Information Systems and Technology Management

Return to: Academic Programs

The doctoral program discipline in Information Systems and Technology Management prepares students for successful scholarly careers in research universities. The program provides students with theoretical knowledge and methodological skills to enable them to become productive researchers. Students in Information Systems and Technology Management study problems that practicing IS professionals and managers face as they design, use, and apply information systems and technologies to solve business problems.

Information Systems and Technology Management students must complete a total of 15 seminars/courses (17 courses if they do not exempt the MBA course requirement).  This includes eight courses in their major area of study within Information Systems and Technology Management, at least four courses in research methodology, and at least three courses in a minor area of study.  Students may instead choose to complete eight courses in their major area and seven total courses in research methodology for a research methodology minor. Students should choose individually approved seminars and courses from the enclosed list of Katz seminars and courses, as well as from approved University of Pittsburgh seminars and courses.  Finally, on a limited basis students may also cross-register into approved seminars and courses at other institutions to support their overall program of study.  Each program of study must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor and the Director of the Katz Doctoral Program.  Any subsequent seminar/course changes must also be approved.

To achieve the fifteen course total, Information Systems and Technology Management doctoral students typically complete Katz ISTM doctoral seminars (BMIS 3000 and above) as noted below and combine these with choices from other disciplines, for example from Psychology or Statistics.  

Students are strongly encouraged to register for all seminars offered by the ISTM faculty.  See list below.  

ISTM doctoral students are provided with up to five years (14 terms) of financial support in the form of Graduate Student Assistantship, Teaching Assistant or Teaching Fellow. Typically students provide research assistance to their faculty mentors for approximately four years and provide teaching and teaching assistance for up to one year.