About PhD Program,
Doctoral students need to complete 32 credit hours course requirement, a research presentation, the field exam, and a dissertation to earn a PhD in Information Sciences. Students will work closely with their advisor to create educational experiences both within and outside the school that help them to prepare for their future research career. In addition to taking classes and carrying out individual research projects, all students are expected to attend talks, meet with international visitors, and participate in School-sponsored events. Due to these requirements, our PhD program cannot be completed online. English is the language of instruction of our School and the lingua franca of our discipline.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
- Bachelor’s from an accredited college or university
- Review our faculty profilesand determine which faculty you are especially interested in working with. In your application, you will be asked to indicate three faculty members whose research aligns with your interests. This is an important step, as it will ensure that your application is processed efficiently.
- GRE
Applicants with GPAs of at least 3.0, or those with an earned JD, MD, or PhD, are exempt from the GRE requirement. Applicants with a grade-point average (GPA) below 3.0 on a 4.0 scale must submit GRE scores. - English Language Proficiency (International Applicants Only)
All international degree-seeking applicants are required to submit the results of the TOEFL or IELTS as evidence of English proficiency unless they qualify for an exemption, as defined by the Graduate College. International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL testing for admissions if, within five years of the proposed term of enrollment, they have completed at least two academic years of full-time study as defined by the home institution, or completed a graduate degree in a country where English is the primary language and in a school where English is the primary language of instruction.
International applicants who are not exempt must meet the English Proficiency Requirementsfor admission for the University of Illinois.
English Test Scores (TOEFL or IELTS) are valid if earned two years or less before admission. School of Information Sciences Institution Code: 1836.
In exceptional circumstances, an applicant who does not meet the Graduate College minimum language requirements for “Full Status Admission” can be admitted on limited status and will be required to take the English as a Second Language Placement Test (EPT) prior to enrolling at Illinois. - Doctoral Studies Committee (DSC) Interview
Although an interview may not be required in all cases, if an interview is requested, the DSC will review for research interests and alignment, interests in the iSchool and Illinois, and language proficiency. If you are submitting your application by our early deadline October 20 of for Graduate College fellowship consideration, your letters of reference must also be submitted by October 20.
PhD Funding Coverage,
While tuition for graduate students in 2022-2023 is $7,146/semester for Illinois residents and $12,596/semester for nonresidents, the iSchool is able to offer full support for PhD students for five academic years (excluding summers).
Tuition and fees are direct costs charged by the university. The cost of attendance also includes indirect cost allowances for food, housing, books, supplies and other expenses. You will not be billed by the university for these costs unless you live in university housing. Use the Illinois Cost Calculator for an estimated cost of attendance.
This information is subject to change without notice.
Application Requirement,
Applicants must submit the following:
- CV
- Statement of Purpose (1,000 words max)
Please write a statement that answers the following questions:
– How has your academic background, including any training, research, or other educational experiences, prepared you for graduate study?
– What are your intellectual interests, and what scholarly questions are you interested in exploring in graduate study?
– Are there any specific faculty members whose research interests align with your own with whom you would like to work?
– How will our program help you achieve your academic and professional goals? - Research Statement (2-3 pages)
Please present a research problem or question of interest, propose how it might be investigated at the iSchool, and discuss your preparedness to do so (i.e. languages or technical skills, as appropriate). This statement addresses the “what and how” of your research. We pay great attention to the research statement in assessing an applicant’s ability to thrive in a research centric environment, and be successful in our program. We look for evidence of a creative, questioning approach of someone who wants to find out more than what is already in the scholarly literature. We are also looking to see if we have the people to help you in that exploration. A research statement is just your ideas at the time of application – we do not hold you to undertake exactly the project you propose. We know you may refine your ideas, interests and approaches to doing research as you work with us. We are looking for the kind of person who shows promise in doing research. - Letters of Reference
Letters must come from people who can speak to your potential for teaching, research, and productive scholarship. The minimum number of letters we require is 2, but we strongly recommend obtaining 3. We recommend at least one reference from a former professor or research mentor. Please ensure that your letter writers send their letters by our deadline of December 1, 2022. If you are submitting your application by our early deadline of October 20 for Graduate College fellowship consideration, your letters of reference must also be submitted by October 20. - Transcripts
See online application for instructions. - Writing Sample (OPTIONAL)
You have the option to upload a writing sample that illustrates your ability to explore pertinent questions within your chosen discipline. Examples of a writing sample include a senior or master’s thesis, revised term paper, capstone assignment, technical report, journal or conference paper (whether published or under review). - Information about resources to assist certain domestic underrepresented applicants is available from the Graduate College here.
Information about application fees and application fee waivers is available from the Graduate College here. If you have further questions, contact ischool-phd@illinois.edu.
Additional information for international applicants is available from the Graduate College here.
Application Deadline,
Dec 01, 2024
Application Fee,
- A $70 application fee is required for all domestic applications.
- Submission of a $90.00 application fee.
