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Ellingson said much of his technology skillset focus on blending innovation, strategy, and
is self-taught, and between that and his Air Force technology to empower graduates prepared to
experience he was doing well in his career before lead and manage information technology and
earning any college degrees. But as more compa- systems within a variety of organizations.”
nies began requiring that applicants have degrees The program’s coursework is fully online but
to be even considered for interviews, Ellingson students may gather in person on a limited
started rapidly filling that gap on his resume. In number of occasions for research development
less than four years, he completed two certificates and project presentations.
and an associate’s degree from Central Georgia MGA expects the degree to be among the
Technical College and bachelor’s and master’s most affordable in the nation. At current rates,
degrees in information technology from Middle the doctoral degree – the highest-level academic
Georgia State University (MGA). credential in most fields - will cost a student
Now Ellingson has his sights set on MGA’s about $20,000, a worthwhile investment for
Doctor of Science in IT, the University’s first careers with potential six-figure earnings.
doctorate. He has been teaching part-time at Ellingson said he is honored to be part of the
MGA and hopes a doctorate will, among other doctorate’s charter class.
things, help him expand that phase of his career. “It is a rare opportunity to be in a position to
“I expect to step up my research skills, my both help mold and be molded by a program of
writing skills, and my critical thinking skills on this importance,” he said. ■
topics that are at the very edge of what we’ve
discovered in the IT field,” he said. “I expect to
learn new techniques in handling communication
of information to others – the very foundation of
being a professor.”
Ellingson is one of about 30 students recently
accepted into the program’s first cohort. MGA
began accepting applications after the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools Commission
on Colleges approved the degree and elevated
MGA to a Level V institution. The University will
launch the degree this summer.
“Applicants are industry managers, govern-
ment employees, and academic leaders from
across the country, said Dr. Kevin Cantwell,
associate provost and dean of Graduate Studies.
Dr. Alex Koohang, dean of the School of
Computing, said the degree’s course of study is The program of study for MGA’s Doctor
designed to fit the lifestyles of working profes- of Science in Information Technology
sionals. “This new terminal degree will continue is a cohort model (students begin and
complete program at the same time as
to strengthen Middle Georgia State’s reputation as
one group), with all classes online except
a leader in the economic life of the region and as a for brief residencies at the beginning and
center for IT innovation,” he said. end of the program. Ideally, students will
Dr. Neil Rigole, associate professor and complete the program in two years, with
coordinator of the IT master’s degree and, now, two short sessions each semester for a
total of 54 hours. For more information:
the doctorate, said the program is built on a
www.mga.edu/itdoctorate.
“unique and inter-disciplinary structure that will

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