Ph.D. in Computer and Information Sciences
The Ph.D. program in Computer and Information Sciences offers an opportunity for exceptional students to pursue substantial research in the computer sciences and related areas. The program is highly selective and is purposefully kept small so that each Ph.D. student can receive substantial advising and mentoring from CDM faculty. To earn a Ph.D. degree, a student must demonstrate breadth of knowledge in at least two research areas and significant depth in a chosen dissertation area. In addition, the student must conceive, write and defend a Ph.D. dissertation representing a significant and original contribution to current academic research as demonstrated by a public dissertation defense and publication in established peer-reviewed academic conferences and/or journals.
In keeping with the CDM philosophy of blending academic and professional pursuits, full-time employed students will be considered for admission as part-time doctoral students. However, these applicants must have sufficiently flexible work schedules to allow them to attend required meetings and academic seminars that occur during daytime working hours throughout their degree program. In addition, many working students will find that they must take a leave of absence or cut back to part-time employment for some time period during the research and candidacy phases of the degree program.
The Ph.D. Admissions Committee determines which applicants will be admitted to the program. Because CDM admits only a limited number of students to the Ph.D. program, meeting the admission standards does not guarantee acceptance.
It is recommended that applications and all supporting documents be submitted as early as possible, but not later than:
- January 15 for Autumn Quarter
- October 1 for Winter Quarter
* At the discretion
of the PhD Committee, applications for the PhD program may continue to be
reviewed on a rolling basis up until one month prior to the start of a quarter.
Students who apply for admission other than at the officially designated deadlines
will be notified by the Office of Graduate Admission at the time of their
application whether or not the PhD Committee is currently reviewing
applications. If the PhD Committee is not reviewing additional applicants at
the time of application, the applicant’s application will be kept on file until
the next time the PhD Committee reviews applications. Applicants who wish to
withdraw their application should do so by notifying the Office of Graduate
Admission.
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·
Bachelor's degree and
Master’s degree awarded from a regionally accredited institution. The master’s
degree must be in computer science, information systems, or an allied field.
·
Three letters of
recommendation.
·
Show definite promise
for completing the program.
·
Submit a written
statement describing their accomplishments, goals and interests.
·
Submit an official score
report of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general examination.
·
Test
of English Proficiency for international
students. For more information on the English proficiency requirement you can
visit the English Proficiency Requirement page.
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·
Submit official
transcripts from all college and universities attended, one of which must show
the conferral of a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
and one must show a conferral of a Master’s degree in computer science,
information systems or allied field.
o U.S.
college and university transcripts should be mailed to the address below.
o DePaul
alumni/undergraduate students applying for graduate admission must also submit
a DePaul transcript. You can request a free electronic transcript at the
following Student Records webpage.
·
Individuals with
international transcripts need to have a course by course transcript evaluated
by one of the three evaluation companies that DePaul University accepts. For
more information about this process please visit the Transcript Evaluation webpage.
·
Submit a minimum of three letters of
recommendation from people who can attest to your academic accomplishments,
goals and interests.
·
Submit a statement of your research
interest, goals and accomplishments.
All submitted applications materials
will become part of your application file and
cannot be returned. Please retain your own copies.
Materials (international transcripts, excluded) not submitted
through the online application may be submitted by mail, fax or email at the
following:
Office of Graduate
Admission
College of Computing and
Digital Media
243 South Wabash Ave.
Chicago IL 60604-2345
Fax: (312) 362-5179
Credentials must be complete prior to an admission review. When important pieces of information such as transcripts are lacking, the College is compelled by University regulations to withdraw the application for consideration for admission. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all materials are submitted on time.
Please note that GRE and TOEFL scores MUST be official copies sent directly to CDM Graduate Admission Office by ETS. Photocopies CANNOT be accepted.
- The Institution Code for the GRE is 1165
- The Department Code for the GRE is 0402
- The Institution Code for the TOEFL is 5968
The Ph.D. Admissions Committee determines which applicants will be admitted to the program. Because the School admits only a limited number of students to the Ph.D. program, meeting the admission standards does not guarantee acceptance.
Students employed outside of the University can be admitted as part-time doctoral students. Students who can devote themselves full time to their doctoral studies can be admitted as full-time doctoral students.
The College has a limited number of scholarships available to fund full-time PhD students. Only full-time students will be considered for substantial financial aid stipends.
Students without a master’s degree in computer science or an allied field may be considered for conditional admission to the doctoral program. These students must have an exceptional undergraduate record. A conditionally admitted student will be required to complete a doctoral prerequisite phase consisting of a set of courses determined to be appropriate for the student by the Ph.D. committee. These courses will include the core courses from the Master’s of Science in Computer Science program. Upon completion of the prerequisite phase, the Ph.D. committee will conduct an evaluation of the student's progress. Assuming such progress is satisfactory, the student will then be formally admitted into the doctoral program. Note: It is not the policy of the School to award a master’s degree to a student enrolled in the Ph.D. program.
Learn more about PhD stipends.