Established in 1975, the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing program is designed to prepare researchers and scholars to provide leadership to the profession and discipline of nursing. The program emphasizes the development of the student’s capacity to make significant, original contributions to nursing knowledge. The understanding that nursing provides services that help individuals, families, and communities achieve health drives the Ph.D. program. These services are based on systematic knowledge about human health and human-environment relationships. Particular attention is given to the kinds of human-environment relationships that are optimal for health. This systematic knowledge base is the foundation of nursing science.

Admission Requirements

Prospective students are encouraged to attend Informational Meetings prior to application.

1. Admission - Beginning Fall 2024, admission to this program is through AACN supported universal application system, NursingCAS.   
    

   Applicants must satisfy the following criteria and submit the required documents for admission consideration:  

2. Application: All new applicants must submit the graduate student application.
   1. The application is available through  NursingCAS. Admission decisions are based upon all materials submitted and a personal interview with potential faculty mentors. Decisions reflect careful consideration of the applicant's professional goals, research interests, and the resources of the College of Nursing. Although an applicant may meet all minimum requirements, admission may not be granted because of 1) unavailable program space, and/or 2) inadequate College resources relevant to the applicant's specific area of research interest. Admission decisions will be made after all required materials have been received.
3. Nursing Degree: Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing or the equivalent from a National League for Nursing (NLN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited institution. International applicants must have earned an equivalent degree.
4. Grade Point Average: It is recommended that applicants who have a master’s degree have a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) graduate GPA, based on at least twelve credits of graduate level course work; and applicants who have a bachelor’s degree have a minimum 3.0 GPA. in upper division undergraduate course work (the last sixty credits).
5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE): The GRE is not required.
6. References: Submit two letters of recommendation from nurse faculty, nurse researchers, and/or other professional colleagues (preferably at the doctoral-prepared level) who can evaluate the applicant’s scholarship and aptitude for research.
7. Resume: Resume or Curriculum Vita that includes education, work and/or research experience, publications, certifications, licenses, grants, professional affiliations, awards, honors, presentations, and/or courses taught.
8. Statement of Professional Goal: Write a brief statement that describes motivation for doctoral study, career goals, potential focus of research and how that research interest may fit with one or more of the research orientations of the faculty in the College of Nursing. To determine a potential fit of research interests with faculty research programs, applicants are encouraged to view faculty interests in the Faculty Programs of Research. One or two faculty whose research is aligned with the students should be included in the Goals Statement.  
9. Interviews: Applicant interviews are required and will be scheduled after receipt of the College of Nursing application, goals statement and curriculum vita.

Admission Deadline: August 1

Readmission: Students who are inactive and desire readmission must submit a written request to the Director of the Ph.D. Program of the College of Nursing, four months prior to the semester in which they wish to register. The readmission decision is based on recommendation of the Ph.D. Program Committee and the Graduate School.

Candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing must complete a minimum of ninety-one graduate credits beyond the baccalaureate degree including a thirty-credit dissertation. The thirty-credit dissertation registration requirement is fulfilled by registering in the courses NUR 9991, NUR 9992, NUR 9993, and NUR 9994 (Doctoral Dissertation Research and Direction I, II, III, and IV, respectively), in consecutive academic year semesters. Students are also expected to attend a minimum of two semesters of Dissertation Colloquia during the dissertation credits. All course work must be completed in accordance with the academic procedures of the College and the Graduate School governing graduate scholarship and degrees.

7000-Level Courses: The Ph.D. program must include thirty credits, excluding dissertation direction, in courses numbered 7000 or above.

Plan of Work: Early in their program the doctoral student, with the assistance of their academic advisor plans a sequence of studies, the Plan of Work. The Final Plan of Work, found on the Graduate School website, approved by the academic advisor and the PhD Program Director, College of Nursing, should be submitted to the Graduate School before the student has completed forty graduate credits (including transfer credits). Petition for Transfer of Credits and annual reviews should be submitted with to the Plan of Work and any changes in the Plan of Work. 

Residency: The Ph.D. requirement of one year of residence is met by completion of six graduate credits in course work (not dissertation) over two successive semesters (Spring/Summer Semester may be excluded).

Qualifying Examinations must be applied for following completion of at least 50 credits of graduate level courses, including domain and methods as stated on the student's approved Plan of Work.

Candidacy: The final Qualifying examination must be passed, and the Dissertation Committee approved to establish candidacy. DNP to PhD and MSN to PhD students must complete two semesters of the Research Residency, and BSN to PhD students must complete one semester of the Research Residency and the 2-semester Pilot study before defending their proposal. The Teaching Residency must be completed prior to graduation.

Time Limitations: Students in all paths have a seven year time limit to complete all requirements for the Ph.D. degree. The seven-year period begins with the end of the semester during which the student was admitted to doctoral study and was taking work toward meeting the requirements for the degree. Students whose seven-year time limit has expired may be considered for an extension, provided that the Qualifying Examination is passed and the Dissertation Proposal has been successfully defended. Subsequent extensions will not be considered in the absence of substantial progress during the previous year.

Postdoctoral Study

The purpose of postdoctoral study is to develop scientists capable of sustaining independent research within the theoretical perspective of nursing science. Opportunities are available for postdoctoral study on an individual basis in relation to the specific interest of the applicant, and to the availability of expert faculty mentorship. Interested students should contact the Ph.D. Program Director at 313-577-0359.