Doctor of Information Technology
Be a Change Agent in IT Industry
The Doctor of Information Technology (DIT) program is a multidisciplinary program designed for innovative leaders who wish to advance knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) in Technology and Computing. DIT candidates choose an area of focus in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or Data Science. Candidates develop essential information technology capabilities key to leading and influencing organizations.
With a focus on developing advanced KSAs in information technology innovations, the program prepares candidates for senior-level positions in industry, government, or education. Graduates utilize the latest technologies, including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data science, to optimize organizational performance. The DIT program is designed and developed based on ACM curricular guidelines and NSA/DHS Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) standards. The DIT multidisciplinary program provides a high-quality learning experience through a flexible format that meets the candidate’s career objectives.
Program Overview
The DIT consists of core courses, a depth of study concentration, a comprehensive exam, dissertation residencies, a research core, and a dissertation. Candidates begin by taking the Program Orientation Course, DIT 600, prior to, or concurrently, with their first DIT class.
The depth of study consists of three areas: Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and Data Science. Candidates choose one area that supports their educational goals. Candidates can propose and design their own depth of study with the approval of the Program Director.
After the completion of the core and depth of study courses, candidates take the comprehensive exam. The dissertation commences after passing the exam. Candidates are required to complete six dissertation courses. The seminar residencies are usually offered in Seattle in the summer and San Diego in the winter; they are scheduled throughout the duration of the program.
- Doctor of Information Technology program, learning outcomes:
- Integrate foundational knowledge of all areas of advanced information technology and computing (General Computing Knowledge).
- Apply fundamental principles and practices of advanced information technology and computing (IT & Computing Principles and Practice).
- Apply critical and ethical thinking to solve problems in advanced information technology and computing (Critical and Ethical Thinking).
- Evaluate data to inform decisions and solve problems in advanced information technology and computing (Quantitative Literacy).
- Create the ability to develop and express ideas while applying a variety of delivery models, genres, and styles (Communication).
- Collaborate effectively on diverse teams to accomplish a common goal (Collaboration).
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects continued growth in the IT field well into the future.* Leaders who are ready to prepare individuals and organizations for IT challenges are in high demand. The DIT program from CityU will prepare you to seek IT leadership positions in public and private organizations, consulting firms, and universities.Potential career options may include:
- Chief information/technology officer
- Senior organizational leader
- Entrepreneur
- Information technology consultant
- Technical manager/director
- Project/program manager
- Higher education faculty
- Computing services director
*SOURCE: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm
There are 78 credits required for this degree:
- Program Overview: 1 credit
- Core IT Classes: 42 credits
- Specialization: 12 credits*
- Potential specializations: Computer Science, Information Security, Project Management, Adult Education, Instructional Design, and Management and Leadership
- Capstone Project: 6 credits
- Residency: 3 credits
- Dissertation: 10 credits
*Students can either transfer in their specialization credits or take them from one of our five master’s programs.
Admission Requirements
In addition to City University of Seattle's graduate/doctoral admission requirements, found under Admissions in the catalog menu, applicants to the School of Technology and Computing doctoral programs must meet the requirements listed below:
- Hold a master's degree from an accredited or otherwise recognized institution.
- Provide a resume demonstrating two or more years of leadership or technology-related experience.
Preparatory courses may be required for applicants who do not have credentials in Programming, Operating Systems, Networking, or Database Management.
Total Required Credits (90 Credits)
For full course descriptions please refer to the current catalog.
Preparatory Courses (6 or 20 Credits)
*Preparatory courses may be required for students entering the DIT degree program without sufficient related experience in programming, SQL/NO SQL databases, networking, and operating systems. The breadth-first preparatory courses are recommended for students who want to study a broad spectrum of all topics within 1 quarter. The depth-first preparatory courses are recommended for students who want to study each topic in depth. Please see the program admissions criteria in the City University of Seattle catalog for specific information.
Breadth-First Preparatory Courses (6 Credits)
- CS 11A Technology & Computing Components I (3)
- CS 11B Technology & Computing Components II (3)
Depth-First Preparatory Courses (20 Credits)
- CS 132 Computer Science I (5) - OR - IS 201 Fundamentals of Computing (5)
- CS 330 Network Communications (5)
- CS 340 Operating Systems (5)
- IS 360 Database Technologies (5)
Pre-Entry Requirement (0 Credit)
Students must take this course in the first quarter of enrollment. Students may take another program requirement concurrently.
- DIT 600 DIT Orientation to Doctoral Program (0)
Core Requirements (24 Credits)
- DIT 605 Information Technology Strategic Management (3)
- DIT 610 Information Technology Policy and Governance (3)
- DIT 615 Planning and Managing IT Projects (3)
- DIT 620 IT Innovation in Complex and Global Environments (3)
- DIT 625 Cybersecurity and Information Assurance (3)
- DIT 630 Data-Driven Decisions (3)
- DIT 635 Data and Business Analytics (3)
- DIT 637 Smart and Secure Systems (3)
Depth of Study (24 Credits)
Students can choose one Depth of Study (DOS) from Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or Data Science. They can also design a customized DOS with the approval of the Program Director.
Artificial Intelligence
- AI 510 Artificial Intelligence in Cloud Computing (3)
- AI 610 Agent Based Systems (3)
- AI 620 Emerging Topics in Artificial Intelligence (3)
- CS 506 Programming for Computing (3)
- CS 622 Discrete Math and Algorithms for Computing (3)
- DS 510 Artificial Intelligence for Data Science (3)
- DS 620 Machine Learning & Deep Learning (3)
- DS 623 Math & Statistics for Data Science (3)
Computer Science
- CS 506 Programming for Computing (3)
- CS 533 Computer Architecture (3)
- CS 547 Secure Systems and Programs (3)
- CS 622 Discrete Math and Algorithms for Computing (3)
- CS 624 Full-Stack Development I (3)
- CS 628 Full-Stack Development II (3)
- DS 510 Artificial Intelligence for Data Science (3)
- DS 620 Machine Learning & Deep Learning (3)
Cybersecurity
- CY 505 Systems Security (3)
- CY 510 Human and Organization Security (3)
- CY 525 Network and Wireless Security (3)
- CY 545 Data Privacy and Security (3)
- CY 605 Cybersecurity Auditing (3)
- CY 609 Software Security (3)
- CY 628 Components Integration Security (3)
- CY 640 Software Reverse Engineering (3)
Data Science
- CS 506 Programming for Computing (3)
- CS 622 Discrete Math and Algorithms for Computing (3)
- DS 510 Artificial Intelligence for Data Science (3)
- DS 520 Data Mining (3)
- DS 524 Data Management and Governance (3)
- DS 620 Machine Learning & Deep Learning (3)
- DS 623 Math & Statistics for Data Science (3)
- DS 625 Big Data Architectures and Systems (3)
Customized
The specialized depth of study must be approved by the program manager.
Research Core (15 Credits)
Each enrollment must be pre-approved by the Program Director.
Students can take three DIT 650 seminar courses after taking RESR 601 Residency 1 but before DIT 682 Comprehensive Exam.
- RESR 619 Quantitative Research Methods (3)
- RESR 621 Qualitative Research Methods (3)
- RESR 625 Advanced Research Topics (3)
- DIT 650A Doctoral Seminar I in Emerging Technology (1)
- DIT 650B Doctoral Seminar II in Emerging Technology (1)
- DIT 650C Doctoral Seminar III in Emerging Technology (1)
- Choose One Course
- RESR 623 Research Design (3)
- DIT 680 DIT Internship (3)
The DIT 680 Internship course is repeatable for credit. Each enrollment must be pre-approved by the Program Manager.
Comprehensive Exam (6 credits)
- DIT 682 DIT Comprehensive Exam (6)
Dissertation (18 Credits)
- RESR 694A Dissertation 1 (3)
- RESR 694B Dissertation 2 (3)
- RESR 694C Dissertation 3 (3)
- RESR 694D Dissertation 4 (3)
- RESR 694E Dissertation 5 (3)
- RESR 694F Dissertation 6 (3)
RESR 99 Continuing Dissertation Services - Optional Course used for continuing enrollment and services as needed beyond the provided Dissertation Services.
Doctoral Residency (3 Credits)
- RESR 601 Residency 1 (1)
- RESR 602 Residency 2 (1)
- RESR 603 Residency 3 (1)
The schedule is flexible for this program, as not every student wants to take his/her dissertation courses at the same time as the core classes. Students are able to extend into a fourth or even fifth year, once the core classes, specialization classes, and capstone are done. Or they can spread it out even further than that.
Below is a sample schedule for a typical student who doubles courses starting in Fall of the second year.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
| Doctor of Information Technology – Three Year Program Schedule | ||
|---|---|---|
| Quarter | Courses | Credits |
| Year One | ||
| Fall |
DIT 600 Program Orientation (1)
DIT 605 Principles of Information Technology (6)
|
7 |
| Winter | DIT 610 Information Architecture, Management and Analysis (6) | 6 |
| Spring |
Residency 1
DIT 615 Network Architecture and Management (6)
|
7 |
| Summer | DIT 620 Cloud, Web, and Mobile Computing (6) | 6 |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall |
DIT 625 Information Assurance (6)
DITR 694A Applied Doctoral Study 1 (2)
|
8 |
| Winter |
RESIDENCY 2
DIT 630 Information Technology Strategic Management (6)
DITR 694B Applied Doctoral Study 2 (2)
|
9 |
| Spring |
DIT 635 Business and Data Analytics (6)
DITR 694C Applied Doctoral Study 3 (2)
|
8 |
| Summer |
Application Block 1 (6)
DITR 694D Applied Doctoral Study 4 (2)
|
8 |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall |
RESIDENCY 3
Application Block 2 (6)
DITR 694E Applied Doctoral Study 5 (2)
|
9 |
| Winter | DIT Information Technology Capstone | 6 |
| Spring | DITR 695 Applied Doctoral Study Implementation | 4 |
| Total Credits | 78 | |
The DIT program from CityU prepares a leader for positions in public and private organizations, consulting firms, and universities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the continued growth of 12 percent in the computer and information technology field from 2018 to 2028, projecting more than half a million new jobs. Potential career options may include:
- Chief information/technology officer
- Senior organizational leader
- Entrepreneur
- Information technology consultant
- Technical manager/director
- IT Project/program manager
- Higher education
- Computing services director
Tuition Cost
Learn more about tuition and fees for our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.
2023-24 Cost of Attendance (per quarter)
| Living with Parent | Not Living with Parent | High-Cost Regions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | See Tuition Chart | See Tuition Chart | See Tuition Chart |
| Books & Supplies | $254 | $254 | $254 |
| Housing & Food | $2,864 | $5,956 | $6,552 |
| Transportation | $600 | $646 | $711 |
| Misc./Personal | $650 | $650 | $650 |
| Total | $4,368 | $7,506 | $8,166 |
Student budget values are established using student surveys, CPI index, and actual institutional expenses.
Financial Aid Opportunities
At CityU, we are committed to helping students achieve their academic goals no matter their economic situations. Our financial aid counselors are here to find the resources you need to pay for your education, including grants, loans, work study, and scholarships. Learn more about financial aid opportunities at CityU, or contact our Financial Aid Team at 800.426.5596, 206.239.4540, or finaid@cityu.edu.
Military Tuition Benefits
As a Yellow Ribbon school, CityU is proud to serve those who have served in the military. We offer military tuition discounts for active-duty servicemembers and their spouses and accept military benefits such as the Post 9/11 GI Bill® and Tuition Assistance. Learn more about military tuition benefits, VA benefits, and military partnership programs designed to help you reach your military and career goals.
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