Earn Your PhD in Information Technology (IT) Online from a Top Program
Discover how you can advance your IT career by earning your PhD in information technology online. Explore program options, career opportunities for graduates, and more.
If you’re interested in working in IT or computer science, you’ve made a wise career choice —according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for computer and information research scientists is projected to grow by nearly 23% by 2032. That’s more than seven times the projected growth rate for all occupations for the same time period, and just one of the many booming careers available in the IT industry.
Clearly, there’s no better time to consider going for your information technology PhD. And there may be no more convenient and affordable way to earn that degree than online. But before diving into any specific program, you’ll need answers to several important questions, like:
- Which PhD in IT program is the right one for me?
- Will a PhD in information technology get me to where I want to go in my career? Or would a professional doctorate be better?
- How long will it take to earn my degree? And how much will it cost?
- What will I learn in an online PhD in IT program?
- What types of jobs could I get once I’ve gotten my PhD?
If you’re ready to make the move to the top tier of the IT profession, this guide will answer all these questions and many more. Read on to discover how to earn your doctorate through one of today’s best PhD in information technology online programs.
Spotlighting Today’s Best Online PhDs in IT
A great way to start your search for the right PhD in information technology online program for you is to look at what the best programs offer in terms of curriculum, convenience, affordability, support services, and more. You may also be interested in specific specialties within IT. Here are what we believe to be three of the top online PhD in IT programs available today.
National University
Private, non-profit National University offers an online PhD in Technology Management with an Information Systems specialization. Information systems (IS) is often considered the “parent” of IT, as it requires a working knowledge of IT plus business and communication skills. National University aims for its Information Systems PhD graduates to be effective problem solvers, communicators, and innovators in technology management.
This doctoral program includes at least 60 coursework and dissertation credits over approximately 50 months (just over four years). The program is 100% online and has no residency requirements. Plus, courses are delivered asynchronously, allowing students to access and complete their work anytime. And to help it fit even more into your life, you can begin classes nearly anytime — not just at specific times of year.
You must already have a master’s degree from a regionally or nationally recognized postsecondary school. However, no GRE or entrance exam is required. NU’s online PhD per-credit tuition rate is $1,000, with an estimated total program cost of $65,490. The school offers a number of scholarship and grant opportunities for those who qualify, including active-duty military members and veterans.
University of the Cumberlands
The University of the Cumberlands is a private, Christian-affiliated university in Williamsburg, Kentucky. The school offers a 100% online PhD in Information Technology program designed to provide IT professionals with skills in research and root cause analysis. Graduates go on to have top-tier roles in advanced research, post-secondary teaching, and administration and management in the public, private, and government sectors.
Online PhD students at Cumberlands conduct research in one of seven specialties: artificial intelligence, blockchain, cyber engineering, data science, digital forensics, information systems security, or information technology. Then, they write and defend a doctoral dissertation. Coursework is asynchronous, so students can study on their own schedules — and around their existing careers.
Cumberlands’ online PhD in IT program is competitively priced. The current tuition rate is comparatively affordable (particularly for a private college program) at $549 per credit. With the program running for at least 60 credit hours, which adds up to about $32,940 plus fees.
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas’ PhD in Information Science program includes a few IT-heavy specialties: Cybersecurity, Data Science, Geospatial Information Science, and Health Informatics. All program tracks are offered in a format that combines online, face-to-face, and blended instruction, with in-person components occurring on UNT’s campus in Denton, Texas.
The program is available to students with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. If you only have a bachelor’s, you must complete 72 credits of coursework. Those with a master’s undergo a 60-credit course of study. All program tracks culminate in the writing and defense of a doctoral dissertation.
Programs last three to four years, and costs vary depending on course load and residency. The average annual cost (tuition and fees) for graduate students carrying nine credits each semester is $26,134 for Texas residents and $33,694 for out-of-state residents.
PhD vs. Professional Doctorate: Which IT Degree is Right for You?
The chart below offers a quick look at some of the basic differences between PhD and non-PhD (professional) doctoral programs in information technology. It’s critical to bear in mind, however, that the lines between PhD and professional doctorate program characteristics (purposes, student types, goals, etc.) are often blurred, so don’t discount any online IT doctorate program until you discuss your professional goals with a program representative.
| Online Pro Doctorate in IT | Online PhD in IT | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Practical application of IT research and principles | Research-based |
| Student Type | Mid-career | Early- or mid-career |
| Student/Career Goal | Private, nonprofit, or public/government sector leadership | Advanced research or postsecondary academics |
| Funding | Grants, scholarships (school-, industry-, or public-sector sponsored), fellowships | Grants, scholarships (often school-sponsored), fellowships |
| Prerequisites | Master’s degree in IT or related discipline and professional experience | Bachelor’s or master’s degree in IT or related discipline and professional experience |
| Length | 3-4 | 4-7 |
| Capstone | Integrated doctoral study or project | Doctoral dissertation |
Timeline for Online IT PhDs
We’ve outlined below a typical timeline for completing PhD in information technology online program requirements. Timelines may vary depending on your specific program, most impactfully, whether you choose to pursue your studies full-time or part-time.
Year One
Students typically spend the first year of their online information technology PhD program completing core coursework along with some specialization track and elective classes. Students in a program without specializations can use their elective course selections to tailor their studies to what they intend to focus on in their dissertation.
Year Two
Year two of your online PhD in IT program will look similar to year one. This year’s coursework is followed by one or more comprehensive exams, which must be passed before proceeding to the candidacy phase of the PhD program. Most full-time and some part-time students also begin developing their dissertation proposal.
Year Three
It’s in year three that the paths of full-time and part-time information technology PhD students start to diverge, with full-time students moving on to conducting directed dissertation research. Meanwhile, part-time students continue their remaining coursework. Once they’re done with classes, part-time students take their comprehensive exams, submit and receive acceptance of their dissertation proposals, and begin work on their dissertations.
Year Four and Beyond
Students in the fourth year of their online PhD in IT program continue researching and writing dissertations. The completed written dissertation is submitted to the student’s faculty dissertation committee for review and approval. Once approved, the student makes a public presentation and defense of their dissertation. Depending on the specific program, the presentation and defense may be done virtually or in person.
Finally, after passing the dissertation defense, the PhD candidate will complete the process required to file the final form of their dissertation and apply to receive their doctoral credential.
Specializing Your Information Technology PhD
Preparing graduates for leadership and specialized practice roles in IT is what online PhD in information technology programs are all about. There are two ways in which programs accomplish this. The first is through the student’s dissertation topic. The second is through the student’s specialization, concentration, or electives. There are several areas within the larger IT field that students can specialize in, including:
- Cybersecurity: As the volume of data collected and applied by organizations increases, so does the risk of attacks on the security and integrity of that data. IT and other PhD programs in cybersecurity prepare teachers, researchers, and leaders in government and private organizations to develop and apply technologies that protect data and data systems.
- Data Science: The burgeoning field of data science has resulted in a critical need for top-level data scientists. PhD students specializing in data science gain advanced knowledge and critical thinking skills in a wide range of subjects, including communication, research methodology and computational methods, knowledge management, data analytics and visualization, and big data.
- Information Management: The information management specialization focuses on the infrastructure of information systems employed by organizations to make better decisions and reach organizational goals. PhD graduates with this specialization are prepared for careers conducting innovative research in designing and managing optimized information systems in private businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
Accreditation & Online PhDs in IT
As a prospective doctorate student, you’re likely already aware of the critical role accreditation plays in postsecondary education. Accreditation helps ensure the PhD in information technology online programs you’re considering meet high academic standards. However, no professional associations or agencies currently provide programmatic accreditation specifically for IT doctoral programs. That said, your chosen program should be run by a school that’s institutionally accredited by one of the several national and regional institutional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Components of Information Technology PhD Programs
The curricula of most PhD in information technology online programs, like those for most other PhDs, generally consist of the following basic components:
Coursework
The first component of online PhD in IT programs is coursework consisting of a combination of core classes, specialization courses (if relevant), and electives. (See below for examples of common core IT courses.) Completion of coursework will fill the bulk of your academic studies through the first and second years of your program.
Practicum or Internship
Most information technology PhD students participate in an internship or practicum experience. Both aim to provide students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained in their coursework to an outside setting like a private business or public agency or in their institution as a teaching or research assistant for an IT faculty member.
Comprehensive Exams
Comprehensive exams are taken following coursework completion. Your performance demonstrates how well you have mastered what you studied and if you’re prepared to start your dissertation. Most of these tests are oral examinations in front of a committee of faculty members. Questions typically focus on the theories, concepts, and research methodologies related to your specialization and proposed dissertation topic.
Dissertation Research, Writing, and Presentation
An online PhD in IT culminates in a dissertation. In general, this is a written document based on original research conducted by the PhD candidate to investigate, analyze, and provide solutions for a challenge in the IT discipline. The dissertation process (proposal, proposal approval, research, writing, presentation and defense, and final approval) can take one to several years to complete.
What You’ll Learn in an Online IT Graduate Program
PhD in information technology online programs aim to prepare graduates for top-tier positions in IT-related advanced research, postsecondary academics, and – in some cases – senior leadership positions with public and private organizations. To reach that goal, online PhD in IT programs offer curricula including core and specialty classes, with students choosing their paths for the latter. Here are examples of five core courses you might complete as part of your PhD program:
Fundamentals of Information Technology
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the information technology field, including its history and major theories. Specifically, students review and evaluate the configurations, contrasts, and integration of the foundational concepts of individual information technology and related theories.
Research Methods and Analysis
This subject digs into the procedures and methods used in conducting qualitative and quantitative doctoral research, emphasizing decision-making in selecting methods for investigating research questions. Course topics include, among others, the development of research designs, data collection and analysis, and the use of logic in drawing inferences and conclusions.
Data Science Analytics
This class is an introduction to core data science concepts. Course topics include the history of data science, the data analytics life cycle, data characterization, data wrangling, data scraping, data inference and machine learning, ethical issues in data collection and use, and analysis of examples of successes and failures in data analytics.
Technology Strategy and Policy
The responsibility of IT leaders is creating, developing, and applying organizational strategic policy. This course examines that responsibility by evaluating the factors and components of information technology policy strategy. Investigation may include the economics of policy, the impact of regulations, business/industry structure, change and complexity/chaos theories, organizational ethical policies and practices, and more.
Dissertation Proposal Preparation and Writing
This course is designed to provide advanced doctoral students with the skills needed to develop and write a successful dissertation prospectus/proposal and, in turn, the dissertation itself. Course objectives include providing students with an understanding of the purposes and various modes of disciplined inquiry along with the tools needed to propose and investigate researchable problems.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Success in your information technology doctorate pursuit begins with a solid plan for paying for your degree program. Finding a program with an affordable tuition cost is a start. But if you’re like most college students, you need to seek out one or more sources of financial aid to help foot your doctoral program bill.
Fortunately, there are plenty of funding resources that qualifying PhD students can tap into. They include scholarships and grants, assistantships and fellowships, VA benefits, employer tuition reimbursement opportunities, and student loans (like those available through the U.S. Department of Education’s Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Direct PLUS Loans programs). For help in building your degree funding package, contact your school’s financial aid department.
What Your Online Information Technology Degree Could Cost
| School | Program | No. of Credits | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capella University | PhD in Business Management, Information Technology Management | 90 | $71,931 |
| Capitol Technology University | PhD in Technology | 60 | $57,000 |
| Walden University | Doctor of Information Technology | 92-187 | $67,215-$134,865 |
Careers and Salaries for IT PhD Grads
Current estimates indicate robust earnings and job growth potential for top-level IT pros now and into the foreseeable future.
Below are the most recent U.S. Department of Labor salary figures and job growth estimates for five popular occupations often filled by information technology PhD holders. Keep in mind, though, that these figures are national averages, and what you actually earn will depend on a combination of individual factors such as your specific employer, geographic location, and years of professional experience.
| Job Title | Median Salary (50%) | Top Salary (90%) | Projected Growth (2023-33) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $145,080 | $233,110+ | 26% |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $169,510 | $239,200+ | 17% |
| Computer Network Architect | $129,840 | $195,000+ | 13% |
| Computer Science Postsecondary Teacher | $96,430 | $175,150+ | 8% |
| Database Architect | $134,700 | $194,960+ | 9% |
Source: O*Net OnLine, 2024
FAQs: Online Information Technology PhD
What are some of the benefits of earning my PhD online?
The are several benefits to pursuing your PhD in information technology online. Some are obvious, like the possibility of attending school part-time and the convenience of not traveling to classes. Many programs deliver their classes asynchronously, which allows students to attend class sessions virtually at any time. There are also a number of less obvious benefits. For example, online PhD students tend to be working professionals, so you may benefit from networking with and learning from fellow advanced IT pros.
Are online Information Technology PhD programs more affordable than in-person programs?
Most schools charge the same tuition rate for online and in-person versions of degree programs. This is particularly true of private institutions. However, some online PhD programs are cheaper than others.
There’s more to your degree’s total price than tuition costs, such as purchasing required technology. However, online PhD in IT students save by not paying for transportation to and from class. And because students complete their online IT programs at home, you don’t need to worry about expenses related to moving.
How long does it take to earn an Information Technology PhD degree online?
Your total program length depends on the specific program you choose and your study pace. Although it is possible to earn a doctorate in as little as one year, most full-time online PhD in IT students take at least four years. Part-time students generally study for at least five years. Full-timers’ first two years include coursework and comprehensive exams. Part-time students, of course, take longer. The rest of the time in an online PhD program is taken up by the research, writing, and defense of students’ doctoral dissertations.
What are some common admission requirements for online Information Technology PhD programs?
Admissions requirements for PhD in information technology online programs often include the following:
- Additional requirements: These may include letters of recommendation, statements of purpose, and an admissions interview.
- Previous degree: Many online PhD in IT programs require at least a bachelor’s degree in IT or a related field. Others require a master’s degree.
- GRE scores: Some programs require submission of GRE (or, in some cases, GMAT) scores. Others do not. Still others only mandate such test scores for applicants with a bachelor’s degree.
- Professional experience: Work experience in IT or a closely related field is almost always required, with experience in research particularly favored.
Will I have to come to campus during my degree studies?
Coming to campus may or may not be required. Some programs (like the PhD in Technology Management with Information Systems Specialization at National University, spotlighted above) are entirely online. Others (like UNT’s PhD in Information Science programs, also spotlighted above) feature a hybrid format that includes on-campus class sessions and seminars. You may also find otherwise online programs that want you to come to campus for your dissertation presentation and defense.
Resources for Online PhDs in IT
- Association for Computer Machinery (ACM)
The ACM is a global non-profit membership corporation consisting of over 180 chapters, over 680 student chapters, and nearly 40 special interest groups whose mission is to advance “the art, science, engineering, and application of computing.” - Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T)
Professional association of IT professionals and students in over 50 countries that “bridges the gap between information science practice and research.” ASIS&T membership benefits include access to association events and webinars, continuing education discounts, participation in the association’s mentor program, and more. - Association for Information Systems (AIS)
The AIS is a professional association of organizations and individuals “who lead the research, teaching, practice, and study of information systems worldwide.” Both professional and full-time doctorate student memberships are available. - Association for Women in Computing (AWC)
Professional association dedicated to the advancement of women in the computing professions by providing professional growth opportunities through continuing education, mentoring, and networking. Chapter and individual memberships are available. - CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing the interests of the information technology field through education, market research, training, and more. CompTIA additionally administers the training and testing for 16 IT professional certifications.