Frequently Asked Questions
Does CIS have spring admission?
No, admission is fall only. The deadline each year is January 15 for international applicants and March 1 for U.S. applicants for admission the following fall.
What sort of computing background is needed for admission?
Evidence of familiarity with current technologies and some prior experience with research is sufficient. The CIS application asks for "Knowledge of
computing." The total application is evaluated as a package, primarily
to evaluate applicant's match to interdisciplinary study and evidence
of ability to carry out independent work.
What undergraduate academic background or Masters degree is required?
There is no strict list of degrees that do or do not qualify. Applicants should have an overall background that includes familiarity with technology and its applications. The degrees listed on the Requirements page
definitely provide appropriate background; in other cases the applicant's formal education and work experience are considered.
Is the GRE required, is there a minimum test score for admission?
Applicants must have taken the GRE or GMAT recently, even if they have previously completed graduate-level work. There is no minimum score but the admissions committee considers performance on the exam, along with grades and the rest of the admissions materials, as indicators of success in graduate studies.
What should be in my personal statement?
The personal statement is an opportunity to communicate with the admissions committee directly. An ideal personal statement is one to two pages and contains information on your relevant experience (including research), types of courses and projects that you'd like to pursue as a graduate student, and ultimate career plans. An important element is your description of why the Interdisciplinary PhD in Communications and Information Sciences is a good fit for you and your interests. It is often helpful to identify the work of individual faculty members or research areas that interest you.
Can I obtain the CIS PhD through distance learning?
Not all required courses are available online, although some include distance-learning elements. This makes it problematic to meet the requirements to take CIS 701, 702 and 703 within the first three years, and the additional 5-6 courses that may be needed to prepare for area exams.
Further, being at a distance has disadvantages for the social aspects of the PhD. The PhD is primarily a process of becoming a member of a research community via apprenticeship with faculty active in that community. Interaction among students is also of great value. During the early years in the program, presence on campus enables students to establish the relationships underlying this process. During the dissertation portion, regular interaction with the advisor and committee is important. Therefore, undertaking the CIS PhD without being in residence is discouraged.
What should I know about moving to Hawaii?
The Shidler College of Business has put together detailed information for new students, including a Moving to Hawaii section on their website that includes a downloadable PDF.
Moving to Hawaii Guide
