Purpose and Structure of PhD Program

The purpose of the Ph.D. program in nursing is to develop clinical scholars, faculty, and researchers who can teach and provide leadership through scientific inquiry and innovative practice. Nursing science encompasses the body of knowledge related to the personal experience of health and illness in individuals, families, groups, and communities. As a practice discipline, nurse scientists are in a unique position to assess health needs and design evidence-based interventions to improve the health of groups made vulnerable by complex life circumstances. Research emphasis includes health-related needs and responses of targeted populations, dynamics of the nurse-patient interface, evidence-based solutions for complex nursing problems, and the design and testing of innovative models of nursing care. The faculty of the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing believe that significant learning at the doctoral level occurs best within a mentor-type model. Highly individualized plans of study through which each student can develop depth of expertise and research capability within a specialized area will promote his/her career goals.

The purpose of the Ph.D. program is:

1. To prepare a cadre of highly qualified nurse scientists to advance the art and science of nursing in order to improve the health of the state, nation and the world.

2. To prepare nursing faculty with doctorates to teach in baccalaureate and higher degree nursing programs in the state, nation, and other countries.

3. To fulfill the research mission of the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing as a unit within a major research university.

The program outcomes for the Ph.D. in Nursing include the ability to:

1. Demonstrate appropriate breadth and depth of scientific knowledge, and comprehension of the major issues of the discipline of nursing.

2. Design and conduct research according to scientific principles to create new knowledge

3. Demonstrate effective teaching and communication skills for dissemination of scientific knowledge to appropriate stakeholders.

4. Advance science through interdisciplinary collaboration to improve the health of individuals, families, and communities.

5. Lead the discipline of nursing to influence change in practice, education, policy, and research in accordance with the highest ethical standards.

Approved by the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing Graduate Affairs Committee March, 2023.

Candidates for all doctoral degrees are required to demonstrate high-level competence in the use of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking, as part of the language and communication requirements for the doctorate. In addition, all students are required to be computer literate in word processing and in the use of statistical packages as determined by their dissertation committee. Students will be assessed for communication skills during core nursing courses. 

Assessments should include pieces of original writing. Programs and advisers should identify any deficiencies prior to their qualifying examination and direct students into appropriate remedial activities. The program must formally attest competence before the doctoral comprehensive examination is scheduled. (International students should note that passage of the minimal TOEFL/IELTS requirement do not demonstrate the level of competence expected of a Ph.D. from Penn State.) 

The Ph.D. degree in Nursing requires a minimum of 47 semester credits beyond the M.S./M.S.N. degree or minimum 71 credits beyond the B.S.N. Graduate credits earned at other institutions may be offered in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the doctoral degree in nursing. The Director of the Ph.D. Program evaluates courses offered for transfer credit individually relative to the program requirements and the student’s plan of study.  

The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing adopted a policy to ensure that doctoral studies are based on current science and are completed in a timely fashion. Under this po, a doctoral student is required to complete the program, including acceptance of the doctoral dissertation, within five years from the date of successful completion of the qualifying examination. All coursework must be completed within eight years of admission to the doctoral program. Students must carefully monitor progression in order to meet this limitation. 

Annual reviews provide ongoing assessment of the student’s progress. In order to assure compliance with policy, the Dissertation Committee will review the candidate’s transcripts, noting the dates of course completion, at the time of proposal defense. The Dissertation Chair will summarize the course audit/recommendations for updating course work prior to graduation and will forward the summary to the Director of the Ph.D. Program. Since this review is based on a projected timeline for completion of degree requirements, a final audit of the transcript will be conducted by the Dissertation Chair prior to scheduling the Final Oral Examination. Should any coursework exceed the maximum time for completion (8 years), the Chair will consult with the Director of the Ph.D. Program and Dissertation Committee to clarify requirements for graduation prior to scheduling the final defense. 

GCAC-601 Residency Requirement Research Doctorate: https://gradschool.psu.edu/graduate-education-policies/gcac/gcac-600/gcac-601-residency-requirement-research-doctorate

Each doctoral candidate must spend at least two semesters registered as a full-time student engaged in academic work either at the University Park or Hershey campus over a twelve-month period, excluding summer sessions, during the interval between admission to the Ph.D. program and completion of the Ph.D. program. 

Full-time University employees enrolled in a Ph.D. program must be registered for 6 credits or more in each semester in which residency is declared and must be certified as full-time employees by their unit.  

Students appointed on Graduate Assistantships/Fellowships requesting remote work must seek approval.

Graduate students appointed to assistantships or fellowships who plan to work remotely for 30 days or more must follow the outlined process to obtain proper approvals. This ensures compliance with university policies and federal regulations.

General Guidelines

1. Graduate School Approval Required
   If a graduate student will be located outside of Pennsylvania (domestically or internationally) for 30 days or more, approval from the Graduate School is required.

• Fellowships: If the student will be outside the United States for 30+ days on a fellowship, contact the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards Administration for an Export Control review.

• Uncertainty: When in doubt, reach out to the office to determine if a review is needed.

2. Associate Dean Approval
   A signed approval from the Associate Dean must be included in the request as part of a single PDF submission.

3. Resources
   Additional guidance and resources are available in the Graduate School Resource Portal, specifically under the section for Out of State/Out of Country Requests.

Submission Requirements

A formal memo must be submitted to the Graduate School, including:

Required Information (All Requests)

• Student Name

• PSU ID

• PSU Email Address

• Advisor Name & PSU Email

• Appointment Type (RA/TA/AA)

• City and Country of Remote Location

• Departure and Return Dates

• Reason for Departure

• Appointment Period Dates

• Anticipated Graduation Date

• Brief Description of Research

• Funding Source (Department/Grant/Other)

• In-Country Host or Collaborator (if applicable)

• Veteran Status

• Mentoring Statement (developed by the faculty advisor), including:

  • Plan for regular communication (e.g., weekly virtual meetings)

  • Expectations for assistantship and academic progress

  • Data/file sharing plans

  • Access to necessary technology and internet

  • Reassessment plan for multi-semester absences

Additional Information (TA Requests Only)

• Course Type: World Campus or Resident Instruction

• Instructor of Record Status

• Course Professor Approval

• Internet Reliability Confirmation

For Conference/Educational Program Travel

Include conference registration or program documentation as supplemental material.

Submission Instructions

• Combine the memo, mentoring plan, and any supplemental materials into a single PDF.

• Submit to the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards Administration.

• Submit before making travel plans or arrangements.

• Allow at least 3 weeks for review. Processing times may vary during peak periods.

Questions?

Contact the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards Administration for assistance.