Getting Started Information in the PhD in Technology Management

Updated 04/08
Getting Started Information in the PhD in Technology Management
All written information about the program is at the PhD course site. At the Graduate
School site you can apply on line and get other useful information.
To begin with, the first thing you should do is read all the information found below
as it will answer several of your basic questions and focus your remaining ones.
Next, you should familiarize yourself with the web sites above and all the information
therein. The PhD site contains all written information about the program. After you
have digested what you can from the web site it is most likely that you will want to
communicate with a person directly involved in the program. Please contact a
Campus Coordinator to clarify ambiguities. Coordinators will do her or his best to
help you. Program coordinators are as follows:
 Bowling Green State University (BGSU), Dr. Donna Trautman
dktraut@bgsu.edu
 University of Central Missouri (UCM), Dr. John Sutton
jsutton@ucmo.edu
 East Carolina University (ECU) Dr. Tijjani Mohammed, mohammedt@ecu.edu
 Indiana State University (ISU), Dr. Gerald W. Cockrell
gcockrell@isugw.indstate.edu
 North Carolina A&T (NCA&T), Dr. Musibau Shofoluwe
msuibaus@ncat.edu
The program director is Dr. George Maughan and is located on the ISU campus. His
Email is gmaughan@isugw.indstate.edu. We can best help you if you have specific
questions.
This page attempts to answer some of the more commonly asked questions
regarding initial advisement. Some FAQs are listed at the FAQ page of the PhD site.
The PhD in Technology Management is offered by a consortium of universities. The
degree is awarded by Indiana State University (ISU). Every Consortium University
has a Coordinator who is the initial advisor for students at that campus. The initial
advisor will probably not be your program planning chair or dissertation chair. Before
the end of your first semester of study you should select a Program Chair with whom
you will develop a program of study. In the meantime, this document has been
prepared to answer your questions and get you started.
You can apply to the program online at the ISU Graduate School web site. Once you
have been admitted you may enroll in PhD courses. Contact persons are listed at
the PhD web site for course registration.
Likely, you want information about course load and sequence. While every person's
path to the PhD will be somewhat different, the following is the best general advice
available.
Updated 04/08
 Unless you have successful recent experience in taking web courses, take only
one course your first semester.
 The first course you must take is ITEC 6050 (offered every semester by East
Carolina University).
 If you are working full-time, think carefully about taking more than two courses in
any semester (one in the summer). "Web" doesn't mean "easy" or all "browsing."
In any PhD program, you will have to do extensive non-web reading, research,
and writing. Each course will occupy at least 10 hours a week of your time.
 A typical student will average taking two courses each Fall and Spring, and one
course each Summer or Summer term. Some institutions have two summer
terms. Please think carefully about taking more than one course at a time in the
Summer if you are working full time. At this pace, students should complete
coursework in 3 – 4 years. It is also prudent to assume that prelims, dissertation
proposal, dissertation, dissertation defense, and corrections will take 1 to 2 years.
 At some point you will also have to complete 6 semester hours of Internship and
meet Residency requirements.
o The Internship carries credit. You must pay tuition and the internship
experience counts as a regular course for purposes of residency. The
internship must be approved by your Program Chair.
o Residency requires completing 18 semester hours over one calendar year
with a minimum of one semester having 9 hours minimum. Summer may
be used as one of the semesters. Please consult the PhD web site for
additional Residency details.
o As you plan your Program of Study, please pay attention to both internship
and residency requirements.
 Course scheduling is such that courses in your technical specialization are
typically offered once every 2 years.
 Some specializations have recommended sequencing of courses. Also, some of
the specialization coursework may have pre-requisites. Course pre-requisites are
found in course descriptions on the PhD web site.
 Students may have identified deficiencies to complete before they can start work
in their technical specialization. This is decided by the Program Planning
Committee.
Updated 04/08
To summarize:
 It is very important to form a Program Planning Committee and develop a
program of study as soon as possible after admission.
 Give the highest priority to taking Technical Specialization courses. These
courses are typically offered once every 2 years.
 Give second priority to the Research Core courses. These courses are offered
once per year, and must be taken in sequence.
 Give third priority to Technology Core courses. These 5 courses are offered once
or more a year and need not be taken in sequence.
Remember that the above is general advice to get you started. Consult with your
Program Chair to work out the course sequencing/scheduling details.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What is the nature of this program?
In short, this doctoral program prepares students for technical management
positions in industry, government, or business. It also prepares selected candidates
for faculty positions in colleges and universities.
Is the on-line delivery of a PhD program for me?
This is an Internet-based asynchronous program of study. As such, the student must
be highly self-motivated and goal-oriented. Excellent skills in time-management are
essential.
How is the coursework delivered?
All of the content-based coursework is taught via the Internet. The internship and
dissertation (other than the dissertation defense) do not require attendance on
campus. The Research Seminar (COT 709) is offered each spring semester at
Indiana State University, and requires two 5-day on-campus sessions at Indiana
State University in Terre Haute, Indiana.
What type of background should I have?
The successful applicant will have at least 3 years of documented work experience
in industry/business/government which closely relates to one of the Technical
Specializations in the doctoral program. Further, applicants should have an
appropriate educational background either at the BS or MS level. For those without
the expected educational background, addition coursework, of a deficiency nature,
may be added to the candidates program of study. Even though this is a postbaccalaureate degree, normally the student will hold a masters degree prior to
admission.
How do I get additional information?
All information is at the web site, but you will likely need clarification and the
Updated 04/08
assurance of talking with a human. After completely browsing the web site, please
contact a Campus Coordinator. A Coordinator can best help you if you have specific
questions. If you are close enough (geographically), we would like you to call one of
the coordinators or director and visit face-to-face.
How do I apply?
You can apply online. The URL on the PhD website is:
http://web.indstate.edu/ConsortPhD/application/. The following chart summarizes
admissions criteria for the PhD in Technology Management program.
Criteria Category
Prior course work
Graduate GPA
Industrial work
experience
GRE Scores (or
GMAT)
GMAT Scores (or
GRE)
Career Goal
Manuscript
Admissions Criteria
Criteria Standard
Notes
Prior technology
The amount of necessary prior course work
course work of an
is dependent upon level (e.g., associate,
industrial nature
bachelor, etc.), nature of instruction (e.g.,
applicable to
how much was theory, how much was
technology
hands on), nature of the course work (i.e.,
management and the how central was it to industry and
specialization.
technology), and the selected specialization
(e.g., the HRD and Ind. Training
Specialization may require less industrial
technology hands-on lab work than does
Digital Communications which requires
substantial prior lab course work). Please
see the PhD web site for detailed
information about each Technical
Specialization.
Minimum 3.5 on a 4 Cumulative for all prior graduate course
point scale.
work.
Minimum of 3 years Examples of applicable work experience
industrial work
include technical industrial trainer,
experience of a
electronics technician, manufacturing
technology nature.
supervisor, and other technical and
technical management positions. Work
experience must be validated by letter(s)
from employer(s).
Minimum of 500 on Scores can be no more than 5 years old.
each of the subtests.
Minimum of 31 on
Scores can be no more than 5 years old.
each of the subtests
A written document
This document, in no more than two pages,
which describes the
identifies why a student feels this is the
students future goals proper program for them, how it fits their
and how this program future career goals, what areas of interest
Updated 04/08
fits into those goals.
Letters of
Recommendation
they have for future research as well as
general statements on why they desire to
pursue an advance degree.
5 letters that support Letters should be from individuals who are
the other criteria listed qualified to address your standing on the
above.
criteria above.
What if I don't meet all the criteria?
Applicants who do not meet one of the criteria may be considered for conditional
admission; However, it is rare that a student would be conditionally admitted due to
the large number and high quality of applications received by the Consortium. We
are currently accepting approximately 20 – 25% of those that apply for admission.
What is conditional admission?
If you are conditionally admitted, the condition may take many forms but will focus
on resolving the deficiency. Additional course work (at the undergraduate and/or
masters level), a specified internship, and/or maintaining a specified GPA in
specified courses are common conditions. If you are deficient in more than one
category or have a deficiency that is considered major, e.g., no industrial work
experience, you will probably not be admitted to the program.
Is there a way to start courses under some sort of temporary admission until
all my materials are in?
No, you must be admitted to the program before beginning coursework.
Can I take courses outside my Technical Specialization?
Generally, the answer is no, however in special circumstances with program
planning committee approval, it is possible. It is not possible, however, to graduate
from the degree program with two specializations.
Can I take courses outside by Program Of Study?
It would be ill-advised to take courses outside your program of study if you have
visions of them counting toward your graduation requirements. There are no “back
doors” to other specializations in the program, so the specialization area that you
begin in is what you should finish in. It is also very important that you make constant
progress towards meeting your degree requirements.
Can I change my specialization after being admitted to the program?
Yes, it is possible, however a student that wishes to do that would be required to go
through a new admission evaluation. You would essentially be asking to begin a
new program and your materials would be evaluated to see if your background is
appropriate for you to be in the new technical specialization.
Updated 04/08
When can I enroll?
As soon as you get a letter saying you are admitted, you are eligible to enroll. A
complicating factor is that every participating university has slightly different
semesters and enrollment times. The information and/or the person to ask is linked
to the PhD web site.
Do I have to register at each university that offers each course?
Yes. Please contact the registration person listed at the PhD web site. This is really
easier than it sounds; just call or email the contact person listed on the PhD web site.
When will I be able to find out about courses that will be offered for the
upcoming semester?
The schedule for courses and registration procedure should be posted at the
courses offered link as soon as information is obtained from all the consortium
universities. Schedules will include courses offered on each of the consortium
campuses. In addition, information for signing up for courses will also be listed on
each of the campus specific pages.
What is the tuition?
Each university charges a different tuition rate. Regardless of the state you live in,
you will pay distance-based tuition at each Consortium university. These rates are
typically far below the rates charged to out-of-state students. You can refer to the
PhD web site for additional details.
Do I have to send tuition payments to each different institution from which I
am taking courses?
Yes. Please contact the registration person listed at the PhD web site.
Do I really have to take the GRE or GMAT, even though I have a M.S. degree
and am a successful corporate executive?
Yes. The GRE or GMAT minimum scores and other application materials are all
required and used to determine your eligibility for admission into the program.
How long will it take for me to be considered for admission?
Indiana State University's Ph.D. in Technology Management Program admits a
limited number of students two times each year; early June, and early October.
Deadline for receiving completed applications are January 15th and August 15th
respectively. A candidate's application materials are not evaluated until all required
application materials are completely submitted to the School of Graduate Studies at
Indiana State University. Once complete, those materials are evaluated for
admission at the next available admission date.
Updated 04/08
What should be included in the recommendation letters and Career Goals
Manuscript?
We are looking for evidence that you have the desire and ability to complete a
rigorous PhD degree in which the course work is delivered via the Internet. You will
need to be computer literate and a self-motivated learner who can learn
independently. Most importantly, the letters should show that the applicant is suited
for the content of the degree. For instance, an applicant without appropriate work
experience or without a BS/MS similar to the Technical Specialization may have to
complete a substantial amount of deficiency course work as part of their program of
study.
How many hours are required in the program? Or I have a Master's in
Technology, and an MBA. What courses will I have to take? Or I already have a
doctorate. What courses will I have to take?
The answers to all the preceding are related. It is best to think about this degree (as
most with most PhD degrees) in terms of what requirements do I have left to
complete, as compared to, what have I completed. PhD degrees are very content
specific, especially the PhD in Technology Management. There will be required
courses (in various categories). Most PhD programs do not require or give
significance to having other graduate degrees, e.g., Masters, JD, MBA, doctorate,
etc. Most PhD programs require certain courses and experiences on top of a
bachelors degree. The course work in a previous graduate degree may or may not
be equivalent to a course in the PhD program desired. There are also limits on the
number of courses that can be transferred into the program (a maximum of 21
semester hours of graduate level coursework completed elsewhere can be used to
meet degree requirements) and a minimum number of hours that must be completed
in the program. Also, certain courses (or an amount of hours) are not substitutable
(by previous course work or another PhD in Technology Management course). The
preceding is true of most PhD programs. Concerning course transferability and size
of program, the PhD in Technology Management is in the middle of the spectrum.
Indiana State University allows a student nine (9) years after admission to complete
the PhD program of study. The following is a summary of requirements in the PhD in
Technology Management. Please visit the program web site for additional details.
Program Requirements
Category of
Program
Non Substitutable
course/credit Requirements
Program
Requirements
Technology 5 courses 15
All 5 courses - no
Core
hrs
substitutions
Research
4 courses 12
COT 702, 703 &709
Core
hrs
may not be
substituted. The 1st
research course
Notes
Most students will take 9
hours because they have
had a 1st level research
course.
Updated 04/08
Specialization 10
courses
Residency
Internship
Cognate
Dissertation
Deficiencies
Totals
30
hrs
may be substituted.
24 hours in the
specialization are
not substitutable. Up
to 6 hours may be
substituted.
Students with an
appropriate M.S. degree
will usually take 24 hours.
An appropriate M.S.
degree will be supportive
of or similar to the
selected area of
specialization.
18
Required
Completed over one
hrs
calendar year. See web
site for additional details.
6 hrs No substitutions.
Must be doctoral level
and new to you, i.e., can't
be your current job
position.
12
Usually substituted, Most students with an
hrs
e.g., part of a M.S. appropriate M.S. degree
min. degree.
(related to the
specialization area) will
not be required to take
additional cognate hours.
18
No substitutions.
Nine hours are taken at
hrs
ISU and Nine hours from
your home campus.
N/A Variable
If the student does not
have an appropriate
educational background
which supports his/her
chosen Specialization,
he/she may have to take
additional course work in
this category.
On top of 90
As a student in the Most students in the PhD
a
hrs
program, i.e., on top program take a minimum
bachelors min of whatever other
of 72 hours in addition to
degree
graduate degrees
any other graduate
you might have.
degree(s) and or
coursework.
Updated 04/08
Is financial aid available?
Yes, students that require financial aid may apply through Indiana State University’s
Office of Financial Aid. Assistantships are also available at most of the Consortium
Universities. Contact program coordinators for fellowship details. The combined
stipend is approximately $15,000 on each campus. An assistantship constitutes a
50% workload. A graduate assistant can be required to teach or assist in other
responsibilities as assigned. You may be required to pay fees associated with
registration for a course. In addition, depending on the requirements of the institution
offering the assistantship, a portion of the stipend may be in the form of tuition
remission. Application for an assistantship is made to the university that you have
selected as your Home University and awarding of the assistantship is made by
that university. You may apply for an assistantship at more than one university.
Continued financial aid has a requisite of continuous progress towards graduation
requirements.
What are Preliminary exams?
Preliminary Exams are three days of written exams combined with an oral exam
which are completed when no more than 6 hours of course work remain in the
Program of Study. The exams cover the technical specialization, the technology
core and also the research core. These exams are not a repeat of final exams within
each of the courses, but are a synthesis of each of the program areas. By
successfully completing these exams, students in the program show their capability
to complete the final requirement of the program, the dissertation.
What does it mean to be admitted to candidacy?
Once you have passed the Preliminary Exams, you are considered a PhD
Candidate. You may now prepare a dissertation proposal and, once the proposal is
approved, conduct your study. Note: You cannot be admitted to candidacy until
several criteria are met, including but not limited to, the following: completion of
(almost all) course work and meeting residency requirements.
How often do I have to visit campus...or how will I meet residency
requirements?
To meet Residency expectations within our program requires that a student
complete a minimum of 18 semester hours in one calendar year. In one of the
semesters during that calendar year, a student must be enrolled in COT 709 (3
semester hours) which requires two five day sessions on Indiana State University's
campus. Those sessions start on a Wednesday and end on Sunday. Generally, the
first session is in the first week of February and the second session is in the middle
of April. A further requirement is that during the residency year, the student has at
least one semester when he/she is enrolled in a minimum of 9 semester hours.
Other than the requirements of stated above, students must be on their home
campus for the final defense of the completed dissertation. Finally, there may be
other times where it would be in the student's best interest if they could be on
campus such as the oral exam associated with the preliminary exam process, the
Updated 04/08
defense of their dissertation proposal, however, reality is that in most cases,
students will used distance techniques to complete tasks that, before our current
levels of technology, required campus residency.
What kind of computer equipment and software will I need to be able to
participate in the program?
When the program was approved, the Coordinating Council adopted a list as the
"standard" equipment and software that would be used in both teaching and
communication within the degree program. That was approximately three years ago
and since that time computer capabilities have continued to increase. Therefore,
below you will find a recommended computer configuration.
Processor
Operating System
Memory (RAM)
Floppy Drive
Hard Drive
Monitor
Video Card
CD-ROM Drive
Internet Connectivity
Audio
Camera
Mouse / Keyboard
Software Programs
1.5GHz processor or higher
Windows 2000 and above
512 MB
High density 3-1/2 inch
20gb and above
17" SVGA monitor should be appropriate. Screen
resolution set to 800X600 and above
Video RAM of 16mb
48X speed or faster internal drive
Dial-up / Cable / DSL / T1 (high speed access is desirable)
Microphone and speakers for distance learning
Web camera for distance learning (however, this can be done at the
time of the course and may not be necessary for many of the courses ).
As per user comfort.
Netscape Communicator 5.01 and higher.
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 and higher.
Microsoft Office 2000 and higher.