Applicants for the Computer and Information Sciences Ph.D. program must meet the requirements of the UA Little Rock Graduate School in addition to the following criteria:

  • A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution. Students whose degree(s) are in an appropriate scientific discipline, such as engineering, mathematics, computer science or technology area, will be the most prepared to enter and successfully complete this program. Students should have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (4.0 scale) for their last 60 credit hours.
  • GRE test scores taken within five years with a minimum verbal score of 142 (336 scale), minimum quantitative score of 144 (336 scale), minimum combined total of 301 (672 scale), and analytical writing score of 3.5 (6.0 scale). In addition, students can request a GRE waiver based on prior graduate work, professional experience, or in the case of international students, inability to schedule the examination. However, applications without GRE scores may not be as competitive as those with GRE scores. Computer Science and Information Science tracks have an additional minimum score requirement of 156 for the quantitative section. In addition, applicants should demonstrate their ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively either through a strong score on the GRE Analytical Writing Component (e.g. 3.0 or above on a 6.0 scale) or through samples of their written work.
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official college transcripts
  • Written statement by the applicant regarding the reasons why they should be considered for this Ph.D. program
  • Resume detailing any professional work experience, published papers, or presentations

The CIS Steering Committee will evaluate the compatibility between the applicant’s background, research interests, and communication skills vis-a-vis the doctoral program when making admission decisions and may decline to recommend for admission an otherwise qualified applicant based on a lack of fit with the program.

Applications are accepted for either Fall or Spring semesters, but not for the Summer term. All applications for admission must be made for a specific track in the program. Because each track may impose additional requirements above the general requirements, please consult the additional requirements page for the track to which intent to apply before submitting your application.

All admission applications must be submitted to the UA Little Rock Graduate School.

For International applicants:

  • International applicants must request the World Education Services (WES) or another agency approved by the UA Little Rock Graduate School to submit articulated versions of their international transcripts.
  • International applicants who have not completed two or more years of full-time studies at a college or university where English is the language of instruction must provide evidence of English language proficiency by attaining a minimum score of 71 (79 scale) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a minimum score of 6.5 (9.0 scale) on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Duolingo is no longer accepted as verification of English language proficiency.
  • International applicants are encouraged to apply by June 1 for Fall admission and by October 1 for Spring admission to allow time for visa and I-20 processing.

Graduation Requirements

  • Successful completion of an approved program of study with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • Successful completion of qualifying (candidacy) examination orally.
  • Successful completion of a proposal and oral defense.
  • Successful completion of a dissertation and oral defense.
  • Successful completion of seminar and ethics requirements.

View the academic catalog for information on the qualifying (candidacy) exam, the dissertation proposal and defense, and the publication requirement.

Learning Goals

  • Research Conception: A student will be able to conceive and formulate a research plan in their computer and information science area of emphasis following an established research methodology and supported comprehensive literature review.
  • Research Execution: A student will be able to carry out his or her research plan by gathering and analyzing data in an effective and ethical manner.
  • Research Dissemination: A student will be able to communicate and disseminate their research to colleagues and to the broader research community through presentations, published papers, and other appropriate channels