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DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN INFORMATION ASSURANCE (PHD)
Description
This degree program prepares students for senior policy, executive, teaching, or research positions in Information Assurance in government, industry, or academia.
Program Objectives:
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To gain expertise in a specialized field of study based upon theory, concepts and skills relevant to Information Assurance practitioners.
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To apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the exploration of a specialized field of study designed to advance theoretical concepts relevant to Information Assurance research.
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To develop primary field research competencies that can result in a “theory driven” contribution to knowledge in a specialized field of study relevant to Information Assurance practitioners.
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To demonstrate expertise in a specialized topic relevant to Information Assurance practitioners.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:
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Establish the rationale and objectives for conducting primary research in a specialized area of Information Assurance.
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Demonstrate knowledge and synthesis of the current body of literature with respect to a specialized area of Information Assurance.
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Apply appropriate methodologies and analysis techniques in conducting theory driven primary field research in a specialized area of Information Assurance designed to test and advance theory and theoretical concepts.
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Contribute to the body of knowledge through the documentation of research methods and findings in a specialized area of Information Assurance.
Comprehensive Exams
Prior to the commencement of research courses, students enrolled in the PhD program must complete and pass six comprehensive exams. Students select six of the ten Information Security domains known as the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) as research topic areas for the comprehensive exams and are assigned specific research questions relevant to each domain selected. Within two consecutive eight-week terms, students are scheduled to produce six exam papers which demonstrate mastery of the selected CBK domains, literature-based research skills, APA format and citation requirements. Each comprehensive exam consists of a 25-30 page research paper which addresses the research questions assigned. Each exam must be produced within a defined two week period. If necessary, students may repeat up to two of the comprehensive exams in a four-week period following the final evaluation of their exams. Students passing all six exams are permitted to enroll in dissertation preparation courses.
Credit Requirements
The PhD consists of a total of 70 semester credits beyond a Master’s degree, including 24 credits of core courses, 9 credits of specialization-specific courses, 6 credits for comprehensive exams and 39 credits of dissertation-related courses.
To ensure that students make steady progress towards the completion of their dissertations, the University has developed the Dissertation Project Plan. This plan consists of a series of deliverables students produce in research methods courses and dissertation courses.
In the Research Methods courses (RM6000, RM8250, RM9100, RM9300), students are introduced to the research paradigm and gain practice in applying research skills to course deliverables.
In the dissertation preparation courses (RES9100-RES9160) PhD students follow a structured approach for identifying a dissertation topic and writing the required proposals. Candidacy is granted after approval of the Proposed Research Plan (PRP).
Once PhD candidates complete the dissertation preparation courses, they enroll in dissertation development courses (DST9300-DST9330) during which they conduct the approved research plan and complete the dissertation.
Finally, the PhD candidate orally defends the completed doctoral dissertation before the Dissertation Committee, prior to conferral of the degree.
Click here to view the curriculum for the PhD Program.
Click Here for Course Descriptions
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