Doctor of Computer Science (DCS)
Program Description
The Doctor of Computer Science (DCS) degree at Westcliff University is designed for professionals and students with existing academic or experiential knowledge in computer science or a closely related field. The program helps students deepen advanced technical knowledge, strengthen applied research skills, and prepare for leadership in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.
Offered in a flexible onsite or online format, the DCS program emphasizes advanced study in areas such as artificial intelligence, operating systems, cloud engineering, and cybersecurity. Students may complete either a dissertation or an applied doctoral research project, depending on their academic and professional goals. Through Westcliff’s CAPRI™ learning model, students benefit from a personalized learning experience supported by faculty who are active practitioners in their fields.
Graduates of the DCS degree program may pursue opportunities in academic leadership, executive technology roles, research-driven positions, consulting, and innovation-focused environments.
*Not SEVP approved for international students
Why Westcliff stands out
- Flexible hybrid or online learning format
- Guidance from faculty with real-world experience
- Choice of dissertation or applied doctoral research project
- Career-focused support services beyond the classroom
Admissions and Tuition Benefits for US Military & Veterans
Westcliff proudly supports U.S. military service members, veterans, and their families. Our flexible hybrid learning model makes it possible to pursue your education during active duty and after discharge.
The Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program is one of Westcliff University’s programs that are CSAVE approved or approved for GI Bill® benefits based on the GI Bill® and the Department of Military Tuition Assistance program. Service members and their families may use the GI Bill® education benefits to pay the cost of tuition and many other education services. Your eligibility for VA education benefits is determined by the Department of Veteran Affairs. (Find more information here)
At Westcliff, every military student is paired with a dedicated military advisor—a fellow veteran who understands your journey and provides personalized guidance. From navigating benefits and admissions to excelling in academics and career planning, your advisor offers both educational expertise and a veteran’s perspective.
By building on your military background with a master’s in AI, you’ll strengthen your credentials and stand out in one of today’s most in-demand fields.
Why Pursue a Doctor of Computer Science Degree?
A Doctor of Computer Science is a strong option for professionals who want to combine advanced computing expertise with practical research and leadership. For prospective students wondering what a DCS degree is, it is a doctoral-level program focused on applying computer science knowledge to real-world technical and organizational challenges.
The value of a Doctor of Computer Science degree continues to grow as employers seek professionals who can solve complex problems and lead innovation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 20% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
For students considering a Doctor of Computer Science online or taking the onsite pathway, Westcliff’s program can support advancement into senior leadership, research, consulting, and academic roles while building stronger capabilities in problem-solving, ethical research, and strategic thinking.
Where Can a Doctor of Computer Science Degree Take You?
Westcliff’s DCS program prepares students for advanced careers in computer science and software by combining practical, problem-solving, and business-oriented skills that support success in an evolving technology landscape.
Where Can a Doctor of Computer Science Degree Take You?
Westcliff’s DCS program prepares students for advanced careers in computer science and software by combining practical, problem-solving, and business-oriented skills that support success in an evolving technology landscape.
The Program encourages students to achieve the following educational objectives:
How Westcliff’s Doctor of Computer Science Program Prepares You for Success
Westcliff’s DCS program combines advanced coursework, applied research, and student support to help graduates succeed in complex technical and leadership roles. Students build expertise through coursework in areas including:
- Python and computation
- Advanced cyber threats and intelligence
- Cloud architecture and design
- Machine learning/artificial intelligence and behavior modeling.
- Advanced operating systems
Students may choose between a traditional dissertation and an applied doctoral research project, allowing them to align their final work with either scholarly inquiry or real-world impact. The program also includes a Practical Learning Experience (PLE), which gives students an opportunity to apply their learning in a professional setting through at least one credit-bearing internship course.
Westcliff supports student success with career advising, résumé and interview support, networking events, academic counseling, study groups, workshops, and digital library resources. This support is reinforced by the College of Technology & Engineering’s STEM-based, student-centered approach.
Program Requirements
To apply to the Doctor of Computer Science program, applicants must hold a master’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution and have a 2.5 GPA. Westcliff gives strong consideration to candidates whose prior graduate study is in computer science, information technology, engineering, or a closely related discipline.
For acceptance into the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI) degree program, applicants must hold:
- Bachelor’s degree in the field of information technology, engineering, computer science, or related fields (i.e., Electrical or Electronics Engineering) from an accredited university (or its equivalent from a recognized institution) with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
AND
- Students who have an incoming GPA between 2.0 and 2.49 or do not have a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in a technology discipline may pursue the ACHIEVE version of the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence.
All doctoral students are required to take the DOC 700 (Doctoral Foundations) course within the first two terms of the Program. This course provides students with a solid foundation for understanding the research and dissertation process at WU, helps build momentum toward a topic of study, and provides opportunities for students to connect with their cohort of peers for support.
Westcliff University has integrated Practical Learning Experience (PLE) as a graduation requirement for the Doctor of Computer Science. This graduation requirement can be satisfied by completing at least one credit-bearing internship course that is assessed on a Credit/No Credit basis. Students are encouraged to complete as many PLEs as their schedules permit in pursuit of the completion of their program. To this end, Westcliff University students may require a start date up to 30 days prior to the start of classes to meet the onboarding requirements of the professional workplace where the PLE will be conducted. Students wishing to meet this graduation requirement in this manner must notify the university in advance.
In support and pursuit of candidacy for the Doctor of Computer Science degree, doctoral students must submit a scholarly written report, with original research and investigation as to its foundation. This report is commonly and collectively referred to as the Dissertation and is indicative of high academic integrity and rigor, congruent with Doctoral level studies. Alternatively, doctoral students can complete an applied Doctoral Research Project that focuses on a real-world problem, situation or phenomenon, adhering to a comparable level of academic integrity as the dissertation. The doctoral dissertation and Applied Capstone Project can result in a new theory that is created, or it may be focused on contextual topics or phenomenon. The resulting report must have at a minimum a problem, purpose, research question, methodology, data collection, and an analysis of the results.
The oral defense of the Doctoral Dissertation or presentation of the applied Doctoral Research Project is performed as a final step in conclusion of the program. Following the oral defense or project presentation, the doctoral committee chair confers with committee members and reaches a consensus as to whether the candidate receives a grade of pass, pass with minor content revisions, or fail.
Students in the Doctor of Computer Science must complete forty-eight (48) prescribed credit hours with a program GPA (PGPA) of 3.0 or higher to graduate. As an option, students can take an additional twelve (12) credit hours to obtain a certificate in one of several areas of concentration. Students must apply for graduation. Upon graduation and fulfillment of all academic requirements, students receive a Doctor of Computer Science degree.
Program Information
To earn the Doctor of Computer Science degree at Westcliff University, students complete 48 prescribed credit hours and maintain a program GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students who want to deepen their expertise further may complete an optional 12-credit certificate in a concentration area.
The curriculum includes doctoral foundations, advanced technical coursework, research methods, prospectus and literature review development, and a final dissertation or doctoral research project sequence.
Doctor of Computer Science (DCS) Course Requirements – 48 Credit Hours Total
Core Courses (21 Credit Hours)
| DOC 700 | Doctoral Foundations | 3 credit hours |
| PRG 705 | Python and Computation | 3 credit hours |
| CYB 750 | Advanced Cyber Threats and Intelligence | 3 credit hours |
| CLD 704 | Cloud Architecture and Design | 3 credit hours |
| AIT 706 | Machine Learning | 3 credit hours |
| CSCI 750 | Advanced Operating Systems | 3 credit hours |
| AIT 705 | Artificial Intelligence and Behavior Modeling | 3 credit hours |
Research Courses (15 Credit Hours)
| RES 891 | Pre-Dissertation/Capstone Research Project | 3 credit hours |
| DOC 705 | Quantitative Research Methods | 3 credit hours |
| DOC 710 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 credit hours |
| DOC 715 | Prospectus | 3 credit hours |
| DOC 720 | Literature Review | 3 credit hours |
Advanced Research Course (Select one of the following):
| DOC 706 | Advanced Quantitative Research Methods | 3 credit hours |
| DOC 711 | Advanced Qualitative Research Methods | 3 credit hours |
| DOC 712 | Applied Research for Real-World Impact | 3 credit hours |
Dissertation or Capstone Courses (12 Credit Hours)
| DOC 901 | Dissertation I | 3 credit hours |
| DOC 902 | Dissertation II | 3 credit hours |
| DOC 903 | Dissertation III | 3 credit hours |
| DOC 904 | Dissertation IV | 3 credit hours |
OR
| DRP 901 | Doctoral Research Project I | 3 credit hours |
| DRP 902 | Doctoral Research Project II | 3 credit hours |
| DRP 903 | Doctoral Research Project III | 3 credit hours |
| DRP 904 | Doctoral Research Project IV | 3 credit hours |
Certificate Areas of Concentration -12 Credit Hours Total (Optional)
Cybersecurity (12 Credit Hours)
| CYB 809 | Cybersecurity Policy and Compliance | 3 credit hours |
| CYB 806 | Cyber Risk Analysis and Management | 3 credit hours |
| CYB 807 | Advanced Cryptography | 3 credit hours |
| CYB 808 | Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing | 3 credit hours |
Cloud Engineering (12 Credit Hours)
| CLD 810 | Edge Computing and Artificial Intelligence | 3 credit hours |
| CLD 806 | Containerization and Microservices | 3 credit hours |
| CLD 807 | Scalable Data Analysis and Visualization | 3 credit hours |
| CLD 809 | Cloud Automation and Orchestration | 3 credit hours |
Artificial Intelligence (12 Credit Hours)
| AIT 800 | AI Ethics and Societal Impact | 3 credit hours |
| AIT 805 | Deep Learning | 3 credit hours |
| AIT 810 | Computer Vision | 3 credit hours |
| AIT 815 | Natural Language Processing | 3 credit hours |
Doctor of Computer Science (DCS) Degree FAQ
How is a DCS degree different from a PhD?
A PhD in Computer Science is fundamentally about academic contribution. You are expected to find a “gap” in human knowledge and fill it. The Doctor of Computer Science is a professional doctorate. It is designed for practitioners who want to stay in the workforce while reaching the highest level of expertise. For Westcliff’s DCS program, students may complete either a dissertation or an applied doctoral research project.
Is a Doctor of Computer Science degree worth it?
Yes, for professionals seeking leadership, research, consulting, or academic opportunities, a DCS degree can strengthen technical expertise, research capability, and professional credibility.
How long does it take to complete the DCS program?
The program consist of 48 credit hours and can be completed in as little as 32 months, taking the the required one course minimum per term.
What career opportunities are available after completing the DCS?
DCS graduates may pursue academic leadership, executive technology roles, research-driven positions, consulting opportunities, and other innovation-focused roles.
Can I continue working while enrolled in the program?
Yes, students can attend Westcliff’s DCS program in a hybrid or online format, which can give working professionals the flexibility they need.
How much time should I expect to dedicate each week to coursework and research?
For a 3 credit hour course students should expect to spend between 15-18 hours per week.
Are there opportunities to publish or present research during the program?
In support and pursuit of candidacy for the Doctor of Computer Science degree, doctoral students must submit a scholarly written report, with original research and investigation as to its foundation. This report is commonly and collectively referred to as the Dissertation and is indicative of high academic integrity and rigor, congruent with Doctoral level studies. Alternatively, doctoral students can complete an applied Doctoral Research Project that focuses on a real-world problem, situation or phenomenon, adhering to a comparable level of academic integrity as the dissertation. The doctoral dissertation and Applied Capstone Project can result in a new theory that is created, or it may be focused on contextual topics or phenomenon. The resulting report must have at a minimum a problem, purpose, research question, methodology, data collection, and an analysis of the results.
Students may prepare their final research Dissertation or Applied Capstone Project for publication in scholarly journals or trade publications at their own discretion.
Can I transfer credits from another graduate program?
The equivalent of up to a maximum of 50% of the required credit hours for graduation (ex. 30 credit hours for a 60-credit hour degree) may be transferred toward a doctoral degree. For each course assessed for transfer credit at the doctoral level, the minimum acceptable grade is a B.