Information Sciences

Doctoral Program

Opportunities for graduate studies

The interdisciplinary doctoral program in information science responds to the varied and changing needs of an information age. There is increasing recognition of the central role of information in individual, social, economic and cultural affairs, and the widespread application and influence of the revolutionary information and communication technologies. Graduates of the program are prepared to contribute materially to the advancement and evolution of the information society. Such individuals work in a variety of roles and application settings in information agencies as administrators, researchers and educators. The multifaceted nature of information requires the focusing of resources, courses and faculties from a broad range of academic units.

At UNT, the eight units that participate in the doctoral program are:

• the Department of Behavior Analysis, School of Community Service
• the Department of Business Computer Information Systems, College of Business
• the Department of Communication Studies, College of Arts and Sciences
• the Department of Computer Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences
• the Department of Criminal Justice, School of Community ervice
• the Department of Technology and Cognition, College of Education
• the School of Library and Information Sciences
• the College of Visual Arts & Design (Formerly School of Visual Arts)

The mission of the program is to provide a center of excellence in graduate education and research in three related areas:

• accessibility, communication, management and use of information resources
• human communication and information behavior and the systems and technologies that enhance communication and learning
• information and communication processes in managerial, organizational, social and technical environments and the accompanying analysis, design and evaluation of information systems

Admission requirements

For admission into the doctoral program in information science, students must meet the requirements of UNT's Toulouse School of Graduate Studies and a set of specific program requirements. For graduate school requirements and possible exceptions, access the graduate catalog online at www.unt.edu/catalog.

Admission to the Ph.D. program in information science is highly competitive. To maintain a student/faculty ratio necessary for program excellence, not all qualified applicants can be accepted. Prospective students must obtain all application forms from the School of Library and Information Sciences office. All required materials must be filed by Feb. 1 preceding the fall semester for which the student is applying and by Aug. 1 for spring admission. The following are required for admission to the interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in information science:

• a master's degree from an accredited institution is preferred
• a completed application form for admission to the program
• a personal statement giving the applicant's career objectives, research interests and specific qualification to pursue doctoral work
• a resume
• three letters of recommendation
• a superior academic record in prior study
• minimum GRE scores of 438 verbal and either 547 quantitative or 527 analytical (Achieving these minimum test scores does not guarantee admission into the doctoral degree program.)

All applicants may be required to interview with members of the information science doctoral program committee.

Degree requirements

A student must earn a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate credit beyond the master's degree in organized course work, directed study and research, and the dissertation.

Additional courses above the 60 hours, such as leveling courses, also may be stipulated as needed.

The 60 semester hour minimum includes:

• core areas (21 hours)
• areas of concentration (18 hours in two of the following areas: information theory and design; information and behavior; and information policy and management)
• electives (9 hours)
• dissertation (12 hours)

Doctoral students must maintain continuous enrollment in SLIS 6945, Doctoral Seminar in Information Issues, during each semester in which they are registered for courses prior to passing the qualifying examination for admission to candidacy.

An objective of the Ph.D. program is to provide students with a variety of approaches to solving information problems from a number of disciplines. Students are generally encouraged to take no more than 18 graduate credit hours from any one academic unit in areas of concentration and electives.

Financial assistance

A limited number of teaching and research assistantships are available, funded by the school and by individual faculty research grants. Student loan information may be obtained by calling Student Financial Aid and Scholarships on campus at 940-565-2302 or (800) 655-3537.

Half-time assistantships may carry medical insurance benefits. Also, out-of-state and international students who receive half-time assistantships or many kinds of fellowships and scholarships become eligible to pay in-state tuition rates.

New doctoral students may be considered for graduate school fellowships that can provide as much as $16,000 for the first year of study and a guarantee of departmental funding for two additional years. Students must be nominated for these fellowships by the department.

New graduate students who have participated in Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate programs are eligible for McNair fellowships that pay $10,667 for the first year and one semester of graduate study. Contact the graduate school for information about the McNair fellowships.

Computer technology

UNT has hardware and software for a wide range of instruction and research. Computer networks are installed in all academic departments, providing connections to a variety of general-purpose and specialized computing equipment.

The university offers students the ability to schedule classes, check accounts and pay tuition via the Internet. With the use of WebCT software, UNT electronically enhances curriculum in more than 400 classes and offers graduate programs and certifications through videoconference and the web, with more on the way.

The central resources for academic computing consist of several UNIX multiuser computers, including a cluster of systems that support high-performance computing.

Students can use UNT's considerable computing resources through an extensive fiber optic local area network on campus. Off-campus access is provided through free dial-up lines serving the Denton, Dallas and Fort Worth areas. Thirteen general-access student microcomputer laboratories provide PC and Macintosh formats as well as laser printing, and one lab is open 24 hours a day. Some labs are reserved for use exclusively by graduate students.