PhD - Programs of Study

Persons may enter a program of study for the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing with a bachelor's degree in nursing or with a master's degree in nursing.

Programs of Study

BSN to PhD

The BSN to PhD is designed as an accelerated pathway for outstanding BSN graduates, who have an identified and focused research and scholarship interest, to complete the PhD. For persons who enter with a bachelor's degree in nursing, the program consists of a minimum of 72 semester hours, including 12 semester hours of master's level courses that include 2 master's level core courses and 2 clinical master's specialization courses (such as geriatrics, pediatrics, administration)

Students who enter the Doctoral Program in Nursing without a master's degree can earn a Masters of Science in Nursing degree (MSN) after having completed 33 semester hours. This is comparable to the 33 sh required for the Basic MSN in the College of Nursing.

• 12 semester hours of master's level courses that includes 2 master's level core courses and 2 clinical master's specialization courses (such as geriatrics, pediatrics, or administration)
• Master's Qualifying Exam, portfolio, or project or thesis
• 18 semester hours of nursing PhD core courses
• 12 semester hours nursing PhD focal area courses (in aging, administration, informatics,child/family or an individualized focal area), including a Residency Course
• 9 semester hours in a cognate minor
• 9 semester hours in statistics and methods
• 1 semester hour for dissertation research seminar
• 11 semester hours of dissertation credit (The dissertation can be traditional or a three-paper option.)   

Additional required non-credit activities include:

• two supervised research practica as a research assistant in an ongoing investigative team,
•   a second dissertation research seminar taken near the completion of the program, on research application and advanced design, and
• a written comprehensive examination.   

MSN to PhD

Students entering the program with a master's degree must complete a minimum of 72 semester hours following the bachelor's degree. The recommended program of study includes:

• 18 semester hours of nursing PhD core courses
• 12 semester hours of nursing PhD focal area courses (aging, administration, informatics, child/family, or an individualized focal area), including a Residency Course
• 9 semester hours in a cognate minor
• 9 semester hours in statistics and methods
• 1 semester hour for dissertation research seminar
• 11 semester hours of dissertation credit (The dissertation can be traditional or a three-paper option.)

Additional required non-credit activities include:

• two supervised research practica as a research assistant in an ongoing investigative team,
• a second dissertation research seminar taken near the completion of the program, on research application and advanced design, and
• a written comprehensive examination.