The objective of the Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in Computer Information Systems is to prepare scholars for careers at leading educational institutions. This program allows students to develop the capability to review, analyze, conduct, and publish research through a series of research seminars and additional supporting course work. In addition, Ph.D. students participate in ongoing research projects in conjunction with faculty members in the School of Accountancy and Information Management. The doctoral program of study consists of a minimum of 84 semester hours of graduate-level course work beyond the bachelor's degree.
Students work with their program committees to determine an appropriate program of study .
Common areas of specialization for doctoral studies include decision support systems, database management systems, artificial intelligence in business, systems analysis and design, distributed information systems, data mining, and IT infusion and human interface. The intent of this to expose them to a variety of faculty and get involved in research projects. CIS 790 credit taken for purpose are not able to be used on the doctoral program of study. The CIS concentration requires a written and oral examination that is taken once students complete their course work. The day and a half written examination is designed to demonstrate mastery of identified domain areas, research methods in IS and a pre-proposal area.