Communication and information technologies are transforming society, impacting on a cross section of human activity far greater than any innovation since the printing press. Leaders in this nexus of technology and society require interdisciplinary expertise, transcending the individual disciplines from which the underlying technologies and their applications arose.

The Communication and Information Sciences (CIS) PhD program at the University of Hawaii was established in 1986 to meet this need. At that time, it was one of the first interdisciplinary programs of its nature, predating the recent trend in the establishment of interdisciplinary information schools nationwide. It transitioned from provisional to permanent in 1994. The CIS PhD Program is sponsored by four units: The Department of Information and Computer Sciences and the Library and Information Science Program in the College of Natural Sciences, the School of Communications in the College of Social Sciences, and the Department of Information Technology Management in the Shidler College of Business. The program is unique at UH Manoa, crossing three colleges.

The CIS PhD program participates in the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). This program allows students from participating states to received reduced tuition rates at the University of Hawaii. More information is available from WRGP and UH Graduate Division.

The CIS Program Office, staffed by Cindy Scheopner, is located in the basement of Hamilton Library (002C) inside the Library and Information Science administrative area. It is open 8 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday (except MWF noon - 2:30 pm). Please call (808.956.5813) or email (cis-chair@lists.hawaii.edu) before you visit to be sure Cindy is available. The office is closed when Hamilton Library is closed.

The CIS Chair is Rich Gazan; his contact information and office hours are here.

The deadline for all applicants was February 1, 2012 for fall admission.

Brochure: CIS PhD Application Deadlines (PDF)

CIS PhD Program Newsletter: Winter 2010 (PDF)

news & events
Congrats to Spring Graduates!
Kar-Hai Chu and Lisa Yoda received their PhD degrees in Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at the Stan Sheriff Center. We welcome them as new alumni of the Communication and Information Sciences Interdisciplinary PhD Program!
CIS PhD candidate Erika Lacro named HCC Chancellor
The University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents has approved the appointment of Erika Lacro as chancellor of Honolulu Community College. Erika is working on her CIS dissertation entitled "Enhancing Student Learning and Success through the use of Social Networking Technologies."
Erika has been vice chancellor for academic affairs at HCC. UH Vice President for Community Colleges John Morton (CIS 1997) commented on her promotion: "I am very pleased to have Erika selected as the next chancellor of Honolulu Community College and to have her as a part of the community college team.”

Full News Release: http://www.hawaii.edu/news/article.php?/a>
Pizza proceeds promote PhDs!
We have the opportunity to raise funds for the CIS PhD Program, and especially for the new Student Support Fund, on Monday, May 7.  California Pizza Kitchen in Kahala Mall will donate 20% of each purchase that day to our program if the attached coupon is used. CPK Coupon (ppt)
Just present the coupon to your server and the donation will come to CIS. Please note that we must not promote the offer or distribute coupons at or near the restaurant.

Please notify anyone you think might be interested. As you know, our annual financial footprint is very small and even modest proceeds from this event will allow us to assist many more PhD students with the costs of conference travel, presentations, software and other incidental expenses associated with graduate education