Doctor of Philosophy in
Business Administration (PhD-BA),
Information Technology
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PhD-BA in Information Technology
Technology can be intimidating, yet beneficial, for many organizations. It is important for leaders to know how to take advantage of new technologies and ideas or be trapped in stagnation. The Information Technology Specialization helps prepare professionals to be champions of positive change through new ideas and new technologies.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete at least 9 credit hours in a single area of specialization at the University (not counting foundational courses) and may elect to have the specialization recorded on their transcript and diploma. The remaining 9 elective credits must be appropriate to the student’s degree program. Students may opt to use the remaining 9 elective credits towards an additional specialization.
(3 courses; 9 semester credit hours)
All PhD-BA specializations require completion of the PhD-BA core curriculum, three specialization courses, three doctoral electives, and the dissertation sequence, including prospectus, proposal, data collection and analysis, and final manuscript and defense.
Specialization Course Listings
Visionary tech leaders ensure that technology aligns with strategy as organizations seeking competitive advantages look to evolving technologies. This course serves a dual role: to introduce you to your doctoral program, and to prepare you for executive leadership roles in organizational technology. You’ll practice visionary leadership by investigating how emerging technology can be used to solve existing organizational challenges or create a strategic edge. To conclude the course, you’ll apply what you’ve learned and scholarly research to find technology solutions that resolve challenging business scenarios.
In this course, students are prepared for an understanding of networks and related theory to support computer science, cybersecurity, and technology management needs. Students will learn network concepts, as well as designing networks for reliability, availability, confidentiality, and network monitoring. Content will include high-level design of networks, evaluation of service providers, and strategies to prepare an organization for future communication needs (such as multi-cloud, satellite, 5G & 6G, and quantum data communications, plus related security techniques). Students will learn network design, planning, the role of network data communication devices, global access, and safe third-party data exchange.
Data and databases are the foundation of all business systems. Organizations that don’t understand the importance of data management are less likely to survive in the modern economy. During this course, you’ll study advanced concepts of database management systems and data warehouses. You’ll also research processes and techniques for improving data repositories, manipulating data, and preventing data corruption. By course end, you’ll be able to construct, assess, and transform data for improved business intelligence and more informed business decisions.
A foundation of concepts related to security and cybersecurity, this course examines a full range of topics, from governance, to law compliance, to human risk, to technology. Various mitigation options are considered to reduce vulnerabilities, counter threats, and protect data and system assets. You’ll study the need to protect organizations from future exposures and apply critical thinking and synthesis to apply the resources needed to defend critical IT assets.
An advanced examination of the theories, concepts, and strategies for managing technology policies and implementing emerging technology in organizations. You’ll research the legal, technical, and managerial considerations needed to design an information technology governance structure. You’ll also formulate policies and strategies to manage the information technology landscape and implement realistic and effective plans to support corporate technology goals.
Learning Outcomes
Students earning the Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration, Information Technology specialization will learn to:
- Frame complex problems or questions within the specialization using appropriate conceptual, analytical, and contextual lenses.
Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.
NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.
All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.
National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.