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 innovative working professionals who wish to advance knowledge, skills, abilities, and tasks (KSATs) in Technology and Computing. Students can have the depth of studies in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Computer Science (CS), Cybersecurity (CY), Data Science (DS), Information Systems (IS), or Information Technology (IT), according to their professional career plans. The program allows students to develop critical and innovative capabilities useful in the private and public sectors of IT, including industry, government, consulting, and higher education.
With a focus on developing advanced KSATs in IT innovation, the program will prepare students for leadership positions in a rapidly changing field. The program will examine methods to optimize performance and returns using current technologies and discuss the likely impacts of emerging technologies. These DIT courses are designed based on ACM CS/CY/DS/IS/IT Curricula and NSA/DHS Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) Knowledge Units. Through a broad review of the IT field, students will master the KSATs needed to work with technical and non-technical stakeholders to innovate and influence technology and computing advances.
DIT students will choose from one of four Depth of Study (DOS) areas that fit their educational goals – Artificial Intelligence, 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 are conducted online, and on-site courses are available in a hybrid format for all CS and DS courses. Three doctoral residencies are scheduled throughout the program to help students prepare for their dissertations in advance.
Program Overview
Students will take the DIT 600 orientation course in their first quarter of study, either with preparatory courses or DIT core requirements. Students without a sufficient technical background must take preparatory courses before enrolling in the DIT core courses. DIT core courses cover the breadth of IT while DOS courses focus on the students’ research areas.
Students will take three DIT 650 seminar courses to help them earn advanced technical skills for their dissertation before taking DIT 682 Comprehensive Exam. Students should take DIT 650A, the Doctoral Seminar 1, after finishing two DOS courses. RESR 601 Residency 1 is taken after completing 12 credit hours in the DIT 23 2 program. They should finish all residency and seminar courses before taking DIT 682 Comprehensive Exam.
Students will take three DIT 650 seminar courses to help them earn advanced technical skills for their dissertation before taking the DIT 682 Comprehensive Exam. After finishing two DOS courses, students should take DIT 650A, the Doctoral Seminar 1. RESR 601 Residency 1 is taken after completing 12 credit hours in the DIT program. They should finish all residency and seminar courses before taking the DIT 682 Comprehensive Exam.
Program Outcomes
The Doctor in Information Technology will prepare students to:
1. Integrate a foundational knowledge of all areas of advanced information technology and computing (General IT & Computing Knowledge).
2. Apply fundamental principles and practices of advanced information technology and computing (IT & Computing Principles and Practice).
3. Apply critical and ethical thinking to solve problems in advanced information technology and computing (Critical and Ethical Thinking).
4. Evaluate data to inform decisions and solve problems in advanced information technology and computing (Quantitative Literacy).
5. Create the ability to develop and express ideas while applying a variety of delivery models, genres, and styles (Communication).
6. Collaborate effectively on diverse teams to accomplish a common goal (Collaboration).
Admission Requirements
In addition to City University of Seattle's graduate/doctoral admission requirements, found under Admissions in the catalog menu, applicants to the School of Technology and Computing doctoral programs must meet the requirements listed below:
- Hold a master's degree from an accredited or otherwise recognized institution.
- Provide a resume demonstrating two or more years of leadership or technology-related experience.
Total Required Credits (90-110 Credits)
Preparatory Courses (6 or 20 Credits)
Preparatory courses may be required for students entering the DIT degree program without sufficient related experience in programming, SQL/NO SQL databases, networking, and operating systems. The breadth-first preparatory courses are recommended for students who want to study a broad spectrum of all topics within 1 quarter. The depth-first preparatory courses are recommended for students who want to study each topic in depth. Please see the program admissions criteria in the City University of Seattle catalog for specific information.
Breadth-First Preparatory Courses (6 Credits)
| CS 11A | Technology & Computing Components I | 3 |
| CS 11B | Technology & Computing Components II | 3 |
Depth-First Preparatory Courses (20 Credits)
| IS 201 | Fundamentals of Computing | 5 |
| (or) | |
| CS 132 | Computer Science I * | 5 |
| IS 360 | Database Technologies * | 5 |
| CS 340 | Operating Systems * | 5 |
| CS 330 | Network Communications * | 5 |
Pre-Entry Requirement (0 Credit)
Students must take this course in the first quarter of enrollment. Students may take another program requirement concurrently.
| DIT 600 | DIT Orientation to Doctoral Program | 0 |
Major in Information Technology (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 620 | IT Innovation in Complex and Global Environments * | 3 |
| DIT 625 | Cybersecurity and Information Assurance * | 3 |
| DIT 630 | Data-Driven Decisions * | 3 |
| DIT 635 | Data and Business Analytics * | 3 |
| DIT 637 | Smart and Secure Systems * | 3 |
Specialized Study (24 Credits)
Specialized Study must be approved by the Program Director. Students may transfer up to 12 graduate-level credits from their earned master’s degree or doctoral-level credits from another institution to the Specialized Study with Program Director approval.
Research Core (15 Credits)
Each enrollment must be pre-approved by the Program Director.
Students can take three DIT 650 seminar courses after taking RESR 601 Residency 1 but before DIT 682 Comprehensive Exam.
| RESR 619 | Quantitative Research Methods | 3 |
| RESR 621 | Qualitative Research Methods * | 3 |
| RESR 625 | Advanced Research Topics * | 3 |
| DIT 650A | Doctoral Seminar I in Emerging Technology | 1 |
| DIT 650B | Doctoral Seminar II in Emerging Technology * | 1 |
| DIT 650C | Doctoral Seminar III in Emerging Technology * | 1 |
| Choose One Course | |
| RESR 623 | Research Design * | 3 |
| RESR 641 | Advanced Qualitative Methods | 3 |
| RESR 643 | Advanced Quantitative Methods * | 3 |
| DIT 680 | DIT Internship * | 3 |
Comprehensive Exam (6 credits)
Dissertation (18 Credits)
RESR 99 Continuing Dissertation Services - Optional Course used for continuing enrollment and services as needed beyond the provided Dissertation Services.
Doctoral Residency (3 Credits)