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Ph.D. in Information Studies

The Doctor of Philosophy in Information Studies – the only one of its kind in the New York metropolitan area – prepares individuals to assume leadership positions in research, teaching and in practice. Graduates of the program contribute to theoretical and operational research in existing and new fields, and are equipped to fill the expanding need for information managers, researchers and faculty members in the broad, interdisciplinary field of information studies. Taught by faculty of the prestigious Palmer School of Library and Information Science, the 60-credit Ph.D. in Information Studies utilizes a strong interdisciplinary approach because solutions to the problems of organizing, storing and retrieving vast amounts of information require the combined knowledge of computer scientists, management specialists, educators, psychologists, librarians and others. Approximately 20 students from across the United States are admitted each year; current students in the program hold master's degrees in 17 different disciplines.

This program offers two main areas of study – Information Access and Systems and Information Studies and Services – and includes research into such subjects as human-computer interaction and systems analysis and design. The program is structured to accommodate part-time students who are already working in the information field or in related professions. During the first-year of the program, courses are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m.

The two main knowledge areas are composed of the following courses:

Information Access and Systems

Principles of information organization and retrieval as well as the information systems that support both activities.

• Knowledge Organization
• Information Retrieval
• Information Systems
• Human-Computer Interaction

Information Studies and Services

The relationship of information technologies to individuals, organizations, and society in general.

• Information and Society
• Information Policy
• Information Services
• Organization Information Management

Program Goals

Current and emerging information technologies present both challenges and opportunities. Realizing the benefits of information technologies requires individuals who can:

• Represent information and organize knowledge for efficient, timely access and effective use
• Design, test and evaluate information retrieval systems and methodologies
• Improve human computer interaction as the basis for designing ever more usable, effective information systems and environments
• Investigate and understand information needs and information-seeking behaviors of individuals, groups and organizations in a variety of task and technology environments, including the Web
• Investigate the effectiveness, relevance and evolution of societies’ information provision agencies and organizations such as libraries, museums, publishers and the media
• Analyze information policy and ethics at national and international contexts