overhead image of person typing with a book

Degree Requirements

Course Requirements

The PhD program requires a minimum of 51 credits. Courses are generally worth 3 credits each. Examples of the main PhD program course requirements:

  • Three core courses (topics include Research Design and Methodologies; Information Policy, Management & Institutions; Users, Uses & Contexts; Cultural History, Policies & Debates; Information Organization & Access)
  • Four breadth courses in each of the following areas: Intro to Research Design, Thinking, Methods; Statistics/numerical literacy; Working with digital data; Pedagogy and Teaching.
  • Three courses to complete a PhD minor
  • Topic specialization courses
  • Independent study credits

Earning the Information PhD

Overview of steps toward the completion of the Information PhD:

  • Course work: the first three years of PhD work are spent fulfilling course requirements.
  • Mastery demonstration papers: each student completes two papers over three years that demonstrate their research and writing proficiency.
  • Portfolio and preliminary proposal: prior to starting a dissertation project, students compile a portfolio of their work to demonstrate the depth and breadth of their preparation. Students also submit a preliminary plan for their dissertation.
  • Dissertation proposal: students submit a substantial dissertation proposal, often the first three chapters of their dissertation.
  • Dissertation: all students research, write and defend a doctoral dissertation.

For more information about program requirements and expectations, please refer to our PhD Student Handbook, the UW–Madison Guide and the Graduate School Academic Guidelines.

Menu

photo of state street with capital and student in Wisconsin t-shirt riding their bike

Residency

The iSchool PhD program is a residential program. Students must be able to attend classes in person at UW–Madison for three years. Most students continue to live near Madison as they research and write their dissertations. Five to six years of full-time study is typical for students to complete the degree. The school strongly prefers full time PhD students.

photo of spines of vintage books

PhD Minor in Print Culture History

The Minor in Print Culture History is an interdisciplinary program functioning under the University of Wisconsin–Madison Graduate School’s Option A for minors; see Minors in the UW-Grad School academic policies. To qualify, students will need written approval from their major advisor and from the Director, PhD Minor in Print Culture History. See the full description of the PhD Minor in Print Culture History on the Center for the History of Print and Digital Culture website for more information. Print Culture History Minor registration form

For a comprehensive description of the PhD Program, review the PhD Student Handbook.