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Ph.D. in business with a concentration in information systems

As a Ph.D. candidate, you’ll contribute to the advancement of information systems knowledge through high-quality, discipline-based scholarship. Our rigorous curriculum prepares you to teach subsequent generations of information systems students. You’ll also be qualified to apply research methods in the field.

Our typical program size is 10 doctoral students, which means you’ll work closely with outstanding faculty members who have made significant contributions to the discipline.

The Fall 2025 application is now open! Apply by February 1, 2025. Learn more about the PhD in Business and meet departmental faculty by registering for an upcoming Zoom information session.

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CURRICULUM

Coursework includes four doctoral seminars in well-defined information systems areas. These seminars offer breadth and depth of knowledge, giving you the opportunity to develop skills in different areas and approaches to information systems research. We also require one teaching course, five research courses and four electives.

Program and degree requirements

ASSISTANTSHIPS

Graduate research and teaching assistantships are available to support full-time students. Accepted and funded students are provided a graduate assistantship which covers all required tuition and fees, and pays an annual stipend of $25,500. This stipend is compensation for 20 hours per week of teaching and/or research performed for the department. Students making satisfactory progress in the program typically receive tuition and stipend support for up to five years.

A limited number of full and/or part-time students may also be admitted without assistantship support.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Alumni employers include:

  • University of Connecticut
  • Claremont Graduate University
  • University of San Francisco
  • University of South Carolina
  • West Texas A&M University

My dissertation chair challenged my intellectual curiosity in the field of data management and analytics and was the reason I chose VCU for my Ph.D. He continues to help me mature as an independent teacher and researcher.

YAN LI, PH.D.
Assistant professor, Claremont Graduate University

The Information Systems Doctoral Program at VCU was a life-changing experience for me. It is chiefly responsible for my success as an academician. The program exposes its students to a unique mix of scholarly philosophies, bleeding-edge technologies and methods. The faculty is focused on student success as future academicians. Their engagement with students continues well after graduation.

UGO ETUDO, PH.D.
Assistant professor, Virginia Commonwealth University

I attribute much of my success to the curriculum I was exposed to at the VCU School of Business. The faculty members are committed to the intellectual and professional development of Ph.D. students and foster an environment of mutual respect and collegiality.

ROMILLA SYED, PH.D.
Assistant professor, University of Massachusetts at Boston