Influencing your decision on which program you choose will be the prestige of the program, residency requirements such as needing to visit the school once per quarter, the specialties of the available faculty, cost of tuition, time to complete the degree and flexible options. Of these, cost and time are often the main constraints. Also choose carefully based on what you want to do with the degree. For instance, if you intend to teach in academia, the prestige of the school is paramount. If your company is paying for the degree, cost may be less important.
One great way to evaluate the school is to talk to its alumni. Asked what they liked about the program, their concerns or disappointments, and whether they would recommend the school to their friends. A great school will have passionate advocates in its alumni network.
You should also read the academic papers generated by the students of the Ph.D. program. If the school's students consistently advance technology and computer science theory in academic research, you can be reasonably certain that the faculty is well versed in the latest technology rather than lagging behind industry.
Many people choose to do online degrees specifically because they must work full time while pursuing their education. Finishing a Ph.D. program is challenging even in the best of times, so anticipate spending all of your free time for three to five years dedicating yourself to your studies. On-campus students have the advantage of studying with one another and keep each other accountable. It's much more difficult to do this in an online program. Ensure before you start that you have an adequate support structure in your home and work, and the tools available to collaborate with your fellow students online. Computing changes quickly, so it is critical to give yourself enough time to keep up on your industry, as well as your work.
In traditional on-campus Ph.D. programs, teaching stipends allow the university to waive most of the costs of the Ph.D. program for the student. Because that option does not exist in online education, students must pay tuition. For its Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership with a Specialization in Information Systems and Technology, University of Phoenix, charges $770 per credit (each class is three credits), plus some nominal fees. Grants, scholarships and financial aid are available, though, and the program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs.