Overview

Communication and information technologies and society are in a perpetual state of mutual transformation.  Leaders at the nexus of technology and society require insight and expertise transcending the individual disciplines from which the underlying technologies and their applications arise.

The Communication and Information Sciences (CIS) PhD program at the University of Hawaiʻi was established in 1986 to meet this need. CIS was one of the first interdisciplinary programs of its nature, foreshadowing the recent trend of interdisciplinary information schools. It transitioned from a provisional to a permanent program in 1994.

CIS is sponsored by five units:

• The Department of Information and Computer Sciences in the College of Natural Sciences;
• The Department of Information Technology Management in the Shidler College of Business;
• The Communication, Communicology and Library and Information Science Programs within the School of Communication and Information in the College of Social Sciences.

The program is unique at UH Mānoa, crossing three colleges.

CIS is designated as a STEM program with Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code “11.0401 Information Science/Studies.”

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 receive reduced tuition rates at the University of Hawaiʻi. More information is available from WRGP and UH Graduate Division.

The program Student Learning Outcomes are:

1. Demonstrate understanding of research methods and subject knowledge in the field of Communication and Information Sciences
2. Synthesize diverse data, theories, and methods
3. Demonstrate the ability to conduct research
4. Propose and conduct original research
5. Develop and articulate a professional identity as a contributing member of a research community

Please email cischair@hawaii.edu with questions about the program.