artificial intelligence, business analytics and big data, health care IT, fintech, information economics and strategy, security and privacy, and social media, e-commerce, and mobile platforms.
Faculty and PhD students regularly present their work at premier international conferences and publish in top-tier academic venues. Graduates of the program consistently publish in leading information systems journals and top AI conferences, underscoring the program's strong interdisciplinary reach and global visibility.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Plan of Study Students work with their program committees to determine an appropriate plan of study. Students can complete coursework in the following areas: Comprehensive Examinations Candidacy Dissertation Requirements Students must be enrolled for at least one credit hour that appears on the plan of study, or one hour of appropriate graduate-level credit, such as 795 Continuing Registration, during the semester, including summer session, in which the student defends the dissertation. For detailed information regarding the university's doctoral degree requirements, students should refer to the Graduate College policies and procedures. Maximum Time Limit
The doctoral program consists of a minimum of 84 credit hours of graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor's degree. A minimum of 42 credit hours of doctoral coursework and 12 credit hours of dissertation must be taken at Arizona State University's Tempe campus. At the department's discretion, students may apply up to 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree toward their doctoral plan of study.
Upon completion of all necessary coursework on a student's approved plan of study, the academic unit may initiate the scheduling and administering of the student's comprehensive examination. At minimum, the comprehensive examination consists of a written exam, and an oral exam may also be required by the academic unit.
Doctoral students are notified of achieving candidacy status by receipt of a letter from the dean of the Graduate College upon passing the comprehensive examinations and successfully defending the dissertation prospectus.
Students are required to present a dissertation to satisfy the research requirement for the doctoral degree. The dissertation is defended in an oral examination commonly known as the dissertation defense.
Doctoral students must complete all program requirements within 10 consecutive years.
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the W. P. Carey School of Business. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the TOEFL iBT®. For more information on requirements, students should review the program's website. They should also review the admission services website for specific ASU admission requirements. A master's degree or MBA is recommended; 30 credit hours may count toward the minimum of 84 hours of coursework in the doctoral program. At least two years of full-time related work experience is recommended. Doctoral students admitted to the W. P. Carey School of Business must have demonstrated competency in mathematics, strong quantitative ability, competency in the use of computer technology for analytical purposes, and an undergraduate degree in a related field from an accredited university. Applications are reviewed by the department's faculty committee using a portfolio approach. The committee reviews each individual application and examines all parts equally.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 01/15 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Graduates are prepared for a career at leading research universities.
Career opportunities include professor and research scientist.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Business Administration
|
BA 301P
wpcareyis@asu.edu
480-965-3252
Admission deadlines
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
