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Programs

PhD in Nursing and Health Science

Overview

The PhD in Nursing and Health Science program consists of four components: core courses in research and theory building, courses individually selected to support the student’s research interests, research and teaching assistant experiences, and the dissertation. The program content is directed toward the formulation and testing of theory; the designs, methods, and tools for conducting research on topics related to health and illness; and the development and critique of scientific and humanistic knowledge appropriate to the care of people in health and illness. The PhD program research training process builds upon clinical expertise at the master’s level.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Critically evaluate existing knowledge and theoretical orientations to formulate significant research questions.
  2. Conduct (inclusive of design, implementation, and interpretation) rigorous, ethically sound health research.
  3. Demonstrate fluency in the range of theoretical approaches and philosophical underpinnings used in nursing practice and health research.
  4. Evidence expertise in the breadth of the discipline and in-depth knowledge in a specific area of science.
  5. Advocate for improvements in practice, policy changes, and health equity based on a growing expertise in a substantive area.
  6. Disseminate the results of work through avenues such as scholarly manuscripts and presentations.
  7. Engage in multidisciplinary scientific inquiry, representing disciplinary perspectives.
  8. Contribute to university, local community, and/or regional or national organizations.
  9. Engage learners using innovative and evidence-based teaching strategies.

Program Goals

  1. Scientists who generate meaningful knowledge for health and health care using rigorous design and methodology
  2. Expert scholars who disseminate their work to advance healthcare practice, theory, and/or policy
  3. Evolving leaders who steward their professions through engagement in education, service, and mentorship

Information about faculty and research can be found on the PhD in Nursing and Health Science website.

AdmissionsLink to section

ApplyingLink to section

The School of Nursing uses an online self-managed application process. Applicants are required to complete all portions of the online application and submit the following documents:

  • Current Resume or CV
  • Transcripts of all prior college-level work
  • Letters of recommendation from members of the academic community and/or workplace professionals who know your qualifications for graduate study. Preferably, at least one recommendation should be from a former professor. At least two letters are required for master's and advanced certificate applicants and three for doctoral applicants. Letters of recommendation are managed on the online application.
  • Current RN license
  • English proficiency scores for non-native English speakers
  • Application fee
  • Short answer responses and essay

After the application is reviewed, the candidate will be contacted to schedule an interview with a School of Nursing faculty member. Program faculty conduct a holistic review of each application.

Applying to Doctoral ProgramsLink to section

  • Master’s degree from an accredited school
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 from any graduate-level work
  • Clinical licensure in a health profession

AcademicsLink to section

RequirementsLink to section

 The program begins with 2–3 years of intensive full-time coursework which becomes increasingly specialized based on planned research directions and individual clinical or teaching tracks. Cognate courses are chosen with the assistance of the advisor to advance students to the cutting edge of their chosen research area. All students complete a total of 360 hours of RA/TA work. The qualifying exam is administered after students complete required core coursework and demonstrates students are prepared to advance to candidacy, undertake independent research, and begin the dissertation.

After completing their coursework, the written dissertation proposal is developed by the student and revised in response to critique by their dissertation advisory committee. When the proposal is judged ready for defense, the student prepares a public presentation of the proposed research, which is followed by a critique and oral defense conducted in private with the dissertation committee. Additional changes in the written proposal may be requested at that time.

Once the proposal has been successfully defended and research review board approval has been secured, the student conducts the dissertation research project independently under guidance of the committee. The final dissertation is then written, revised with critique from the committee, and presented publicly, followed by a private defense.

Graduate Course TitlesLink to section

  • NUR 507: Research Appraisal and Synthesis
  • NUR 508: Writing and Publishing in the Health Sciences
  • NUR 510: Applied Statistics I
  • NUR 511: Basic Principles of Quantitative Research Design
  • NUR 512: Applied Statistics II
  • NUR 513: Research Measurement
  • NUR 514: Research Integration and Proposal Development
  • NUR 515: Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Scientific Inquiry in Health Care Science
  • NUR 518: Advanced Qualitative Research Design and Methods
  • NUR 519: Population Health and Health Policy
  • NUR 555: Basic Principles of Qualitative Research Design
  • NUR 569: Dissertation Seminar
  • NUR 590: Dissertation Workshop
  • NUR 595: PhD Research
  • NUR 995: Continuation of Doctoral Enrollment
  • NUR 999: Doctoral Dissertation