The Information Systems and Technology Management (ISTM) program investigates behavioral, design, and economic issues related to the use and impact of information technology. Examples of focal research themes are analytics, behavioral security, consumer and firm behavior in the digital age, digital platform strategy, health care systems, human factors in information systems design, IT governance, and software product development and services delivery. Through coursework, research seminars, and participation in faculty research projects, our students gain the core theoretical and methodological skills needed to conduct independent research and to answer meaningful research questions.
Research
We actively collaborate with our PhD students. Our faculty members frequently work with students to co-publish articles in top journals.
View a list of collaborative research by ISTM faculty and PhD students.
According to a 2011 paper in Communications of the AIS by Clark et al., our graduates ranked 4th out of 109 PhD programs studied when considering the top 6 journals (as defined by the AIS Senior Scholars). Our faculty ranked 6th out of 109 schools studied when considering the same target journals.
Katz offers a breadth of research topics–many students can find a home here. Recent PhD dissertation topics have included e-commerce, online communities, project management, IS security and trust, knowledge management, user participation, digital-goods economics, and software measurement. Of course, your thesis topic is limited only by your imagination and drive.
Placements
We are a leading program with respect to placement. Over the last decade 100 percent of students who actively sought university positions obtained them, and our recent alumni were placed as faculty members at the following institutions:
- University of Colorado, Boulder
- University of Michigan
- University of Maryland
- University of Arizona
- Cleveland State University
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- College of William and Mary
- University of Texas, San Antonio
- University of Delaware
- Bentley University
- Youngstown State University
- Robert Morris University
- Duquesne University
- University of Oklahoma
- University of Delaware
- Tennessee Technological University
Curriculum
Year 1 Curriculum: Fall Term
An exploration of critical thinking.
| Course |
| BMIS 3 Katz PhD Seminar in Major Area |
| Research Methods Course |
| Research Methods Course |
Year 1 Curriculum: Spring Term
A thorough examination of research methods.
| Course |
| BMIS 3 Katz PhD Seminar in Major Area |
| BMIS 3 Katz PhD Seminar in Major Area |
| Research Methods Course |
| Research Methods Course |
Year 1 Curriculum: Summer Term
Research paper with faculty guidance.
| Course |
| Major Course Choic3 |
Year 2 Curriculum: Fall Term
A continued study in critical thinking and research methods.
| Course |
| BMIS 3 Katz PhD Seminar in Major Area |
| Major Course Choice |
| Research Methods Course |
| Research Methods Course |
Year 2 Curriculum: Spring Term
A further dive into major concentrations, critical thinking, and research methods.
| Course |
| Major Course Choice |
| Major Course Choice |
| Research Methods Course |
Year 2 Curriculum: Summer Term
A comprehensive independent study.
| Course |
| BMIS 3010 Independent Study in Strategy |
Year 3 Curriculum: Fall, Spring, and Summer Terms
Fully concentrated work on dissertation and service as teaching assistant.
| Course |
| BUSADM 3199 (9 Dissertation Credits) |
| FTDF 0000 Full-Time Dissertation Study |
Curriculum: Years 4 and 5
Teach and enter the job market to defend your dissertation.
| Course |
| FTDF 0000 Full-Time Dissertation Study |
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Why I came to Pitt: I selected Pitt for its reputation of rigorous training and culture of collaboration among students and faculty. Level of faculty mentoring: I could not be more pleased with the level of faculty mentoring I receive. I have felt supported and appropriately challenged throughout my entire time at Pitt. I love Pitt because of the people. The faculty, staff, and students all support each other and genuinely want each other to succeed.
I came to Pitt because of its reputation for educational excellence and its top-tier research faculty. The reputation of the faculty for being not only great researchers, publishing in top journals, but also as effective and available mentors made my decision easy. I have never once second guessed my decision to come to Pitt. The level of mentoring I receive at the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh is beyond what I ever imagined. The faculty are legitimately invested in my success, and devote an inordinate amount of time to helping me grow and develop as scholar and a researcher. I know this is not the case at all institutions, as I have family members in PhD programs at other top institutions, and they are in awe of the level of mentoring I receive.
