Program Overview
The Computer and Information Sciences Ph.D. program is designed to promote strong multidisciplinary collaborations across several computing disciplines whose bodies of knowledge influence and intertwine with each other. Graduates of this 75-hour program are prepared to thrive in diverse computing- and knowledge-based industries as well as in research and education at academic, industry, and federal agencies.
Two emphasis tracks of the program, information quality and information science, are offered online:
- The information quality track focuses on the theory, principles, models, and techniques for delivering information that is “fit for use” — an increasingly challenging task as organizations struggle with such issues as data architecture, identity resolution, data protection, and privacy.
- The information science track focuses on the theory, applications, technologies, and systems that classify, manipulate, store, retrieve, and disseminate information.
Program Details
Admission Requirements
- Enrollment Terms: Fall and Spring Semesters
- Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution. Students should have an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (4.0 scale) for their last 60 credit hours.
- Standard test scores (the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)) taken no more than five years before application. The desired combined quantitative and verbal scores on the GRE is 301 or above (336 scale), with minimum score requirement of 142 and 144 for verbal and quantitative sections, respectively. The Information Science tracks has an additional minimum score requirement of 155 for quantitative section. Candidates for the Information Quality Track may submit GMAT scores in lieu of the GRE. 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., 3.5 or above on a 6.0 scale) or through samples of their written work.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation.
- Official college transcripts including grades and curriculum for undergraduate and (if applicable) graduate studies.
- Written statement by the applicant regarding the reasons (e.g. interests, relevant experience, and goals) why they should be considered for this Ph.D. program.
- Résumé detailing any professional work experience, published papers, or presentations.
- International students whose native language is not English and who do not have a degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher learning must demonstrate proficiency in written English via the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants’ scores must exceed 550 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test) or 79 (internet-based test). Applicants with scores below but close to 550 (213 if computer-based test or 79 internet-based test) may be admitted provisionally upon the recommendation of the Integrated Computing Steering Committee to the Dean of Graduate School, and allowed to fulfill the TOEFL requirement as specified in the Graduate School admissions policies.
- For applicants whose native language is not English and who are seeking financial support via a teaching assistantship, the student must demonstrate proficiency in spoken English via a score of 80% or higher on the American English Oral Communication Proficiency Test (AEOCPT) or a score of 5.0 or higher on the Test of Spoken English (TSE).
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete 75 credit hours with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0. More specifically,
- Students must complete all program core (9 hours), emphasis track core (12 hours), electives (12 hours, as determined by the student in consultation with their advisor), and dissertation/research hours (42 hours).
- All students must complete a research dissertation and successfully defend the dissertation to their dissertation committee.
Program Advisor
Dr. John Talburt | Professor of Information Science
Department of Information Science
501-916-5228 | jrtalburt@ualr.edu | Graduate School website
Accreditation
UA Little Rock is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, affiliated with the Electronic Campus of the Southern Regional Education Board, and designated as “doctoral/research intensive” by the Carnegie Foundation.
Disabilities
UA Little Rock makes every effort to meet special accommodation and access needs. For information on specific accommodations for individuals with disabilities, you may contact the department sponsoring the class you wish to attend, call eLearning at 501-569-3003 or the Office of Disability Support Services at 501-569-3143. The Disability Support Services website, ualr.edu/disability/, provides information about the accommodation process and online forms to apply for services.