Timelines & Requirements (PHDCD)
The Doctor of Philosophy in Cyber Defense (PHDCD) program accepts students in the Fall semester only, although classes are offered in the Fall Spring, and Summer semesters.
Dakota State University seeks highly motivated individuals with education and professional credentials that will enable them to be successful doctoral students.
Admission Requirements
Requirements to apply
- A bachelor's (and master’s degree preferred) from an institution of higher education with full accreditation for that degree.
- Students must have a bachelor, or master's degree in cyber, data privacy, computer science, or a technology-oriented degree.
- Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent on an alternative grading system).
- Knowledge areas
- If you don’t have the degrees, coursework or experience needed to meet the knowledge requirements in cyber, data privacy, computer science, or technology, you may still be admitted to the program, if you meet the other minimum requirements. You may need to complete additional coursework or demonstrate competency.
- No GRE scores required
Application deadline
- April 1 for admission for the following Fall semester
- All application materials must be received by April 1st for admission for the following fall semester. Students enter the program in the Fall semester only.
Application materials checklist
- Completed online application
- 3 letters of recommendation
The person writing the recommendation must complete the survey letter for you to upload directly to the application portal (instructions and included in application portal). - Official transcripts
Official transcripts should show a conferred bachelor's degree. Transcripts with graduate credit can be submitted for credit-transfer consideration.
Official transcripts can be submitted to DSU-GraduateAdmissions@dsu.edu. - Goal statement/purpose of study
- There is no required formatting for your goal statement/purpose of study in the application process., but be as straightforward about your goals and aspirations as possible. Try to organize your thoughts in an essay/narrative format. Our Admissions Committee wants to know:
- Why this degree?
- Why now?
- What do you wish to do with the degree upon completion?
- What skills do you possess that will help you succeed?
- There is no required formatting for your goal statement/purpose of study in the application process., but be as straightforward about your goals and aspirations as possible. Try to organize your thoughts in an essay/narrative format. Our Admissions Committee wants to know:
- Certifications (optional)
Please upload any current certifications or licenses you hold.
FAQS
How much does the program cost?
DSU bills tuition per credit hour and the cost varies between online coursework and on-campus coursework. You can review the breakdown of costs per credit here: DSU Tuition Costs On-Campus costs are determined by your residency status.
Does this program require the GRE to apply?
No, DSU does not require a GRE score for graduate program applications.
The GRE is only required if you are applying for a graduate assistantship (outside of athletics). We like to see scores of 320 or higher to be considered for graduate assistantships.
Does DSU require English proficiency scores for international applicants?
Yes, please visit International Admissions Requirements for more information on English proficiency requirements and additional application materials required for international applicants.
How long does the degree typically take to complete?
For part-time students who take 1 class at a time, the program coursework can take 5 years to complete. For full-time students who take 2 or more classes at a time, the program coursework can take 4 years to complete. The dissertation phase takes doctoral students about 1-2 years to complete. This program can look different to each student, depending on how your goal for completing the degree. The DSU Graduate Office and faculty are here to support you in all your academic endeavors and guide you at whatever pace works for you.
Can I review what research or dissertation topics DSU doctoral students are currently working on?
Absolutely! The DSU Beadle Scholar Archive has an extensive backlog of recent Dissertation/Research Topics completed by DSU doctoral and master’s Students.
Can the application fee be waived?
The $35 application fee is required for all programs and cannot be waived by University Policy.
Have a question not answered here?
Contact GradOffice@dsu.edu for additional support.