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Frequently Asked Questions
Click a question to scroll to the related answer.
- How do I know if this program matches my research interests?
- What are the GRE requirements and acceptable scores?
- What are the PhD program course requirements?
- What is the policy for waiving some of the PhD program requirements?
- What are the PhD program completion deadlines?
- What is a Comprehensive Exam?
- What benefits do graduate assistants receive?
- Will there be financial support for PhD students?
- Can PhD students be part-time and can the program be done remotely/online?
Answers
1. How do I know if this program matches my research interests?
You can check individual faculty’s homepage as well as the research page on department’s website to find out our faculty’s research interests. You can also contact our faculty (preferably by email) to find whether there is a match.
2. What are the GRE requirements and acceptable scores?
We do not have hard thresholds but most successful applicants scored above 50% in Verbal if their interests are in Human-Centered-Computing and scored above 50% in Quantitative if their interests are in other areas.
3. What are the PhD program course requirements?
At minimal a PhD student needs to complete 9 courses (2 methodology, 2 independent study, and 5 area courses). Please refer to the course requirement page for details.
4. What is the policy for waiving some of the PhD program requirements?
Doctoral students with previously earned Master’s degrees may be excused from a maximum of six (6) courses, but must complete at least two courses at the 700/800 level at the Information Systems department. The student’s mentor must approve the course waivers.
5. What are the PhD program completion deadlines?
A student needs to pass Comprehensive Exam within two years after admission to the program (one year extension can be given upon approval of program director). A student must be admitted to candidacy (i.e., passing the proposal defense) within five years after admission to the doctoral program. A student must pass dissertation defense within four years after candidacy.
6. What is a Comprehensive Exam?
It is an exam where students need to demonstrate the requisite knowledge of the discipline as well as the competencies that are necessary to continue doctoral studies by conducting original research. For details of the exam, please visit the comprehensive exam page.
7. What benefits do graduate assistants receive?
The benefits include stipend, tuition remission, and coverage of health insurance. The graduate school website provides more details.
8. Will there be financial support for PhD students?
The department offers a limited number of teaching assistantships. In addition, faculty with external funding often offer research assistantships to incoming PhD students. We encourage you to contact faculty in your interested research area to find out such opportunities.
9. Can PhD students be part-time and can the program be done remotely/online?
We do have part-time PhD students. However all course work are required to be done on campus. Conducting research requires frequent interaction with faculty mentor, which will be extremely difficult remotely.