Frequently Asked Questions - Ph.D. in Information Technology


Where can I find out more about the Ph.D. in Information Technology?

Please visit http://volgenau.gmu.edu/PhDprogr/ for more details.

Is there an advantage in registering for a Ph.D. in Information Technology and an MS in Telecommunications at the same time?

Very much so! Two of the four qualifying exams for the Ph.D. in Information Technology are from the TCOM program (TCOM 551 and TCOM 521) and it is always easier to take an exam soon after you have taken the course.

Do I have to wait until I have finished my MS in Telecommunications before applying for my Ph.D. program?

No, you do not. In fact, you can register for a Ph.D. in Information Technology at the same time as you register for an MS in Telecommunications.

Can I go on to take a higher degree (e.g. a Ph.D. or MBA) once I have my MS in Telecommunications?

Students who graduate with an MS in Telecommunications degree are eligible to apply for other tertiary degrees. Their ability to enter such programs will depend, as in other Master's or Ph.D. programs, on a number of factors, such as the Grade Point Average earned within their MS in Telecommunications degree program and the alignment of the MS in Telecommunications courses with the courses proposed to be taken within the higher degree. A GPA of at least 3.5 in the MS in Telecommunications program should enable a student to move on to a Ph.D. in Information Technology at GMU or to the MBA program, here or at another university.