With an advanced degree in Computer and Information Technology from Purdue University, students will be poised to make high-impact contributions in the field of computer and information technology. Whether students are pursuing a master’s degree or PhD, their research-oriented coursework will prepare them for leadership positions in industry, academia, and government in applied research, solution development, entrepreneurial ventures, and management.

Information technology professionals must be flexible as they solve a wide variety of problems. From specialized coursework to cutting-edge research projects, graduate students will work with faculty mentors to create an individualized academic plan of study that will help them meet their career goals.

The Ph.D. in Computer and Information Technology offers multiple areas of study, each with specializations that represent the future of applied computing and information technology in the United States and around the world. These are areas in which the faculty have active research activities. The list is always expanding as faculty engage in new interests. Students will have the opportunity to explore topics that address the grand challenges of society, and the advanced requirements of business and industry in the information age, and become a future leader within their chosen field of specialization. Current areas of specialization in the residential program include:

• Autonomy, intelligence, and robotics
• Big data and data analytics
• Cyber infrastructure and high performance computing
• Cyber learning and computational thinking
• Data Applications of IT
• Information security, cyberforensics, and homeland security​
• Systems, project and process management