NSU is a dynamic, not-for-profit independent institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs of distinction from preschool through the professional and doctoral levels, as well as service to the community. It prepares students for lifelong learning and leadership roles in business and the professions. It offers academic programs at times convenient to students, employing innovative delivery systems and rich learning resources on campus, online, and at distant sites. The university fosters inquiry, research, and creative professional activity by uniting faculty members and students in acquiring and applying knowledge in clinical, community, and professional settings.

The university’s library system is composed of the following four libraries: the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center; the Shepard Broad Law Library and Technology Center; The William S. Richardson Ocean Science Library; and the Health Professions Division Library. The NSU libraries’ online catalog, NovaCat, is accessible to students and faculty members wherever they may be located. Online subscription databases complement the print holdings and provide full-text resources. NSU is a member of several cooperative networks and is able to obtain books and periodicals through interlibrary loan quickly and efficiently. NSU students may also use many other libraries. The university continues to expand its library to meet the needs of its growing community. The Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center is a joint-use facility with the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. This five-story, 325,000 square-foot facility, the largest library structure in Florida, has 1,000 user seats, 20 electronic classrooms and a 500-seat auditorium.

Located on a beautiful 314-acre campus in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, NSU has more than 27,000 students and is the largest private, nonprofit university in the Southeast United States. It is the ninth largest private university in the United States. NSU awards associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist, doctoral, and first-professional degrees in more than 100 disciplines. It has a college of arts and sciences and schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, nursing, health care sciences, law, computer and information sciences, psychology, education, business, oceanography, and humanities and social sciences. The institution’s programs offered through the Family Center and University School include innovative parenting, preschool, primary, and secondary education programs. Its programs are offered in Fort Lauderdale as well as in regional campuses and other sites throughout Florida, across the nation, and in France, Greece, the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Panama, and the Caribbean. Despite the geographic diversity of sites where classes are offered, 89 percent of the student body attends classes in Florida.

Nova Southeastern University has produced more than 160,000 alumni. Since 1971, it has enjoyed full accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the regional accrediting body for this region of the United States.

The success of NSU’s programs is reflected in the accomplishments of its graduates, among whom are:

The Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences conducts basic and applied research and provides outstanding programs of graduate study in computer science, information technology, information systems, information security, and learning technology. The school’s students learn to become reflective scholars and professionals with a critical understanding of theory and practice. The school strives to meet the needs of a diverse student population using computing technologies and effective methods of on-campus and online delivery.

A major force in educational innovation, the Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences (GSCIS) provides educational programs of distinction to prepare students for leadership roles in information technology. Its strengths include a distinguished faculty, cutting edge curricula, and flexible online and campus-based formats for its five M.S. and three Ph.D. programs as well as for its graduate certificate programs. All programs enable working professionals to earn degrees without interrupting their careers. The school also welcomes full-time students, whether on-campus or online. On-campus and video-conferenced evening master’s degree programs are tailored to meet the needs of Florida residents. Online master’s degree programs require no campus attendance and are available to part-time or full-time students worldwide. A unique online Ph.D. program requires four or five campus weekend visits each year. The school’s M.S. students in most programs may apply for early admission into a Ph.D. program, which provides the opportunity to earn the doctorate in a shorter time.

Widely recognized as a leader in online education, the school began offering online graduate programs in 1983 and created the first electronic classroom in 1984. It now offers hundreds of online classes annually.

The school’s research advances knowledge, improves professional practice, and contributes to understanding in the computer and information sciences. In addition to its regional accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, NSU has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security. The school’s curriculum in information security has been certified by NSA for compliance with the national standards of the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS). Collaborative programs include the U.S. Army’s eArmyU initiative and the Southern Regional Education Board’s Electronic Campus. The school has a chapter of Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE), the International Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines; and a student chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), one of the largest in Florida.

All M.S. programs employ a three-term format: Fall (16-week term starting in August), Winter (16-week term starting in January) and Summer (14-week term starting in May).

All Ph.D. programs employ a semester format, which includes two 16-week terms a year during course work. The fall term starts in August and the winter term starts in January. While taking courses, students attend four cluster sessions per year (two per term), each held over a Friday and Saturday on the university’s main campus. These cluster weekends bring together students and faculty for participation in courses, seminars, and dissertation counseling, and provide ample opportunity for student-faculty and student-student interaction. Between sessions, students work on course assignments and research, and participate in online activities that facilitate frequent interaction with the faculty and with other students. There is a third (summer) term where doctoral students can register for dissertation or possibly other courses.

All Ph.D. programs employ a semester format, which includes two 16-week terms a year during course work. The fall term starts in August and the winter term starts in January. While taking courses, students attend four cluster sessions per year (two per term), each held over a Friday and Saturday on the university’s main campus. These cluster weekends bring together students and faculty for participation in courses, seminars, and dissertation counseling, and provide ample opportunity for student-faculty and student-student interaction. Between sessions, students work on course assignments and research, and participate in online activities that facilitate frequent interaction with the faculty and with other students. There is a third (summer) term where doctoral students can register for dissertation or possibly other courses.

Nova Southeastern University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; telephone number 404-679-4501) to award associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. NSU has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education by the U.S. National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. Its curriculum in information security has been certified by NSA for compliance with CNSS standards. The university has been awarded a chapter of Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE), the International Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines. Each of the school’s graduate programs has been certified for inclusion in the Southern Regional Education Board’s Electronic Campus.

The Ph.D. in Information Systems is designed for the student with a master’s degree in information systems, information science, computer science, information technology, or a related area. In addition to holding a relevant master’s degree, the applicant should satisfy graduate prerequisites or have equivalent experience in information systems, programming languages, database systems, systems analysis and design, and telecommunications and computer networks. Alternatively, GSCIS master’s students in information systems, or information security may apply for early admission into the Ph.D. in Information Systems program.

Admission is competitive; consequently applicants who meet the minimum requirements specified herein are not assured admission. The school qualitatively and quantitatively evaluates applicants and makes selections based on performance, personal qualifications, and evidence of potential for success. Applications will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee after the following items have been received by the admissions office: application form, application fee, essay, curriculum vitae, three evaluation forms, and all sealed official transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable pending receipt of sealed official transcripts). To ensure evaluation for the desired starting term, applications and all required documents must be received by the deadlines specified on the school’s website. Late applications that cannot be processed in time for the desired starting term will be considered for the next term. Newly admitted students must begin the program in the term to which they were admitted. An appeal to defer matriculation for one or two terms is possible. For students who do not begin the program per their offer of admission or deferment, the offer is withdrawn; subsequent enrollment will require a new application.

Applicants must meet the requirements specified below and must also satisfy the program-specific admission requirements contained in the individual program sections of this catalog. For instructions on applying, visit the school’s admissions page: http://www.scis.nova.edu/admissions/. For additional information, contact:

Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences Nova Southeastern University
3301 College Avenue, Carl DeSantis Building, 4th Floor Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314-9918

The Ph.D. in Information Systems cluster format combines traditional and online instruction to provide professionals the opportunity to pursue a graduate degree in information systems while continuing to work in their current positions.

Students taking courses attend four cluster sessions per year, held quarterly on a Friday and Saturday at the university. These sessions bring together students and faculty for participation in classes, seminars, and dissertation counseling, and provide ample opportunity for student-faculty and student-student interaction. Students are required to attend all of their scheduled class sessions. Between sessions, students work on course assignments and research, and participate in online activities that facilitate frequent interaction with the faculty and with other students. There are two 16-week terms and one 14-week term a year. The fall 16-week term starts in August and the winter 16-week term starts in January. The 14-week summer term is for dissertation registrations, and possibly other courses. The academic calendar for the program is contained on page ii of this catalog and is also posted on the school’s website.

The student enters doctoral candidacy upon completion of (1) course requirements with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 through eight 700-level courses, (2) at least two registrations of Doctoral Research, and (3) a dissertation idea approved by the student’s dissertation advisor and two readers. When all conditions are met, the student becomes a candidate, the advisor and readers become the candidate’s dissertation committee, and the student registers for dissertation to begin working on the dissertation proposal. The student registers for one year (three terms) of dissertation, at eight credits per term. Students who have not completed the dissertation after one year of dissertation registrations must register for Continuing Dissertation, three terms per year, until they have satisfied the dissertation requirement. Students not on approved leave register for each term following the one in which they enter candidacy until the dissertation has been completed. Doctoral residence is defined as continuous enrollment for three consecutive terms at eight credit hours per term.

The online component involves use of the web to access course materials, announcements, email, distance library services, subscription library databases, and for interaction with faculty and fellow students. Online, interactive learning methods include threaded discussion boards, white boards, chat rooms, email, and multimedia presentations. Students are provided NSU computer accounts but must obtain their own Internet service providers and use their own computer systems.

A graduate with a Ph.D. in Information Systems will have the ability to: (1) acquire advanced knowledge and deeper understanding of the field of information systems; (2) communicate professionally and ethically about information systems research issues; (3) identify, analyze, and synthesize scholarly literature related to information systems; and (4) generate new knowledge through research/scholarship and disseminate that knowledge to others by demonstrating the necessary technical and intellectual skills to produce a written document that makes an original contribution to the field of information systems.

Students are expected to make academic progress through their programs. Relevant academic policies are as follows (also see the section Time Limitations):

Students will be permitted to register for Doctoral Dissertation after they have completed their required coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25, completed at least two sections of Doctoral Research, and submitted a dissertation idea approved by a faculty advisor and two readers.

Three registrations of Doctoral Dissertation are required. They are to be taken over three consecutive terms. The dissertation is the most important requirement for the Ph.D. Each student is expected, with the approval of a faculty advisor, to select an appropriate topic of sufficient scope to satisfy the requirements for the dissertation.

Although registration for Doctoral Dissertation cannot occur until doctoral candidacy is established, students are encouraged to learn about the dissertation process as early as possible and to begin talking with faculty members about potential research topics early in the program.

The dissertation must be an original work and must represent a significant extrapolation from a base of solid experience or knowledge in the student’s area of concentration.

Dissertation results must, in a significant way, advance knowledge, improve professional practice, or contribute to understanding in the field of study. Results must be of sufficient strength to distill from the work a paper worthy of publication in a major journal.

Although publication is not a requirement for completing the Ph.D., students are encouraged to submit their dissertation research for publication. Ph.D. students must follow the policies, procedures, and formatting requirements contained in the Dissertation Guide (www.scis.nova.edu/documents/diss_guide.pdf). Students are required to present an oral defense of the dissertation.