Ph.D. in Computer and Information Sciences

The Ph.D. program in Computer and Information Sciences offers an opportunity for exceptional students to pursue substantial research in the computer sciences and related areas. The program is highly selective and is purposefully kept small so that each Ph.D. student can receive substantial advising and mentoring from CDM faculty. To earn a Ph.D. degree, a student must demonstrate breadth of knowledge in at least two research areas and significant depth in a chosen dissertation area. In addition, the student must conceive, write and defend a Ph.D. dissertation representing a significant and original contribution to current academic research as demonstrated by a public dissertation defense and publication in established peer-reviewed academic conferences and/or journals.

In keeping with the CDM philosophy of blending academic and professional pursuits, full-time employed students will be considered for admission as part-time doctoral students. However, these applicants must have sufficiently flexible work schedules to allow them to attend required meetings and academic seminars that occur during daytime working hours throughout their degree program. In addition, many working students will find that they must take a leave of absence or cut back to part-time employment for some time period during the research and candidacy phases of the degree program.

The Ph.D. Admissions Committee determines which applicants will be admitted to the program. Because CDM admits only a limited number of students to the Ph.D. program, meeting the admission standards does not guarantee acceptance.

It is recommended that applications and all supporting documents be submitted as early as possible, but not later than:

• January 15 for Autumn Quarter
• October 1 for Winter Quarter

* At the discretion of the PhD Committee, applications for the PhD program may continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis up until one month prior to the start of a quarter. Students who apply for admission other than at the officially designated deadlines will be notified by the Office of Graduate Admission at the time of their application whether or not the PhD Committee is currently reviewing applications. If the PhD Committee is not reviewing additional applicants at the time of application, the applicant’s application will be kept on file until the next time the PhD Committee reviews applications. Applicants who wish to withdraw their application should do so by notifying the Office of Graduate Admission.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and Master’s degree awarded from a regionally accredited institution. The master’s degree must be in computer science, information systems, or a related field.
• Personal statement describing your accomplishments, goals and interests
• Resume
• Official GRE score report of test taken within five years of the application deadline.
  
• Three letters of recommendation
• PhD Addendum form
• Show definite promise for completing the program
• Test of English Proficiency for international students. We require at least a 92 on the internet-based TOEFL, a 580 on the paper-based TOEFL or a 6.5 on the IELTS. International applicants should visit the international admission webpage for further details.

Steps to Apply

• Complete an online application and submit application fee ($25 application fee for domestic applicants, $75 for international applicants).
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. One must show the conferral of a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and one must show a conferral of a Master’s degree in computer science, information systems or related field.
• U.S. college and university transcripts should be mailed to the address below.
• DePaul alumni/undergraduate students applying for graduate admission must also submit a DePaul transcript. You can request a free electronic transcript on the Student Records webpage.
• Individuals with international transcripts need to have a course by course transcript evaluation done by one of the three evaluation companies that DePaul University accepts. For more information about this process please visit the Transcript Evaluation webpage.
• Submit all necessary materials listed above.

All submitted application materials will become part of your application file and cannot be returned. Please retain your own copies.

Materials (international transcripts excluded) not submitted through the online application may be submitted by mail, fax or email at the following:

CDM Graduate Admission Office
1 E. Jackson Blvd., Suite 8500
Chicago IL 60604
admission@cdm.depaul.edu

Credentials must be complete prior to an admission review. When important pieces of information such as transcripts are missing, the College is compelled by University regulations to withdraw the application from consideration for admission. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all materials are submitted on time.

Please note that GRE and TOEFL scores MUST be official copies sent directly to CDM Graduate Admission Office by ETS. Photocopies CANNOT be accepted.

• The Institution Code for the GRE is 1165
• The Department Code for the GRE is 0402
• The Institution Code for the TOEFL is 1165

The Ph.D. Admissions Committee determines which applicants will be admitted to the program. Because the School admits only a limited number of students to the Ph.D. program, meeting the admission standards does not guarantee acceptance.

Students employed outside of the University can be admitted as part-time doctoral students. Students who can devote themselves full time to their doctoral studies can be admitted as full-time doctoral students.

The College has a limited number of scholarships available to fund full-time PhD students. Only full-time students will be considered for substantial financial aid stipends.

Conditional Admission

Students without a master’s degree in computer science or a related field may be considered for conditional admission to the doctoral program. These students must have an exceptional undergraduate record. A conditionally admitted student will be required to complete a doctoral prerequisite phase consisting of a set of courses determined to be appropriate for the student by the Ph.D. committee. These courses will include the core courses from the Master’s of Science in Computer Science program. Upon completion of the prerequisite phase, the Ph.D. committee will conduct an evaluation of the student's progress. Assuming such progress is satisfactory, the student will then be formally admitted into the doctoral program. Note: It is not the policy of the School to award a master’s degree to a student enrolled in the Ph.D. program.

We do not offer conditional admission for students whose English proficiency scores are below the minimum.

Learn more about PhD stipends.