MIS Doctoral Program

Ph.D. Curriculum

Analytical Tools and Research Area (TAR)

All MIS doctoral students must take six TAR courses from the disciplines of mathematics and/or statistics. These courses provide the tools and skills necessary to understand and conduct rigorous empirical research in Information Systems.

All MIS doctoral students must take the following five (5) courses:

  • EDF 5401 - General Linear Model Applications (4 hours)
  • EDF 5402 - Advanced Topics in Analysis of Variance Applications
  • EDF 5406 - Multivariate Analysis Applications
  • EDF 5409 - Causal Modeling
  • EDF 5410 - Nonparametric Analysis Applications (or STA 5507 - Applied Nonparametric Statistics)
  • Plus one course from the following list:
    • COM 5317 - Content Analysis in Communication Research
    • EDF 5411 - Factor Analysis
    • EDF 5432 - Measurement Theory I
    • EDF 5434 - Measurement Theory II
    • EDF 5435 - Theory of Scaling (2 hours)
    • EDF 5449 - Survey Research Methods
    • EDF 5476 - Quasi-Experimental Analysis Applications
    • EDF 5488 - Computer Analysis of Educational Data (2 hours)
    • EDF 5907 - SPSS (1-3 hours)
    • EDF 6475 - Qualitative Methods in Educational Research
    • STA 5225 - Sample Surveys
    • STA 5856 - Time Series & Forecasting Methods

Note that students must earn a grade of "B" or better in each course to satisfy the TAR requirement. This implies that TAR courses may not be taken on an S/U basis.

Calculus is a prerequisite for all TAR courses. There are three options, to be selected by the MIS Doctoral Advisor, for satisfying the calculus requirement: (1) by having previously taken and passed a sequence of courses equivalent to MAC 3311 and 3312, (2) by taking MAC 3311 and MAC 3312 or (3) by taking an appropriate graduate level mathematics course. If options (1) or (2) are selected, six statistics courses are required. If option (3) is selected, five statistics courses are required.

Primary Area

The Primary Area courses and seminars provide opportunities for in-depth study of organizational, managerial and behavioral issues in Information Systems. Further, the seminars provide broad coverage of methodological and philosophy of science topics. Along with the research competence requirement, described below, the seminars aim at developing the students' research competencies, thus preparing them for a career in academia at leading research institutions.

In addition to the general prerequisites for doctoral study, students must have completed either an undergraduate or graduate degree program in Management Information Systems.

All MIS doctoral students must complete the following primary area seminars:

  • ISM 6109 - Doctoral Seminar in Organizational Theory and Information Systems
  • ISM 6395 - Doctoral Seminar in Information Technology Impacts, Innovation and Management
  • ISM 6405 - Doctoral Seminar in Decision Processes and Structures
  • ISM 6885 - Doctoral Seminar on Applied MIS Research
  • ISM 6979 - Doctoral Seminar in Research Methods and the Philosophy of Science

In consultation with the student's Primary Area advisor, additional courses may also be selected.

Research Competence Requirement

In addition to the courses, each MIS doctoral student will be required to demonstrate research preparation and competence by fulfilling a one-year research apprenticeship with an MIS faculty member during the second year of their program. The process requires each student to identify a topic of interest to them and work under the supervision of a specific professor in devising the empirical project, gathering and analyzing the data and developing a manuscript. The professor supervising the student's work must certify the completion of the project and the potential for journal submission in order for the student to complete the research competence requirement.

Support Area

The Support Area for MIS provides an opportunity to concentrate in a field of study complementary to the Primary Area and to the student's research interests. Typically, the Support Area will consist of three or four graduate courses or seminars, selected in consultation with the Support Area advisor, in one of the following fields: Accounting, Communications, Computer Science, Econometrics, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Mathematics, Organizational Behavior, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Risk Management and Insurance, Sociology, Statistics or Strategic Management. All Support Area course work must be taken for a letter grade, with exceptions to take courses on an S/U basis to be granted only with the explicit approval of the Primary Area Advisor. In addition, at least two of the courses required in the Support Area cannot be used to satisfy other requirements.

Suggested Course Sequence for MIS Doctoral Students

  FALL SPRING SUMMER
1st YEAR ISM 6109
ISM 6979
TAR
ISM 6885
Support
TAR
Support
TAR
TAR
2nd YEAR ISM 6395
Support
TAR
ISM 6405
Support
Research
Readiness
Exams
3rd Year Dissertation


For more information on the Management Information Systems Ph.D Program, please contact Dr. Ashley Bush.