A major force in educational innovation, GSCIS provides educational programs of distinction to prepare students for leadership roles in its disciplines. It is distinguished by its ability to offer on-campus, online (via the Internet), and combined on-campus/online formats that enable professionals to pursue M.S. and Ph.D. degrees without career interruption. The school also welcomes students who wish to earn the M.S. and Ph.D full-time, whether on-campus or online.

Degrees and Programs of the Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences

Master of Science (M.S.)
Computer Information Systems (optional concentration in information security)
Computer Science
Computing Technology in Education (optional concentration in information security)
Information Security
Information Technology
Management Information Systems (optional concentration in information security)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Computer Information Systems (optional concentration in information security)
Computer Science
Computing Technology in Education
Information Systems (optional concentrations in information science or information security)

Graduate Certificate
Information Security (see the sections M.S. in Information Security, M.S. in Computer Information Systems, and M.S. in Management Information Systems)

Master of Science (M.S.)

Full-time on-campus and online students may complete the degree in 12 months and, in some cases, as few as nine months. Part-time on-campus and online students may complete the degree in 12–18 months. On-campus programs are offered in the evening—each class meets one night a week. The degree requires 36 credit hours (12 courses or 10 courses and a thesis). Master's terms are 12 weeks long and there are four terms each year. They start in September, January, March, and June. To earn the M.S. in 12 months, students must enroll in three courses each term. (Students who wish to take four courses per term must obtain permission from the program office.) To earn the degree in 18 months, students must enroll in two courses each term. On-campus students are permitted to take online courses, and online students are permitted to take on-campus courses. All students must have a computer and an Internet service provider. Students can participate in online courses from almost anywhere in the world where Internet access is available. The school's M.S. students may apply for early admission into the Ph.D. program, which provides the opportunity to earn the doctorate in a shorter time.

Visit the Admissions Web page for admission requirements and application procedures and to apply online. Visit the Master's Programs Web page for academic information, administrative procedures, and schedules.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The school offers a unique doctoral program that requires only four weekend or two weeklong visits to the campus each year. The former is called the cluster format, and the latter is called the institute format. Both formats include a blend of on-campus and online activities. Students choosing the cluster format attend four cluster sessions each year, held quarterly over an extended weekend at the university's main campus in Ft. Lauderdale while taking courses (usually during the first two years of their programs). Cluster terms are five months long. They start in September and March. Students choosing the institute format attend weeklong sessions twice a year at the university's main campus in Ft. Lauderdale while taking courses (usually during the first two years of their programs). Institute terms are five months long. They start in January and July.

Clusters and institutes bring together students and faculty for participation in courses, dissertation counseling (individual and group), special lectures, and ample opportunity for student-faculty and student-student interaction. Between sessions students work on assignments and projects, and participate in online activities that facilitate frequent interaction with the faculty and with other students. Interactive learning methods, consistent communication between faculty and students and accessible learning resources provide a powerful and supportive learning environment that can be accessed anywhere around the globe. Online activities may include forums using threaded discussion boards, chat rooms, white boards, and email, and multimedia presentations. Students are able to submit assignments online in multimedia formats and to receive their professor's reviews of assignments online in the same formats. All students must have a computer and an Internet service provider (see the section Computer Requirements).

Visit the Admissions Web page for admission requirements and application procedures and to apply online. Visit the Doctoral Programs Web page for academic information, administrative procedures, and schedules.

Faculty and Research

The school's faculty members are leaders in their fields and are active in teaching and research over a range of disciplines. The school's research, conducted by students and faculty, advances knowledge, improves professional practice, and contributes to understanding in the computer and information sciences. Faculty research interests are listed in the GSCIS Graduate Catalog and also in individual faculty Web pages (visit Faculty/Staff ).