Dakota State is an institution with a strong background in technology, and their doctorate program is built to give their students a foundation that allows them to either teach in the academic world, or better apply themselves in the private sector.
Also, as a DSU alum, I've always found the professors to be very accessible, even for distance students.
However, some courses may require you to work on a group project however, so get to know your classmates as soon as possible! Studying in groups from a distance is excellent preparation for working in the IT industry, but it can be very time-intensive, so be sure to clear some time on your schedule!
After 6 years of programming work as a software engineer, I felt I needed to get a better understanding of the entire software development and implementation process if I wanted to help make our products better. DSU's MSIS program was exactly what I was looking for, as they covered a broad skill set ranging from programming to management. Their courses were hands-on, helping me to learn through projects, and not just through memorizing facts in textbooks (though there is still some of that). I'd build a web site in one class, and then have to make a business proposal for how my company could have the competitive edge in the corporate world the next.
The professors were all very good about communication...even though I was a distance student, it was easy to email, or even call them on the phone and to cover any concerns that I would have.
If you want to broaden your understanding of how information systems work as a whole, and you learn well by doing, DSU's Information Systems masters degree may be a good fit for you.
