Doctor of Philosophy in Information Studies

The PhD in Information Studies is a highly regarded and desirable credential for those interested in pursuing research in library information science, teaching at the post-secondary level, and increasingly those seeking or working in leadership positions in libraries, information centers, and a variety of other organizations and research positions. The PhD offers concentrations in library and information science and in information management.

Dominican’s PhD in information studies was created with working professionals in mind. Unlike traditional, residential PhD programs at large universities, our cohort-based program can be completed in just three years, with all courses offered on weekends, primarily online via Zoom. Four in-person weekends are required during the first two years of coursework.

Combining the rigor of a top-level research degree with the collaborative and personal approach that is the hallmark of a Dominican education, the PhD provides a strong yet flexible pathway that helps professionals expand their vision as well as advance their careers.

Students work closely with a team of faculty advisors, professors, and peers committed to both intellectual engagement and the professional skills needed to advance their careers. The cohort will progress through 12 intensive courses over six semesters (two years), with a third year devoted to individual dissertation work.

Degree Requirements

Successful completion of the doctoral program includes:

Completion of a minimum of 36 semester hours of doctoral coursework in the Dominican University SOIS program;
Passing both parts of the qualifying process;
Completion of at least 6 credit hours of LIS 999: Dissertation;
Satisfactory completion and defense of a dissertation proposal and dissertation;
A minimum grade point average of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
Continuous enrollment in the degree program;
Completion of the degree program within three years* and;
Filing an Application for Graduation by the filing deadline with the Office of the Registrar the semester before the anticipated graduation date.

*The program is a three-year program requiring continuous enrollment in fall, spring and summer semesters for two years of coursework, with a dissertation work in the third year. If a student needs to extend their time in the program beyond the 3 years, they may repeat the dissertation course for a period not to exceed an additional two years.

Required Courses

Each semester (fall, spring, summer), students take two courses from the following:

LIS 901 - Advanced Seminar: Professional Issues
LIS 928 - Teaching in the Academy
IM 940 - Advanced Seminar: Data Management Theory
LIS 950 - Advanced Seminar: Information Behavior
LIS 955 - Advanced Seminar: Information Policy
LIS 962 - Advanced Seminar: Literacy and Learning
LIS 964 - Advanced Seminar: Writing in the Academy
LIS 965 - Advanced Seminar: Information Systems Research Theory and Practice
LIS 968 - Advanced Seminar: Global Perspectives on the Library and Information Science Profession
LIS 969 - Doctoral Research Methods and Design I
LIS 970 - Dissertation Preparation
LIS 971 - Doctoral Research Methods and Design II
LIS 990 - Advanced Independent Study in Library and Information Science
Upon completion of coursework, passing both parts of the qualifying process, and approval of a dissertation proposal, PhD students proceed to dissertation work:
LIS 999 - Dissertation (6 hours each semester during the third year: fall, spring, and summer)

Library and Information Science (LIS) Concertation.

All LIS PhD students must complete the following courses (each carries three semester hours of graduate credit unless otherwise noted):

Required Courses - First Year (18 credit hours total)

LIS 968

Required Courses - Second Year (18 credit hours total)

Dissertation Course

LIS 999

Upon completion of 36 credit hours of coursework and passing the qualifying process, PhD students proceed to dissertation work. This course is six credit hours in the third year of the PhD program. If a PhD student is granted a program extension past the third year, LIS 999 will be zero credit hours for every subsequent semester enrolled. It is expected that most students will take 18 credit hours of LIS 999 in order to complete the dissertation, but six credit hours are required at minimum. All PhD students must enroll in LIS 999 every semester after the completion of two years of coursework until the dissertation is defended successfully.

Information Management (IM) Concentration

All IM PhD students must complete the following courses (each carries three semester hours of graduate credit unless otherwise noted):