Frequently Asked Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long does it take to finish the Ph.D.?
It depends upon the individual student. Those who enter with a masters degree usually finish sooner than those who have only a bachelors degree. In general, most of our full-time students complete their coursework and defend the proposal for their dissertation in about three to four years. How long it takes to finish the dissertation depends on too many factors to include here, but it can take from as little as a few months to as long as several years after the proposal defense.
What are my prospects for a job after graduation?
Excellent! Our graduates have not had much difficulty finding jobs. In fact, many jobs are offered to our students before they complete their dissertations.
Will my previous degree (or courses) count toward the Ph.D.?
As part of the Universitys requirement of 60 credits of coursework (after the bachelors degree), we accept up to 30 credits of relevant graduate-level coursework completed at an accredited university or college with a grade of B or higher. However, the total number of credits accumulated (at Syracuse or elsewhere) is not a major consideration in a student's progress through the program. Instead, what matters is the student's mastery of the subject matter and skills needed to become an independent researcher. Thus, relevant coursework completed elsewhere will decrease the number of credits which must be earned at Syracuse, but whether that decreases the length of ones program depends upon the students working mastery of the content of those courses.
Where do our students come from?
In terms of geographic location, doctoral students have come from all over the United States and from several other countries. Academically, the doctoral students reflect our interdisciplinary nature. We have admitted students with only bachelors degrees as well as students who have earned a masters degree. Students have majored in a variety of subjects including philosophy, linguistics, library science, law, english, computer science, business administration, economics, history, and mathematics. Where students come from (geographically or academically) is not as important as their ability to use that background productively in our program.
Can I do the program part-time?
The Ph.D. program is a full-time, in-residence programpart-time studies are not possible. This Ph.D. program is designed as more than a sequence of courses. We strive to maintain an interactive research environment in which students can work with other students or members of the faculty on a regular informal basis as well as in scheduled classes and meetings. In our experience, part-time students miss this important component of the program and their education and progress suffer as a consequence.
We do offer a part-time, distance-learning applied Doctorate of Professional Studies in Information Management.
Are there any particular problems international students face?
We welcome international students. Several are in the program or have graduated from it, and we are eager to work with more. There are a few cautions that should be noted. Most important is the need for a good working knowledge of English. Though there are technical and mathematical courses in our curriculum, many of the courses all doctoral students will take require the ability to reason carefully in English and actively participate in classroom discussion. Secondly, international students need to be aware of the difference between doctoral programs in this country and doctoral programs based on a European model. In the United States, doctoral students typically spend the first year or two taking coursework before beginning their own dissertation research. It is not expected that students applying will have already identified a thesis project.
Can I combine my interest in information studies with other areas?
Yes. The doctoral program is interdisciplinary. We encourage all students to take non-School of Information Studies courses and work with faculty members from other departments. Doctoral students have taken courses in a variety of related areas, including linguistics, computer science, psychology, management, and public administration.
Can I choose my own research topic?
The faculty are usually supportive of any viable research topic that falls in the area of information studies.
How many students are enrolled in the program?
In the first 30 years of the program, approximately 50-60 students were awarded their Ph.D. degrees. Each year we typically admit around six new doctoral students. In 2008, there were about 45 students at the school working on coursework or their own research.
Are doctoral students involved in the school?
Very much so! All doctoral students get involved in teaching to a small extent through the teaching practica, and some teach complete courses. All students work closely with different members of the faculty on research projects. Doctoral students have formal representatives serving the school's committees.
Do students fail to finish the program? If so, why?
The doctoral program is the most expensive academic program for a school to operate. Not only is there the expense of supporting students financially, there is also the very large investment of faculty time. For these reasons, we are never pleased when a student fails to complete the program. But it does happen. It happens sometimes because of inadequate performance by the student. But more often, the reason is student's interests or career goals do not match the objectives of the program. One of the reasons why we require a personal interview before admission is to assess the degree of fit between the applicant's objectives and the program's goal.
Is a foreign language required?
No. The primary objective of this program is to train future researchers. The tools needed for the type of research in which we engage in do not require mastery of a foreign language. Instead, our students need to know how to design, conduct, and analyze research investigations. These tools are taught as part of the program, and all students are expected to demonstrate competence in these areas.
What kinds of courses are required or recommended?
Officially, the only program course requirement is that each student must complete four research and four teaching practica during his or her first 2-3 years. In addition, we expect each student to have knowledge and competence in research methods and in their area of study. Depending upon a student's background, a student will commonly take at least one course from each area each year plus the practica. The student, in consultation with his or her advisor, decides which particular courses are taken.
Do I have to have a master's degree to be admitted?
Though the admissions criteria do not require a master's degree, most of our applicants come to the program with some degree beyond the bachelor's. Exceptionally qualified applicants who have not earned a master's are encouraged to apply, but should note that additional coursework will be required.
How does doctoral work differ from a master's or undergraduate program?
The biggest difference is in our expectations of the student. Doctoral students are training to become researchers. Researchers need to be able to recognize an important problem, carry out the proper procedure to investigate that problem, interpret the results, and communicate those findings to one's colleagues. As doctoral students progress through their programs, we expect to see a greater degree of competence and initiative in all of these areas. Advanced doctoral students should be making major contributions to ongoing research projects and working more independently.