PhD Programs

At UWM, PhD students in computer science are not observers—they are contributors. You’ll engage in hands-on, impactful research, collaborate across disciplines, publish your work and present it on national and international stages.

Close faculty mentorship and a supportive academic environment ensure you develop both deep technical expertise and the independence needed to lead as a researcher, educator or innovator.

Earning a PhD in computer science at the UWM College of Engineering & Applied Science means joining a research-driven community with the tenacity, confidence and ambition to push the field forward. Doctoral students work alongside faculty who are advancing knowledge in artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, software systems, visualization and emerging computing technologies.

As an R1 university located in the largest city in Wisconsin, UWM offers strong connections to industry, healthcare organizations and research partners, allowing your work to move beyond theory and into real-world applications. Competitive funding, teaching and research opportunities, and a collaborative culture help PhD students focus on discovery while building professional experience.

A PhD in computer science from UWM prepares you to shape the future of technology—with the confidence to lead, the ambition to innovate and the tenacity to solve complex problems that matter.

student working in lab behind microscope

Biomedical and Health Informatics PhD

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Professor Zeyun Yu and a doctoral graduate from the UWM College of Engineering & Applied Science

Computer Science PhD

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Student presenter at Student Research Poster Competition

Engineering PhD

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Learn more here: https://graduateschool-apply.uwm.edu/

General forms and PhD qualifying exam examples

Many students earn Teaching Assistantships (TAs), Research Assistantships (RAs) or Fellowships during their graduate study which helps to fund their education while also building leadership skills.

Assistantship decisions are made by the academic departments only after an applicant has been accepted to the program.

The annual Poster Competition & Three Minute Thesis is a signature event for our college. Students gain valuable communication experience sharing their research and out-of-classroom experiences with faculty and industry judges, who provide feedback.

Three Minute Thesis is a research communication competition that challenges PhD students to explain their research thesis and its significance to a general audience in three minutes, using a single PowerPoint slide as a reference.

CS Connect

The mission of CS Connect is to help Computer Science students gain a practical understanding of how to further their career goals in computing.

Robotics Association at UWM

Members design, build, test, program and compete in robotic competitions against universities from around the world.

See our college’s Student Organization page to find more information and who to contact about getting involved.

Two men testing computer science VR equipment. The one on the right is wearing the VR goggles. — Jerald Thomas, assistant professor, computer science, demonstates walking with VR goggles and a joystick. Doctoral student Md Azizul Hakim assists.