Doctoral Student

Dominican University SOIS Information Studies Ph.D. [Information Management]

The Dominican University School of Information Studies (SOIS) Doctor of Philosophy in Information Studies is awarded to the student who has attained a broad understanding of the content, methods, and theories of this field and related interdisciplinary fields of knowledge. SOIS has identified the following goals for the PhD program:

To educate dynamic leaders in information studies who are uniquely suited to bridge the theory-practice divide in the global arena.
To develop creative innovators poised to shape library and information strategies for the 21st century nationally and internationally.
To prepare diverse scholars who are able to produce relevant, inclusive research and have the potential for contributing new, potentially interdisciplinary knowledge.
To prepare professionals grounded in diverse points of view for leadership roles in both academic and non-academic settings.

The SOIS PhD program student learning outcomes will be assessed using course grades, the qualifying process, the dissertation proposal defense, and the dissertation defense.

SOIS PhD students will be able to:

Critically evaluate diverse interdisciplinary research through reflection, engagement, and synthesis.
Develop original, quality research to advance the fields of library and information science (LIS), information management (IM), or related information disciplines.
Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills across platforms.
Articulate the relationships among interdisciplinary approaches to information studies, and the social, cultural, and political systems in which those approaches are embedded.
Conduct ethical and responsible research including critical and reflective analysis.

*Verbiage obtained from the Dominican University SOIS PhD webpage.

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Fall 2024 Courses

LIS 901 - Introduction to Doctoral Information Studies

Offers an overview of the field of library and information studies with emphasis on critical understanding of its history, scope, diversity, theoretical principles, and practical procedures. Establishes groundwork for future study by developing and strengthening understanding of information studies concepts and frames of reference. Introduces students to SOIS PhD program requirements and timelines, as well as expectations for doctoral-level study.

LIS 974 - Strategic Communication in Practice and Scholarship

Provides systematic approaches for effectively organizing and writing as a member of the professional information community. The transformation of data into narrative (including data visualization and data storytelling) and cross-platform communication is emphasized while integrating writing with reading, listening, and speaking.

Spring 2025 Courses

LIS 955 - Advanced Seminar: Information Policy

This doctorate level seminar course will investigate information policy, particularly in respect to its relationship to American democracy and its impacts on core values of the information profession. Issues such as privacy, intellectual freedom, and intellectual property will be explored at length, beginning with the origins of intellectual thinking in these broad areas. In addition, we will examine the policy process and its various stages, along with its influences and roadblocks. The course will review various political perspectives and government levels, international information policies and information flows, and will also include a strong focus on the historical and contemporary impacts of technologies on these topics.

LIS 965 - Advanced Seminar: Information Systems Research Theory and Practice

This seminar course will cover the broad topic of information systems research. Readings on both the theory and practice of information systems research will be explored. During this course, students will become familiar with classic information systems topics such as systems development lifecycles, project management, technology productivity, capability, and organization performance as well as several emerging information systems topics, including information technology innovation, technology diffusion, social network analysis, and online community.

Summer 2025 Courses

IM 940 - Advanced Seminar: Data Management Theory

This seminar course will cover the broad topic of data management theory and research. Readings on both the theory and practice of data management research will be explored. During this course, students will become familiar with classic data information topics such as database management systems, information security, data mining, as well as emerging data management theories.

LIS 965 - Advanced Seminar: Information Systems Research Theory and Practice

Fall 2025 Courses

CASS 910 - Research Foundations and Literacy for Social Justice

This course addresses the fundamentals of research in the social sciences: theory, research design, methods, and criticism. The course includes an introduction to academic research methods, including formulation of research questions and hypotheses, design of research approach, literature review, other research tools, written presentation of research plans, oral presentation skills, and research ethics.This course addresses the fundamentals of research in the social sciences: theory, research design, methods, and criticism. The course includes an introduction to academic research methods, including formulation of research questions and hypotheses, design of research approach, literature review, other research tools, written presentation of research plans, oral presentation skills, and research ethics.

LIS 990 - Advanced Independent Study in Library and Information Science

Directed and supervised projects of independent doctoral study.

Spring 2026 Courses

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LIS 969 - Doctoral Research Methods and Design I

The first of two doctoral-level research methods courses that present practical and theoretical tools of responsible and innovative inquiry for library and information services and settings. The course addresses qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches to rigorous investigation and problem resolution.

LIS 971 - Doctoral Research Methods and Design II

Building on LIS 969, this course is the second of two doctoral-level research methods courses that present practical and theoretical tools of responsible and innovative inquiry for library and information services and settings. The course addresses qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches to rigorous investigation and problem resolution.

Summer 2026 Courses

LIS 970 - Dissertation Preparation

Gives step-by-step guidance on writing a successful dissertation. Covers vital processes like developing a research idea, writing a literature review, crafting a proposal, and submitting a thesis, and provides practical advice on committee selection and work habits. Gives doctoral students a chance to explore, articulate, and substantiate the theory, data collection and analysis supporting their dissertation research.

LIS 990 - Advanced Independent Study in Library and Information Science

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Directed and supervised projects of independent doctoral study.

Fall 2026 Courses

LIS 999 - Dissertation

Upon completion of 36 credit hours of coursework and passing the qualifying process, PhD students proceed to dissertation work. This course is six credit hours in the third year of the PhD program. If a PhD student is granted a program extension past the third year, LIS 999 will be zero credit hours for every subsequent semester enrolled. It is expected that most students will take 18 credits of LIS 999 in order to complete the dissertation, but six credit hours are required at minimum. All PhD students must enroll in LIS 999 every semester after the completion of two years of coursework until the dissertation is defended successfully.

Spring 2027 Courses

LIS 999 - Dissertation