Academic Programs

Curriculum

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The following are required of all PhD students:

Course Credits

A minimum of 78 credits is required. Of these, 60 are in graduate-level coursework and the remaining 18 are dissertation credits. Coursework must include at least four research and four teaching practica. Up to 30 credits of graduate coursework can be transferred, leaving 30 credits that must be done while in residence at Syracuse.

Breadth of Knowledge

A student must demonstrate a mastery of the theories and research in their chosen area of study.

Research Ability

Through the research practica and other research experiences, a student must demonstrate skill and judgment in the practice of research.

Ph.D. Dissertation

Each student must prepare and defend a dissertation.

Length of Study

While it is possible for motivated and well-prepared students to finish the program in four years, most students take five years and a few take longer. Students typically spend two years on coursework and the remaining time developing and defending a dissertation. Students must be in residence before proposal defense and are strongly encouraged to remain in residence until they defend their dissertations. Part-time studies are not an option.

With three major computer labs in Hinds Hall, iSchool students don’t have to go far to find a quiet workspace at all hours of the day.

iSchool Information Management graduate student Dave Chenell (center) stands with business partner Eric Cleckner (left) at their student startup booth at Emerging Talk, the Syracuse conference about entrepreneurship. The conference was held at the Syracuse Tech Garden and awarded prizes, from cash to legal consultation to iPads. The two Syracuse University students founded Grafighters, an online fighting game where anyone's sketches can come to life, located at the Student Sandbox. Grafighters has been named the Economic Champions of 2009 by the Chamber of Commerce and the two were the winners of the 2009 Sandbox Demo Day. Grafighters also received an Orange Tree Fund award of $12,000.