The Program

A New Doctoral Degree

This unique degree addresses the inflexibility of traditional Ph.D. programs for working professionals. It supports interdisciplinary study among the computing disciplines as well as applied research in one or more of them.

The Doctor of Professional Studies in Computing, while advanced in content and rigorous in its demands, can be distinguished from the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in that its focus is the advancement of the practice of computing through applied research and development. The Doctor of Professional Studies is a professional doctorate that integrates computing and professional cultures. It is considered by the National Science Foundation as a research doctorate equivalent to the Ph.D.

The Structure of the Degree Program

Curriculum

The Doctor of Professional Studies in Computing is a unique post-master's doctoral program that is structured to meet the needs of the practicing IT professional. Unlike traditional doctoral programs that are often narrowly focused, this program emphasizes integrated study among the computing disciplines as well as applied research in one or more of them.

It is an intensive, part-time doctoral program designed for completion in three to four years. The program uses a team approach to both teaching and learning, and combines monthly face-to-face residence weekends with asynchronous distance learning via the Internet.

The first year (11 months) integrative core curriculum is designed to provide an understanding of computing as a coherent discipline and the environments in which computer-based systems operate. Students proceed through the core as a unified class. A significant team-based software development project employing cutting-edge methodologies is a key component of the first year core.

In the second year (9 months), students pursue elective study in areas that support the projected dissertation research. This may be accomplished by taking courses listed in the Pace University School of Computer Science and Information Systems Graduate Catalog, or via special topics or independent study courses designed to fit students' specific needs.

The third year involves the dissertation research.
Students participate in a Research Seminar for each of the five semesters of the first two years of study. These seminar courses introduce the student to the various methods and styles of computing research. Students will identify new computing research problems and formulate research proposals in preparation for their dissertation. These seminar courses provide the student with an opportunity to get to know and interact with the CSIS faculty.

Degree Requirements

	Credits
Integrative Core Curriculum	18
Advanced Elective Sequence	12
Research Seminar Sequence	5
Comprehensive Review	1
Dissertation	12
TOTAL	48

Course Descriptions For Core Curriculum

Year 1

• Software Design and Implementation
• Systems Analysis, Design, and Engineering
• Data Communications, Networking, and Internet Applications
• Research Seminar

Year 2

• Topics in Computing and Information Technology

  Year 3

• Dissertation for Doctor of Professional Studies in Computing

Schedule

There is an online orientation for new doctoral students before classes begin. On site sessions will occur monthly on Friday evenings and Saturdays as follows:

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