Program Requirements

Students entering the master of science-doctor pf philosophy (M.S.-Ph.D.) program in nursing are expected to have passed an undergraduate course in statistics and graduate-level courses in nursing theory and research. Students interested in the bachelor of science to doctor of philosophy (B.S. to Ph.D.) option will have completed a baccalaureate degree in nursing, including undergraduate-level courses in statistics and research. The in-class curriculum requires a minimum of 66 credits. Of that total, 9 credits are allocated to cognate courses; of these cognate credits a minimum of 6 must be taken outside of the discipline of nursing. The remaining credits are taken within the School of Nursing and include 15 credits allocated to statistics, measurement, philosophy of science, and data management; 12 credits allocated to research methods and theory development; 6 credits allocated to scholarship and policy development; 3 credits for a research practicum; 3 credits for an education practicum; 3 credits for a dissertation seminar; and 15 credits for dissertation research.  

In addition to completion of 66 credits, students must also:

1. pass a qualifying examination for admission to candidacy. This examination is given after a student has completed the major portion of course requirements but prior to developing the dissertation research proposal.
2. form a dissertation committee;
3. submit an approved dissertation proposal;
4. complete a dissertation that is based on the candidate's original research related to a significant phenomenon in nursing; and
5. defend the dissertation in a public forum.

Academic Advisement

Upon admission to the Ph.D. in nursing program, students are assigned to a faculty adviser. Every attempt is made to identify an adviser with similar research interests as the student. Each semester, before registering for classes, students should arrange to meet with their faculty adviser for a progress review on their plan of study.
 
Nursing Ph.D. students will have the same adviser until the Dissertation Committee is formed. Once the Dissertation Committee is formed, the dissertation chair becomes the adviser. Before registering for any cognate courses or dissertation research credits, prior approval must be obtained from the adviser (or dissertation chair).

A student's adviser will be changed if: a faculty member leaves the School of Nursing, if the adviser or student indicates that a change would be beneficial, or if the faculty member's workload needs to be readjusted. The change may be initiated by the adviser or student in a written request to the associate dean for the Ph.D. program. Once approved, the student will be assigned to another adviser.

Time Limit

Requirements for the Ph.D. in nursing degree must be completed within eight years.