{"id":2649,"date":"2015-08-11T11:00:32","date_gmt":"2015-08-11T16:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stgwww.capella.edu\/blogs\/cublog\/?p=2649"},"modified":"2016-06-02T14:47:04","modified_gmt":"2016-06-02T19:47:04","slug":"choosing-a-phd-or-professional-doctorate-in-information-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stgwww.capella.edu\/blogs\/cublog\/choosing-a-phd-or-professional-doctorate-in-information-technology\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing a PhD or Professional Doctorate in IT\u2014What\u2019s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Capella University offers two different doctoral options in IT: a Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology (PhD IT) degree program and newly introduced Doctor of Information Technology (DIT) degree program. Why will there be two programs, and what do they offer? Capella\u2019s Dean of Technology, Dr. Sue Talley*, and Faculty Chair for the doctoral IT programs, Dr. Tsun Chow<\/a>, provide insight into the programs, their similarities, and their differences.<\/p>\n

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Why Two IT Doctoral Programs?<\/h4>\n

\u201cThere are two distinct needs in IT going forward,\u201d says Talley. \u201cUntil now, tech research has not been terribly theoretical, but nearly always real-world.\u201d But as the field of tech grows and expands, the need for both theoretical and hands-on education has evolved as well, with increasing demand for both.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth sides are motivated by real-world issues, but take different approaches to solving them\u201d says Chow. \u201cThe PhD IT wants to contribute to the overall understanding of the field, while the DIT wants to use that understanding and apply it to specific situations. For example, a PhD IT student may be interested in how users adopt technology in general within healthcare systems, while a DIT student\u00a0is interested in applying such understanding of adoption to see how it impacts the adoption specifically of Electronic Health Records,\u201d he said. \u201cBut both sides are looking at what\u2019s actually happening in the field.\u201d<\/p>\n

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What Are the Differences?<\/h4>\n

\u201cThe big difference is that we tilt the emphasis toward the practitioner with the DIT and toward the scholar for the PhD IT,\u201d says Chow.<\/p>\n

Talley agrees. \u201cThe DIT concentrates on looking at what best practices should be. It focuses on business problems and practical application in the real world. What problems exist in business today? What is an issue you can focus on and solve? Whereas the PhD IT focuses more on developing models, like the PMBOK [Project Management Book of Knowledge], or extending existing models.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chow notes that the DIT candidate will look at specific issues in the workplace and how to solve them, while the PhD IT candidate will take a broader view, looking at the wider context and examining what drives these issues. The two are equally important; the DIT will work with the models developed by the PhD IT, and the PhD IT can work with information about specific workplace issues to develop new or expanded models for approaches and research.<\/p>\n

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Is There Any Overlap in the Degree Programs?<\/h4>\n

Yes, and for a specific reason. \u201cBoth degrees encourage students to actively publish, teach, or consult,\u201d says Talley. This input comes directly from student feedback and interest. \u201cBoth sides have a strong desire to teach,\u201d says Chow. \u201cPerhaps they won\u2019t teach right away, but as a second career. Knowing that is critical to program design, so we built the programs so that students in either program can teach at some point in their career if they wish.\u201d He added that universities have varying needs for faculty in IT. \u201cSome universities focus on research, some on hands-on applications,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s why both these programs allow for a teaching outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

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What Are Potential Career Paths?<\/h4>\n

As noted above, both programs could lead to careers in graduate teaching and consulting. Teaching is especially strong with the PhD IT degree, but PhD IT graduates can also work in positions that require them to be a thought leader in the field, such as in continued research or for organizations such as the NSA. \u201cIn order to compete for high-level consulting work and positions at the NSA, you need the PhD IT,\u201d says Talley.<\/p>\n

The DIT can go in different directions. \u201cDIT graduates will lead within a specific workplace,\u201d says Talley. \u201cThey\u2019ll lead and solve problems. The degree enables them to move forward in an existing position or field.\u201d<\/p>\n

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*Interviewee Sue Talley retired in 2016.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Capella offers Doctor of Information Technology and PhD in Information Technology degree programs with four specializations:<\/em><\/p>\n