The PhD in Information Technology with a focus on Digital Media is a research-based program comprised of 1.5 credits of coursework, including a core course at the 6000 level, one comprehensive exam, and an 8.5-credit dissertation. It extends considerably an education relevant to digital media received at the master’s level. The program covers three crucial areas of IT: Technology; Content; and People. The technology component of the program concentrates on developing solutions for creating, distributing, using, and interacting with digital media in targeted applications such as education, social interaction, health, art, and entertainment through the selection, creation, application, integration and administration of computing technologies. The content aspect of the program explores methods, theories, mechanisms, and styles for the design and creation of digital information and experience(s) directed towards the end-users. Finally, the human factor is approached through theories, practices, and studies on interaction between people and digital media (and associated technologies), and the adoption of technologies to meet their needs (and develop policies) either individually or within an organization for a given societal context.

The PhD in Digital Media offers courses and a research framework that enable students to experience and create digital media content using industry-standard pipelines. The program comprises projects and practical experiences that prepare students to evaluate various content creation technologies for proper selection in different areas of digital media such as interactive media, content management systems and advertising. Course experiences and research topics allow for the design and implementation of immersive or interactive digital media systems using appropriate hardware and software tools. The organization of the program fosters rigorous assessment of Digital Media technologies and products based on their feasibility and suitability for various applications.

Students entering the program will have a Master’s degree in one of the related three primary areas: 1) Technology (e.g., Computer Science, Engineering and Information Technology); 2) Content (e.g., Arts and Humanities); and 3) People (e.g., Psychology, Communication and Business). Admission will also require background in multidisciplinary research and Digital Media technologies.