Demystifying the Information Systems PhD: A Complete Guide

Considering pursuing a PhD in Information Systems? You’re not alone. As technology continues to transform and disrupt every industry, the demand for experts in information systems is growing rapidly. But embarking on a PhD can be daunting. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll demystify the Information Systems PhD and provide everything you need to determine if it’s the right path for you.

What is Information Systems?

Information Systems (IS) is an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of business, computer science, and information technology. It focuses on the use of technology to solve business problems and create value.

As an IS professional, you design, build, and manage the information and technical infrastructure of organizations. This includes analyzing business needs, designing solutions, implementing systems, and ensuring they operate smoothly.

Common work activities involve

• Developing information systems strategy
• Designing databases and data models
• Building applications and writing code
• Implementing new systems and migrating data
• Managing infrastructure and IT operations
• Leading projects and technology teams
• Developing security policies and controls
• Performing systems analysis and optimization

In short, IS professionals leverage technology to enable businesses to operate efficiently and gain a competitive advantage.

Why Pursue a PhD in Information Systems?

There are several compelling reasons to pursue a PhD in Information Systems:

• Become an expert in an in-demand field With technology advancing rapidly organizations need experts to research develop, and implement emerging technologies. A PhD equips you with specialized expertise few others possess.

• Advance your career: A PhD opens doors to prestigious research positions, university faculty roles, top IT leadership jobs, lucrative consulting opportunities, and senior technical architect roles.

• Contribute original research: The hallmark of a PhD is advancing knowledge through rigorous research. You’ll have the chance to explore new territory and make novel contributions.

• Satisfy your intellectual curiosity If you’re fascinated by technology’s role in business and society a PhD lets you immerse yourself in your interests. You’ll work at the cutting edge of the field.

• Teach the next generation: An academic career enables you to share your passion as a professor shaping future technologists and business leaders.

In short, an IS PhD prepares you for high-impact research and leadership roles while allowing you to pursue your curiosity.

What’s Involved in an Information Systems PhD?

Let’s look at what’s entailed in a typical IS PhD program:

Duration

• Full-time: 4-6 years
• Part-time: 6-8 years

The core curriculum and dissertation research make it a lengthy endeavor. Some schools allow distance learning, which provides more flexibility.

Coursework

• Core courses: Research methods, quantitative analysis, academic writing, IS theory
• Electives: Align with your research interests (e.g. databases, analytics, cybersecurity)
• Seminars: Discuss academic papers with faculty and peers

Coursework equips you with methodological rigor and deep grounding in IS topics. It prepares you to conduct original research.

Comprehensive Exams

After finishing courses, you’ll need to pass comprehensive written and oral exams demonstrating expertise in IS and research methods. This qualifies you for dissertation research.

Dissertation

This is the crown jewel of a PhD. You’ll conduct an extensive independent research project resulting in a dissertation of 150-300 pages. It should advance knowledge and be deemed publishable in academic journals.

Teaching Requirements

Many programs require teaching undergraduate courses. This develops your instructional skills for an academic career.

The coursework, exams, and dissertation make the IS PhD intensely rigorous. But the payoff is advanced expertise at the forefront of technology management.

Key Considerations for Prospective Students

As you contemplate pursuing this arduous degree, keep the following factors in mind:

• Cost – Can range from $30k to over $60k annually for full-time programs. Securing funding is crucial.
• Time commitment – Be prepared to devote 4-6 years full-time. If working, expect 10-15 hours per week for schoolwork.
• Quantitative skills – You’ll need very strong math, stats, and analysis capabilities. Weakness here will severely struggle.
• Writing skills – From academic papers to dissertation, extensive high-quality writing is essential.
• Work experience – Prior IS work strengthens practical knowledge and research ideas. But not always required.
• Energy and drive – The long haul requires immense motivation and perseverance. Burnout is common.
• Family obligations – The demanding workload limits time for family. You’ll need a very supportive spouse.
• Job prospects – Academic jobs are competitive. Industry leadership roles provide options too.

Carefully assess if you meet the above prerequisites to thrive in an IS PhD program.

Choosing Between a PhD and Professional Doctorate

Another option to consider is a professional doctorate like a Doctor of Science (DSc) or Doctor of Engineering (DEng). These are also terminal degrees demonstrating high expertise.

But there are some key differences:

• Focus – PhD is research-focused, while professional doctorates focus on technical specialization.
• Program length – A PhD usually takes 1-2 years longer to complete.
• Dissertation – PhD dissertations advance research. Professional doctorates solve practical problems.
• Career outcomes – PhDs suit academic careers. Professional doctorates prepare for industry leadership.

So a professional doctorate may better fit those seeking to solve complex real-world technology problems rather than conduct theoretical research.

Finding & Evaluating PhD Programs

Once you’ve decided to pursue an IS PhD, it’s time to find programs. Here are tips:

• Identify faculty doing research aligned with your interests
• Assess placements of recent graduates
• Consider corporate partnerships and available research funding
• Weigh career outcomes for graduates
• Evaluate completion rates and average time to finish
• Compare curricula and comprehensive exam requirements
• Assess cost and availability of financial support

Look for programs that offer robust research opportunities and set graduates up for success. Leverage school rankings, but also look beyond top 10 programs.

PhD Admissions Requirements

Admission to IS PhD programs is highly competitive. Expect these requirements:

• Transcripts – GPA of at least 3.5 is typical. Master’s degree usually required.
• GRE scores – Minimum of 320 (155 Verbal, 165 Quantitative) is common.
• Letters of recommendation – At least 2-3 from faculty familiar with your work.
• Resume/CV – Highlight relevant skills and accomplishments.
• Statement of purpose – Convince the committee you have the drive and ideas to succeed.
• Writing sample – Showcase your research capabilities.
• Interview – Discuss your experiences, interests, and goals.

Strong letters of recommendation from respected academics are especially influential.

Information Systems PhD Curriculum

While each program differs, here’s an overview of typical IS PhD curriculum:

Core Courses

• Information Systems Theory
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Quantitative Research Methods
• Statistical Analysis
• IS Research Seminar
• Academic Writing

Electives

• Database Systems
• Data Mining
• Business Analytics
• Machine Learning
• Artificial Intelligence
• Information Security
• Blockchain Technology
• Cloud Computing

Sample Dissertation Topics

• Adoption of AI in business
• Data privacy challenges with IoT
• Distributed ledgers for supply chains
• Natural language interfaces for analytics
• Cyber risk modeling and mitigation
• Gamification techniques for training systems

Teaching Requirements

• Undergraduate IS courses
• Assisting faculty with lectures
• Running lab sessions
• Grading assignments and exams

This rigorous combination of advanced coursework, exams, research, writing, and teaching will equip you to push the boundaries of information systems.

Information Systems PhD Career Paths

So what careers can you pursue after dedicating years to an IS PhD? Here are top options:

Academia

• IS Professor – teach and research at universities
• Post-doctoral fellow – continue research after graduating

Research

• Senior scientist – lead projects at research labs like Microsoft Research
• Research consultant – advise organizations on R&D and new technologies

Industry

• C-level executive – CIO, CTO, CDO (Chief Digital Officer)
• Director of IT – lead technology strategy for organizations
• Technical architect – design complex enterprise systems and infrastructure

Government

• Senior technology advisor – craft tech policy for government agencies
• Cybersecurity expert – help agencies defend against threats

A PhD opens doors to prestigious and influential roles advancing technology innovation.

Finding PhD Funding

The steep cost of PhD programs makes funding essential for most students. Here are common sources of financial support:

• Research assistantships – Work on faculty research in return for tuition and stipend.
• Teaching assistantships – Lead classes and grade work in exchange for funding