Specializations
PhD in Information Systems
This specialization draws on a wide range of disciplines to examine the impact of digital technology and data on individuals, groups, organizations and society. Beyond course work, students learn how to design and conduct research studies that enhance knowledge and impact technology management practices.
Courses in this specialization are generally taught by members of Smith’s Digital Technology group.
Is this Specialization for you?
Discover how this program aligns with your academic or research oriented career goals. Request a virtual one-on-one meeting with a member of our program team.
Program Structure and Content
Each student is required to complete the following courses as well as a research project of publishable quality, present at our annual Smith Grad Student Consortium, comprehensive exams, and present at a research seminar in year 3.
Course offerings change from year to year. This sample stream is not reflective of a guaranteed curriculum but is instead an example of what a curriculum could look like in a given year. Please note the minimum requirement to complete a degree is 27 credits. Many of our area groups will exceed the minimum courses to satisfy job market needs in academia.
With supervisor approval, students can select MGMT specialization courses from other area groups. Electives can be any other MGMT course or a course from another department at the supervisor’s discretion.
Course descriptions are available on the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs website. Any non-MGMT courses are linked below.
Sample Information Systems PhD Curriculum
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Core | |
| MGMT 901 Research Foundations | Pass/Fail |
| MGMT 993 Teaching and Learning in Management and Business | Pass/Fail |
| MGMT 989 Major Research Project | Pass/Fail |
| MGMT 994 Upper Year Research Presentation | Pass/Fail |
| MGMT 999 PhD Thesis | Pass/Fail |
| Specialization – MGMT | |
| MGMT 970 Foundations of MIS I | 3 |
| MGMT 971 Foundations of MIS II | 3 |
| MGMT 974 Advanced Topics in the Evaluation of Information Systems | 3 |
| MGMT 975 Special Topics in MIS / MGMT 976: Emerging Topics in MIS | 3 |
| Electives – Supervisor Approved MGMT or Other Department | |
| MGMT 972 Advanced Topics in the Design, Development and Implementation of Information Systems (or other elective) | 3 |
| MGMT 973 Advanced Topics in Management Support Systems (or other elective) | 3 |
| Methods/Related Field | |
| MGMT 800 Statistics I | 3 |
| MGMT 900 Statistics II | 3 |
| MGMT 902 Qualitative Research Method Design | 1.5 |
| MGMT 903 Experimental Research Method Design | 1.5 |
| MGMT 904 Survey Research Method Design | 1.5 |
| Total Credits | 28.5 |
Examples of possible electives from other departments for the Information Systems specialization include: