Doctor of Computer Science Program - Westcliff University College of Technology and Engineering

Doctor of Information Technology (DIT)

Doctor of Information Technology (DIT)

Program Description

The Doctor of Information Technology (DIT) is designed for experienced professionals seeking to become thought-leaders, innovators, and strategic decision-makers in the dynamic world of information technology.

Through a comprehensive curriculum that merges advanced technical training with applied research and real-world problem solving, DIT students gain deep expertise in areas such as information systems, cybersecurity, cloud computing, enterprise architecture, and digital transformation.

The program cultivates not only technical proficiency, but also strategic insight, ethical awareness, and leadership acumen — preparing graduates to oversee complex IT infrastructures, spearhead organizational change, and align technology initiatives with business goals.

Whether pursuing roles as senior technology executives, consultants, educators, or research specialists, DIT graduates are equipped to design secure, scalable, and innovative solutions that address modern challenges and shape the future of technology across industries.

*Not SEVP approved for international students

DIT Program Learning Outcomes

DIT Program Learning Outcomes

The Doctor of Information Technology (DIT) Program aims to prepare students for advanced careers in computer science and software by combining practical and problem-solving skills with business skills, proving their ability to adapt quickly to the ever-changing tech industry.

The Doctor of Information Technology program encourages students to achieve the following educational objectives:

1
Evaluate and anticipate the evolution, current practices, and emerging trends in information technology to address complex organizational and societal challenges.
2
Design and implement secure, scalable, and innovative IT solutions by applying advanced concepts, methodologies, and tools.
3
Conduct and disseminate original research and applied studies that contribute to the advancement of knowledge and practice in information technology.
4
Integrate strategic foresight, resilience, and ethical decision-making into IT leadership, governance, and organizational innovation.
5
Communicate and apply expertise effectively across academic, professional, and organizational contexts to influence decision-making and lead change.

Program Requirements

  • Admissions Requirements

    For acceptance into the Doctor of Information Technology (DIT) degree program, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

    An applicant with a Master-level degree and a 2.5 GPA from a regionally or nationally accredited institution can apply to Westcliff University.

    Strong consideration will be given to candidates with a master’s degree (or equivalent) from an accredited university or comparable recognized institution outside of the United States in the field of computer science, information technology, engineering, or closely related discipline.

  • Graduation Requirements

    Students in the Doctor of Information Technology 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 Information Technology degree.

Program Information

  • Required Courses

    Doctor of Information Technology (DIT) 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
    MIS 800 Managing Information Systems & Technology 3 credit hours
    CYB 804 Compliance and Assessment 3 credit hours
    ITM 810 Networking Management 3 credit hours
    MIS 805 Foundations of Big Data Analytics 3 credit hours
    EMT 800 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning 3 credit hours

     

    Research Courses (12 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):

    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

     

    Concentrations (if applicable)

    Cloud Engineering

    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

     

    Applied Artificial Intelligence

    AIT 820 Generative AI and Language Models 3 credit hours
    AIT 816 Advance Topics in Natural Language Processing & Innovation 3 credit hours
    AIT 800 AI Ethics and Societal Impact 3 credit hours
    AIT 825 Applied AI and Machine Learning 3 credit hours

     

    Big Data Analytics

    DATA 815 Big Data Architecture & Infrastructure 3 credit hours
    DATA 820 Advanced Data Mining & Machine Learning for Big Data 3 credit hours
    DATA 825 Big Data Management, Governance and Security 3 credit hours
    DATA 830 Predictive Analytics and Decision Support 3 credit hours

     

  • Course Catalog and Student Handbook
    Student Handbook/Catalog
Program Requirements