Doctor of Philosophy

1. Critically analyze philosophical viewpoints and evaluate their potential for developing scientific nursing knowledge;
2. Synthesize theoretical and empirical literature regarding concepts and phenomena relevant to the discipline of nursing;
3. Design and conduct rigorous, interdisciplinary research;
4. Effectively communicate research findings and scholarship via a variety of venues including peer-reviewed publications, presentations for clinical, scientific, and interdisciplinary audiences, and the lay public;
5. Leverage research findings and health policy development strategies to influence the advancement of evidence-based policy; and
6. Educate future clinicians, educators, and scientists.
   

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.
   

1. A baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program;
2. A master's degree with a major in nursing from a nationally accredited program;
3. A cumulative graduate grade-point average of at least 3.2 (where A = 4.0);
4. A satisfactory combined score on the GRE within five years (verbal, quantitative, analytical and/or writing abilities). Scores of 500 or better in each section are preferred;
5. An in-person interview;
6. Completion of a basic statistics course and master's-level courses in theoretical foundations and nursing research;
7. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit official TOEFL (Test of English as a Second Language) scores obtaining a score of 550 or better on the written examination or 213 or better on the computerized examination or on the internet-based examination (Writing 22, Speaking 23, Reading 21, Listening 17);
8. Submission of the following materials:
   
   1. Proof of current registered nurse licensure in the State of New Jersey;
   2. A personal statement describing your research and career goals and identifying a Rutgers College of Nursing faculty member who may serve as an appropriate research mentor. To communicate with faculty about their research and areas of clinical interest please visit http://nursing.rutgers.edu/people/faculty and search our faculty directory;
   3. Curriculum vitae;
   4. Two scholarly papers of which the applicant is sole author (this can be a published article, a book chapter, or a paper completed for master's program coursework);
   5. Three letters of reference from professional sources that support the applicant's ability to succeed in the Ph.D. in nursing program. Two of these letters must come from nurse academicians;
   6. Official transcripts of all previous college work;
   7. Completed application form; and
   8. Application fee.
      

1. Completion of a college or university program equal to the unit requirements for a master's degree in nursing (submit official transcripts of all college work);
2. Submit an official transcript evaluation by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Schools of Nursing (CGFNS) of all courses or degrees completed at academic institutions outside of the United States. Please instruct CGFNS to forward their official evaluation to the Office of Graduate Admissions, 190 University Avenue, Engelhard Hall - Room 101, Newark, NJ 07102;
3. Satisfactory completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS (required for all students whose native language is not English and whose undergraduate education was completed in a non-English speaking country. Even if you hold a masters-level degree from a U.S. or other English speaking country you must still take the TOEFL or IELTS.
   
   Satisfactory TOEFL scores:
   
   • Written examination, 550 or better
     
   • Computerized examination, 213 or better
     
   • Internet-based examination (Writing 22, Speaking 23, Reading 21, Listening 17)
     
     
4. Satisfactory completion of Rutgers' English as a Second Language Placement Examination. This test is administered by the Program in American Language Studies (PALS) and is given prior to the semester for which the student is accepted. Details about taking the test are sent to the student by the admissions office along with the letter of acceptance to the program. Based upon the student's performance on this placement test, the PALS program makes recommendations that are to be followed by the Ph.D. in nursing program; and
5. Applicants in F-1 or J-1 student status must prove that they have sufficient funds to cover both their educational and living expenses.
   

1. A full-time course load is defined as 9 or more credits, and a course load of 18 credits or more requires the approval of the associate dean for the Ph.D. program.

2. A student registered for 8 or fewer credits has part-time status.

3. Students must be registered every regular semester (spring and fall). Those students who interrupt their studies must register for matriculation continued by contacting the College of Nursing Office of Student Services. With the approval of the associate dean for the Ph.D. program, students may register for matriculation continued for up to three consecutive regular semesters. Students receiving funding based on maintaining full-time status must contact the Graduate School–Newark dean's office to register for "full-time" matriculation continued.

4. When a student applies for admission, the requirements for the degree at the time of admission become the student's program of study. Students must complete all degree requirements within the eight-year time frame for earning the Ph.D. in nursing degree.

5. As many as 12 credits of doctoral coursework taken at other fully accredited institutions before enrollment in this program may be considered for replacing courses within the student's program. The courses must have been taken within the eight-year time limit for the degree and all must meet the stipulations outlined in this catalog. To petition for approval of substitute courses, students should complete a transfer credit request, which is available in the College of Nursing Office of Student Services. Transfer of credits will not occur until a student has completed at least 12 credits in the Ph.D. in nursing program.

6. No more than 9 credits with a grade of C or C+ may be used in meeting the requirements for a Ph.D. in nursing degree.

7. Students are expected to earn grades of B or better in their coursework. An overall B average is required for graduation.

8. The grade of incomplete, IN, can be granted when a student has not completed the assigned work in a course because of illness or other reasons satisfactory to the instructor. The grade of IN is issued at the discretion of the instructor. The IN grade must be converted to a letter grade by the end of the drop/add period in the next semester if the course with the incomplete grade is a prerequisite for a current course the student is taking. Any student failing to complete the assigned work to remove the IN grade is required to drop the subsequent course. University regulations require the removal of incomplete grades within a calendar year. If not removed, the IN remains on the transcript. In unusual and compelling situations, an extension may be recommended by the graduate program director and approved by the associate dean for the Ph.D. program. A specific plan for completion is required for an extension to be approved. The Request for Incomplete Status form may be obtained from the College of Nursing Office of Student Services.

9. All requirements for the Ph.D. in nursing degree must be completed within eight consecutive years from the date of matriculation. Should extenuating circumstances necessitate prolonging the time limit, the student's record is reviewed. Extensions are granted only to those students who have a history of satisfactory performance and can document a timetable and plan to complete the requirements within a reasonable period of time. A written request for such an extension is made to the academic adviser, who makes a recommendation on the matter to the associate dean for the Ph.D. program. The associate dean for the Ph.D. program reviews the student's record and forwards the appropriate document of approval or disapproval to the dean of the Graduate School–Newark. The final decision rests with the associate dean for the Ph.D. program of the College of Nursing.

1. Within 10 days of receiving notification of the grade, the student should meet with the instructor who recorded the grade.

2. If the two parties cannot resolve the matter, the student must file within 10 school days a written complaint with the graduate program director or a designee.

3. The program director's office reviews the case and attempts to mediate the dispute. Within 10 school days of receiving the written complaint, the graduate program director or designee shall consult with all parties and propose a resolution.

4. If the student is not satisfied with the results achieved at that level, he or she can refer the matter to the Student Life Committee. To support this appeal, the student must forward to the chair of the Student Life Committee the previously written complaint and all materials submitted earlier in the case.

5. To review materials the student has submitted, the Student Life Committee forms a subcommittee composed solely of its members who have graduate faculty status.

6. Within 15 school days of receiving the complaint, the committee shall render a decision. In arriving at its decision, the committee may consult with anyone it chooses. In extraordinary cases, it may even ask third parties from among the faculty to review the grade in question.

7. Any student wishing to pursue the matter further may appeal the program faculty's decision to the dean of the Graduate School–Newark. Such an appeal must be made in writing within 10 school days from the day the student received notice of the program faculty's decision. In this document, the student should outline clearly the grounds for the appeal.

8. The dean of the Graduate School–Newark shall render a decision within 10 school days of the receipt of the appeal. This decision is final.