The I School's doctoral program is research-oriented.  Students choose specific fields of specialization, prepare sufficiently in the literature and the research of those fields to pass written and oral examinations, and complete original research culminating in a written dissertation. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is conferred in recognition of a candidate's grasp of a broad field of learning and distinguished accomplishment in that field through contribution of an original piece of research revealing high critical ability and powers of imagination and synthesis.

I School Ph.D. graduates may go on to careers in academia, industry, or the public sector.  Today you will find them in faculty positions or conducting post doctoral research at leading universities, contributing their expertise to enterprises like Yahoo!, and leading research efforts at technology think-tanks.