Nursing, Ph.D.

The Doctor of Philosophy program in nursing requires a minimum of 72 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must maintain a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.00.

The program prepares students to advance nursing science and contribute to the body of nursing knowledge. It emphasizes student participation with faculty members on research teams; focused coursework; presentation and publication of research-based knowledge; and interdisciplinary learning experiences.

Graduate students in the College of Nursing must adhere to all Graduate College policies regarding academic standing, probation, and dismissal. Coursework taken 10 or more years before a student plans to graduate from the Ph.D. program must be updated according to University policy.

The Ph.D. with a major in nursing requires the following work.

Required Courses

Cognate Area

Comprehensive Exam and Dissertation

Students must complete a written and oral comprehensive examination before they begin work on the dissertation. They must write the dissertation and defend it orally.

Dissertation

Applicants to College of Nursing graduate programs must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.

The program is open to individuals who have earned a bachelor's degree in nursing, an associate's degree in nursing with a bachelor's or advanced degree in any field, an advanced degree in nursing, or an advanced degree in a health-related field.

A criminal background check is required for all students upon admission. The College of Nursing has additional application requirements, as follows.

Admission to the Ph.D. Program

Ph.D. applicants who have completed an accredited basic nursing program must hold a current license to practice nursing.

Applicants must have a g.p.a. of at least 3.00. They also must have successfully completed an upper-level statistics course within five years prior to the application deadline.

Applicants must submit along with their application:

• a two-to-three-page statement describing their educational objectives, career goals, and an area of research for their doctoral study;
• three recommendations from nursing professionals that speak to the applicant's potential as a scholar;
• a current résumé or curriculum vitae; and
• a complete transcript of all college programs and courses.

Applicants whose first language is not English must score at least 81 (internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); at least 7.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no subscore less than 6; or at least 105 on the Duolingo English Test (DET).

Application deadline for the Ph.D. program is January 15. In order to be reviewed, the applicant's file must be complete, with all materials submitted.

The Ph.D. program prepares scholars to move nursing and health science forward. Graduates are prepared for careers as faculty members in college and university settings as well as researchers, consultants, and leaders in military, academic or industry venues, and in other nonacademic settings.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.

Nursing, Ph.D.