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Information Assurance and Cybersecurity
Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology
Take a leadership role in digital security with an online PhD in Information Technology, Information Assurance and Cybersecurity from Capella University. Help organizations and decision makers understand digital assets and defend against cybercrime.
This program provides opportunities for advanced skill development and doctoral research in areas such as information confidentiality, compliance, and risk management. Research seminars can help you get an early start on your dissertation.
Classes start January 10
Use the code WINTER to waive the $50 application fee.
At a Glance
- Online
- 12 Core courses
- 4 Specialization courses
- 3 Virtual Residencies
- Comprehensive exam
- Dissertation
- 75 coursework credits
Reduce your tuition by $5,000
Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $5K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your doctoral degree. Eligibility rules apply. Connect with us for details.
Applicants must provide the following information for admission to Capella programs and specializations:
- A master’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official master’s transcripts, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
International Student Requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
GuidedPath
A more structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–2 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
$965 per credit, $5,000 quarterly tuition max, 75 coursework credits, 12 max transfer credits
Tuition breakdown
Program Phases
Comprehensive exam
$2,895 Per quarter
Comprehensive exam
$2,895
Per quarter
Dissertation
$2,895 Per quarter
Dissertation
$2,895
Per quarter
Fees
Resource kit fee
$175 Per quarter
Coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials
Resource kit fee
$175
Per quarter
Coursework phase only; includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, test kits, and other instructional materials
Application fee
$50 One-time fee
Application fee
$50
One-time fee
Tuition and program length are unique to you
Your total tuition and program length depend on a variety of factors:
- The program specialization you choose
- Scholarships and finances
- Prior coursework
- Employer and/or military benefits
- Number of quarters spent working on dissertation
- Complexity of your dissertation
- Academic performance
- School/work/life balance
- Unexpected life events
About cost scenarios
The cost scenarios below are examples based on general program pricing and 2021–22 Capella tuition rates, and assume the average number of transfer credits a student brings into the program. Pacing information is current as of January 1, 2021. These rates are the same nationwide and may change depending on factors affecting program length and price.
To discuss whether the specialization you’re interested in has additional factors that may affect program cost and length, contact a Capella enrollment counselor.
Cost scenarios
Completes dissertation in 8 quartersComplete each milestone at the pace of the fastest 25% of students |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $965/credit 13 quarters |
$57,019.00 |
| Comprehensive Exam 1 quarter |
$2,895.00 |
| Dissertation: $2,895/quarter 8 quarters |
$23,160.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$83,074.00 |
| Est. Scholarship Savings*
|
$-5,000.00 |
| Est. Subtotal with Scholarship Savings*
|
$78,074.00 |
| Resource kit fee: $175 13 quarters |
$2,275.00 |
| Application fee: $50 one-time fee |
$50.00 |
|
Est. Total with Scholarship Savings* 22 quarters |
$80,399.00 |
Completes dissertation in 11 quartersComplete each milestone at the pace of the median 50% of students |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $965/credit 13 quarters |
$57,019.00 |
| Comprehensive Exam 1 quarter |
$2,895.00 |
| Dissertation: $2,895/quarter 11 quarters |
$31,845.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$91,759.00 |
| Est. Scholarship Savings*
|
$-5,000.00 |
| Est. Subtotal with Scholarship Savings*
|
$86,759.00 |
| Resource kit fee: $175 13 quarters |
$2,275.00 |
| Application fee one-time fee |
$50.00 |
|
Est. Total with Scholarship Savings* 25 quarters |
$89,084.00 |
Completes dissertation in 15 quartersComplete each milestone at the pace of the slowest 75% of students |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $965/credit 13 quarters |
$57,019.00 |
| Comprehensive Exam 1 quarter |
$2,895.00 |
| Dissertation: $2,895/quarter 15 quarters |
$43,425.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$103,339.00 |
| Est. Scholarship Savings*
|
$-5,000.00 |
| Est. Subtotal with Scholarship Savings*
|
$98,339.00 |
| Resource kit fee: $175 13 quarters |
$2,275.00 |
| Application fee one-time fee |
$50.00 |
|
Est. Total with Scholarship Savings* 29 quarters |
$100,664.00 |
*Eligibility rules apply. Connect with us for details.
Get the details
Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
Your education is an investment in your future that’s within your reach. There are more ways to save than you might think.
The PhD in Information Technology, Information Assurance and Cybersecurity program can help you advance, with coursework designed to challenge you and focus what you learn on your goal.
| TS8531 |
Network Security Advances
This course presents advances in information assurance and the ways they help decision makers accurately gauge, estimate, and examine the impact of implementing various network security protection mechanisms. Learners evaluate emerging information security protection research and identify the potential advantages and disadvantages of protecting the security of the network. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
|---|---|---|
| TS8533 |
Enterprise Security Risk Management
Learners in this course examine research in information security risk management. Learners review scholarly literature in the field as it relates to risk modeling, assessment, and management. Other course topics include outsourcing and the legal and technological changes that affect risk management. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
| TS8535 |
System and Application Security Advances
This course presents advances in ensuring system and application security and the ways they help decision makers accurately gauge, estimate, and examine the impact of implementing various system and application security protection mechanisms. Learners evaluate emerging information security protection research and identify the potential advantages and disadvantages of protecting system and application security. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
| TS8537 |
Assurance Controls and Compliance Management
This course provides an overview of the management processes and organizational controls needed to ensure data protection. Learners review federal, state, and other governmental and industry standards that companies must follow to be compliant in safeguarding data. Learners analyze the depth and breadth of compliance management research and investigate different approaches to data protection control and compliance. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
Learning outcomes
The PhD in Information Technology, Information Assurance and Cybersecurity program allows students to choose electives that provide a coherent foundation for research and leadership in cybersecurity and information assurance.
On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:
- Develop theories associated with creating new applications that can improve information assurance and cybersecurity practice.
- Evaluate technical and management approaches to find solutions to information technology issues.
- Formulate new theoretical constructs to advance knowledge in IT.
- Conduct scholarly research, communicate effectively, and develop professional skills in a chosen field or discipline.
- Apply strategies that integrate best practices and tools in the field of information assurance and cybersecurity.
Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career paths to explore.
Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. Here are some of the jobs and employment settings to consider with a PhD in Information Technology, Information Assurance and Cybersecurity.
Related job titles to explore*
- Full-time faculty of IT courses
- Adjunct or part-time faculty of IT courses
- Senior consultant
- Lead systems analyst
- Systems administrator
- Director of IT
- Senior IT manager
- Vice president of IT
- Chief information office
Employment settings to explore
- Corporation
- Healthcare organization
- Technology firm
- IT consulting firm
- Government—local, state, federal
- Land-based or online college or university
- Community college
- Aerospace company
- Defense contractor
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide assurance that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.
Support to reach the finish line
We designed our programs to meet the unique needs of doctoral students. Our programs help you reach your goals, with support from faculty, staff, and online resources along the way.
What’s It Like to Be a Doctoral Student?
What does it take to earn a doctoral degree? Learn more about the experience and explore each step of the journey.
Doctoral Guide
Wondering about the differences between PhDs and professional doctorates? What are the unique features of online and traditional doctoral programs? Read on to learn more and find the right program for you.