As technology advances at a rapid pace, you need to stay ahead of the curve.
As an experienced IT professional, you have a wealth of knowledge and skills under your belt. But the field of IT never stands still; as it evolves, you need to evolve with it. A PhD in information technology could be what you need to ensure that you stay ahead.
More than a pathway to earning the highest credential in your field, a doctorate program offers the chance to take a deep dive into the IT industry’s challenges and opportunities. That could mean gaining deep knowledge of how machine learning solves business problems, using analytics to plan for growing IT needs, responding to evolving cyber security threats, and much more. Pursuing your PhD in information technology offers the license to follow your scholarly interests and make discoveries that could potentially change the industry — and the world.
By the Numbers
Programs & Requirements
Online Doctorate in Information Technology
The PhD in information technology online degree program from University of the Cumberlands is designed to help you take your IT career to new heights. The program is comprised of 60 required credit hours, which include professional research courses, content specialty courses, and a dissertation.
Our fully online curriculum focuses on predictive analytics, enhancing your credentials and giving you the tools you need to be your company’s IT expert in cybercrime security, big data, and smart technology. You’ll explore information governance, technology for a global economy, enterprise risk management, data science, big data, and more. You’ll also gain a comprehensive understanding of emerging threats to IT infrastructure and systems, plus identify countermeasures to keep cyberattacks at bay.
Course Requirements
- ITS 831 – Information Technology Importance in Strategic Planning
- ITS 832 – Information Technology in a Global Economy
- ITS 833 – Information Governance
- ITS 834 – Emerging Threats and Countermeasures
- ITS 835 – Enterprise Risk Management
- ITS 836 – Data Science and Big Data Analytics
- DSRT 734 Inferential Statistics
- DSRT 736 Dissertation Seminar
- DSRT 837 Professional Writing and Proposal Development
- DSRT 839 Advanced Research Methods
- DSRT 850 Qualitative Research
- DSRT 930 Dissertation
- DSRT 931 Dissertation
- DSRT 834 Advanced Statistical Applications
A content specialty area of at least eighteen hours must be earned in one of several disciplines: Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cyber Engineering, Data Science, Digital Forensics, Information Systems Security, Information Technology.
Courses in the following UC Master's programs will matriculate as the Doctoral specialty if the courses are completed beyond the first Master’s degree.
- MS Digital Forensics
- MS Information Technology
- MS Information Systems Security
- MS Cyber Engineering
- MS Blockchain
In the event a learner needs more classes, other related discipline courses could be considered with the discretion of the Department Chair and Program Director under the direction of the Dean of the School.
Content Specialty Area (18 hours):
Artificial Intelligence Specialization:
- MSAI 511 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
- MSAI 532 Neural Networks and Deep Learning
- MSAI 532 Natural Language Processing
- MSAI 544 Application of AI in Healthcare
- MSAI 578 Data Visualization
- MSAI 630 Generative AI with Large Language Models
- MSAI 631 Artificial Intelligence for Human-Computer Interaction
- MSAI 632 Application of AI in Risk Management (original listed as BADM 566)
- MSAI 599 Transforming Business with Artificial Intelligence
Blockchain Specialization:
- BLCN 531 Introduction to Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies
- BLCN 532 Blockchain Development
- BLCN 533 Finance and Blockchain
- BLCN 534 Fundamentals of Database Systems
- BLCN 535 Cryptography
- BLCN 631 Blockchain Implementation
- BLCN 632 Data Mining
- BLCN 633 Global Marketing and Blockchain
- BLCN 634 Human Resource Mgmt. and Blockchain
- BLCN 635 New Technologies for Business Leaders
Cyber Engineering:
- MSCE 530 Principles of Cyber-Engineering
- MSCE 531 Cyber-Engineering and the Network
- MSCE 532 Digital Forensics and Cyber-Engineering
- MSCE 533 Computer Interaction and Usability Engineering
- MSCE 534 Principles of Cybersecurity
- MSCE 535 Cyber-Engineering Access Control
- MSCE 630 Network System Engineering
- MSCE 631 Robotics System Engineering
- MSCE 632 Artificial Intelligence
Data Science Specialization:
- MSDS 530 Fundamentals of Data Science
- MSDS 531 Statistics for Data Science
- MSDS 532 Data Science Programming with Python
- MSDS 533 Data Management for Data Science
- MSDS 534 Deep Learning
- MSDS 535 Data Mining
- MSDS 630 Natural Language Processing
- MSDS 631 R Programming
- MSDS 632 Big Data
Digital Forensics:
- MSDF 530 Digital Forensics Tools and Techniques
- MSDF 531 Windows Digital Forensics
- MSDF 532 Windows Registry Forensics
- MSDF 534 Wireless Security and Forensics
- MSDF 630 Digital Forensics Evidence
- MSDF 633 Computer Crimes and Digital Forensics
- MSDF 631 Malware Analysis and Mitigation
- MSDF 632 INFOSEC Leadership and Communications
- MSDF 634 Web Browser Forensics
Information Systems Security:
- ISOL 531 Access Control
- ISOL 532 Telecommunications and Network Security
- ISOL 533 Information Security and Risk Management
- ISOL 534 Application Security
- ISOL 535 Cryptography
- ISOL 536 Security Architecture and Design
- ISOL 631 Operations Security
- ISOL 632 Business Continuity Planning and Disaster Recovery Planning
- ISOL 633 Legal Regulations, Compliance, and Investigation
- ISOL 634 Physical Security
Information Technology:
- ITS 530 Analyzing and Visualizing Data
- ITS 531 Business Intelligence
- ITS 532 Cloud Computing
- ITS 535 System Analysis and Design
- ITS 536 Human Computer Interaction and Usability
- ITS 537 Information Technologies and Mobile Applications
- ITS 538 Database System
- ITS 630 Organization Leadership and Decision Making
- ITS 631 Operational Excellence
- ITS 632 Introduction to Data Mining
Take the Next Step
Mission & Goals
The mission of the online IT PhD program at Cumberlands is to teach practitioners the theories, strategies, and tactics necessary to lead in today’s global technology management field. Through this program, you will strengthen your skills in:
Information Technology Careers & Outcomes
*All statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics
Computer and Information Research Scientist: $136,620
Computer and Information Research Scientist: $136,620
Computer and information research scientists design innovative uses for new and existing computing technology.
Computer Network Architect: $126,900
Computer Network Architect: $126,900
Computer network architects design and build data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Intranets.
Data Scientist: $103,500
Data Scientist: $103,500
Data scientists use analytical tools and techniques to extract meaningful insights from data.
Information Security Analyst: $112,000
Information Security Analyst: $112,000
Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems.
Database Administrator/Architect: $112,120
Database Administrator/Architect: $112,120
Database administrators and architects create or organize systems to store and secure data.
Computer and Information Systems Manager: $164,070
Computer and Information Systems Manager: $164,070
Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization.
Common Questions
PhD and DIT programs have more similarities than differences. Either a PhD or a DIT could prepare you to conduct research, teach, or help businesses achieve their IT goals. Which program is right for you? At University of the Cumberlands, you don’t have to make that choice. Our PhD in Information Technology program blends the best of both a DIT and PhD. Our practitioner-aimed PhD program blends research with reality-based problem-solving.
When you earn your PhD at University of the Cumberlands, you could prepare to advance your career, pursue IT leadership roles, or teach the next generation of IT professionals in an academic setting. Whether you’re interested in diving into big data, optimizing business networks, enhancing security with blockchain technology, or something else entirely, earning your PhD could propel you to the next level.
In 2021, doctorate degree-holders earned about $18,205 more in annual median wages than those with a master’s degree. They also earned about $30,680 more than those with a bachelor’s degree. In short, earning your PhD could pay off.
You don't have to leave your current job to earn your doctorate! The PhD in Information Technology degree program at University of the Cumberlands can be completed online and on your own schedule. So, you can advance your career goals in a convenient format that fits your life.
Some areas of research or work you could go into include:
- Robotics
- Programming
- Machine learning
- Cloud computing
- Network technology
- Information security
All programs at University of the Cumberlands are offered at some of the lowest rates in the nation. For more information on how affordable this program would be for you, visit our Financial Aid page.
Faculty Experts
Learn more about the professors you will interact with in the Department of Information Technology
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