Program Statistics
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Last Updated: August 28, 2026
Technology and Social Behavior
Overview
Degree Types: PhD
The combined PhD in Communication and Computer Science, known as the PhD in Technology and Social Behavior (TSB), provides training in social science methods to study human behavior and computer technology. Students design and implement new technologies, practice incorporating the results of empirical research into these technologies, and prepare for a wide range of academic and industrial jobs.
Students receive rigorous training in social sciences, human-computer interaction, and computer science methodologies. The curriculum combines requirements from Computer Science in the McCormick School of Engineering and the Media, Technology & Society (MTS) PhD Program in the School of Communication.
Students have the opportunity to spend summers carrying out research on the Evanston campus, or participate in research internships at companies throughout the technology industry.
The TSB program draws on Northwestern's strong support for interdisciplinary study, benefits from talented faculty who contribute to a tradition of collaboration, and attracts unique students who are eager for academic experiences that cross school and department boundaries.
Additional resources:
Program Contact
Contact
Kate Haddock
Senior Program Coordinator
Degree Requirements
Degree Requirements
The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in The Graduate School Policy Guide.
Master's
Students pursuing the Ph.D. in TSB are eligible to also pursue a Masters of Science (MS) degree in TSB that is awarded “on the way” to the Ph.D. The MS in TSB is optional, but if a student decides to pursue it, the requirements already align with those of the Ph.D. program. Students may request receiving the new non-admitting MS degree upon completion of the course requirements and approval of the CS and MTS qualifying exams. To receive the MS degree students must demonstrate a “culminating experience”, the student and advisor will consult together to choose the appropriate exam paper, and it will then need to be reviewed and approved by three TSB faculty.
PhD
Computer Science and MTS both have flexible course requirements, demonstrating both departments’ support of independent programs. In the TSB joint degree program, 2 additional units are added to the overall PhD requirements, students must take qualifying examinations in both departments, and students must submit their PhD theses to a committee composed of faculty from both departments.
Total Units Required: 20
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| Required MTS Courses (4 units) | |
| MTS 501-0 | Introduction to Grad Research in MTS |
| MTS 503-0 | The Practice of Scholarship |
| MTS 519-0 | Responsible Conduct of Research 1 |
| 2 MTS letter-graded courses taught by 2 different faculty members | |
| Lab Rotation Courses (4 units) | |
| 2 units of COMM_ST 499 and 2 units of COMP_SCI 499 | |
| COMM_ST 499-0 | Independent Study |
| COMP_SCI 499-0 | Projects |
| MTS 499-0 | Independent Studies |
MTS 499 can only be substituted with applicable faculty | |
| Computer Science Concentration (4 units) | |
| A concentration in either the Artificial Intelligence or Interfaces track as defined by the CS Department. This will be composed of 4 courses. | |
| Elective Courses (8 units) | |
| 8 letter-graded courses can be taken in CS, MTS, or other departments across the University. | |
6 units must be 400 or 500 level. | |
- 1
MTS 519 is Pass/Fail and does not count towards the 20 letter-graded course total.
Other PhD Degree Requirements
- Examinations: upon completion of coursework, written and oral comprehensive examination (TSB requires two qualifying exams, one related to each of the constituent programs of CS and MTS).
- See the CS PhD Graduate Manual for details on the qualifying exam for each track: https://phd.cs.northwestern.edu/
- See additional details on the qualifying exams structure in MTS: https://mts.northwestern.edu/resources/
- Research/Projects: toward qualifying exams and dissertation
- PhD Dissertation: based on original, independent research
- Final Evaluations: oral defense of dissertation