Propel the next era of information.
Broad’s Ph.D. in Information Technology Management prepares candidates to be successful information systems researchers and teachers at prestigious universities.
Our world-class information systems faculty set the foundation for our innovative Ph.D. in Information Technology program. These faculty are nationally renowned for their publications, editorial positions, research grant funding and information systems community leadership.
Doctorate in Information Technology Management Program and Curriculum Overview
The main purpose of the Ph.D. in Information Technology Management program is to develop scholars who intend to pursue academic careers in research universities. This is a five-year program for most students, although a few students successfully complete the program in four years. We outline below the Ph.D. in Information Technology Management curriculum, program requirements and financial support available to students throughout the five years.
The Broad College of Business and the Department of Accounting and Information Systems have course and other requirements for the Ph.D. degree that, in total, form a student’s program of study. These requirements are summarized below and provided in more detail in our Student Manual.
Doctorate in Information Technology Management Course Requirements
- The ITM major field (four courses: ITM 911, ITM 912 or ACC 950, ITM 914, ITM 915)
- An appropriate minor field (course requirement will vary; typically nine credit hours), such as economics, finance, supply chain, computer science, organizational behavior, sociology or psychology
- Research methods (four courses, including MGT 906 and MKT 904 or equivalent)
- Economics and/or behavioral analysis (two courses, as required by the Broad College of Business)
- Other business fields (as required by the Broad College of Business, set by guidance committee)
Note: Per Broad College requirements, to be in good standing, each student must attain at least a 3.25 (out of 4.0) cumulative grade point average by the end of the second full semester of enrollment and thereafter.
Other Program Requirement Milestones / Timing Expectations
- Second-year paper — Work with a faculty member; complete before taking comprehensive exams
- Comprehensive exams — Usually taken during fall of third year
- Select dissertation chair and committee — Usually done during fall of third year, but can change if needed
- Dissertation proposal — Targeted at summer of third year; could be done later
- Dissertation defense — Targeted at summer of fourth year; could be done later
Additional Expectations for Doctoral Students
- Active participation in ITM research workshops with outside speakers, ITM dissertation defense presentations and informal (i.e. brown bag) meetings for IS faculty and students.
- Submit papers to and attend professional meetings (e.g., ICIS, AMCIS, INFORMS, Academy of Management).
- With professors’ guidance, submit papers to journals (e.g., based on class papers, second-year paper).
- Apply for and obtain funds intended for graduate students (e.g., NSF grants) for dissertation research.
Dive Deeper
The Doctorate in Information Technology program starts in the fall and only allows full-time students. Find out more about admission criteria and the application process.
Learn MoreFaculty-student collaboration is a significant part of the Broad experience. Doctoral students have the opportunity to work with some of the top researchers across multiple disciplines. Find out more about the research opportunities for ITM doctoral students at MSU.
Learn MoreThe Eli Broad College of Business Information Technology Management faculty conducts research in the field for a variety of interests. They also conduct research with Information Technology Doctorate students.
Learn MoreSee a roster of current doctoral students in the program as well as a listing of our graduates’ placements at research institutions across the globe over the last decade.
Learn MoreTuition and Financial Aid
At the present time, all doctoral students receive financial support from the department, the college, the university and/or various external organizations. Our goal is to provide every student admitted to the program with a graduate assistantship and/or a fellowship. The assistantship is usually at a half-time level. A half-time appointment requires that the student be a teaching assistant and/or a research assistant for 20 hours per week. Renewal of financial assistance is contingent on the student making satisfactory progress in the program.
Assistantships include a nine-credit-hour tuition waiver (i.e. tuition is covered for up to nine credit hours per semester) for each of the fall and spring semesters, a waiver for the out-of-state portion of tuition for non-Michigan residents, and health insurance. The waiver does not include registration fees or other fees.
For more information about funding sources, visit the MSU Graduate School.
Contact Information
- Department of Accounting and Information Systems
- Business College Complex
- 632 Bogue St Rm N270
- East Lansing, MI 48824
- acct@broad.msu.edu
- Phone: (517) 355-7486
- Fax: (517) 432-1101
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does it generally take to complete the Information Technology Doctorate program?
Five years. This provides students the time needed to complete both the dissertation and the related top-notch research papers needed to be successful on the job market. Occasionally, a student who enters the program with a high-quality research portfolio can graduate in four years.
- Can I study part time and work full time?
No. This doctoral program is strictly a full-time program. We require students to be on campus on a full-time basis, since doctoral students will be involved both in coursework, collaborative research efforts and teaching/research assistantships.
- Where do MSU graduates get hired?
Recent placements include:
- Auburn University
- Baylor University
- George Mason University
- University of Arkansas
- University of Michigan–Dearborn
See more on the Students and Placements page.
- What is the deadline to submit applications for the Ph.D. in Information Technology program?
Ph.D. students begin the program in fall semester, which usually begins in late August. There are no winter, spring or summer starts. Thus, our deadline for a full application is January 31. Applications received by then will be reviewed and interviews conducted during February. Meeting the January 31 deadline is vital so students entering the next fall can be considered for fellowships and assistantships.
- What GMAT and TOEFL test scores are needed to be a successful applicant?
GMAT scores range between 650 and the upper 700s, with most in the lower 700s. We also require a minimum TOEFL score for international applicants. Learn more on the Admissions page.
- How many applicants are accepted each year?
We generally admit one to three students every fall.
- What kind of financial aid is available?
All Ph.D. students are supported by graduate teaching/research assistantships. Recently, Ph.D. students have earned approximately $25,000 annually, in addition to their tuition waivers and health insurance coverage.
