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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Information Technology

School of Business and Technology

General Information Technology specialization

Prepare yourself for leadership in the fast-growing field of information technology, while adding to the body of knowledge in the IT discipline through your own doctoral research. This online General Information Technology PhD specialization provides busy IT professionals the opportunity to design a doctoral program to meet specific interests and career goals. Choose course work in a particular IT discipline, such as information security or network architecture and design, or focus on IT within a specific industry, while also developing advanced research and scholarly writing capabilities. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing leadership, research, consulting, or higher education faculty positions in the field of information technology.

Read what others have to say about this specialization, or leave your own comment, and be sure to check back often to converse with others about their Capella experiences.

Total Program: 120 quarter credits
Up to 48 quarter credits may be transferred into this specialization
Next Start Date: March 5, 2012
Quarter - Coursework: $4,566
Up to 3 courses per quarter
Quarter - Comps/Diss: $4,062

Many of our learners receive aid.

Estimate your cost and aid now.

Photo of Capella University online learner Teng Xiong, PhD Photo of Capella University online learner Teng Xiong, PhD

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Residency requirements: Three 4-day weekend experiences

Learn about the residential colloquia experience.
In addition to your online courses, you will complete 3 residential colloquia, each of which includes a 4-day weekend experience, at specific stages in your program. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your PhD studies and beyond.

Doctoral colloquia each have 3 steps:

Step 1: Colloquium Courseroom (opens approximately 2 weeks prior to Weekend Experience)
Step 2: Weekend Experience (4-day residency)
Step 3: Colloquium Courseroom—Assessment and evaluation (completed the week after the Weekend Experience)

What is the cost to attend?

The price for each colloquium is $1,495 (pricing is subject to periodic adjustment), but doesn’t include costs for evening meals or travel. You’ll be responsible for making your hotel reservations and travel arrangements.
  • Learn more about residency requirements.
  • Get more detailed information and learn how the residency experiences will enrich your learning at Capella University. Speak with an enrollment counselor at 1.888.227.3552.

Required Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • TS8004 - Information Technology Research and Practice
  • OM8301 - Survey of Research Literature in Information Technology Management Infrastructure
  • OM8302 - Survey of Research Literature in Information Technology Planning and Delivery
  • OM8303 - Information Technology Technical Foundations
  • OM8304 - Information Technology Delivery
  • OM8305 - Information Technology Strategy and Management
  •  
  • TS8306 - Advances in Information Technology OR
  • TS8998 - Special Topics in Information Technology
  •  
  • OM8020 - Quantitative Research Techniques
  • OM8022 - Survey of Applied Research Methods*
  •  
  • OM8025 - Advanced Qualitative Research* OR
  • OM8026 - Applied Multivariate Modeling* OR
  • OM8027 - Survey Research Methodology* OR
  • OM8031 - Design Science Research Methods* OR
  • PHB8024 - Advanced Research: Mixed-Methods Research Designs*
  •  
  • TS8940 - Information Technology Consulting Practice Seminar* OR
  • TS8950 - Teaching Practice Seminar in Information Technology Education*

Upon completion of all required course work:

  • TS9919 - Doctoral Comprehensive Examination*
  • TS9920 - Dissertation Courseroom* - non-credit
  • TS9921 - Dissertation Research 1* - 5 quarter credits
  • TS9922 - Dissertation Research 2* - 5 quarter credits
  • TS9923 - Dissertation Research 3* - 5 quarter credits
  • TS9924 - Dissertation Research 4* - 5 quarter credits

Thirteen Elective Courses

  • Choose any graduate courses.
* This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor for more information.

Course Descriptions

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Along with our General Information Technology specialization, Capella offers PhD Specializations in Information Assurance and Security, Information Technology Education, and Information Technology Management to help you prepare for roles in higher education, IT leadership, or consulting.


We also offer an MBA specialization in Information Technology Management.





Information Technology PHD

July 18, 2010Arwen I am finishing up my master's degree at Capella in Information Assurance with graduation being in December. I will have my project management certification as a PMP by the end of the year. So my question is what PHD program do I do? I want to stay with technology. Also is it advisable to start a PHD right after a master's degree? I was targeting around March to start. Thank you!

IT PHD

July 19, 2011rachel Hi, I've done a BSc, master degree in the UK. I am looking for PHD course with Capella, how many years of the PHD course? as my MSc is e-technology for business, so which PHD is the most suitable for me?

Employment Opportunities

September 5, 2011Keisha Has anyone completed this program? What job opportunities would be available for me? I want to teach IT at the college level do you think I would best be suited to get a general phd or one with a specialization and which one should I look at further?
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