phd positions library and information science

Ph.D. in Information and Library Science

This doctoral program provides an environment that enables creative and energetic students to become innovative thinkers and leaders. Through coordination of student and faculty interests and activities, the program offers opportunities for research, teaching, and leadership in a variety of settings.

Information and library science research leaders must be able to identify problems that are significant for our future as an information society, carry out rigorous studies and draw valid conclusions from them, and communicate those findings to stakeholders who can act on them. The SILS doctoral program provides intensive, but highly flexible and customizable, preparation for careers in academia and research.

The Ph.D. in Information and Library Science is designated as a STEM program, which allows eligible international graduates to apply for a 24-month OPT extension.

After successfully defending their dissertations, SILS’ graduates have accepted positions as tenure-track faculty in information schools, research scientists in corporate and government labs, and chief information officers in a myriad of organizations and businesses. With a degree from our doctoral program, our graduates are making a difference.

• Kimberly Hirsh, 2021, Consulting Scholar-Librarian
• Sandeep Avula, 2020, Research Scientist, Amazon
• Eliot Hauser, 2020, Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Austin
• Colin Post, 2020, Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• Jonathan Crabtree, 2020, Assistant Director of Research Data Information Systems, Odum Institute, UNC-CH
• Emily Roscoe, 2020, Adjunct Instructor, School of Government, UNC-CH
• Megan Threats, 2020, Assistant Professor, Rutgers University
• Heather Barnes, 2020, Digital Curation Librarian, Wake Forest University
• Yinglong Zhang, 2020, Research Scientist, Google
• Shenmeng Xu, 2020, Scholarly Communications Librarian, Vanderbilt University
• Sarah Beth Nelson, 2019, Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin, Whitewater
• Anita Crescenzi, 2019, Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy, UNC-CH
• Kathleen Brennan, 2018, Senior Researcher, Google
• Samantha Kaplan, 2018, Research and Education Librarian, Duke University
• Ericka Patillo, 2018, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Information Studies, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Grace Shin, 2018, Sookmyung Women’s University, Korea, Adjunct Professor at SILS.
• Leslie Thomson, 2018, Postdoctoral Fellow, UNC-CH

Other notable graduates in recent years:

• Jay Dominick, 2005 , Vice President and CIO at Princeton University
• Meredith Evans, Ph.D.  2006 , Director, Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum & 74th President of the Society of American Archivists
• Meredith Weiss, 2010 , Vice President for Administration at Virginia Commonwealth University
• Fred Stutzman, 2011 , CEO, Freedom

Financial Support

SILS typically provides support for full-time doctoral students during their first five years of study. Prospective doctoral students must apply by December 10 to receive full consideration for financial aid.

Learn more from our Financial Information page.

SILS seeks PhD students who:

• Aim to be information leaders in the 21 st century.
• Are attracted to information and library science as a field that incorporates diverse theoretical perspectives and a wide range of research methods.
• Possess the discipline and will to be independent investigators, and the vision and communication skills to be influential leaders in the field.
• Are committed to a life of research and scholarly inquiry addressing critical questions.
• Enjoy intellectual challenges and demonstrate analytical and critical thinking.

Admission to the doctoral program is competitive and based upon the strength of the applicant’s educational background and standardized test scores, work experience, statement of research, and personal interview. In reviewing applicants for admission, the school will consider past academic record and scholarly potential of an applicant, as well as the match of the candidate’s research interests with those of the school’s faculty. One or more faculty must be willing to assume the advisory role for the student.

Doctoral and Special Programs Coordinator

[email protected] or 919-962-0182

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Library and Information Science, PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science program, in the Department of Information Culture and Data Stewardship (ICDS), prepares students for careers in research, education, and professional practice. The primary purpose of the PhD program is to develop an understanding of library and information science beyond the master’s degree, with particular emphasis on the conduct of original research, the production of significant research findings, and the contribution of such findings to public knowledge.

This is a research-driven program where you will work closely with professors who are experts in their fields. Opportunities for our PhD students include:

• Archives and Information Science: For doctoral students interested in pursuing academic careers in the archives area, with a focus on digital preservation or curation and archival ethics, accountability, and appraisal issues.
• Information Behavior: For doctoral students who seek to understand how people plot a course through complex information ecologies including digital environments, and how such ecologies can respond to their ways of thinking, feeling, and valuing. A special emphasis is placed on behaviors of children and youth.
• Health Information Behavior and Health Education Interventions: For doctoral students who wish to investigate the information practices and behaviors of health professionals, patients, caregivers, and consumers.
• Social Information Systems: For doctoral students who will investigate issues related to the design and use of social information systems, focusing on the impact of social media on people’s information behavior.
• Web-based Information Systems: For doctoral students interested in studying, designing, and implementing web-based systems for representing, retrieving, extracting, and disseminating relevant information.
• School Librarianship: For doctoral students interested in teaching, research, and administrative experience in a top-ranked, competency-based School Library Certification Program designed for school librarians and school library supervisors.

Degree Requirements

This PhD degree requires a minimum of 54 credits beyond the master’s degree with a total credit minimum of 72. A minimum of 36 credits must be taken in advanced course work. The student must receive a letter grade in each course taken in this 36-credit requirement, except for the teaching practicum course.  

An additional 18 credits are required, which must be applied to dissertation research and writing; however, regardless of the number of credits taken, no more than 18 credits for dissertation research and writing may be applied toward graduation. The grade for these credits will appear as an “S” on the student’s transcript. In order to register for, and successfully complete, dissertation credits, students must show evidence of work toward the dissertation by completing the Dissertation Credit Tracking Checklist and updating it at the end of the term.  

The minimum of 36 credits of course work, all of which must be on the graduate level, must be distributed as follows: 

• 3 credits: LIS 3000 Introduction to Doctoral Studies
• 9 credits: 3000-level doctoral seminars offered by SCI
• 3 credits: LIS 3950 Teaching Practicum or FACDEV 2200 Practicum on University Teaching
• 6 credits: Courses in research methodology and statistics
• 6 credits: Courses in cognate field
• 3000-level independent studies or doctoral seminars offered by SCI (maximum of 6 credits)
• Additional 3000-level doctoral seminars offered by SCI
• Additional cognate courses (up to 6 credits)
• Additional research methodology courses
• 2000-level courses in SCI (subject to approval by the students’ advisor)

For full degree requirement details, visit the Library and Information Science course catalog .

Admissions Requirements

Ph.D. Programs in Library and Information Sciences

Written by Kelly Davis

MLIS – Clarion University | Youth Services Librarian

A Ph.D. in library science or information science provides scholars with the tools to produce individual research, collaborate with other researchers, and teach library and information science in higher education. The standards are not as concrete for Ph.D. programs as for Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) programs, but there are a few ways to rank a program’s quality. One way is to look at the school of information offering the Ph.D. and the other programs they offer, including if the school provides an MLIS degree and if the degree is accredited by the American Library Association. Another sign of a quality program is seeing the research and progress made by graduates and faculty and how much access a Ph.D. student will have to quality research opportunities.  

In this article, we highlight some of the most comprehensive Ph.D. programs in the U.S. based on these two significant factors. We also try to provide a few programs in each region of the U.S. in the hopes that one of the programs will be near you. Additionally, we will look at many other aspects of each program as well, including the format, what the coursework involves, and how to apply and become qualified for each Ph.D. program in library and information science. 

All of the following Ph.D. programs come from a school that is accredited by the American Library Association and offers students the ability to work with decorated and world-class scholars and professors. Additionally, the programs we chose are in areas that provide ample career opportunities following the program. If you want to know more about each program and what may be a good fit for you, keep exploring below.

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Ph.D. in Information from the University of Michigan

Doctoral students will work one on one with professors in information, many of which specialize in communication technologies, collective research capabilities, and how to change social relations. All professors know a wide range of research and topics and look at information and how individuals and communities interact with information and technology. Additionally, in your application, you will pick which professors you want to work with out of the 100 in the program. 

Many Ph.D. graduates receive careers as professors at prestigious schools including Brown University, Stanford University, and the National University of Singapore. Many receive fellowships at prestigious universities including Harvard University and Brown University. Other careers they received shortly after graduating include UX researcher for Google, Yahoo, and Facebook, design researcher for IBM, and data analysis for Microsoft. 

How to apply

First, apply online and pay the application fee. Send in a Statement of Purpose essay which will include the area of research you want to contribute to and past research done. Additionally, you will need to send in a personal history statement, a resume, three letters of recommendation, and transcripts. Your admission acceptance will be multifaceted in the factors the program will examine. Namely, they will look at past research, work experience, and your goals moving forward. 

Ph.D. in Information Studies at Long Island University

The Ph.D. program includes a dissertation and requires 60 credit hours. There are two areas of study for students which are Information Access and Systems, and Information Studies and Services. Additionally, this program can be taken part-time or full-time to accommodate students’ schedules. The on-campus classes can be taken between 6 PM and 9 PM. It is also the only program of its kind in the Metropolitan New York area, and it is within a school that is accredited by the American Library Association. 

How to Apply

You need a master’s degree to qualify, which can be in any area of study. Admissions will also evaluate you based on previous research, work experience, and the interest you have in research going forward. Then apply online , and pay the application fee. You will also need to send in transcripts, three letters of recommendation,  a statement of research and area of study, a resume, a personal statement, and a sample of scholarly writing. 

Ph.D. in Information Science and Technology at Syracuse University

Syracuse University offers its Ph.D. scholars opportunities to work and research one on one with professors and other doctoral students. The research opportunities are in areas of philosophy, psychology, sociology, computers and digital information, policy studies, librarianship, and information communication. This program is not offered online or part-time. It is a four to five-year program of full-time residential coursework. The Ph.D. student is funded by the school, and for this reason, the program is very selective. 

Apply online , pay the application fee, and send in transcripts and any other research or work experience completed. Applicants will be evaluated by a committee based on their readiness for the program, their intellectual ability and academic record, research interests as they relate to faculty interests, communication skills, and research preparedness. 

Ph.D. Philosophy in Information and Library Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 

Chapel Hill is the most respected information science department in North Carolina and its MLIS program is often ranked first or second by the U.S. News and World Reports. Their doctoral program is sure to hold to the same standards. Many of the faculty for the MLIS program are also professors in the doctoral program. The difference is that Ph.D. students work one on one with these world-class professors. The program is rigorous, but it provides some flexibility for those holding a job, or have families to care for. There is financial support for Ph.D. students and many receive full support for the first four to five years of the program; typically, students finish within that period. Students learn more about library and information science and they enhance their research and presentation of research capability. 

How to apply 

Accepted students in this program are often seeking to be information leaders, have a knowledge of diverse research methods, enjoy being an independent investigator, are committed to finding information to address critical questions, and enjoy intellectual challenges.  Applicants must have either an MLIS degree or an equivalent of study and research completed. To apply, go online and fill out the online application and pay the application fee. Also, send in all transcripts, an updated resume, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose that includes your area of research interest. 

Ph.D. in Communication and Information at Kent State University

The Ph.D. program in communication and information from Kent State University in Ohio is part of the information science school, which has been around for over sixty years. The program is offered online and in person and is a 70-credit hour degree program including a dissertation. Doctoral students must also pass the doctoral comprehensive examination to graduate. 

The degree program is for those interested in research, information communication, teaching higher education and academic librarianship administration, and administration in other information fields. The school of information science provides and encourages outreach opportunities for those pursuing a degree in library and information science. The outreach programs give students more experience and knowledge in conducting scholarly research and analyzing the needs of communities and the diversity within those communities. 

How to Apply 

To qualify you must have a master’s degree and a minimum of a 3.30 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Then applicants must fill out an online application and pay the application fee. Applicants should also send in official transcripts, an updated resume, a goal statement, a sample of scholarly writing, and three letters of recommendation.

Gateway Ph.D. in Library and Information Science at San Jose State University

San Jose, California is a great place to earn a doctoral degree in librarianship and information science because of the various research options and a number of opportunities due to the variety of ethnic groups and cultures in the cities of California. The Gateway doctoral degree program in library and information science teaches students to become independent scholars as well as collaborate with other researchers and colleagues.  Ph.D. students complete the program mostly online, however, there is an annual meeting that is a week-long and focuses on collaborative research. San Jose’s Gateway program also holds a partnership with the Manchester Metropolitan University, which offers doctoral students the opportunity to work with their professors as well in their research and to learn from them in coursework. With this program, students from both schools have won prestigious awards for their individual and collaborative research. 

The application process is one of the more extensive doctoral programs, and the program is highly selective. There are three stages of the application process. The first is filling out an online application , paying an application fee, and sending in a statement of purpose, an updated resume of related work, unofficial transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a 1000-word research proposal. In the second stage, the applicant is interviewed by faculty members, and they may ask for more writing samples. If the applicant makes it past the first two stages, then Manchester Metropolitan University will go over the final applicants and approve or disapprove of them. 

Doctorate in Information Science at the University of Washington

The information science department at the University of Washington is known for the research their doctoral students and their faculty do. They also teach students to become professors in their field and to be administrators in librarianship. The doctoral program puts emphasis on collaboration between students and faculty, plus they care about diversity in ethnicity and culture with the idea it brings richer research due to a mix of different backgrounds. The Ph.D. students also learn about UX, or User experience, which is how to evaluate a culture or group and its relationship with information and technology. Doctoral students are also taught to use various research methods and various ways to present information and research results. 

To qualify for the doctoral program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with an average 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, and a master’s or other additional higher education degree is preferred. However, admissions also look at your experience, interest and goals, and scholarly research.  Applicants can apply online . You will need to pay the application fee, send in transcripts, a personal statement, a diversity statement, a research statement, three letters of recommendation, and your interest in areas of research and which faculty member(s) you prefer to work with.

Ph.D. in Library and Information Science at Simmons University

Simmons University is located in Boston Massacutes which provides an ideal environment for research and study. Boston is full of history, diversity, and cutting-edge technology. The area also has a multitude of career opportunities after graduation. This degree program provides a flexible format for those who do not live in the area because the courses can be taken online. Additionally, students can take a mix of courses online and in person. The main focus of the degree program is to further skills in research and teaching within the library and information science.  Doctoral students also gain skills in organizing, analyzing, retrieving, and managing information. Students also learn how to preserve materials and learn more about archiving physical documents and digitizing documents for online archives. Simmons University also partners with other universities in other countries for higher quality and diversity of research. 

To qualify for the program, applicants need either an MLIS degree or an MS degree in Library and Information Science from a program accredited by the American Library Association. To apply, go online and fill out the application and pay the application fee. Also, submit all transcripts from any colleges or universities you attended, and send in a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, a writing sample of previous research, and a comprehensive curriculum vitae. 

University of Texas at Austin Ph.D. in Information Studies

The University of Texas at Austin has a well-funded Ph.D. program in information studies that allow for new technology to be a part of the curriculum and research. The doctoral students also can learn and then teach other institutions about various new technologies and the best ways to implement them to meet their community’s needs. Additionally, Austin is an advancing and thriving city in the midst of technological growth, and the city offers opportunities for research and careers in information science. The program includes a dissertation and 39 hours of coursework. During this time, students will produce two peer-reviewed scholarly journals. 

You do not have to have a master’s degree to qualify for this program, but you do need a bachelor’s degree and an average 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 grading scale. 

Then, apply online and pay the application fee. Afterward, send in three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. 

The University of North Texas’ Information Science Ph.D. Program

The Doctoral program at the University of North Texas is the nation’s largest Ph.D. program in the Information Science discipline. It is also interdisciplinary so that students can work with students and faculty in various other degree programs including geography, computer science, engineering, linguistics, and merchandising. The program also has concentration options and dual degrees in data science consumer behavior and experience management, journalism cybersecurity, geospatial information systems, health informatics, and linguistics.

To qualify for any doctoral program you must have at least a 3.50 in either your undergraduate degree or your master’s degree. Also, talk to the admissions department for the information science department. Then apply online , send in transcripts, pay the application fee, and send any other documents or scholarly writing the application requests. 

Florida State University PH.D. in Information

Florida is a great state to earn a Ph.D. in library and information because of the diversity in the state of Florida as well as the environmental and marine biology research that is done in Florida. This is good for research opportunities as well as career opportunities. The number of good colleges in FLordia provides many career opportunities as well. 

Florida State has a program called the iSchool and it is ALA-accredited. Additionally, their doctoral students are able to travel across the U.S. for presenting at conferences like the ALA conference, ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, and the Association for Information Science and Technology conference.

To qualify you must have a master’s degree and at least a 3.0 GPA. To apply, fill out the online application and send in a resume, statement of purpose, writing sample, and three letters of recommendation. Right now the GRE requirement is waived. Be sure to speak to an admissions counselor for any additional application requirements or recommendations. 

Library and Information Science Ph.D. Programs Final Thoughts

Ph.D. programs in library and information science are worth pursuing if you have a passion for sharing information through various modes to communicate with other scholars, but more importantly, with the world and its many communities. Many of these programs are lengthy and require dedication, but if you believe you have the drive to become a Ph.D. in Information and Library Science, then I hope this article helps you find a good match for your professional research and career goals. 

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Information Culture and Data Stewardship

University of Pittsburgh School of Computing and Information

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PhD in Library and Information Science

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PhD students may begin their studies only in the Fall Term in order to ensure a coherent program of study.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science program prepares students for careers in research, education, and professional practice. The program will give students the opportunity to gain the skills in teaching or research appropriate for careers at major research universities, teaching institutions, and library systems. The candidate must give evidence of superior scholarship and mastery of a specialized field of knowledge and must demonstrate his/her ability to do significant and relevant research.

Doctoral study in this field is a challenging, life-changing experience. You will learn how to conduct independent research through projects that have the potential to change the way people interact with information and to fundamentally impact how society evolves. This program will go far beyond giving you a set of skills… it will teach you to think in a completely different way. Coursework and research programs address cutting edge issues such as evaluating information in terms of being saved for posterity; information literacy in both developed and underdeveloped countries, closing the digital divide; and how social media impacts behavior and services in the Information Age.

Requirements for the PhD degree, a 54-credit program, include a minimum of 36 course and seminar credits beyond the master’s degree and 18 dissertation credits.

The School of Computing and Information invites applications from students interested in the following areas:

• Archives and archival studies
• Data stewardship
• Digital curation
• Digital humanities
• Digital and information literacy
• Ethics of information, data, and technology
• Informatics and libraries
• Information and data interaction
• Information culture and society
• Intellectual property
• Learning paradigms in information environments
• Libraries and information services
• Open science, reproducibility & transparency
• Research data management
• Scholarly communications / digital scholarship
• Social computing and information culture

Statute of Limitations

All requirements for the PhD degree must be completed in not more than 6 calendar years from the time of first registration (or 8 calendar years for part-time students).  Students may, in extenuating circumstances, submit a formal request for extension of their statute of limitations or for a leave of absence from the program.  The request must be submitted to the advisor and then presented to the LIS Committee on Doctoral Studies for a decision.

Alumni of this program have found challenging and successful academic careers at institutions such as the University of Michigan, University of Texas at Austin, Simmons College, Texas Woman’s University, the University of Rhode Island, the University of Toronto, UPMC, Kuwait University , and more.

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PhD in Information Sciences

Join a renowned community of scholars.

The work of our faculty defines the field and puts scholars like you at the forefront of the information society. When you join the iSchool, you'll benefit from the excellence and reputation of the nation's leading school in library and information studies. Our interdisciplinary research program responds to new social and technological opportunities for producing, analyzing, disseminating, and accessing information.

PhD students are guaranteed financial support for five academic years (excluding summers) through research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and fellowships. Our students come from a variety of academic backgrounds and professional experiences, creating a collaborative, innovative, and vibrant community of scholars.

The Information Sciences PhD program is a residency program. Students are required to complete all coursework while located in Champaign-Urbana. Students may choose to complete their research outside of Champaign-Urbana at the discretion of the faculty advisor. Please note that if an international student leaves Champaign-Urbana at any point during their study, this may impact funding opportunities through the iSchool.

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By looking carefully at the interaction of people, information, and technology, we aim to improve our understanding of the world in order to make it better for all. We do this together—PhD students, research staff, and faculty helping each other to learn how to be better researchers. As program director, my role is to help engineer the magic of creativity as we all work to nurture a community devoted to finding things out. Michael Twidale, Professor and PhD Program Director

Our program opens doors, preparing students for successful careers. Recent graduates have obtained faculty positions with numerous universities including Denver, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland-College Park, Michigan, Simmons, South Florida, UNC-Greensboro, Washington & Wayne State. Additionally, recent graduates have secured their first jobs in in a range of settings, including:

• Privacy Researcher, Facebook
• Research Scientist, PatientsLikeMe
• Consultant, Deloitte
• Data Scientist, U.S. Government
• Digital Scholarship Librarian, DePaul University
• Instructional Data Specialist, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Cataloger, Princeton University
• Core Investigator, Veterans Health Administration

Program overview

Work closely with your faculty advisor to create educational experiences both within and outside the classroom to support your professional goals. With only two required courses— History and Foundations in IS (IS 509) and Research Design in IS (IS 519) —you can customize your degree through a broad range of electives. Your program will consist of 48 hours of coursework and 32 hours of dissertation work. Required milestones that will help to build your research expertise include:

• Field exam in a significant sub-area of IS
• Research presentation to demonstrate research competency
• Dissertation culminating in a public presentation, defense, and submission

For a more detailed program overview, please visit Program Overview .

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Explore your research focus

You want to do important work that makes an impact and to collaborate with leaders in the field. We have the resources and the expertise to help you accomplish just that.

iSchool researchers address key challenges at the intersection of people, information, and technology in highly multidisciplinary ways. Our strategic research vision drives the scope of our research projects and presents a distinct imprint for the substance and impact of our work in areas such as:

• Scientific data and knowledge practices
• Organization of knowledge and information
• Data curation
• Digital humanities
• Digital libraries
• Community informatics
• Youth services and digital youth
• Informetrics
• Human-computer interaction
• Human-centered data science and social computing
• Information privacy, security, and ethics
• Health and bioinformatics
• History of information

What I like best about the iSchool is its inclusive culture and expansive opportunities. The welcoming faculty and staff are always there to offer academic and non-academic support. Because the iSchool's researchers work in very different subfields, PhD students are able to explore a range of research topics and collaborative opportunities across disciplinary boundaries. Wenyi Shang, PhD Candidate

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Flourish at a research university.

The University of Illinois is a preeminent public research university, which means you will have access to exceptional resources beyond those in the iSchool:

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Get the support you need

Research Services supports and promotes the research activities of the iSchool, large or small, funded or unfunded. At the iSchool, you'll find supportive staff ready to help you with:

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PhD Alumni & Student Features

PhD at 75: Jeanie Austin

PhD at 75: LaTesha Velez

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PhD at 75: Kirstin Phelps

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Library and Information Science, Ph.D.

College of information and communications.

This research-intensive degree prepares doctoral-trained teacher scholars for library and information science faculty and administrative careers at universities, research centers and private businesses.

Our graduates distinguish themselves in advancing the ways people and organizations create and use information. We emphasize the relevance of social justice in the study and practice of library and information science, and we encourage faculty-student mentorship through publishing, grant writing and conference presentations.

Program Highlights

An expert faculty.

Learn from faculty members who combine distinguished academic careers with extensive professional experience.

Cross Disciplines

Learn to foster cross-disciplinary thinking with research and academic expectations.

Funded Research Opportunities

Apply for funding for your research and travel through The Graduate School and the School of Information Science.

Top Program

Study at a school ranked in the Top 20 of all American Library Association-accredited schools (U.S. News & World Report).

What You’ll Study

The program requires 54 credit hours beyond the master’s level, including 12 hours of dissertation preparation, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. You'll take 15 hours of core courses, two research methods courses, 12 hours of electives within your research area (with a goal of producing work for scholarly publication) and a nine-hour cognate.

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

Data Analysis

Examining and interpreting information to uncover insights and inform decision making

Gathering and analyzing information to increase knowledge or solve problems

Analytical Reasoning

Breaking down complex problems or situations to identify patterns, connections and solutions

Collaboration

Working with others to achieve a common goal or objective

Critical Thinking

Analyzing and evaluating information to make informed decisions or judgments

Communication

Exchanging information and ideas through speaking, writing or other means of expression

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Potential Careers

• Museum Director

Workplace Settings

Advanced degrees.

Advance your career or options with post-graduate education.

Combination Degree | Master's

Public Administration and Social Work, M.P.A. & M.S.W.

College of Arts and Sciences College of Social Work

Social Work, Ph.D.

College of Social Work

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School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering

Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering

Department of Information & Library Science

Advance the field of information technology

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Information Science at IU Bloomington is one of the oldest, continuously running information science doctoral programs in the nation. Our mission is to train the next generation of information scientists—professionals who want to understand, predict, and advance the ways in which people use information systems and communication technologies.

We welcome students from all over the United States and world. Most plan to enter academia. Our alumni have worked at institutions such as the University of North Carolina, UCLA, the University of Hawaii, Kent State University, and the University of Alabama. Other graduates go on to work for organizations like NASA, the Langley Research Center, and Oracle.

Learn about the Ph.D. minor

ILS welcomes doctoral students from all disciplines to consider a minor in information science.

Please send inquiries to [email protected]

Learn how to apply

Begin your online application

Generate original research on the topics that interest you most

The Ph.D. in Information Science is designed to prepare you for research and teaching in academia. Your core requirements will help you develop a strong understanding of the research process and what constitutes scholarly research. You’ll also learn to identify and conceptualize significant research problems so that you may undertake new research initiatives and contribute new knowledge to the field.

We encourage you to research the ideas and questions that fascinate you most. Recent areas of concentrated study include, but are not limited to:

• Biodiversity information and culture
• Computer-mediated communication
• Critical information and library science
• Cultural analytics
• Cultural heritage informatics
• Data and text mining
• Digital and computational humanities
• Digital curation
• Digital libraries
• Documentation
• Gender and technology
• History of the book, readership, and publishing
• Knowledge organization (KO), including classification, ontologies, and metadata
• Knowledge sharing
• Online communities
• Philosophy of information and information ethics
• Records management
• Social informatics
• Social media mining
• Technology and diversity
• Text encoding and digital editions

Regardless of your specific career interests, you will graduate prepared to work as a professional researcher, teacher, and consultant.

Recent Ph.D. dissertations

Discover what our students are researching. Review a list of ILS Ph.D. dissertations dating back to 1968.

See dissertation list

Review your program requirements

Degree requirements for the Ph.D. in Information Science are listed in the University Graduate School academic bulletin.To review your specific requirements, choose the bulletin that represents the year you started, or plan to start, your Ph.D. program.

2023-24 bulletin

2022–23 bulletin

2021–22 bulletin

Ways to fund your education

ILS offers funding opportunities for incoming Ph.D. students , and current Ph.D. students .

Adjunct teaching opportunities are also available as a form of financial assistance.

If you’re interested in teaching contact your committe chair and the chair of the doctoral committee.

Choose a minor

All Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering doctoral students are required to complete either a minor within the school or an approved minor outside the school. Your minor should relate to your research, as determined by your advisory committee.

See Luddy minors

To learn more about Ph.D. minors outside of the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, visit the websites of IU Bloomington’s 16 degree-granting colleges and schools .

Find other ways to meet the Luddy Graduate Team

Department of information & library science resources and social media channels.

• Service Requests
• Luddy Intranet

The Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science program, in the Department of Information culture and Data Stewardship (ICDS), prepares students for careers in research, education, and professional practice. The primary purpose of the PhD program is to develop an understanding of library and information science beyond the master’s degree, with particular emphasis on the conduct of original research, the production of significant research findings, and the contribution of such findings to public knowledge.

Admissions Requirements

The following are requirements for admission to the PhD/LIS Program:

• A master’s degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association, a recognized international program, or the equivalent in a closely related field of study. Students must submit official transcripts as evidence.
• Attainment in previous graduate work of a minimum quality point average of 3.50 (on a scale with A having a value of four points per credit). An international student’s quality point average will be calculated on the basis of equivalency from universities that use a different scale.
• Submission of scores from a predictor test, such as the Graduate Record Examination (or other test listed below) taken within the last three years.
• At least three references from persons in the academic and professional communities. The LIS Committee on Doctoral Studies may, on occasion, require additional references.
• An interview (in person, by telephone or using web conferencing tools) may be required as part of the admissions process for selected candidates, after an initial screening of their application materials.
• Submission of an application fee.

The Department of Information Culture and Data Stewardship seeks students with diverse educational and career backgrounds. By nature, LIS degrees are multi-disciplinary, and we welcome applicants with Bachelor’s degree and/or advanced degrees from diverse disciplinary backgrounds. Our multi-disciplinary nature is reflected in the wide range of standardized tests that are accepted by our admissions committee, which include the GRE, MAT, MCAT, GMAT, and LSAT 

Supporting Documents for Admission

As evidence of the ability to undertake doctoral work, the student’s application must be accompanied by: 

• An essay (not exceeding 1,000 words) indicating, as specifically as possible, the student’s detailed academic and professional goals in relation to the Library and Information Science doctoral program and discussing in detail potential areas and/or topics in which the student expects to pursue dissertation research. Students SHOULD identify one or more ICDS faculty members with whom they want to work. 
• A complete curriculum vitae that provides an overview of education, publications, work, and other activities. 
• At least one example of scholarly research or professional writing in any format (print or electronic), which should be authored solely by the applicant. The applicant should explain the status of any published or unpublished research, thesis, contributions to the professional or scholarly literature, and other professional or academic experience relevant to an assessment of his or her capacity to pursue research successfully. If the only suitable writing sample available for submission is a co-authored publication, the applicant must explain the nature and extent of his or her contribution to the work (e.g., percentage of the finished work written by the applicant), and should attach additional evidence as verification (for example, a statement by the primary author or co-author of the work, confirming the parts of the work contributed by the applicant). 
• If the candidate has had appropriate professional work experience in libraries, information centers, publishing, the information industry, education, or similarly related areas of professional activity, a brief description should be provided. 

Credentials of prospective students are reviewed by the ICDS Committee on Doctoral Studies. 

However, students who are applying for financial aid should be aware that they must be admitted and meet financial aid deadlines to ensure consideration for funding. 

Beyond the criteria and materials previously outlined for application submission, these programs do not require specific coursework for admissions consideration. 

Application Deadline

All admissions materials must be submitted by January 15 th of each year for beginning studies in the forthcoming fall term and for consideration for financial aid.

Commencement of Study

PhD students may begin their studies only in the Fall Term in order to ensure a coherent program of study.

Matriculation

On-Campus English Proficiency Test: Upon arrival, students who have not met the minimum TOEFL or IELTS scores will be given the on-campus administered English Language Proficiency Test. If remedial courses in English as a foreign language are recommended, the student must complete the remedial course during the first two terms of study. This may extend the length of the program of study.

Academic Advising and Plan of Studies

An advisor will be assigned to the student upon entering the program; however, the student is free to select a different advisor for subsequent advising and registration. The PhD student should seek a faculty Program Advisor who is knowledgeable in the student’s major area of study. The advisor must be a member of the graduate faculty in the Information Culture and Data Stewardship Department who is able to spend the time and effort necessary for the advising role, will be available for examinations, and with whom a productive and comfortable working relationship can be established. 

Program Advisor 

The advisor selected by the student for the period before the dissertation stage of the program is the Program Advisor. The Program Advisor and the Dissertation Advisor may be the same person, but the student has the option to select a different advisor for the dissertation. Upon agreement of the faculty member to act as the student’s advisor, the signed agreement is placed in the student’s folder. Any subsequent change of Program Advisor should be submitted in writing to the Chair of the ICDS Committee on Doctoral Studies and placed on record in the student’s folder. 

Doctoral students are ultimately responsible for their own direction and progress through the program and are encouraged to seek advice from any member of the SCI faculty or other University faculty in this endeavor. The Program Advisor, however, is the one primarily responsible for providing guidance, insight, advice, information, explanation of University and School policies, and general assistance in the pursuit of the PhD degree. The Program Advisor will also approve those actions requiring a faculty signature. 

The Program Advisor assists the student in  

• developing a plan for the program of study and 
• arranging for the preliminary and comprehensive examinations.

Degree Requirements

This PhD degree requires a minimum of 54 credits beyond the master’s degree with a total credit minimum of 72. A minimum of 36 credits must be taken in advanced course work. The student must receive a letter grade in each course taken in this 36-credit requirement, except for the teaching practicum course.  

An additional 18 credits are required which must be applied to dissertation research and writing; however, regardless of the number of credits taken, no more than 18 credits for dissertation research and writing may be applied toward graduation. The grade for these credits will appear as an “S” on the student’s transcript. In order to register for, and successfully complete, dissertation credits, students must show evidence of work toward the dissertation by completing the “Dissertation Credit Tracking Checklist” and updating it at the end of the term.  

The minimum of 36 credits of course work, all of which must be on the graduate level, must be distributed as follows: 

• 3 credits: LIS 3000 - INTRODUCTION TO DOCTORAL STUDIES    
• 9 credits: 3000-level doctoral seminars offered by SCI
• 3 credits: LIS 3950 - TEACHING PRACTICUM    or FACDEV 2200 - PRACTICUM ON UNIVERSITY TEACHING    
• 6 credits: Courses in research methodology and statistics
• 6 credits: Courses in the cognate field
• 3000-level independent studies or doctoral seminars offered by SCI
• Additional 3000-level doctoral seminars offered by SCI
• Additional cognate courses (up to six credits)
• Additional research methodology courses
• 2000-level courses in SCI (subject to be approved by the student’s advisor)

Additional Requirements

Gpa requirement.

PhD degrees are conferred only on those students who have completed all courses required for the degree with at least a 3.50 GPA.

Cognate Requirement

Doctoral students are required to devote some portion of their studies to work on other disciplines in order to broaden their perspectives and deepen their understanding of library and information science. To fulfill the cognate requirement, students are required to take a minimum of six credits and a maximum of 12 credits in some area of graduate study outside the field of library and information science. These credits may be from more than one department or school. 

Students may enroll for all or part of their cognate course work at institutions other than the University of Pittsburgh, but only when prior approval has been obtained from the ICDS Committee on Doctoral Studies. Courses in the School of Computing and Information generally cannot be used to fulfill the cognate requirement. Cross-listed courses may be counted as cognates if they originate outside the School. SCI courses may occasionally be approved as cognate courses if the subject matter is highly specialized and distinct from the student’s disciplinary focus; students must petition the ICDS Committee on Doctoral Studies for approval in advance of registering for the course. Cognate areas and courses shall be selected with consultation and approval by the student’s advisor. 

If a student has significant course work at the graduate level or an advanced degree in another discipline and desires that it be considered as the cognate field, the student has the right to petition the ICDS Committee on Doctoral Studies for exemption from the cognate requirement. A minimum of 36 course credits and 18 credits of dissertation writing and research will still be required for the PhD students who opt to petition for exemption from the cognate requirement. Such a petition should be submitted as early as possible, preferably in the first term, in order to plan a coherent program of study. 

Research Methodology Requirement

Research methodology courses may include courses in statistical analysis, general research methodology, and specific research methods or research methods used in specific fields of study, for instance, historiography, ethnography, or case and field study. Doctoral students should work with their advisors to identify the appropriate research methodology courses.

Research methodology courses may be taken within SCI or in another School. Research methodology courses taken from schools outside SCI cannot be used to fulfill the cognate requirement.

The research methodology course requirement must be fulfilled prior to taking the Preliminary Examination.

Teaching Practicum

A three-credit teaching practicum is required for all doctoral students in order to provide the student with teaching experience that may become part of the student’s professional dossier. The teaching practicum is usually taken after the completion of two terms of study. The student is responsible for identifying an appropriate course related to their area of interest and obtaining the agreement of the instructor of record. Appropriate activities as part of the teaching practicum include involvement in course design, attendance at all class sessions, presentation of some course materials, office or tutorial hours, and involvement in grading. The student’s teaching responsibility should involve preparation and presentation of specific topics throughout the term and sole responsibility for at least one class session. The teaching practicum is graded on a pass/fail basis.

Doctoral students may also fulfill this requirement by completing the University Teaching Practicum course offered through the Faculty of Arts and Science. The course, FACDEV 2200   , is a graduate seminar designed for Teaching Assistants and Teaching Fellows who will be teaching a class independently for the first time.

Public Presentation Requirement

During the course of the PhD program, each student is required to make a formal presentation to faculty and students in the School or in another academic setting. The topic of this presentation may be a research project the student is engaged in or preliminary results of the dissertation project. This presentation may be a guest lecture in a course, a public colloquium, a presentation sponsored by the Doctoral Guild or a presentation at an academic conference. Documentation of the presentation should be provided for inclusion in the student’s file.

Attendance at colloquia is required of students in their term of residence and is recommended throughout the PhD program.

Probation and Termination

All students pursuing the LIS doctoral degree are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 after admission to graduate study for all course work applicable to the degree. Students are automatically placed on academic probation when their cumulative GPA falls below 3.5. The graduate faculty may choose to terminate students on probation for two consecutive terms. A cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better is required for admission to LIS doctoral study and for the award of the LIS doctoral degree. In addition, students must show adequate progress in the subsequent benchmark examinations and defenses.

Each student will submit a LIS Doctoral Student Annual Progress Report in the spring term for review by the ICDS Committee on Doctoral Studies.

Residence and Registration Guidelines

The University’s Regulations Pertaining to Doctoral Degrees contains myriad policies related to registration and residence. Students must review these regulations as well as those governed at the School level.  In addition, PhD students should adhere to the following guidelines. 

A student may not register for dissertation credits until the successful completion of the preliminary exam. 

Full-time dissertation study is achieved once all required courses (36 credits minimum) and all dissertation credits (18 credits of LIS 3999 minimum) are completed. Once the preliminary exam is successfully completed (after a minimum of 24 credits of coursework) students may begin taking a combination of dissertation credits and required credits until both requirements have been completed. Students may, with the approval of their dissertation advisor, register for up to nine dissertation credits per semester until the 18 credits are achieved, but a combination of dissertation credits and required coursework can also be taken in each semester, so long as at least nine credits of one or the other or both are taken in each fall and spring semester. If additional coursework (beyond the required 36 credits) is desired by the student or recommended by the advisor (for example, classes in statistical methods, programming, additional cognate courses, etc.), a mix of dissertation credits and such additional coursework may be taken as well (for example, six credits of dissertation and one three-credit additional course, or three credits of dissertation and six credits of additional coursework). 

Doctoral students who have completed all credit requirements for the PhD degree, including the 36 required credits and the 18 dissertation credits (54 credits total), have had their Dissertation Proposal approved, and are working full time on their dissertations, should register for “Full‐time Dissertation Study.” Enrollment in this course fulfills the University requirements for registration in the term of graduation. 

International students studying on an F-1 visa must maintain full-time registration status on an exact and regular basis that is stricter than the residency rules required by the school as stated above. Due to federal immigration regulations, if the term preceding a student entering full-time dissertation status occurs during the fall or spring terms, the student must enroll full-time (nine or more credits). A “reduced course load” request cannot be approved by the Office of International Services (OIS) unless the request is made for the student’s term of graduation. Even if a student needs to complete only six credits before entering full-time dissertation status, federal regulations trump the school’s program requirements and they must enroll full-time in all fall and spring terms excepting their term of graduation. 

Preliminary Examination

Eligibility.

To be admitted to the preliminary examination a student must:

• Have completed 24 credits of study or be completing 24 credits in the exam term, including 6 credits from courses in research methodology and/or statistics
• Be registered in the term in which the preliminary examination is taken;
• Apply in writing and with the advice and consent of a faculty advisor to ICDS support staff by the announced deadline.

Students (whether full‐time or part‐time) are encouraged to take the preliminary examination, with the advice of the faculty advisor, as early as possible. Full-time students MAY take the preliminary examination near the end of the 1st year spring term and SHOULD take it no later than the 2nd fall term.

Preliminary Examination Procedure

Upon completion of 24 credits of coursework, the student will submit a portfolio comprising the best representation of their work completed so far to the faculty for review. Each student will also be required to present this portfolio to the ICDS Committee on Doctoral Studies as a whole, and the whole committee will vote on whether or not the portfolio is acceptable. A date for the portfolio presentation for the Preliminary Examination will be set at the beginning of each term. Students are required to submit their portfolio to ICDS Department support staff two weeks in advance of the Preliminary Examination. Preliminary Examinations are held in the fall and spring terms.

Preliminary Examination Portfolio

The preliminary evaluation will be based on the breadth and depth of knowledge as addressed through coursework, as well as whether the coursework taken will support the research plan of the student. This portfolio will minimally consist of the following elements:

1. Course plan

• List of courses completed with dates
• Projected list of remaining courses with dates
• Notations concerning how all course requirements are to be met

2. Research prospectus

• Research prospectus or plan and how this relates to coursework (taken and planned). This section will consist of a proposed area of concentration for the dissertation, justification for the research, and description of the methodological approach in some detail. It will also include an analysis of what types of resources will be needed to carry out the plan and to support the student through the completion of the dissertation.

3. Two examples of major work

• Two examples of major work completed while working towards the PhD (for example, a substantial coursework assignment, and a published or submitted conference paper or journal article). At least one of these should be a significant piece of writing, authored solely by the candidate. The other can also be a paper or could be another type of work demonstrating depth of knowledge and research in an area. If a jointly authored paper is included in the portfolio, the candidate should be named as the first author, and they must explain the nature and extent of the contributions of each co-author.

4. Additional items

• Professional activities (e.g., papers presented at conferences)

Preliminary Examination Outcomes

The Chair of the ICDS Committee on Doctoral Studies will respond to the presentation with an evaluation memo to the student either noting the acceptability of the portfolio or noting the areas in which the student is deficient. The memo may be very specific and prescribe specific types of courses, work products, or other elements necessary for the student to complete their research plan or the required course work. If a portfolio is not passed by a majority of those hearing the case, the student may make a second attempt in a later term.

With the successful completion of the preliminary examination, the Chair of the ICDS Committee on Doctoral Studies will notify the student in writing of admission to doctoral study and will note the results on the Preliminary Examination Results Form .

Failure to pass the Preliminary Examination on the second attempt will result in dismissal from the doctoral program.

Failure to pass the Preliminary Examination by the end of the second spring term (or third spring term for part-time students) will result in dismissal from the doctoral program.

Comprehensive Examination

To be admitted to the comprehensive examination a student must:

• Have completed 36 credits of study
• Be registered in the term in which the comprehensive examination is taken;
• Apply in writing using the Application to Sit for the Comprehensive Exam form and with the advice and consent of a faculty advisor to the ICDS Department support staff at least six weeks before the scheduled exam time.

Full-time students should take the comprehensive exam in the fall or spring term of the second year. All students must successfully complete the Comprehensive Exam within 18 months of passing the preliminary examination (24 months for part-time students).

Comprehensive Examination Procedure

In the Information Culture and Data Stewardship Department, the Comprehensive Examination will have written and oral components, and will normally be offered in the fall and spring terms. Students will notify their advisor and the Chair of the ICDS Committee on Doctoral Studies of their interest in taking the Comprehensive Examination at least six weeks before the examination date, using the form provided. The dates for each student will be determined in consultation with the student and the student’s comprehensive examination committee. 

Students will be examined in two areas: 

• A broad perspective on current issues in library and information science, or archival studies, and 
• The student’s designated research focus. 

In the PhD Library and Information Science program, the following procedures apply: 

• The examination will be conducted by a three-person committee: the student’s advisor and two faculty members chosen by the student and the faculty advisor. Faculty members chosen to serve on the committee must give their consent. 
• The examination will consist of two parts: a written, take-home exam over two weeks (three weekends) and an oral examination conducted by the student’s committee. 
• The written examination will consist of four questions, two in each of the areas of the examination. The student will choose one of the two questions in each area. Though the student is required to answer only two questions, there is the expectation that the response will be comprehensive and include a high level of analysis of the material. In terms of length, 12-15 pages would constitute a minimal answer for each question though longer papers are expected. The student will be given two weeks (including three weekends) to complete the written examination. 
• The second part of the examination will be an oral examination expanding on any points from the written work that the committee wishes to address or any questions arising from the broad, general area of interest. The oral examination (approximately two hours) will take place as soon as possible after the written component has been evaluated. 

Comprehensive Examination Outcomes

The result of the comprehensive examination will be a pass or fail. If a student fails, they may retake the exam one more time. Students use the Comprehensive Examination Results Form to document this benchmark. Failure to pass the Comprehensive Examination on the second attempt will result in dismissal from the doctoral program.

Failure to pass the Comprehensive Examination within the required time frame of within 18 months of passing the preliminary examination (or 24 months for part-time students), will result in dismissal from the doctoral program.

Dissertation

Dissertation advisor.

Students must gain the agreement of a member of the ICDS graduate faculty to chair the Dissertation Committee that will advise on the area of research and the design of the study. The advisor’s agreement must be obtained and recorded in the student’s file. Any request to change the Dissertation Advisor must be submitted in writing to the Chair of the ICDS Committee on Doctoral Studies after discussion with the Dissertation Advisor. Students retain the right to change advisors with impunity. It is important for students to be aware of and sensitive to various issues, including: 1) the importance of mutual consideration in the relationship between advisor and advisee; and 2) the academic benefits of continuity in the relationship with a major advisor and other members of the dissertation committee. Approval for the change and the selection of another Dissertation Advisor is filed in the student’s folder. 

The student’s dissertation advisor: 

• Assists in choosing the members of the Dissertation Committee and in confirming the eligibility of all members selected; 
• Arranges with ICDS support staff to schedule the dissertation proposal presentation; 
• Reviews progress toward completion of the research; 
• Arranges with LIS support staff to schedule the dissertation defense; 
• Chairs the dissertation defense; 
• Secures appropriate signatures from Dissertation Committee members and assures that all required paperwork is submitted in accordance with the ICDS, School of Computing and Information, and University procedures. 

Dissertation Committee

The Dissertation Committee, selected by the student and major dissertation advisor, shall consist of at least four members, with the majority being from the graduate faculty of the School of Computing and Information. At least one, but not more than two, should be from another School of the University. Work in the cognate area may provide the student with the opportunity to select an appropriate outside member for the Dissertation Committee from a discipline related to the student’s area of specialization. Upon the recommendation of the Dissertation Advisor, and with the approval of the LIS Committee on Doctoral Studies, a member may be appointed from outside the University. Outside members of the Dissertation Committee are not obligated to attend dissertation related events in person. If an outside person from another University or agency does attend in person, the ICDS Department is not responsible for covering any expenses involved in the attendance of the outside member at meetings. Finally, the major advisor proposes the members of the committee for approval to the ICDS Doctoral Program Chair and the Dean, using the Doctoral Committee Form found under “PhD Student Forms” to document approval of committee composition.

Meetings of the doctoral candidate and the Dissertation Committee must occur at least annually from the time the student gains admission to Doctoral Candidacy. During these meetings, the committee should assess the student’s progress toward the degree, discuss objectives for the following year, and project a timetable for completing degree requirements.

Any language requirement relates to proficiencies necessary for successful completion of doctoral research. Depending upon the student’s program, proficiencies in modern languages, linguistics, and/or computer languages may be specified. The student’s Dissertation Advisor will determine the language requirement in consultation with the Dissertation Committee at the time the proposal is accepted. 

Dissertation Procedural Requirements

The student must submit all forms, letters, and questionnaires related to the dissertation research to the ICDS members of the Dissertation Committee for approval before any such documents are publicly distributed.

The student is also responsible for meeting University requirements when human subjects are used in research. These requirements are enforced by the University’s Human Research Protection Office (HRPO) and the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The school has a faculty representative on the Institutional Review Board who may be contacted with questions of procedure.

Bibliographic style is best determined by the subject of the dissertation; a style manual of the student’s choice may be used for the content of the dissertation and must be applied consistently throughout.

The final approved version of the dissertation must be submitted electronically to the University. For the full instructions on the formatting and submission of Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD), please visit the University’s ETD Web site and the SCI Current Student Web site .

Dissertation Proposal Defense

Before scheduling the dissertation proposal defense, the student must have completed all required coursework, and successfully completed the Preliminary and Comprehensive Examinations, which may not be scheduled in the same term as the dissertation proposal defense.  Please complete the required form containing the scheduling information and the abstract .

The student should defend the proposal of the dissertation within 18 months of successfully completed the comprehensive exam (24 months for part-time students). All students must successfully complete the Dissertation Proposal Defense within 24 months of passing the Comprehensive Examination (36 months for part-time students). Failure to successfully complete the dissertation proposal defense within the required period of time will result in dismissal from the doctoral program.

The student should work closely with the Dissertation Advisor during the preparation of the proposal for dissertation research. Only when the proposal is reviewed and approved by the Dissertation Advisor will the student initiate the proposal defense process. The proposal must be submitted to the members of the Dissertation Committee at least two weeks before the scheduled time of the proposal defense. The presentation portion of the proposal defense is an open event and will be announced to the faculty and students in the school. If scheduling problems for committee members occur, telephone conferencing may be used. Faculty discussion about the presentation is closed and only the members of the Dissertation Committee will participate.

The Dissertation Committee must unanimously approve the dissertation topic and research plan before the student may be admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree. However, approval of the proposal does not imply either the acceptance of a dissertation prepared in accordance with the proposal or the restriction of the dissertation to this original proposal. Please use this Proposal Defense Results form to document the results of the defense. 

For admission to formal candidacy for the PhD in LIS degree, a student must have fulfilled the following requirements:

• Passed the Preliminary Examination;
• Completed a minimum of 36 credits beyond the master’s degree with a GPA of 3.5 or higher;
• Passed the Comprehensive Examination;
• Successfully defended the dissertation proposal and received permission from the Dissertation Committee to begin research.

When these steps have been taken, the chairperson of the student’s Dissertation Committee will notify the Chair of the ICDS Committee on Doctoral Studies, the Chair of the Information Culture and Data Stewardship Department, and the Dean of SCI that the student has achieved formal candidacy.

In accordance with the University Regulations Pertaining to the Doctor of Philosophy, each student must write a dissertation that presents the results of a research project carried out by the student. An appropriate research project involves a substantive piece of original and independent research, grounded in an appropriate body of literature, and employing systematic methods and procedures to investigate a defined question or problem. It is relevant to an identifiable field as it is currently practiced, and provides a significant contribution or advancement in that field. It presents either a hypothesis tested by data and analysis, or an analysis of data supporting the development of a theory, or leading to new or substantially improved insights. It is the responsibility of the student’s doctoral committee to evaluate the dissertation in these terms and to recommend the awarding of the doctoral degree only if the dissertation is judged to demonstrate these qualities.

Characteristics which a dissertation should demonstrate are: 

• The establishment of a historical context for the presentation of an innovative and creative approach to the problem analysis and solution; 
• A clear understanding of the problem area as revealed by analysis and synthesis of a broad literature base; 
• A well-defined research design; 
• The clarity in composition and careful documentation; 
• Results of sufficient merit to be published in refereed journals or to form the basis of a book or monograph 
• Sufficient detail so that other scholars can build on it in subsequent work; 
• The preparation of the author to assume a position within the profession. 

Dissertation Defense

The student should work with the Dissertation Advisor to decide the right time for their dissertation defense. The student must obtain the Dissertation Advisor’s approval before initiating the dissertation defense process. The student is responsible for presenting one copy of the dissertation in final form to each member of the Dissertation Committee at least two weeks before the date of the defense. The deliverable format is to be determined by each individual committee member.

The date, time, location, and subject of the dissertation defense shall be publicized in The University Times four weeks before the defense is held. All members of the Dissertation Committee and such other persons as are interested may attend the final defense, but acceptance of the dissertation is determined by a vote of members of the Dissertation Committee. Only members of the Dissertation Committee may be present during the final deliberations and may vote on the passing of the candidate. A report of this examination, signed by all the members of the Dissertation Committee, must be sent to the ICDS Department Chair and the Dean. If the decision of the committee is not unanimous, the case is referred to the Dean for resolution. The Chair of the Dissertation Committee should ensure that the dissertation is in its final form before requesting signatures of the members of the committee.

A student who defends the dissertation, but with conditions to be met before the degree can be awarded, must meet those conditions within the required time frame: 

• Minor corrections (largely presentation, e.g., typographical errors) - to be completed within one calendar month, subject to approval by the Dissertation Advisor; 
• Substantial amendments (involving more significant revisions and/or additions, e.g., rewriting sections of chapters) - to be completed within three calendar months, subject to approval by members of the Dissertation Committee. 

In both of the above cases, the student’s statute of limitations will automatically be extended if necessary for the period specified, without the need for a petition.

A student who does not successfully defend the dissertation may revise and resubmit the dissertation for examination within the time frame allowed by their statute of limitations.

Students must be registered for at least one credit or full-time dissertation credit in the term in which they defend their dissertation. 

The student must have successfully defended their dissertation and received final approval of the dissertation, including all corrections, by the Dissertation Committee. All students apply to graduate; receipt of the graduation application initiates a review of the student’s coursework, grades, and milestone completion. As well, an international student’s SEVIS record will be updated with a new “program end date.” Registration is required for a minimum of one credit (or full-time dissertation) in the term of graduation although exceptions may be approved by the Dean’s Office on a case-by-case basis. Finally, the student’s Dissertation Chair and the School’s Director of Records must approve the submission and publication of the Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD). 

For the full instructions on the formatting and submission of ETDs, please visit the University’s ETD Web site and the SCI Current Student Web site .

Statute of Limitations

All requirements for the PhD degree must be completed in not more than six calendar years from the time of first registration (or eight calendar years for part-time students). Students may, in extenuating circumstances, submit a formal request for extension of their statute of limitations or for a leave of absence from the program. Requests for either an extension to a statute of limitations or for a leave of absence are submitted through online forms; these forms are shared with the student’s advisor and then presented to the ICDS Committee on Doctoral Studies for a decision.

In all other matters of policy, see the University and School’s Catalogs, then consult with the School’s Director of Academic Records. 

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UBC School of Information’s Doctor in Philosophy in Library, Archival and Information Studies is a four-year funded program that combines coursework with focused independent study and research. Our students have ready access to faculty members and benefit from unique opportunities at a comprehensive, world-class, research-intensive university.

We designed our PhD program to provide advanced research education for outstanding and highly motivated students who have already obtained a Master of Archival Studies (MAS) degree, a Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) or an equivalent related degree.

• Information seeking, retrieval and use
• Human-computer interaction and design
• Critical approaches to information systems and services
• Information appraisal, classification and organization
• Social computing
• Information ethics and information policy
• Personal archives, digital archives, and online communities
• Records and information management
• Data management and natural language processing
• Blockchain technologies, information trust and governance
• Digital cultural heritage and preservation
• Digital humanities

Program highlights

• Advanced education in information and archival studies
• Focus on scholarship and research, with strong support for interdisciplinary approaches
• State-of-the-art research and learning facilities at a world-class university

Identify a potential supervisor

The doctoral program is highly selective. The strongest applicants have research interests aligned with the faculty expertise in the School of Information. Identifying a faculty member who can support your application does not guarantee an offer of admission. Still, it can ensure that your application is read carefully in light of the limited number of positions available each year. The following paragraphs provide suggestions for reaching out to potential supervisors.

• Familiarize yourself with program requirements. You want to learn as much as possible from the information available before reaching out to a faculty member.

Focus your research

• Identify faculty members who are conducting research in your specific area of interest.
• Read up on the faculty members in the program and the research conducted in the department.
• Familiarize yourself with their work, and read their recent publications and past theses/dissertations they supervised. Be sure that their research is indeed what you are hoping to study.

Make a good impression

• Do not send mass emails to everyone in the department hoping for a match.
• Address the faculty members by name. Your contact should be genuine rather than generic.
• Include a brief outline of your academic background, why you are interested in working with the faculty member, and what experience you could bring to the department.
• Highlight your achievements and why you are a top student. Faculty members receive dozens of requests from prospective students, and you may have less than 30 seconds to pique someone's interest.
• Convey the specific ways you are a good fit for the program.
• Convey the specific ways the program/lab/faculty member is a good fit for the research you are interested in/are already conducting.
• Be enthusiastic, but don't overdo it.

Course requirements

Students entering the doctoral program with an approved master’s degree will be required to take a minimum of 24 credits of coursework before achieving candidacy.

Your advisor may recommend additional courses, and you may be required to take courses in the iSchool Master of Library and Information Studies program or the Master of Archival Studies program to provide sufficient background for your research focus.

In addition, we strongly encourage our doctoral students to take graduate-level courses from other UBC departments in their chosen area of research.

Program details

Upon entering the doctoral program, you will be assigned an adviser who will work with you to develop an appropriate coursework schedule relevant to your research plan. You will take advance study in the major and minor areas (LAIS 620 and 621) with your advisor or the faculty member(s) best aligned with your research focus.

The qualifying exams assess your knowledge of the relevant literature, analytic capacity, and skill in developing original written and oral presentations of ideas. Typically, your advisor becomes your dissertation supervisor through the qualifying examinations.

Upon successfully completing the qualifying examinations, you will enter the dissertation stage of the program. Working closely with your supervisor, you will assemble a dissertation committee of no fewer than two additional eligible faculty members; these may be the same faculty who assessed your qualifying exams.

You will develop and defend a dissertation proposal of not less than 30 pages following the guidelines in the Doctoral handbook of policies and procedures . The goal of the proposal is to ascertain your research readiness.

Upon the successful defence of the proposal, you are recommended for candidacy.

You will then undertake the research and writing to prepare the dissertation following the guidelines of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (G+PS). When the dissertation is completed and successfully defended, you will be recommended for your Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree.

Qualifying examinations

The qualifying exams for the School of Information PhD consist of coursework (LAIS 620 and LAIS 621) as well as a formal examination with written and oral components. This overview of the qualifying exam process is meant as a guide for students and faculty. While specific details of each student’s exam preparation, writing and defence will vary, there are consistent timelines, objectives and expectations of all doctoral students. This document sets out a process for preparing for, writing, and assessing the qualifying examination as a key milestone in a student’s progress toward degree.

Students receive course credit (and faculty receive teaching credit) for LAIS 620 and LAIS 621. As such, the policies related to student resources, academic concession, academic integrity, academic accommodation, and conflicting responsibilities that apply to all other coursework also apply to the qualifying examination. Students who have needs or concerns related to these policies can negotiate adjustments to the exam procedures with their advisor and the Doctoral Studies Chair. Details of the policies and how to access support are available here.

Upon completion of all other degree coursework requirements (See: degree requirements), a student is enrolled in LAIS 620 (Advanced Study in the Major Area) and LAIS 621 (Advanced Study in the Minor Area) by the Program Assistant. The courses are six credits each, and should be taken over the course of the Winter 1 & 2 terms of the second year of doctoral study. These courses represent the preparation for the qualifying exam (50%) as well as the exam itself (50%). The preparation portion of each course is satisfied through a directed study with the student’s advisor or potential committee member. The advisor may recommend additional coursework for credit course auditing, depending on the student’s background or intended topic of study.

Through the LAIS 620 and 621 coursework, the student provides evidence that they are able to:

• Identify and describe Major and Minor areas of focus that will frame the examination process;
•  Read for both depth and breadth in the areas of focus;
• Curate bibliographies of academic sources that represent key concepts, ideas, theories, or methods in the areas of focus;
• Develop research relevant questions that emerge from the reading;
• Connect the research focus area(s) with the broader discipline;
• Communicate clearly and effectively to academic audiences, in written and oral forms.

Key outputs from the LAIS 620/621 coursework are materials that guide the examination process, specifically:

• An overview document for the Major and Minor areas (length determined by the advisor, however 1500 to 3000 words is typical) that provides a fulsome description of the areas of focus, important concepts and definitions, and key questions that emerge from reading in these areas; and
• A guiding bibliography of 40-50 sources for each of the areas of focus.

The Major and Minor areas of focus are developed with the approval and consultation of the advisor and examination committee. The Major and Minor together should support the development of student thinking, but not encapsulate exhaustively the thinking within a discipline. The level of specificity and scope are important considerations. The Major and Minor areas should be complementary but not overlap. For example, the Major area may be the central focus of a student’s intended inquiry, with the Minor area a complementary theory or method, or a cognate area related to but not a subset of the Major.

The qualifying exam has two overarching objectives: 1) to assess the student’s knowledge of current trends, theories, and methods in the areas of focus; 2) to determine if the doctoral student is sufficiently prepared to design their dissertation project.

• Through the qualifying exam, the student provides evidence that they are able to:
• Identify and critically read relevant literature in the areas of focus;
• Comprehend and evaluate arguments in the areas of focus;
• Integrate and synthesize ideas within the areas of focus;
• Put their research focus area(s) in conversation with the broader discipline;

The student will be expected to demonstrate their knowledge, and critical analysis in the discipline through:

• Knowledge of the main issues or problems in the areas of focus;
• Incisive evaluation of current and past research;
• Rigorous analysis, organization and synthesis of information;
• Clear written, and oral communication of ideas, concepts and arguments.

Students are expected to read carefully and write to issues that are contained within these bibliographies, but cannot be expected to read or write outside them as part of the examination process.

The faculty member who advises a doctoral student through their course work and qualifying exams is known as an adviser. This is usually (but not always) the same person who supervises their work as they write their dissertation, the supervisor.

The student and their adviser will assemble an Examination Committee that will adjudicate the Major and Minor focus areas by setting the exam questions and assessing the answers. The Examination Committee will consist of the adviser and two or three additional faculty members. These are typically faculty who have served as instructors to the student, have supervised reading courses in one or more of the areas of study, or have expertise related to the focus areas. The student's adviser will chair the committee.

The Examination Committee will set the questions for both the Major and Minor area exams. The questions will be based on the Major and Minor focus area descriptions and accompanying bibliographies approved by the committee by the end of January of their second year. After committee approval, the scheduling of the written exam and oral defense can occur.

Structure of the examinations

• The qualifying examination occurs in the Winter 2 term of the student’s second year in the Doctoral Program, and must be completed within 24 months of starting the program, as required by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
• Writing of the Major and Minor areas will occur within a 30-day period, and the overall length of the examination should not exceed two months.
• The format for the written examination is a take-home examination to be completed during a 21-day writing period. The writing period must begin and end on a weekday. The dates can be negotiated, and a one-day extension granted if a statutory holiday, religious holiday or cultural observance falls within the writing period (see UBC policy on conflicting responsibilities).
• The examination is intended to be a sequestered writing period, during which the student should have minimal contact with other students and faculty. Peer editing and reviewing of draft answers is not permissible, nor should the student and advisor or examination committee consult on the questions once they are administered. Students who need accommodations such as an extended exam period or writing support should consult with their advisor and DSC Chair in advance of the examination scheduling.
• The examination will comprise two significant essays, one each for the Major and Minor focus areas. The essay prompts will be formulated by the committee, and reflect the depth and breadth of the Major and Minor. The major area essay prompt should be presented as an opportunity for the student to compose a “state of the field” review related to the student’s area of research focus. The Minor essay prompt should permit the student to focus on a theory, method or cognate area that complements the Major area, without being redundant. In terms of length, approximately 5,000 words (including references) would constitute a minimal answer for each essay, with 7-10,000 words judged more acceptable in most cases.
• An oral examination of not more than three hours will occur not more than two weeks following the completion of the writing period.
• The oral examination committee consists of at least three members of Examination Committee.
• The Chair of the DSC serves as examination chair, and there is no audience present.

Sample Exam Timeline (Actual dates negotiated among student, committee, and DSC Chair):

• Supervisor submits questions vetted and approved by the examining committee to the Program Assistant one week before the exam writing period begins (February 24).
• Student receives exam questions on Friday March 3 at 9am [21-day writing period begins].
• Student submits written answers to Program Assistant on Thursday March 23 at 5pm [Writing period ends].
• Committee has seven days to read and evaluate essays.
• Committee communicates to DSC Chair that oral exam will proceed on Thursday March 30.
• Oral exam occurs Friday March 31.

After a student submits the written qualifying exam essays, the examination committee will have no less than seven days to read and evaluate them prior to the oral examination. The committee should confer prior to the oral examination to confirm that the quality of the written essays is adequate to proceed. If the essays are adequate, the student will proceed to the oral examination. If the essays are deemed inadequate, the committee will recommend either a mark of FAIL, or Adjournment (see below). The committee’s agreement to proceed or not proceed to the oral examination should be a consensus decision sent to the DSC Chair at least one day prior to the oral examination.

The purpose of the oral examination is to allow the student to provide context for their written exam answers, to demonstrate additional depth and breadth of knowledge in the area, and to show their communicative competency. The questions of the oral examination will be related to the questions answered by the student in the written examination of the major and minor areas. Examiners' questions will be based on peripheral or related material that contributes to a complete answer to the questions posed.

The oral examination will be comprised of the following parts:

• Introductions and clarification of procedures by the DSC Chair or designate
• Student presentation (15 minutes maximum – see below)
• Examination of the Major Area: At least one round of questions from each examiner, until all examiners are satisfied.
• Examination of the Minor Area: At least one round of questions from each examiner, until all examiners are satisfied.
• In-camera session: The student is dismissed, and the examiners meet with the Chair to discuss the outcome, feedback, and mark for the examination.
• Feedback: The student returns to the exam session and the Chair or Advisor provide the outcome and next steps.

At the beginning of the oral exam the student may take the opportunity to expand on their answers to the written exam questions, amplifying the answers or outlining the key points. This speaking opportunity must take no longer than 15 minutes, and may be strictly oral or aided only by notes or a visual presentation (i.e., the student is not allowed to read a prepared paper). The student may bring into the oral examination only a copy of the written exam and the notes or software (e.g., PowerPoint) for the 15-minute presentation.

During the in-camera session of the examination, the faculty will evaluate the student’s written and oral performance on each of the Major and Minor areas of focus. The student will be given one of three marks for each the Major and Minor. Faculty will assess the written and oral examination for each area as a combined mark.

• Unconditional PASS : The student’s performance in the written and oral examination meets all the indicators. The examination milestone is considered met and a grade is assigned.
• Conditional PASS : The student’s performance in the written and oral examination meets most of the indicators, but may need additional writing or revision to satisfy the committee. A student who receives the mark of Conditional PASS must complete revisions under the direction of the Advisor within two weeks. The committee will assess the revised responses and either provide the mark of FAIL or Unconditional PASS. Further oral examination is not required.
• FAIL : The student’s performance in the written and oral examination does not meet the exam indicators above. A student who receives the mark of FAIL must withdraw from the program. UBC procedures for appeal of assigned academic standing are detailed in the Academic Regulations section of the UBC Calendar.

A student may receive a split decision for the Major and Minor areas; that is, the mark assigned may be different if the written or oral performance is inadequate in either area. If a student receives a Conditional PASS in either area, the numerical grade will be provided after the revision period. If a student receives a FAIL in either the Major or Minor area, the milestone is not met, and the student must withdraw from the program.

A student receives a grade for each of the Major (620) and Minor (621) area examinations. This grade is a score that reflects their combined written and oral performance. The examination grade constitutes 50% of the grade for the Major or Minor area, the other 50% being the score assigned for the exam preparation. The Advisor should bring the preparation scores to the in-camera session. The grades for preparation and examination are averaged and submitted to the Program Assistant using the grading form provided on the school’s internal website.

A student who receives the mark of Unconditional PASS should receive a grade that is appropriate to their level of achievement, i.e., in the A to A+ range (85-95). A student who shows weaker performance in either the oral or written components, but not to the point where revision is necessary, may receive a lower grade. However, all grades for an Unconditional PASS must be above the B level (74+).

In the event the examination committee is unable to reach consensus on either the mark or numerical grade in the in-camera session, the DSC Chair (or their designate as examination chair) will serve as arbiter.

An adjournment may occur when the examination process needs to be halted for additional preparation, or for personal reasons arising from the student’s situation. There are two conditions under which the exam process may be halted or adjourned.

• Faculty requested adjournment: If one or both examination essays are of an unacceptable quality, but there is confidence they can be improved with additional preparation, the chair of the examination committee may request an adjournment. This request should be made between the submission of the essays and the oral examination. The request should be made to the DSC Chair.
• Student requested adjournment: If the student experiences a personal situation that puts their ability to complete the examination in question (significant illness, unexpected life incident, or emergency), they may request an adjournment. This request should be made during the writing period to the advisor and DSC Chair.

If an adjournment is granted, the student will have six months to complete the examination process. The student may not proceed to the oral examination until the written essays are deemed of sufficient quality. If the student does not produce passable essays on the second try, the student will be given the mark of FAIL and must withdraw from the program. The student must be informed of the committee’s decision in writing, and will have the opportunity to appeal to the DSC Chair. A candidate will be permitted to re-write the examination only once. The student is responsible for scheduling the re-writing.

All students can appeal the examination mark or numerical grade if they feel that the process for administration or assessment was unfair or in error. To appeal, the student must send a written note of appeal, along with any evidence to support their claim, to the DSC Chair within one week of receiving their examination feedback. The Chair will review the written essays and chair report to identify if any redress is appropriate. The outcome of the appeal will be provided to the student in writing no more than 30 days after receipt of the appeal.

Career outcomes

Graduates of the School of Information Doctoral Program have held positions in academia, including tenure track faculty at some of the world's leading universities, the IT industry, and leadership roles in libraries, archives, and other public sector institutions.

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Information Science, PhD

VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE Thursday, Nov. 9 Event Details Register Now

As human interaction and cultural expression continue to be facilitated digitally, the workings of digital technologies, their impact and their uses need to be understood. Our doctoral degree in information science will provide the opportunity to study these issues in depth. A PhD in information science will give you the opportunity to develop sophisticated quantitative and qualitative research skills to equip you to delve into the complex information problems facing humanity and contemporary organizations.  The information field is changing rapidly, and offering myriad opportunities for future scholars of information science. This program is best suited for those interested in exploring research questions in information science, looking to fill a faculty position in the field, or who are working to enhance leadership experience in libraries.

On this page:

Why information science at ub.

The features of our program include:

• a curriculum that addresses the rapid and ongoing changes in the information science field
• a residency period of one week each year for students to interact directly with their peers, as well as with the faculty
• it is one of only two online information science doctoral programs in North America

Program Overview

Program goals.

• Graduates will have a broad understanding of the theories of information science, as well as theories from cognate disciplines which have been applied in information science.
• Graduates will have a broad understanding of qualitative and quantitative methods, which are commonly applied in information science research.
• Graduates will demonstrate deep and broad knowledge of one or more domain topics within information science.
• Graduates will demonstrate the ability to execute research in their domain area using appropriate methods and theory.

Program Coursework

Master's degree (30-36 credits).

Upon acceptance into the doctoral program, you are allowed to transfer credits from your master's degree program.

Core Courses (14-18 credits)

LIS 601 Qualitative Methods in Information Science LIS 602 Quantitative Methods in Information Science LIS 603 Theoretical Foundations of Information Science LIS 604 Statistics I LIS 605 Statistics II

Electives in Discipline (9 credits)

Specialization will occur through elective courses and, where appropriate, independent study elective courses.

Qualifying Requirements

You will work with your advisor to assemble a dissertation committee conforming to UB graduate guidelines. The committee composition must reflect the intellectual diversity of the Department of Information Science, and must be approved by the director of the PhD program. The committee may include one external member.

You will decide on a research topic and produce a short research proposal (dissertation prospectus) that includes the research questions to be pursued; a short literature review; a description of one or more possible theoretical frameworks that will inform the research; and a summary of the methods expected to be applied. Your research proposal is expected to be approximately 20 pages in length.

You will pass an oral examination on the background knowledge required to conduct the research in your proposal. The committee will provide a written list of topics to be covered in the examination. This requirement must be met no later than the end of the fourth semester in the program (for full-time students). Upon successful completion of the oral examination, you may file for candidacy.

Dissertation (12-18 credits)

The final dissertation will be a refinement and expansion of the your dissertation prospectus. Your final dissertation must be completed by the end of the sixth semester in the program (for full-time students). You will defend your fully publication-ready dissertation at a public defense that will include an oral examination by your PhD committee.

Program Handbook

Doctoral student directory, graduate assistantships.

Assistantships are available in a variety of areas that change from year to year. Compensation for positions ranges from hourly pay only to a stipend to tuition remission plus a stipend. Generally, assistantships require 20 hours of work per week. The application process for assistantships is separate from the program admission process. Assistantship opportunities are posted for the following academic year in mid-January, from offices on campus such as Campus Living, Career Services, Student Engagement, Intercultural and Diversity Center, among others. While assistantships are limited, new opportunities become available throughout summer and into the fall semester.

Application Requirements

In an effort to make the application process more equitable, the GRE/MAT is no longer required for admissions consideration. If you still plan to take the GRE/MAT exam, you can send your scores through the testing agency, and they will automatically be added to your application; however, they are not required for admission consideration to this program.

You must have a bachelor's and master's degree. 

We have a small program that values strong faculty and student relationships. Before applying, explore our faculty’s research interests by viewing our Research Centers, Institutes and Profiles  and Faculty Directory . Feel free to contact faculty with similar interests to yours to see if they are taking on new students. If you are unsure who to contact, Program Director Dr. Amy VanScoy ( [email protected] ) is happy to discuss your interests and recommend faculty to talk to.

Submit your completed online application, which includes:

• Application fee:  A $50 non-refundable application fee, submitted electronically through UB's ePayment system.
• Contact information for at least three individuals  who will each be asked to provide an electronic recommendation letter. You should ask individuals who can assess your achievements and potential as a student and a researcher. If there is no individual who can evaluate your achievements as a student, you may want to enroll in a course, such as LIS 575: Research Methods. The prof for this course could serve as an academic reference for your application.
• Unofficial transcripts  from all colleges attended. (UB transcripts are automatically submitted for current UB students and alumni.)
• Sample of academic writing  (e.g., article, essay, thesis)
• Statement of research interest: The statement of research interest should be a concise statement about your academic and research background and future interests. Please be specific in explaining how the course offerings and faculty expertise of this program fit your educational and career objectives. Be sure to include the specific faculty you would like to work with and why. We consider a 1000-word statement as an appropriate length. Finding the right doctoral program requires that doctoral candidates specify and describe their research interests so they can evaluate whether there is a good fit between what they want to study and faculty research expertise. Start by reviewing our faculty directory and faculty web pages and once you are familiar with faculty research areas, read some of the faculty publications that you find most interesting. That will help you determine if there is a good fit between your scholarly interests and what our faculty members are currently researching. Everyone knows that grade point average and letters of reference are important in the decision-making process; however, alignment with faculty research interests and the academic program can often be a determining factor in admission decisions.
• Statement of educational and career goals: The statement of educational and career goals should outline your reasons for applying to this program. Please include a candid analysis of your long- and short-term professional objectives and indicate how this program will help you achieve your objectives. Your statement should be at least one to two pages in length.
• Resume or CV

Faculty Interview:  After applications are submitted and reviewed, qualified candidates will be contacted for an admission interview with the faculty.

Former/Maiden Name:  Please provide us with your former/maiden name if you have one. When requesting transcripts, please ask the sending institution to indicate your current name and former/maiden name.

Admission Decision: The admission decision will be communicated to you as soon as review is complete. The decision is based on a number of factors and is the result of a thorough and deliberate process. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

In order to qualify for the in-state residency tuition rate, you are required to provide residency documentation indicating you have lived in New York State (NYS) 12 months prior to your semester start date.

If accepted, you will need to upload 3 documents to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. See Required Documents for Residency Application  for more information. 

• Official original proof of your degree
• A copy of your passport biographical page
• TOEFL minimum score is a 250 for a computer based test, 600 for a paper based test and 79 for the Internet based test
• IELTS Academic Test minimum score is 6.5 overall
• PTE minimum score is 55 overall
• DET minimum score is 120 overall
• Financial documentation  — International graduate applicants must document their ability to pay for all costs incurred while studying in the U.S.
• An official bank statement

All financial forms and supporting documentation with required signatures must be uploaded with your application, and must be dated within one year of your intended enrollment date.

Program Faculty

Samuel Dodson

Assistant Professor Information Science

Department of Information Science Graduate School of Education University at Buffalo 524 Baldy Hall (North Campus) Buffalo, NY 14260–1000 Buffalo, NY 14260

Phone: 716-645-1488

Email: [email protected]

Africa S. Hands

Buffalo, NY 14260

Phone: 716-645-1412

Email: [email protected]

Saguna Shankar

Department of Information Science University at Buffalo 549 Baldy Hall (North Campus) Buffalo, NY 14260–1000 Buffalo, NY 14260

Phone: 716-645-1481

Email: [email protected]

Amy VanScoy

Associate Professor Information Science

546 Baldy Hall North Campus Buffalo, NY 14260

Phone: 716-645-1487

Email: [email protected]

Jianqiang Wang

528 Baldy Hall North Campus Buffalo, NY 14260

Phone: 716-645-2412

Email: [email protected]

Brenda L. Battleson White

Clinical Associate Professor Information Science

545 Baldy Hall North Campus Buffalo, NY 14260

Phone: 716-645-1486

Email: [email protected]

We have a collection of frequently asked questions that may help you. If your questions are still unanswered, we are glad to help! Contact our admission office .

Questions About the Admission Process?

Office of Graduate Admission

Graduate School of Education 366 Baldy Hall, North Campus 716-645-2110 [email protected]

Gateway PhD in Library and Information Management

Gateway phd program with manchester metropolitan university.

The Gateway PhD program is an international doctoral degree program that prepares individuals for research, faculty, and leadership positions in the field of library and information science. 

Partnering University

The Gateway PhD program was previously offered through a partnership with Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia, from its inception in 2008 through 2021. Graduates have been recognized with numerous awards and honors for their original research.

Learn more about the Gateway PhD program. Watch a recording of the May 2024 information session.   

Convenient Online Learning

With this convenient, primarily online doctoral program, information professionals and academics can earn their PhD degree from Manchester Met without having to relocate to England or disrupt their current careers. The doctoral program can be completed on a part-time basis with up to seven years total duration.

Research Focus

Gateway PhD doctoral students focus on their research from the very beginning of the program. They conduct original research and receive one-on-one mentoring from faculty who are award-winning scholars, researchers, and educators, representing two continents and a truly international perspective.

They also participate in monthly online seminars, keeping in touch with other doctoral students in their cohort and their international supervisory committee.

Annual Residency

Once a year, Gateway PhD doctoral students and faculty members meet in-person during a weeklong research workshop held in San José, California. Students are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses.

Selected Awards and Honors.

• Lettie Conrad was a recipient of the Dean’s Commendation Award from the Queensland University of Technology Faculty of Sciences in 2022 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to her discipline and the production of high-quality thesis, “Managing academic information: A grounded theory model of the student researcher information experience.”
• Krista McCracken was awarded a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Doctoral Fellowship in 2023 valued at $80,000 CDN to support her PhD research entitled “Indigenous Control of Information and Indigenous Community Identity Formation.”  
• Stephen Abrams was awarded a Eugene Garfield Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship in July 2021, for his doctoral study, A Communicological Critique of Evaluative Norms for Digital Preservation Success . This $3,000 award is given by Beta Phi Mu, the international honor society established to recognize and encourage scholastic achievement among library and information studies students.
• Dr. Africa Hands , a 2018 Gateway PhD program graduate and currently assistant professor at East Carolina University, received an Early Career Development grant of $213,303 from IMLS. She will investigate the ways in which public libraries in Central Appalachia support the college literacy of nontraditional prospective students through information and services. More information .
• Dr. Clarence Maybee was named the W. Wayne Booker Endowed Chair in Information Literacy in February 2021. 
• Dr. Niloufar Sarraf received a 2019 QUT Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award, given in recognition of her outstanding contribution and the standard of excellence demonstrated in higher degree research practice. Dr. Sarraf’s dissertation is entitled Mapping the Neural Activities and Affective Dimensions of the ISP Model: Correlates in the Search Exploration, Formulation, and Collection Stages.
• Attend an online open house . 
• Download our Gateway PhD brochure.
• Read profiles of Gateway PhD students and alumni.
• Review a bibliography of research published by Gateway PhD students.
• Check out our research blog .
• Submit the form to Request More Information .
• Contact program coordinator  Dr. Sue Alman .

SJSU and QUT Celebrate the 23rd Graduate of the Gateway PhD Program Stephen Abrams Earns Doctorate

Dr. Stephen Abrams is the 23 rd individual to earn his PhD from Queensland University of Technology in Australia. The Gateway PhD program offered a doctorate through a partnership between the San José State University School of Information and Queensland University of Technology from 2008 to 2021.

Gateway PhD Program Open House Sessions

The next virtual open house session is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13 at 5 pm PT . Please submit this form to receive a link to the Open House.

We invite you to watch a recording of a past session. You may also contact Dr. Sue Alman with any questions.

Awards and Honors — Gateway PhD

Students, alumni and faculty members of the Gateway PhD program are making waves in our global communities. Their research and contributions have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. We are proud to highlight their notable accomplishments. 

Gateway PhD Information Request Form

Thank you for your interest in the Gateway PhD program.

Please fill out this form. Your responses will help us to connect you with the right person to answer your questions about the program.

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Find the Best Library and Information Studies Schools

Students who wish to become librarians generally must earn a graduate degree in the field.

Best Library and Information Studies Schools

• # 1 University of Illinois--Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL
• # 2 University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill  (tie) Chapel Hill, NC
• # 2 University of Washington  (tie) Seattle, WA

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Doctoral studies are conducted at the University of Borås within the field of library and information science. This includes the processing of meaningful information in a broad sense and how this can be arranged, made searchable and accessible, as well as conveyed by various technologies and information services.

The research deals with the conditions and methods for individuals and organisations when it comes to obtaining the required/relevant information for various activities, education, or experiences. The area focuses on Library and Information Services as well as how individuals and organisations seek, use, and access information. These issues are studied at both the micro and macro level; also included are cultural and information policy issues.

Since the 90s, the University of Borås has offered doctoral education studies in library and information science. For years, this was in collaboration with the University of Gothenburg; since 2010, the university has had its own rights to grant doctoral degrees.

From the beginning, there has been a strong research environment and doctoral education programme at the University of Borås, which has meant that we have, for some time, been able to offer a complete education and research environment within library and information science. The doctoral programme is the largest and oldest in the area in Sweden. Since its inception, the doctoral programme has generated nearly 40 doctoral theses altogether.

The research environment in Library and Information Science in Borås includes the following more specific subareas and research groups:

• Information Practices (including information retrieval, information usage, and strategic information management)
• Digital resources and services within culture and information (including, among others, the organisation of knowledge, bibliometric IR, and information management)
• Library, culture, and society (including reading research as well as cultural and information policy)

To lead the research and the doctoral education programme, there are seven professors full-time or part-time (including two Emerita/Emeritus), four associate professors, and a number of senior postdoctoral researchers. There are 15-20 doctoral students currently at the university in this field.

The doctoral programme is headed by a senior scientific leader and a Research Education Committee with participation from the university's Research and Education Board. A Director of Studies is also associated with the doctoral education programme.

Doctoral education takes four years full-time, yet it is usually the case that doctoral students are involved in teaching or administrative work for 20% of their employment, bringing the total to five years to receive a doctorate. The programme consists of 90 ECTS of doctoral courses and 150 ECTS credits for one's own research.

The final work can take the form of a monograph thesis (dissertation) or a so-called compilation thesis in which articles are combined with an introductory and summarising chapter, a "kappa." The thesis is defended at a public defence. A principal supervisor and at least one assistant supervisor lead, support, and challenge the doctoral student during the study period.

In order to be admitted to the doctoral education programme within the library and information science, you must have an advanced degree in the field or within a related discipline judged relevant for the educational programme. The admissions process means an examination in which candidates are assessed based on ability and conditions required to complete the programme. Doctoral students must have good capabilities with the English language; for most of the posts, it is also necessary to be fluent in Swedish or another Scandinavian language.

Doctoral education in Sweden is free of charge for the student. However, doctoral students' living costs must be guaranteed either by a doctoral studentship (employment as a doctoral student) at the University of Borås or employment at another institution, organisation, authority, or company.

Director of Studies: Ola Pilerot , Professor

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College of Education & Human Development

University of missouri, library and information science (mlis).

This degree is a Master of Library and Information Science in the School of Information Science & Learning Technologies with an emphasis in Library & Information Science .

The MLIS degree program is offered completely online.

We use several different course structures to provide you with the broadest and most instructionally appropriate class opportunities.

• Online asynchronous classes allow you to participate anytime, anywhere.
• Online synchronous classes, scheduled at fixed times to allow online, offer real-time interaction without the drive time.

Course registration materials will indicate if a course has any synchronous sessions.

Degree Requirements

The program consists of 39 credit hours, including 18 credits of required courses. Elective courses are selected in consultation with faculty advisers.

• Must include 15 credit hours of 9000-level courses
• Must include 12 hours of courses taught by a full-time faculty member

See descriptions of all SISLT classes .

See all LIS forms and planners .

Tentative Course Rotation

Librarianship is a rapidly changing field that prepares you to serve new kinds of library and information users with new expectations. Technology has changed the way librarians retrieve information for their users, yet traditional services remain the same – whether in person or online. Librarians must be information experts in the information age, and our program helps prepare you to become just that.

Career Paths

Our graduates enjoy a variety of career paths. Some of the positions our graduates have taken include:

• Reference/web services librarian
• Archives specialist
• Library director
• Electronic services librarian
• Research analyst librarian
• Access services librarian
• Director, Washington Public Library
• Library media specialist
• Assistant director for public services
• Vice president for product management
• Library development coordinator
• Director, Mid-Continent Public Library
• Senior librarian
• Reference instruction librarian

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The application packets should be completed by:

• Priority deadline: Feb. 15
• Regular deadline: May 1
• Oct. 15 for spring admission

All applications received after the above dates will be considered for admission in the following semester.

Admission Decisions

Decisions on admission will be based on due consideration of all information presented. Timeline of review and admissions decisions following the application deadline:

• Within one week , the SISLT Student Services Office will make complete files available to members of the MLIS Admissions Committee.
• Within three weeks , members of the MLIS Admissions Committee will individually evaluate all applications.
• Within four weeks , members of the MLIS Admissions Committee will meet to present and discuss their recommendations. The Committee will then vote on each candidate. At this meeting, applicants who are accepted will be assigned an initial adviser based on compatible interests and current advising responsibilities of faculty.
• Within six weeks , applicants will find out via email whether they are accepted.

Admission Requirements

• GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) in the last 60 hours of undergraduate education
• For international applicants: Official TOEFL scores (if applicable) or equivalent scores (MU code: 6875, SISLT: 90).

Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee admission into the program. MLIS Admissions Frequently Asked Questions .

How to Apply

1. Apply using our convenient online Graduate Application ; incomplete applications cannot be considered.

Upload the following materials to the online graduate application:

• This should demonstrate high potential for success in the library and information science field.
• Help the Admissions Committee understand what you will bring to the program, and why you’re a good fit.
• LIS professionals make extensive use of technology and must be excellent communicators.
• They are highly engaged, constantly learning, and ethical in the work they do providing access to information for their users.
• For additional insight into what the program requires, look to the student learning outcomes .
• People are an essential aspect of the information professions. Describe your preparation for working in this service-based and user-focused environment (e.g., educational experiences, past work experience, etc.).
• Technology is another essential aspect of work in the information professions. It is used in many aspects of our work as individuals, and for collaborating as professionals. During the course of your degree, you will be required to use a variety of technologies to create and to collaborate. Describe some ways that you have used technology either personally, professionally, or both.
• The information professions are fundamentally interdisciplinary. How has your unique background (e.g., your education and your experience) prepared you for work in this field?
• The connection between information, technology, and people is mediated by professional action undertaken by individuals and professional associations. How do you see yourself contributing to the information professions upon graduation?
• The MLIS is an online program, and many classes require attendance at real-time class meetings using web-conferencing software. How will you be a successful and engaged Master’s student during your time in the program?
• In the online application, you will need to supply names and contact details of two academic or professional contacts, ideally who understand the rigors of graduate school, who can attest to your critical thinking, your analytical and writing skills, and your potential as a graduate student in a highly-ranked and competitive program and/or your potential as a LIS professional. The Graduate School will contact your references with instructions regarding the letters. Letters from friends, family members, or co-workers who are not supervisors to whom you report, or letters from anyone who is not familiar with your scholastic aptitude for graduate-level coursework are not appropriate, and will not count toward a completed application.
• We strongly recommend that you have at least one recommendation letter from an undergraduate or graduate instructor who can attest to your critical thinking, and one letter from a supervisor or employer who can speak to your work ethic, propensity for learning new tasks, collegiality, or general “soft skills” that will support your future success in the information professions. If you have a unique circumstance (e.g., self-employment or no contact with former instructors), please contact us for advice. We do not accept letters of reference from references who cannot look objectively at your experience and potential for success given the requirements of this program and of professional-level work in the information professions.
• Unofficial transcripts
• International applicants will need to submit the equivalent of a TOEFL score of 80 or a Duolingo score of 115 (approved tests are listed on the Graduate School’s website ).

2. Have official transcripts sent to:

MU Office of Research and Graduate Studies 210 Jesse Hall Columbia, MO 65211

Breanne Meyer

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Home News Career Opportunities After a Master’s in Information Technology (MIT)

Career Opportunities After a Master’s in Information Technology (MIT)

Information technology (IT) shapes our digital world. This powerful field brings structure and innovation to ambitious tech initiatives while driving communication, efficiency, and security in all things virtual. These qualities have fueled the rapid expansion of IT, delivering a myriad of organizational and professional opportunities.

This growth is evidenced by findings from  Gartner , with 81% of CEOs showing a clear intention to grow their IT teams. Many are concerned that their current IT initiatives do not yet meet enterprise needs — but they regard IT professionals as central to bridging this gap. However, high-level training is key, and top employers are determined to find and hire the field’s most respected professionals.

There are numerous ways to gain IT competencies and enter the professional landscape, but few pathways are as effective as pursuing a Master of Science in Information Technology. This degree encourages both current and aspiring IT professionals to develop advanced technical skills.

To reveal the potential of this degree and this field, we explain below: What are the best career opportunities after completing master’s in information technology programs? Keep reading to discover top career outcomes of a master’s in information technology.

The Evolving Landscape of IT Careers

Information technology careers have seen significant changes in recent years, sparked not only by the growth of the industry itself but also by the advent of new systems and solutions. From cloud migrations to the Internet of Things (IoT), many changes have been influenced and implemented by IT leaders.

As the scope of the field expands, there is an increased need for specialized professionals, who promise to drive further innovations while also maintaining solid security and compliance.

The Impact of Emerging Technologies

From artificial intelligence and machine learning to predictive analytics and data mining, many cutting-edge technologies promise to bring exciting new opportunities to the IT field. These solutions will not, as some worry, displace IT professionals but rather introduce new ways for AI and humans to work together to achieve impressive outcomes.

Automation represents a key shift, and with AI solutions available, organizations will bring enhanced efficiency to repetitive or mundane tasks. This will free up IT professionals to focus on more dynamic pursuits. In addition, emerging technologies will play into threat detection, resource management, and predictive maintenance.

The Importance of Advanced Education in IT

As new technologies continue to enter the fray, it will be increasingly critical that aspiring IT professionals master these systems while developing soft skills such as communication, creativity, and, most importantly, problem-solving and agility.

Graduate-level programs promise to equip IT professionals with this elite blend of skills while also providing a reliable way to enhance their resumes. Although graduate credentials are not always required to enter the field, these will increasingly be viewed as crucial for career advancement. Top master’s in information technology career opportunities are highlighted in detail below:

Information Security Analyst

Information security analysts play a central role in protecting computer networks. At the front lines of network security, these passionate professionals help develop and implement proactive strategies designed to safeguard organizational networks.

Role and Responsibilities

Information security analysts monitor systems and applications for signs of suspicious activity, drawing on advanced tools and technologies to help them uncover potential threats. Many are tasked with performing comprehensive vulnerability assessments.

In the event of a security incident, these professionals help determine both the cause and the impact. They may be involved in mitigation efforts as well.

Expected Industry Growth and Salary Insights

According to the  United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), information security analysts are in high demand; this data reveals an impressive job outlook of 32% between 2022 and 2032. Earnings can be impressive, too, as this field offered median wages of $112,000 per year as of 2022.

IT Project Manager

Driving the strategic planning and execution of information technology projects, IT project managers work closely with stakeholders to define project scope and deliverables. Strict timelines and resource availability must also be taken into account. This role may involve extensive coordination with department managers, along with strong leadership to ensure that project team members complete critical tasks on time and according to stakeholder expectations.

Bridging Technology and Business

Possessing both considerable technical skills and business acumen, IT project managers act as liaisons between various teams and departments. They must be able to communicate effectively with both stakeholders and team members. This is an excellent opportunity for tech-driven professionals drawn to challenging and fast-paced leadership opportunities.

Salary and Industry Insights

As the IT field shifts towards a project-oriented approach, specialized project managers will become more important. Insights from the  Project Management Institute (PMI)  reveal strong demand across the spectrum of project management, with an astounding 2.3 million trained professionals needed to fill project management-related positions.

This demand has sparked impressive pay among specialized project managers, with insights from  PMI’s Project Management Salary Survey  indicating that U.S. project management specialists earn an annual $85,000, while those at senior levels can expect $120,000 in annual earnings.

Data Scientist

Drawing on advanced analytical techniques, data scientists have the potential to extract actionable insights from vast amounts of raw data. Their work often revolves around cleaning and transforming data, though predictive modeling is a critical component of this field. Driving the advancement of machine learning, data scientists have an essential role to play in the IT landscape of tomorrow.

The Role of a Data Scientist in IT

Data scientists work closely with a range of IT professionals to leverage the power of data. For example, data scientists often collaborate with IT architects to guide the implementation of analytics infrastructure.

Collaborative efforts may also involve software developers, who can deploy data-driven solutions according to data scientists’ recommendations. Insights and visualizations generated by data scientists can have a major impact on teams and professionals across the full scope of IT.

Skills Required and Potential Industries

The  BLS  projects a bright future for data scientists across industries, with a job outlook of 35%. A variety of organizations (within a variety of sectors) look to data scientists to contribute to high-level, data-driven initiatives. Data science is especially important in modern healthcare and finance. Across sectors, data scientists must demonstrate proficiency with programming languages, data mining, and regression analysis.

Cloud Solutions Architect

Cloud solutions architects are on the front lines of modern cloud computing. They understand the full power of the cloud and more specifically how cloud-based opportunities translate to business functions and workflows. Handling the full scope of cloud-based solutions, these professionals need to understand not only how cloud technologies work but also how they can be implemented to help organizations achieve ambitious objectives.

Role of Cloud Computing in Information Technology

Cloud solutions must be designed in a way that reflects existing IT infrastructure. Furthermore, cloud solutions architects must continually seek to optimize these solutions, often through advanced strategies involving load balancing or caching.

Many cloud solutions architects are heavily involved in the effort to move applications from on-premises solutions to the cloud. Through extensive migration planning, they can show how to make the switch seamlessly, without disrupting critical workflows or operations.

The Future of Cloud Services

Moving forward, AI is expected to have a greater role in cloud services, with edge computing, in particular, promising to transform entire industries. Edge computing delivers a distributed framework, in which applications are brought closer to data sources. Other  emerging technologies  expected to influence cloud services include quantum computing and the Internet of Things.

AI and Machine Learning Engineer

One of the most exciting and in-demand roles in the modern IT landscape? AI and machine learning (ML) engineering. Drawing on high-level data science skills, AI engineers develop or select algorithms and parameters that will aid in ML initiatives.

This rapidly evolving role often involves extensive data preparation: cleaning raw data to ensure it is appropriate for ML models. Methodologies such as regression and clustering allow engineers to train ML systems while leveraging increasingly large data sets.

The Rise of AI in Various Sectors

While many future IT professionals will work in AI or ML engineering, this is just one of countless dynamic roles that will draw on emerging technologies. AI holds huge implications for every sector imaginable, and as the related efficiencies become more evident, leaders will be eager to work with data scientists and other experts to determine how they can leverage AI and ML solutions.

Future of AI and Machine Learning Engineers

AI and ML engineering is an emerging field, and although there is clearly huge potential in this niche, aspiring AI professionals will need to convey IT expertise while also making a concerted effort to remain up to date on rapidly evolving technologies.

We may not yet understand or be able to predict with full confidence what precisely tomorrow’s AI engineers will accomplish, but it’s increasingly clear that a  nuanced understanding  of data science and software engineering will be crucial to success, as will an extraordinary level of adaptability.

IT Consultant

Many IT professionals crave flexibility and autonomy. Both are well within reach for consultants, who apply their in-depth IT knowledge to offer outside perspectives as they work with a variety of clients.

Consultants are often specialists focused on software management, cybersecurity, systems integration, and other critical areas. They leverage domain knowledge and center their work on specific IT concerns within targeted fields such as healthcare or logistics.

Role of Consultants in Technology

Consultants play a key role in assessing IT infrastructure and shaping strategic plans. Their insight can help bridge the gap between technology and business concerns. Many organizations depend on consultants to reveal problems or propose solutions that would otherwise seem out of reach.

Path to Becoming an Independent Consultant

Many IT professionals take on other roles mentioned in this guide (such as IT project manager or information security analyst) before eventually forging their own paths as independent consultants. Success in this field calls for technical expertise and strong business skills, not to mention an excellent professional network so that consultants can easily find and connect with new clients.

Network Architect

Resilient networks are crucial for optimal communication at the enterprise level. With network architects on hand, leaders can feel confident that network performance will be consistent. Responsible for designing critical networks, these professionals engage in capacity planning, topology design, and redundant network implementation.

Role of Network Architects in IT

Playing a central role in the adoption of emerging technology, network architects provide a solid foundation to ensure that new solutions like cloud computing are implemented seamlessly. Additionally, these professionals facilitate widescale collaboration, which is essential to ongoing innovation.

Network Architect Industry Outlook

While growth in network architecture isn’t exactly keeping pace with other areas in information technology, this remains a promising field, complete with a  BLS-projected outlook  of 4%. Experts anticipate many opportunities to become available as experienced professionals retire or move into other IT specialties.

Enterprise Systems Manager

As comprehensive software solutions, enterprise systems help a number of organizations streamline workflows while boosting innovation and reducing operational expenses. Enterprise systems managers implement and maintain these systems. Depending on organizational objectives, this might involve developing roadmaps or shaping access policies.

The Role of Enterprise Systems Managers in IT

Enterprise systems need to be consistently available and reliable, as these streamline the flow of data and allow organizations to coordinate key decision-making efforts. Enterprise systems managers promote necessary collaboration while also ensuring compliance through system monitoring and other strategies.

Industry Outlook for Enterprise Systems Managers

Though the BLS does not currently provide outlook data specifically tied to enterprise systems management, this falls within the scope of computer and information systems management, which has a strong outlook of 15%. Earning capacity is powerful, too, with median wages of $164,070 per year.

Preparing for a Future in IT

Do you envision an exciting future in IT? You will need to form a solid foundation with a degree program that emphasizes technical competency. Beyond this, however, you must be prepared to adapt to emerging technologies.

Continuous Learning and Adaptability

Due to the rapid pace of change throughout the IT sector, it is imperative that technical professionals in all specialties commit to ongoing professional development. As new tools, technologies, and methodologies are developed or released, IT professionals need to adapt.

Networking and Professional Organizations

Networking is crucial to success in IT, as it exposes professionals to excellent opportunities. There are many ways to build a solid professional network, and often, this begins with enrolling in a graduate-level IT program. Beyond this, membership in professional organizations is advisable. Examples include:

• Cloud Security Alliance
• Network Professional Association
• Association of Information Technology Professionals
• Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)

Your IT Career Awaits: Start Today With Marymount University

As you prepare for a bright future in IT, don’t underestimate the value of a  Master’s in Information Technology program . Look to Marymount University for valuable training and career advancement opportunities, and get in touch today for further information.

https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2023-06-26-gartner-survey-finds-81-percent-of-cios-expect-to-grow-their-it-team-in-2023

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm#tab-2

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-network-architects.htm#tab-6

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/data-scientists.htm

https://www.pmi.org/-/media/pmi/documents/public/pdf/learning/salary-survey-thirteenth-edition-non-members.pdf?rev=16bd8bb399034b588bdb59631c7cc97d

https://www.gartner.com/en/doc/768816-the-future-of-cloud-computing-in-2027-from-technology-to-business-innovation

https://pub.aimind.so/the-ai-engineer-roles-responsibilities-and-the-future-of-artificial-intelligence-bbcf23baa7d3

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Call for application for admission to the ph.d. programmes (40° cycle).

Ph.D. call for applications, Decree of the Rector n°. 435/2024 Application opening: May 20, 2024 at 02.00 p.m. (Italian time) Deadline:  June 20, 2024 at 02.00 p.m. (Italian time) Download full text

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• Food Science;
• Environmental and Energy Engineering Science;
• Agricultural and Biotechnological Sciences;
• Mathematical and Physical Sciences;
• Clinical and Translational Medical Sciences;
• Art History, Film Studies, Media Studies and Music;
• Linguistics and Literature.

Research project (use the project form related to your Ph.D. programme)

Law and Innovation in the European Legal Space Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Molecular Medicine Food Science Environmental and Energy Engineering Science Agricultural and Biotechnological Sciences Mathematical and Physical Sciences Art History, Film Studies, Media Studies and Music Linguistics and Literature 

• Self-certification academic title;
• Generic self-certification;
• Curriculum vitae et studiorum;
• Statement research programme (only for Ph.D. programme in Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology);
• Statement research topics (only for Ph.D. programme in Clinical and Translational Medical Sciences);
• Videoconference request.

  3. Time-table

In this space are published, for each Ph.D. Programme, the publication date of titles evaluation results, the date of examination(s), the publication date of admitted applicants’ list to the examination(s), as well as the admitted applicants’ list to the examination(s) and the final ranking lists:

Law and Innovation in the European Legal Space

• Selection Committee’s Preliminary meeting published within: June 7, 2024
• List of admitted applicants to the interview published within: July 5, 2024
• interviw: July 17, 2024 at 09.15 a.m. (Italian time)
• Final ranking list and list of admitted applicants published within: July 31, 2024

Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence

• List of admitted applicants to the interview published within: July 11, 2024
• Interview: July 23, 2024 at 09.30 a.m. (Italian time) 

Industrial and Information Engineering

• List of admitted applicants to the interview published within: July 8, 2024
• Interview: July 18, 2024 at 09.30 a.m. (Italian time)

Molecular Medicine

• List of admitted applicants to the interview published within: July 17, 2024
• Interview: July 22, 2024 at 09.30 a.m. (Italian time)

Food Science

• Interview: July 16, 2024 at 09.00 a.m. (Italian time)

Environmental and Energy Engineering Science

• List of admitted applicants to the interview published within: July 1, 2024
• Interview: July 11, 2024 at 02.00 p.m. (Italian time) 

Agricultural and Biotechnological Sciences

• Selection Committee’s Preliminary meeting published within: July 7, 2024
• Interview: July 22, 2024 at 09.00 a.m. (Italian time)

Mathematical and Physical Sciences

• List of admitted applicants to the interview published within: June 28, 2024
• Interview: July 8, 2024 at 09.00 (Italian time)

Clinical and Translational Medical Sciences

• Interview: July 17, 2024 at 09.30 a.m. (Italian time)

Art History, Film Studies, Media Studies and Music

• Interview: July 17, 2024 at 12.00, midday (Italian time) 
• Final ranking list and list of admitted applicants published within: July 28, 2024

Linguistics and Literature

• List of admitted applicants to the interview published within: June 25, 2024
• Interviw: July 4, 2024 at 08.30 a.m. (Italian time)

For further information about the call For further information about Esse3

Popular Search Resources for

Health Informatics (MS)

Health Informatics is a cutting-edge discipline and a natural fit to support all health professions. It is a developing discipline with an emphasis on technology as an integral tool to organize, analyze, manage, and use health information, clinical data, images, and knowledge for patient care, health education, administration and research. It is one of the fastest growing fields with a positive job outlook that provides an excellent opportunity to build a career.  

The Master of Science in Health Informatics is a STEM designated program offered by the Health Informatics Program in the School of Health Professions (SOHP). The program consists of a 39-credit curriculum (30-credit core and 9-credit electives) that emphasizes on clinical informatics, human computer interaction, electronic health records, evaluation of healthcare information system, clinical data management, health data analytics and visualization.  

The program is flexible and can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. The complete MS program is offered in both traditional in-person and distance learning (online) format for student enrollment. In-person classes are offered in the evening, which works well for working professionals who work during the day. The completely online curriculum option is offered in asynchronous format with optional weekly live sessions (evening only) for students to interact with course instructors and other students which are recorded and made accessible to enrolled students.  

The program offers  the opportunity to thrive in a conducive learning environment with a tightly-knitted support system. Rigorous training opportunities are provided and offered to the students to enhance and develop the necessary skills needed to succeed in a health informatics career.  

How to Apply

Program Outcome

Requirements

School of Health Professions

Health Informatics Program

• Phone: (718) 270-7770

Attend an Information Session

Careers & Outcomes

Every day, healthcare organizations collect a universe of data—and they need experts who know how to handle it. There's rising demand for specialists who aren't just technically adept but also understand how medical data is used.

• Systems Administrator
• Health Informaticist
• Clinical Services Manager
• Network Manager
• Clinical Information Specialist
• NYC Health + Hospitals

Meet Our Faculty

Informatics is a young field, but our faculty are seasoned veterans. Learn from experts who specialize in topics such as human-computer interaction, medical decision making, large-scale implementation of electronic medical records, information security, and using technology to reduce health care disparities.

Program Highlights

Put your training to work..

You'll complete a 120-hour internship in one of the city's busiest healthcare environments, such as Downstate and King's County hospital and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Hands-on help.

When you pitch in at the student-run Brooklyn Free Clinic, which provides free health care services, you'll help the community—and sharpen your own skills.

Build your network.

Meet working professionals and volunteer in the community through the Students of the Medical Informatics Association, a student group.

Take the next step.

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Social Science Research Coordinator (On-Site Only)

🔍 School of Humanities and Sciences, Stanford, California, United States

The School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S) is the foundation of a liberal arts education at Stanford. The school encompasses 24 departments and 25 interdisciplinary programs. H&S is home to fundamental and applied research, where free, open, and critical inquiry is pursued across disciplines. As the university’s largest school, H&S serves as the foundation of a Stanford undergraduate education no matter which discipline students pursue as a major. Graduate students work alongside world-renowned faculty to pursue and shape foundational research that leads to breakthroughs and discoveries that shed new light on the past, influence the present, and shape the future. Together, faculty and students in H&S engage in inspirational teaching, learning, and research every day.

Position Summary:

The (brand-new) Laboratory for Computation and Language in Minds and Brains (CLiMB Lab, PI Cory Shain) is seeking a full-time research coordinator to play an integral role in the lab’s mission to study the computational and neural underpinnings of the human ability to learn, comprehend, and use language. This position will involve close collaboration with and supervision by PI Shain to (i) design and implement research protocols, (ii) recruit and consent participants and ensure their safety and comfort, (iii) collect experimental data (with a special focus on functional magnetic resonance imaging or fMRI), (iii) design and implement data management protocols, and (iv) analyze data. In the course of these duties, the research coordinator will have opportunities to co-author any research articles to which they make a substantive contribution, acquire new skills (e.g., in linguistics, cognitive neuroscience, experimental design, data analytics, and/or computational methods), collaborate with others (e.g., student researchers and postdocs) inside and outside the lab, and even potentially lead their own studies with support from the PI. Applicants with an appropriate computational background may also work with artificial intelligence tools (e.g., large language models) for research purposes.

This is a 2-year position ideal for applicants considering pursuing PhD training in linguistics, cognitive (neuro)science, or artificial intelligence. Strong coding stills and previous fMRI data collection experience are strongly preferred.

This is a 100% FTE, fixed-term, non-exempt position. This position will be based on the Stanford campus.

If you believe that this opportunity is a match for your knowledge, skills and abilities, we encourage you to apply. Thank you for considering employment opportunities with the School of Humanities and Sciences.

CORE DUTIES:

· Prepare correspondence, documents and reports.

· Maintain and file forms and documents, including consent forms and master subject logs.

· Assist with the screening, recruiting, and obtaining consent of study participants. Perform telephone or in-person interviews to gather data, as needed. Schedule and/or call subjects for appointments.

· Prepare, distribute, administer and process questionnaires and tests, score test measurements and questionnaires, and code data for computer entry. Perform quantitative review of forms, tests, and other measurements for completeness and accuracy.

· Prepare data for input into statistical databases by typing, editing, and organizing data.

· Apply formulas and calculations to research data using basic statistical programs. Review and verify accuracy of database information and assist in making necessary corrections according to specific guidelines.

· Order and maintain equipment and supplies.

· Process study compensation payments and thank you letters to subjects upon completion of trial activities.

· Assist with post-study activities, as needed.

* Other duties may also be assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Two year college degree and one year of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

· General understanding of scientific theory and methods.

· General computer skills and ability to quickly learn and master computer programs.

· Ability to work under deadlines with general guidance.

· Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to complete detailed work accurately.

· Effective oral and written communication skills.

· Ability to work with human study participants

In addition, preferred requirements include:

● Strong programming skills (most of the coding in the lab is done in Python, with some MATLAB and R)

● Previous experience with fMRI data collection

● Previous experience with fMRI data analysis

● Training background in at least one of the following:

o Linguistics

o Neuroimaging

o Cognitive science

o Computer science

o Statistics

WORKING CONDITIONS:

· May be exposed to blood borne pathogens.

· May be required to work non-standard, extended or weekend hours in support of research work.

The expected pay range for this position is $24.04 to $34.13 per hour.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Why Stanford is for You

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

● Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.

● A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.

● A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.

● Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.

● Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classifications and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants

requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources at [email protected]. For all other inquiries, please submit a contact form.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex,

sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

• Schedule: Full-time
• Job Code: 4233
• Employee Status: Fixed-Term
• Requisition ID: 103259
• Work Arrangement : On Site

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 School of Humanities and Sciences, Stanford, California, United States

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Climate and sustainability.

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Stanford's Innovative Medicines Accelerator is currently focused entirely on helping faculty generate and test new medicines that can slow the spread of COVID-19.

From Google and PayPal to Netflix and Snapchat, Stanford has housed some of the most celebrated innovations in Silicon Valley.

Advancing Education

Through rigorous research, model training programs and partnerships with educators worldwide, Stanford is pursuing equitable, accessible and effective learning for all.

Working Here We believe you matter as much as the work

I love that Stanford is supportive of learning, and as an education institution, that pursuit of knowledge extends to staff members through professional development, wellness, financial planning and staff affinity groups.

School of Engineering

I get to apply my real-world experiences in a setting that welcomes diversity in thinking and offers support in applying new methods. In my short time at Stanford, I've been able to streamline processes that provide better and faster information to our students.

Phillip Cheng

Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Besides its contributions to science, health, and medicine, Stanford is also the home of pioneers across disciplines. Joining Stanford has been a great way to contribute to our society by supporting emerging leaders.

Denisha Clark

School of Medicine

I like working in a place where ideas matter. Working at Stanford means being part of a vibrant, international culture in addition to getting to do meaningful work.

Office of the President and Provost

Getting Started We believe that you can love your job

Join Stanford in shaping a better tomorrow for your community, humanity and the planet we call home.

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