in person, online

Technology (DTech)

Doctor of Technology

For practitioners, by practitioners.

Designed for working technology professionals seeking a flexible, cutting-edge education, the Doctor of Technology (DTech) program employs real-world business and societal challenges to teach essential data analytics, research techniques, management approaches, and leadership skills for driving innovation. Graduates will solve a pressing technology problem in their chosen sector, such as business, healthcare, education, or energy, through an applied capstone project instead of writing a traditional dissertation.

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A flexible in-peron or online format enables you to customize a professional doctorate program that suits your needs and current career while preparing for leadership roles ranging from Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer to technology consultant or entrepreneur. Our world-class faculty and distinguished alumni provide mentorship and foster your critical thinking skills to advocate for responsible applications of technology and sustainable development.

Program Highlights

    • Real-World Applications: Solve an industry problem as your capstone project instead of writing a traditional dissertation. This program focuses on industry-relevant challenges and practical problem-solving, with a curriculum emphasizing use-inspired research to foster technological development and innovation.
    • Transdisciplinary: Learn across disciplines to look at problems in new ways and gain insight by taking courses outside your field. Sharpen your skills in communications, leadership, and management by working with experts from a variety of backgrounds — just as you do in professional settings.
    • Flexible In-person or Online Format: Explore a professional doctoral program that was built to fit your busy schedule. Designed for working professionals, the DTech program allows you to study in the evenings or weekends, with a mix of self-paced coursework and small group interaction.
    • Exceptional Industry Connections: Accelerate your career plans by joining a select cohort of senior industry professionals, faculty, and alumni who share your motivation and ambition.
    • WASC Accredited: All CGU programs, including DTech, are fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Faculty Practitioners

  • Dr. Matthew Muga
    Global consultant for Samsung, Apple, Microsoft, Google
    Lean Continuous Improvement
  • Dr. Kevin Williams
    Consultant Amazon Web Services (AWS) Architect/AWS Trainer
    Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Machine Learning, Databases/Data Analytics, Optimization
  • Dr. Claudia Cáceres
    World Health Organization GIS Consultant
    Machine Learning and Data Visualization
  • Dr. Juliette Gutierrez
    National GIS Coordinator for SCS Engineers
    Esri GIS, SQL, Agile Methodologies

Program At-a-glance

  • 72 units

    required units

  • Doctor of Technology

    degree awarded

  • In Person, Online

    modality

  • Spring, Summer, Fall

    program start

  • 2-3 years | full time*

    estimated completion time

    3-5 years | part time

    estimated completion time

Faculty

  • Itamar Shabtai

    Itamar Shabtai

    Clinical Full Professor

    Research Interests

    IT and Innovation, Healthcare Information Technology, Economics of Information systems, Cyber Security and Innovative Technologies in Higher Education

  • Wallace Chipidza

    Wallace Chipidza

    Assistant Professor of Information Systems & Technology

    Research Interests

    Dynamics of social networks, Quantum Computing and Applications, Internet Privacy, ICT4D

Affiliated Faculty

  • Ruben Quinonez

    Adjunct Faculty

    Research Interests

    Big Data, Data Warehousing, Data Architecture, Business Intelligence, Data Science

  • Matthew Muga

    Adjunct Faculty

Curriculum

Our DTech degree is unique in its industry focus, in-peron or online delivery, extensive customization options, and the inclusion of an in-person cohort component featuring intensive meetings in August and January. The curriculum prepares you for senior information technology leadership roles with core courses, electives, and applied research:

Transdisciplinary Core Courses (16 units, number of courses varies depending on units for each course)
A unique feature of CGU professional doctorate programs is a shared Transdisciplinary core curriculum created to prepare business leaders. You will learn and collaborate with a diverse cohort of industry professionals on applied projects.

    • Leading Change (2 units)
    • Collaboration (2 units)
    • Action in Crisis (2 units)
    • Stakeholder problem-solving (2 units)
    • Systems-thinking (2 units)
    • Data Visualization (2 units)
    • Diversity and Team Leadership (2 units)
    • Ethics (2 units)

Core DTech / Information Systems courses (8 units, 2 courses)

    • AI for Digital Transformation (4 units)
    • Introduction to Use-Inspired Research (4 units)

DTech Elective Courses (8 units, 2 courses)

    • Cybersecurity Management (4 units)
    • Data Science Methodology (4 units)
    • Location Intelligence (4 units)
    • Health Technologies (4 units)
    • Technology Innovation (4 units)
    • Global Digital Supply Chains (4 units)

DTech Research (16 units, 4 courses)

    • Doctoral Practicum (4 units, taken three times)
    • Applied Dissertation (4 units)

Your work will be assessed through course exams, technology lab work, presentations, practicum research, and an applied dissertation.

Learning Outcomes

The DTech program trains you to critically evaluate research; collaborate across disciplines; integrate and transfer knowledge from disciplinary, non-disciplinary, and non-specialist audiences; and manage collective research and implementation teams. Upon successful completion of the DTech program, you will be able to:

    • Solve real-world problems to address societal, economic, and business challenges
    • Design and conduct use-inspired research aligned with business technologies and emerging trends
    • Apply advanced leadership concepts, theories, models, and tools for creative problem-solving
    • Lead technology-driven innovation initiatives as part of the digital transformation
    • Apply critical and ethical thinking in your everyday activities
    • Perform lifelong learning dynamic skills

Application Guidelines

University Requirements
Application Fee

$80 (fee is non-refundable)

Official Transcripts

Undergraduate/graduate

Applicants must submit a sealed, official transcript from every undergraduate and graduate institution that has granted the applicant a degree. Electronic transcripts sent to admissions@cgu.edu are also accepted. For undergraduate coursework, applicants are required to submit proof of a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Unofficial copies of transcripts are accepted for review purposes, but official copies will be required upon admission.

Applicants currently earning a degree that will be completed prior to attending CGU are required to submit a transcript showing work in progress for evaluation purposes. Once the degree has been granted, a final official transcript documenting the degree conferred must be submitted to CGU.

International applicants are advised to review the International Transcript Guidelines for additional information on submitting international transcripts.

English Proficiency Exam

Required (international applicants only)

A valid score on one of the following examinations TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE, Duolingo English Test is required of all non-native English-speaking applicants. The examination is not required for the following applicants:

  • Citizens or permanent residents of countries where English is the sole official language of instruction, e.g., Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada (except Quebec), England, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Uganda, and Wales (see the CGU Bulletin for a complete list of accepted countries).
  • Applicants who hold an undergraduate or advanced degree, or will have earned such a degree prior to enrolling at CGU, from an institution in the US or in countries where English is the sole official language of instruction (see above).
  • Applicants who have successfully completed an academic English pre-master’s or intensive graduate bridge program from a nationally recognized, regionally accredited four-year college or university in the United States in the last two years, with submitted evidence of successful completion, and subject to curriculum approval.
  • CGU allows for an English proficiency waiver if the applicant has received, or will receive prior to enrollment at CGU, an undergraduate or advanced degree from an institution where English is one of the primary languages of instruction for the majority of courses in the student’s program. To receive the waiver, documentation must be provided by the applicant to show that English is the language of instruction at their university/college.

CGU’s school code for the TOEFL exam is 4053.

International applicants are encouraged to visit our International Applicants page for more information, including score requirements.

Resume

Applicants must submit an up-to-date copy of their resume.

Program Requirements
Statement of Purpose

Please submit a 2-3 page statement of purpose that details your academic and/or professional achievements, your specific areas of research interest within your desired field of study, why you are a strong candidate for graduate studies at CGU, and your career goals.

Academic Prerequisites

Applicants must have a Master’s degree and 3 years of professional experience.

Letter of Recommendation

2 letters required

When filling out the online application, please enter references acquainted with your potential for success who will submit a written recommendation on your behalf. In most academic departments, references from faculty members who can speak to your academic ability are preferred; applicants with substantial work experience may request professional references. Please do not enter family members as references.

You will be required to input information for your recommenders (whether they are submitting online or not) in the “Recommendations” section of the online application. Please follow the directions in this section carefully before clicking on “Recommendation Provider List” to input the names and contact information for each recommender. You will have an opportunity to indicate if the reference writer will be submitting online. These reference writers will receive an email from CGU with instructions on submitting an online recommendation.

Recommenders who are indicated as offline will not receive an email from CGU with instructions to submit. These reference writers can submit via traditional mail and should use the supplemental New Student Recommendation Form. Recommenders can also email their letter of recommendation to the Office of Admissions at admissions@cgu.edu.

Download the Recommendation Form

Who Should Apply

This degree is designed for technology professionals who seek to solve real-world problems with a business-oriented doctoral program. Your cohort may include students who hold jobs such as:

    • Application Security Administrator
    • Business Intelligence Analyst
    • Cloud System Engineer
    • Cybersecurity Hardware Engineer
    • Data Scientist
    • Full-Stack Developer
    • Network Architect
    • Technical Product Manager
    • Release Manager
    • UI or UX Designers
    • Wireless Network Engineer

Key Dates & Deadlines

CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.

Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.

Spring 2025
Priority Deadline – November 1, 2024
Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2024
Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2024
Classes begin – January 21, 2025

Summer 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – March 1, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – April 1, 2025
Classes begin – May 19, 2025

Fall 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2025
Classes begin – August 25, 2025

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Cost & Aid

ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)
Program 48 units
Tuition per unit* $2,020

*Based on 2024-2025 tuition rates.

 

STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)
$245 Student Fee
$150 Technology Fee
International Student Services Fee*: $661 fall semester, $776 spring semester
**Applies to all international students (F-1 visa only) who are registered in coursework, doctoral study, or continuous registration. The fee is assessed each fall and spring semester for annual ISO accident and sickness plans and administrative fees. Subject to change.

For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2024-2025.

review financial aid

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