Program Overview

Information Studies (INFS)

The PhD program at Maryland's INFO College offers an interdisciplinary approach to research and teaching provided by faculty at this leading public research university. Small classes and wide-ranging research projects enable students to work closely with faculty mentors to gain experience in identifying knowledge gaps, investigating both theoretical and practical solutions, evaluating results, and creating and disseminating new knowledge. A range of required research courses, two foundational doctoral seminars, and electives chosen by the students and their faculty mentors provide both the structure necessary for individuals to become successful researchers and the flexibility that allows them to pursue the research areas about which they are most passionate.

Abstract

The PhD program at Maryland's INFO College offers an interdisciplinary approach to research and teaching provided by faculty at this leading public research university. Small classes and wide-ranging research projects enable students to work closely with faculty mentors to gain experience in identifying knowledge gaps, investigating both theoretical and practical solutions, evaluating results, and creating and disseminating new knowledge. A range of required research courses, two foundational doctoral seminars, and electives chosen by the students and their faculty mentors provide both the structure necessary for individuals to become successful researchers and the flexibility that allows them to pursue the research areas about which they are most passionate.

What Are the Unique Aspects of the Doctoral Program?

Maryland’s INFO College is at the center of groundbreaking research in the fast-moving field of information. With a multidisciplinary faculty studying such diverse topics as online communities, information systems, information policy, human-computer interaction, and digital cultural heritage, the INFO College cultivates doctoral students from a wide range of backgrounds. The PhD program offered at the INFO College provides students with training in interdisciplinary theory, research, and pedagogy as preparation for original research that connects communities, technologies, and information.

What are the Goals of the Doctoral Program?

Upon successful completion of the doctoral program, graduates have:

• Knowledge of the foundations of the field of information.
• Mastery of research methods and design.
• Understanding of the research in a specialized content area.
• Proficiency in synthesizing and applying knowledge from a variety of areas.
• Expertise in conducting research and disseminating new knowledge.

Financial Assistance

Information on the availability of financial assistance is available on the Ph.D. program’s website. The College seeks to offer funding to entering doctoral students throughout their study in the doctoral program, contingent on factors such as successful progress through the doctoral program, likelihood of timely completion of the doctoral program, qualifications, and the availability of funding.

General Requirements

• Statement of Purpose
• Transcript(s)
• TOEFL/IELTS/PTE (international graduate students)

Program-Specific Requirements

• Letters of Recommendation (3)
• Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) (optional)
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (optional)
• GRE Subject (optional)
• CV/Resume
• Writing Sample (one required, up to two more optional)
• Portfolio PDF Upload (optional)

Additional Admissions Requirements

• The Graduate School application form including a non-refundable application processing fee
• One official copy of each transcript from each academic institution attended sent directly from the institution
• Maryland in-state tuition form, if applicable
• Three recommendations sent directly by the student’s references. It is preferable to request at least one letter from a former professor who is able to give an in-depth evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the applicant’s academic work.

Application Deadlines

Graduate Application Deadlines-Fall

• Type of Applicant: Domestic Applicants
  • US Citizens and Permanent Residents: December 2, 2025
• Type of Applicant: International Applicants
  • F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas; A, E, G, H, I and L visas and immigrants: December 2, 2025

Faculty

The INFO College faculty and doctoral students also participate in or have affiliations with the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS) and the Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities (MITH), as well as the Departments of Computer Science, Criminal Justice, English, Geographical Sciences, and Sociology, the Robert H. Smith School of Business, the School of Public Policy, and the College of Education and the College of Journalism. Faculty and students participate in cooperative research with staff of the University Libraries, the Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory (HCIL), and other campus units. Students have access through cooperative arrangements and programs to the resources of Archives II, the National Agricultural Library, the Library of Congress, and other prominent research facilities.

Faculty Members

• Bertot, John: Full Member, Professor, History and Library & Information Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Bonsignore, Elizabeth: Full Member, Lecturer, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Choe, Eun Kyoung: Adjunct Member, Assistant Professor, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Clegg, Tamara: Full Member, Assistant Professor, History and Library & Information Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science, School Librarianship, Youth Experience, Curriculum and Instruction
• Dearstyne, Bruce W.: Adjunct Member, Lecturer, History and Library & Information Science, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Diker, Vedat: Adjunct Member, Director, Library and Information Science, Senior Lecturer, Information Management, Information Studies
• Druin, Allison J.: Full Member, Associate Dean, Information Studies, Professor, Human-Computer Interaction, Library and Information Science, Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Elmqvist, Niklas: Full Member, Director, Human-Computer Interaction, Associate Professor, History and Library & Information Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Frias-Martinez, Vanessa: Full Member, Associate Professor, Library and Information Science, Assistant Professor, History and Library & Information Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies
• Golbeck, Jennifer: Full Member, Associate Professor, History and Library & Information Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Golub, Evan: Full Member, Senior Lecturer, Information Studies
• Heger, Kenneth: Full Member, Lecturer, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science, Curation and Management of Digital Assets (online)
• Jaeger, Paul T.: Full Member, Professor, History and Library & Information Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies
• Kacorri, Hernisa: Full Member, Assistant Professor, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Killam, Howard William: Adjunct Member, Lecturer, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Kirschenbaum, Matthew G.: Full Member, Distinguished University Professor, English Language and Literature, Affiliate Associate Professor, American Studies, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Kraus, Kari Michaele: Full Member, Associate Professor, English Language and Literature, History and Library & Information Science, Information Management, Library and Information Science, Assistant Professor, Information Studies
• Kules, Bill: Full Member, Visiting Associate Professor, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Kurtz, Michael: Adjunct Member, Visiting Professor, Information Studies, Library and Information Science, Curation and Management of Digital Assets (online), Visiting Associate Professor, Information Management
• Lawley, Katy Newton: Full Member, Lecturer, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Lazar, Amanda: Full Member, Assistant Professor, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Marciano, Richard: Full Member, Professor, History and Library & Information Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science, Curation and Management of Digital Assets (online)
• Oard, Douglas William: Full Member, Professor, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Applied Mathematics & Statistics, and Scientific Computation, Library and Information Science, Affiliate Professor, Computer Science
• Owens, Trevor: Adjunct Member, Lecturer, History and Library & Information Science, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Piety, Philip: Adjunct Member, Lecturer, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Preece, Jennifer J.: Full Member, Professor, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Punzalan, Ricardo L.: Full Member, Assistant Professor, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science, Curation and Management of Digital Assets (online)
• Rhoads, Vera: Adjunct Member, Lecturer, Information Studies
• Sahasrabudhe, Vikas: Adjunct Member, Lecturer, Information Studies
• Shilton, Katie: Full Member, Director, Information Studies, Associate Professor, History and Library & Information Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science, Curation and Management of Digital Assets (online)
• Spangler, Robert: Adjunct Member, Lecturer, Information Management, Information Studies
• Srikantaiah, Taverekere: Adjunct Member, Visiting Professor, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• St. Jean, Beth: Full Member, Assistant Professor, History and Library & Information Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Subramaniam, Mega M.: Full Member, Associate Professor, History and Library & Information Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science, School Librarianship, Youth Experience
• Summers, Timothy: Full Member, Lecturer, Information Studies
• Tausczik, Yla: Full Member, Assistant Professor, History and Library & Information Science, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Vanderheiden, Gregg: Full Member, Professor, History and Library & Information Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Vitak, Jessica: Full Member, Assistant Professor, History and Library & Information Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Wang, Ping: Full Member, Associate Professor, History and Library & Information Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Weaver, Kathy: Full Member, Director, Information Management, Lecturer, History and Library & Information Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Weeks, Ann C.: Adjunct Member, Professor of Practice, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science, School Librarianship, Youth Experience
• Weintrop, David: Full Member, Associate Professor, Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership, Assistant Professor, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science
• Winter, Susan: Full Member, Lecturer, History and Library & Information Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Management, Information Studies, Library and Information Science

Research Areas

The INFO College operates six research centers: Center for Archival Futures (CAFe), the Center for Advanced Study of Communities and Information (CASCI), the Computational Linguistics and Information Processing (CLIP), The Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL), the Social Data Science Center (SoDA), and the Trace Research & Development Center (Trace). The College also facilitates three interest groups: the Sociotechnical Cybersecurity (STC) Interest Group, the Search Mastery Interest Group, and the Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series.