
Doctoral DegreeInformation Systems Engineering and Management Ph.D.
The ISEM Doctor of Philosophy program creates information systems thinkers and leaders with the ability to advance the application of theories and generate new knowledge for today’s and tomorrow’s academic, public, and private organizations.
The ISEM doctoral program consists of two terminal degrees: a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and the Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng).
All doctoral programs at HU consists of two main phases. The first phase is a learning stage where students attend classes, participate in seminars, engage in research, and gain practical field experience to deepen their knowledge. In the second phase, students concentrate on conducting original research or developing innovative solutions to complex problems, culminating in a final dissertation defense. Upon fulfilling all milestones and program requirements, students are awarded their doctoral degree in their chosen field of study.
Program Goals
The Information Systems Engineering and Management program will produce Ph.D. graduates who:
- Create original knowledge and understanding by contributing new theories, concepts, or new applications of existing theories to a discipline or area of professional practice; and
- Advance applied research efforts and disseminate results to peers and the community including conferences, journal outlets, and/or internal organizational formats.
This program is appealing to those who wish to engage in applied research on the latest development and combined use of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Information Systems (including IoT, Block Chains, AR/VR), System Engineering and Operations Research/Management techniques to address specific issues in the following domains:
- Enterprise Management
- System Engineering
- Supply Chain Management
- Health Systems Management
- Smart Cities
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Advanced Mobility
A Student’s Perspective on ISEM’s PhD
PH.D. IN ISEM, ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Candidates for the Ph.D degree should have a master’s degree in Information Systems/ Engineering/ Management or a closely related field of study with a strong background in the following areas:
- Business strategy and management
- Information systems planning
- Artificial intelligence
- Systems analysis and design
- Enterprise architecture and systems integration
The following are requirements in addition to those that are part of the general doctoral admissions requirements:
- A minimum master’s degree GPA of 3.30 (GPA 3.50+ preferred)
- GRE score in the 65th percentile or above in the Quantitative portion
A faculty admission committee will evaluate each applicant’s candidacy once all admissions materials have been received.
Note: The GRE requirement could be waived for a candidate with a Master’s Degree from Harrisburg University or another recognized Domestic US Institution, and a high GPA
Related ISEM Degree: Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng)
The Information Systems Engineering and Management, Doctor of Engineering (Ph.D.) program focuses on theories and concepts in Information Systems Engineering and Management. If you’d like to explore a doctoral degree that focuses on contributing practice and application, please see our Information Systems Engineering and Management D.Eng.
Comparison of Doctoral programs in Information Systems Engineering and Management
Both degrees involve a rigorous scientific approach and in-depth investigation.
Ph.D. | D.Eng. | |
Focus | Advancing knowledge | Practice and application |
Usual career timing | Early-career | Mid-career |
Employment Goal | Academic career, research and technical leadership in industry or public sector | Technical leadership in industry or the public sector |
Final product from program | Dissertation and publications | Complex project solution |
Program Lead

Amar Ramudhin, Ph.D. Professor and Program Lead of Information Systems Engineering and Management
Program Courses
The following comprises the requirements for the Ph.D. in Information Systems Engineering and Management. Requirements include a minimum of 36 semester hours and non-credit program requirements. When applicable, the semester hour value of each course appears in parentheses ( ).
Additional information regarding Doctorate programs can be found in the Doctorate Guidebook.
OTHER RELATED ISEM DEGREES

INFORMATION SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
This masters program aims to educate qualified leaders capable of working with stakeholders, addressing business problems, and managing the next generation of smart digital enterprises

INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
This bachelor program combines traditional computer science topics with cutting-edge ISIT practices and applications, preparing students with hands-on practical knowledge of the most important building blocks of today’s information systems and their underlying technologies.

CERTIFIED INFORMATION SYSTEMS SECURITY PROFESSIONAL (CISSP)
This 10-session Exam Prep Course will equip participants with the resources and knowledge required to pass the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP®) certification exam.
Program News
HU Professor Amar Ramudhin, PhD, Published in Journal of the American Pharmacists Association (JAPhA)
Harrisburg, PA – Professor Amar Ramudhin, PhD, Program Lead of Information Systems Engineering and Management at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology…
HU Doctoral Candidate Publishes Research on Artificially Intelligent Pathfinding and Routing Systems
As part of phase 3 of his dissertation thesis, doctoral candidate Jai Keerthy Chowlur Revanna, of Harrisburg University of Science…
Harrisburg University’s PhD student and Thesis Supervisor published Conference Paper in esteemed Springer Journal
Jai Keerthy Chowlur Revanna and his Thesis Supervisor Professor Nushwan Yousuf B. Al-Nakash are excited to share that their Conference…
Groundbreaking Vehicle Route Optimization Research by Harrisburg University Ph.D. Student Published
A research paper by a Harrisburg University of Science and Technology ISEM Ph.D. student has been published. The conference paper,…
HU Class of 2023: Celebrating Achievements, Experiential Education, and Career Success
Harrisburg University (HU) is proud to celebrate the achievements of its Class of 2023 graduates, who have excelled in their…
HU Students Present Innovative Research on Route Optimization at International Conference
A team of Ph.D. students from the Information System Engineering and Management program and Dr. Nushwan Yousif B. Al-Nakash, a…
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