Information Technology, Doctor
Information Technology (IT) is the study of systemic approaches to select, develop, apply, integrate, and administer secure computing technologies to enable users to accomplish their personal, organizational, and societal goals. The Doctor of Information Technology (DIT) program is interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and designed for inventive working professionals who wish to advance knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) in Technology and Computing with the depth of studies in Computer Science (CS), Cybersecurity (CY), and Data Science (DS). The program allows students to develop critical and innovative capabilities useful in IT private and public sectors, including industry, government, consulting, and higher education.
With a focus on developing advanced KSAs in IT innovation, the program will prepare students for senior-level positions in a rapidly changing field. The program will examine methods to optimize performance and returns using current technologies but will also discuss the likely impacts of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data science. These DIT courses are designed based on ACM CS/CY/DS Curricula and NSA/DHS Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) Knowledge Units. Through a broad review of the IT field, students will master the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to work with technical and non-technical stakeholders to innovate and influence advances in Technology and Computing.
DIT students will choose from one of three Depth of Study (DOS) areas that fit their educational goals - Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or Data Science. Besides, the students can build their own DOS area with the approval of the Program Director. This customized DOS should have at least 12 credits from the DIT DOS areas.
In this multidisciplinary program, students will receive high quality and relevant learning experiences through a flexible format that meets the student's career objectives. All classes will be conducted in both mixed-mode and hybrid format, except for three in-person doctoral seminars that are scheduled throughout the program.
Program Outcomes
The Doctor in Information Technology will prepare students to:
Integrate foundational knowledge of all areas of advanced information technology and computing.
Apply fundamental principles and practices of advanced information technology and computing.
Apply critical and ethical thinking to solve problems in advanced information technology and computing.
Evaluate data to inform decisions and solve problems in advanced information technology and computing.
Create the ability to develop and express ideas while applying a variety of delivery models, genres, and styles.
Collaborate effectively on diverse teams to accomplish a common goal.
Admission Requirements
In addition to City University of Seattle's graduate/doctoral admission requirements, found under Admissions in the catalog menu, students enrolling in the School of Technology and Computing doctoral programs must meet the requirements listed below:
- An earned Master of Arts or a Master of Science degree in Information Technology or Computing-related majors such as Computer Systems, Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, Cybersecurity; OR
- An earned Master's degree in another field and evidence of completion of undergraduate courses or their equivalent in:
- Equivalency of 5-quarter hour credits at the intermediate level in at least one computer programming language; and
- Equivalency of 5-quarter hour credits in networking (TCP/IP from physical through applications layers); and
- Equivalency of 5-quarter credits of data management including basic database design and SOL/NoSQL Queries; and
- Equivalency of 5-quarter credits of operating systems including OS theory, process management, and memory management; OR
- An earned Master's degree in another field and successful completion of CityU’s Undergraduate Certificate in Foundations of Systems Development.
Total Required Credits (91 Credits)
Preparatory Courses (20 Credits)
*Preparatory courses listed below may be required for students entering the DIT degree program without sufficient related experience.
Pre-Entry Requirement 1 Credit
| DIT 600 | DIT Orientation to Doctoral Program | 0 |
Information Technology Core (24 Credits)
| DIT 605 | Information Technology Strategic Management | 3 |
| DIT 610 | Information Technology Policy and Governance | 3 |
| DIT 615 | Planning and Managing IT Projects | 3 |
| DIT 625 | Cybersecurity and Information Assurance | 3 |
| DIT 630 | Data-Driven Decisions | 3 |
| DIT 635 | Data and Business Analytics | 3 |
Depth of Study Block (24 Credits)
Choose one block from the choices below.
Depth of Study - Computer Science
| CS 533 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| CS 547 | Secure Systems and Programs | 3 |
| CS 506 | Programming for Computing | 3 |
| DS 510 | Artificial Intelligence for Data Science | 3 |
| CS 622 | Discrete Math and Algorithms for Computing | 3 |
| CS 624 | Full-Stack Development I | 3 |
| CS 628 | Full-Stack Development II | 3 |
| DS 620 | Machine Learning & Deep Learning | 3 |
Depth of Study - Cybersecurity
Depth of Study - Data Science
| CS 506 | Programming for Computing | 3 |
| CS 622 | Discrete Math and Algorithms for Computing | 3 |
| DS 510 | Artificial Intelligence for Data Science | 3 |
| DS 520 | Data Mining | 3 |
| DS 620 | Machine Learning & Deep Learning | 3 |
| DS 623 | Math & Statistics for Data Science | 3 |
| DS 625 | Big Data Architectures and Systems | 3 |
Depth of Study - Specialized
Choose 24 credits with approval of the Program Manager.
Research Core (15 Credits)
| RESR 619 | Quantitative Research Methods | 3 |
| RESR 621 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| Creating Innovation in Technology | 3 |
| Choose two courses from those listed below | |
| RESR 623 | Research Design | 3 |
| RESR 625 | Advanced Research Topics | 3 |
| DIT 680 | DIT Internship | 3 |
Comprehensive Exam (6 credits)
Dissertation (18 Credits)
Residencies (3 Credits)