PhD in Computer and Information Sciences (PhD)

Tuition is The Doctor of Computer Science program is not SEVP approved for international students..

The Doctor of Computer Science (DCS) degree prepares professionals to lead in technology-driven environments through advanced technical study and applied research. Students engage in coursework and a final project or dissertation focused on real-world problems in computing. The program offers flexibility through onsite or online delivery and supports career advancement in technical leadership and innovation. Graduates are qualified for executive, research, and consulting roles in technology organizations.

Focus areas include Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Cloud Engineering.

The program requires 48 credit hours of coursework, including doctoral foundations, advanced technical courses, research methods, and a final dissertation or applied research project sequence. Students may pursue an optional 12-credit certificate in one of three concentration areas.

Graduates enter executive technology roles, research-driven positions, consulting, academic leadership, and innovation-focused environments.

Applicants must hold a master’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Prior graduate study in computer science, information technology, engineering, or a related field is strongly considered.

The programme totals about 48 credit hours. On-campus or online, full-time or part-time, with a typical duration of 32 months when taking at least one course per term. For international students, tuition is below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 45% of applicants.

Westcliff University’s main campus is in Irvine, California, in Southern California’s greater Orange County community. The university also lists locations in Corona, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, San Francisco, Toronto, and Nepal. International students can study at the Southern California campus or online from their home country, with online classes and remote internship opportunities available across its degrees.

Academic work spans business, technology and engineering, education, law, and nursing. Programs include bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate options, with subjects such as business analytics, computer science, information technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, education, legal studies, and nursing. Classroom instruction connects with the real world of business, STEM, and education. Professors working in their fields bring practical experience into teaching, and the university lists a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

Students from more than 80 countries have sought Westcliff’s education in the United States, while its fast facts refer to more than 9,000 students from over 110 countries. The MBA includes a SMART Consulting Capstone, where teams of no more than five research markets, analyze problems, and develop recommendations with guidance from faculty, executives, and mentors. Students may also join the Westcliff Warriors athletics program. The Irvine campus is located at 17877 Von Karman Ave, 4th Floor, Irvine, California 92614.