The College of Nursing offers a doctoral program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree with a major in nursing. The doctoral program prepares nursing scholars capable of integrating research, theory, and practice into their roles as researchers, educators, and/or administrators.

Student Learning Outcomes - Graduates of the program are expected to:

• Analyze, test, refine and expand the theoretical basis of nursing.
• From multiple modes of inquiry, select the most appropriate and conduct research that generates knowledge and advances nursing as a discipline.
• Provide culturally competent leadership as nurse scientists in transforming health and healthcare.
• Collaborate with members of other disciplines in theory development, health-related research, and other scholarly activities, recognizing diversity of ideas.
• Maintain professional standards, ethical principles and scientific integrity in scholarly activities.
• Communicate outcomes and implications of scholarly activities to professional and general audiences through multiple modes of dissemination.

The program offers part-time as well as full-time study options. The program is delivered by a mix of onsite and distance education modalities. Students spend two intensive sessions in residence each term, while participating in distance learning the remainder of the time. The doctoral residence requirement is met by two consecutive terms of full-time enrollment. Optional certificate programs in nursing education and health policy are available. The certificate in health policy is offered jointly with the Department of Public Health. Additional information on the PhD program in nursing can be found on the College of Nursing website.

Campus Code

Distance Education

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• All applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission [NLNAC] or the Collegiate Commission on Nursing Education [CCNE]. Post-graduate applicants must hold a master’s degree in nursing or a business or health-related field [e.g., MBA, MPH, MHA), or DNP.
• Have a minimum cumulative graduate grade point average of 3.30 on a 4.00 scale for previous college work.
• Have successfully completed a basic statistics course and graduate nursing theory and research courses prior to enrollment in nursing doctoral level courses.
• Have TOEFL score of at least 550 on the paper test or 80 on the Internet-based Test if native language is not English.
• Complete Graduate Program Data Form, College of Nursing.
• Submit Graduate Rating Forms from three college level instructors and/or nurses and administrators who have supervised applicant’s professional work.
• Submit a sample of scholarly writing (e.g., thesis, published paper).
• Submit an essay describing personal and professional aspirations.
• Submit Graduate Application for Admission by the deadline for fall admission.
• Complete a personal interview with the College of Nursing PhD Student Admissions Committee. Applicants may be interviewed by telephone or teleconferencing at the discretion of the PhD Admissions Committee after all required items have been submitted to the Graduate School.

Academic Standards

• A maximum of 6 graduate credit hours taken before acceptance into the doctoral program may be applied toward the degree.
• Prior to enrollment in the PhD program, each student must successfully complete a criminal background check.
• A minimum grade of B in all nursing PhD courses is required; however, the College of Nursing will allow one grade of C in any nursing PhD course. A second grade of C or below will result in dismissal from the program. A 3.00 cumulative GPA is required for continuation in the program.
• The College of Nursing prohibits students from repeating graduate coursework with two exceptions: NURS 648  (Advanced Clinical Pharmacology) and NURS 649  (Advanced Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice). Students may only repeat these courses after earning a D or F; original and repeat grade will be included in the GPA.
• For the PhD degree, students must meet the residence requirement as specified by the Graduate School. A statement as to how and during what period of time the residence requirement has been met will be presented with the Application for Admission to Candidacy along with signatures of approval from the major professor and the department head/program director.

The College of Nursing will observe the following grading scale:

A    =  92 – 100	4 quality points
B+  =  88 – 91	3.3 quality points
B    =  83 – 87	3 quality points
C+ =  78 – 82	2.3 quality points
C   =  75 – 77	2 quality points
D   =  67 – 74	1 quality point
F    =  66 or below	0 quality points

Credit Hours Required

From 71 to 83 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• Required of all PhD students (71 credit hours)
  • NURS 599  
  • NURS 601  
  • NURS 602  
  • NURS 603  
  • NURS 605  
  • NURS 606  
  • NURS 607  
  • NURS 608  
  • NURS 611  
  • NURS 609  
  • NURS 610  
  • NURS 612  
  • NURS 613  
  • NURS 615  
  • Cognates chosen in consultation with major advisor and / or guidance committee (6 credit hours)
  • NURS 600  (minimum 24 credit hours)
• Required of all DNP to PhD Students (55 to 60 credit hours)
  • NURS 601  
  • NURS 602  
  • NURS 603  
  • NURS 605  
  • NURS 606  
  • NURS 607  
  • NURS 608  
  • NURS 611  
  • NURS 610  
  • Cognates/electives chosen in consultation with major advisor and / or guidance committee (4 to 6 credit hours)
  • NURS 600  (minimum 24 credit hours)
  • Requirements transferable from DNP students*
    • NURS 612  
    • NURS 613  
    • NURS 615  
    • Cognates/electives chosen in consultation with major advisor and / or guidance committee (3 credit hours)
    • *NOTE: DNP Transcripts will be evaluated to determine equivalency of courses from DNP that may be accepted for the PhD.

Additional Course Requirements

• Requirements for BSN to PhD students: all courses listed in Required Courses section plus 12 additional course hours
  • NURS 566  
  • NURS 614  
  • Cognates, 6 credit hours, chosen in consultation with major advisor and / or guidance committee.
    • Possible cognate areas include, but are not limited to, anthropology (ANTH), child and family studies (CFS), psychology (PSYCH), education (various), management (MGT), public health (PUBH), social work (SOWK), philosophy (PHIL), and statistics (STAT).

Non-Course Requirements

• Early in the student’s program, a nursing faculty advisor will be selected by the program director. The student’s comprehensive examination committee consists of the faculty serving on the student’s dissertation committee.
• Four faculty, holding the rank of assistant professor or above, comprise the dissertation committee, and must meet the guidelines established by the Graduate School (see the section Doctoral Degree: PhD Committee under Academic Policies and Requirements for Graduate Students). At least one member of the committee must be from an academic unit other than nursing.