PH.D. PROGRAM IN NURSING

The Ph.D. is a research doctoral degree that prepares nurse scientists. Traditional options include the B.S.N. to Ph.D. and M.S./M.S.N. to Ph.D. Each program is described below. Sample Plans of Study can be found later in this section. 

Students interested in the Dual-Title Ph.D. programs in Nursing & Bioethics or Nursing & Clinical and Translational Science must first matriculate in the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing Ph.D. program. An additional application is required for the Dual-Title programs. Further information is in a later section of this handbook.

In order to build an interdisciplinary perspective, a minimum of 6 individual specialty credits from other disciplines (non-nursing) are required throughout the Ph.D. program.

The Ph.D. curriculum is composed of 3 components:

1. Nursing Science Core: minimum of 15 credits, consisting of NURS 579 (1), NURS 580 (3), NURS 582 (3), NURS 583 (1), NURS 584 (3), NURS 587 (1), and NURS 589 (3). In addition, NURS 596 (3) will be required of students who are not research assistants on an active faculty research study.

2. Research Methodology and Statistics: minimum of 18 credits, consisting of NURS 585 (3), NURS 586 (3), NURS 578 (3), STAT 500 (3) or PHS 520 (3), NURS 851 (4) or PHS 521 (3), and at least one additional research methods or statistics 3 credit course approved by the student's adviser and/or doctoral committee.

3. Courses for Individual Specialty: minimum of 12 credits (15 credits for a Minor).

B.S.N. TO PH.D.

The B.S.N. to Ph.D. program enables highly qualified students to pursue doctoral study directly from their B.S.N. program in nursing. Students will complete a minimum of 71 credits. The estimated program completion time for a full-time student is five years. Plans of study are individually developed in consultation with the Director of the Ph.D. Program and/or the academic adviser. 

M.S./M.S.N. TO PH.D.

Students entering with a M.S./M.S.N. degree will complete a minimum of 47 credits. The estimated program completion time for a full-time student is four years. Plans of study are individually developed in consultation with the Director of the Ph.D. Program and/or the academic adviser.