Doctor of Professional Studies in Information Management

Program Overview

The Doctor of Professional Studies in Information Management (DPS) program at Syracuse University's iSchool is designed for mid-career professionals seeking to advance their knowledge and practice in the information field. The program emphasizes applied research expertise through a thesis, fosters a lifelong network of experts, and prepares participants for leadership roles in their organizations or industries. The cohort-based lockstep model ensures timely completion and defense of theses, with all participants graduating together.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Doctor of Professional Studies in Information Management (DPS) program at Syracuse University's iSchool is designed for mid-career professionals seeking to advance their knowledge and practice in the information field. The program aims to provide participants with applied research expertise through the writing and defense of a thesis, fostering a lifelong network of experts across industries, and preparing them for leadership roles in their organizations or industries.

Outline:

The DPS program requires the completion of 51 credit hours over three years, with courses taken in three semesters per year. In eight of the nine semesters, the load is 6 credits, aligning with the standard federal student loan credit requirements for part-time study. The program includes six three-day residencies that bring cohorts together on campus for shared milestones, professional development, and engagement with the wider iSchool community. All coursework is common to the cohort and focuses on teaching participants how to conduct research as practitioners and complete a thesis. Students do not take required or elective courses in specific topics such as IT management, librarianship, or information security, as they are assumed to have a background connected to the field of information studies. In the first year, students take three courses on theories of information and research methods primarily through synchronous, online delivery. They develop skills in reading and analyzing scholarly writing and learn key research tools. By the end of the first year, students have defined a research topic and established a relationship with their thesis advisor. The program follows a cohort-based lockstep model to facilitate timely completion and defense of theses. All participants undertake a five-chapter thesis with the same chapter architecture and written in the same order. For example, in semester 4, everyone writes their literature review. From semester 4 to semester 8, students and their cohorts write one chapter draft per semester. In semester 9, everyone defends and graduates together.

Assessment:

The primary learning outcome of the DPS program is applied research expertise, which is demonstrated through the writing and defense of a thesis. Other learning outcomes include:

• Developing research questions
• Reading and synthesizing relevant literature
• Identifying and using theory to support a professionally relevant research effort
• Selecting and applying the appropriate research approach
• Collecting and generating data
• Analyzing and synthesizing data
• Developing skill in scholarly writing

Teaching:

The DPS program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are leading researchers in the field of information studies. The program emphasizes a collaborative and supportive learning environment, with students working closely with faculty and peers to develop their research skills and knowledge. The program also offers a variety of resources and support services to help students succeed, including access to research labs, writing centers, and career counseling.

Careers:

Graduates of the DPS program will be prepared for a variety of leadership roles in the information field, including:

• Chief Information Officer (CIO)
• Information Technology Manager
• Data Scientist
• Information Architect
• User Experience Designer
• Librarian
• Archivist
• Museum Curator
The program also prepares students for careers in academia and research.