Doctoral Admissions

Applying to PhD Programs at Drexel CCI

We look forward to learning about you and your interests! It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all materials required for the evaluation of her or his application are received before the deadline. If an application is incomplete by the deadline date, it may not be evaluated for the term requested.

Please review the admissions process and application requirements below prior to beginning your application. It is important to note that you do not need your admissions materials prepared at the time of your application. For instance, your resume and essay can be sent after your application is submitted.

Students applying to either the PhD in Computer Science or PhD in Information Science should follow the stated requirements and read the corresponding information below carefully. Exceptional part-time applicants will be considered.

Application Deadlines for PhD Programs in Computer Science and Information Science

  • Applications open: September 5, 2024
  • Rolling admission review will occur through February 15, 2025
  • First consideration deadline:December 15, 2024

PhD in Computer Science Admissions Requirements

  • Graduate application
  • Official final transcripts from ALL Colleges/Universities attended. Please note: For students who have attended an institution outside of the US, it is highly recommended to submit a NACES approved course-by-course transcript evaluation (i.e., WES) for expedited review of your application. This approved evaluation will take the place of the transcript requirement to complete your application.
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Essay/Statement of Purpose (approximately 500 words)
  • Current Resume
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores (must be five years old or less) are optional but recommended.
  • Meet prerequisites for admission
  • International Applicants: Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores should be 2 years old or less and submitted directly from ETS to Drexel. Students must obtain a 90 on the Internet-based exam. Drexel's test code for the TOEFL is 2194. IELTS scores may be submitted instead of TOEFL. Please note that the TOEFL or IELTS can be waived for applicants who have a completed undergraduate or graduate degree from a U.S.-based institution or if completed in a nation with English as its primary language.

PhD in Information Science Admissions Requirements

  • Graduate application
    • We strongly encourage you to research our faculty and select a faculty advisor with whom you would like to work. Include this information and why you chose this faculty member when you complete the essay portion of your application.
  • Official final transcripts from ALL Colleges/Universities attended. Please note: For students who have attended an institution outside of the US, it is highly recommended to submit a NACES approved course-by-course transcript evaluation (i.e., WES) for expedited review of your application. This approved evaluation will take the place of the transcript requirement to complete your application.
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores (must be five years old or less) are optional.
  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • Essay/Statement of Purpose (approximately 500 words).
  • Current Resume.
  • International Applicants: Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores should be 2 years old or less and submitted directly from ETS to Drexel. Students must obtain a 90 on the Internet-based exam. Drexel's test code for the TOEFL is 2194. IELTS scores may be submitted instead of TOEFL. Please note that the TOEFL or IELTS can be waived for applicants who have a completed undergraduate or graduate degree from a U.S.-based institution or if completed in a nation with English as its primary language.

Completion of Application and Materials

Once you submit a complete application and all materials are received, your file will be sent to be reviewed by the Doctoral Committee. Files are reviewed by the Doctoral Committee after the deadline is passed. The Discover Drexel Portal will indicate when your file is complete.

Doctoral accepted students must enroll (confirm and register) as per the instruction given. Part-time and non-assistantship students will need to pay a matriculation fee.

On Campus vs. Online Program Selection

Both the PhD in Computer Science and PhD in Information Science programs are offered on campus only.

Start Term Selection

Doctoral students in both the Computer Science and Information Science programs are only admitted in the fall term of each academic year.

Full-time vs. Part-time Program Selection

Full-time doctoral students have the chance to be considered for a research/teaching assistantship while part-time doctoral students do not. If you are accepted into the program as a part-time doctoral student and decide you want to be full-time, you will need to apply and be accepted to full-time status; it is not guaranteed. Both the full-time and part-time doctoral programs are completed on campus, not online. Doctoral students have seven years to complete their program.

Funding

All PhD students are fully supported with an assistantship in both the Computer Science and Information Science PhD programs. Assistantships may be in the form of research, teaching or a combination of the two. These assistantships carry appropriate stipend and tuition remission.

Academic Calendar

CCI operates on a Quarter system. Each term is approximately 10 weeks in length. Academic calendars can be found here.

Questions about the PhD application process?

Our recruitment team is eager to answer your questions and assist you throughout your application process. Email us at cciinfo@drexel.edu and we'll get back to you soon!