This is the first version of the 2025–26 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
Learning Outcomes
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program prepares scholars to advance nursing science and contribute to transdisciplinary efforts to improve health outcomes. Graduates of the program are prepared to be leaders who engage in the three roles highlighted by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN): develop the science, steward the discipline, and educate the next generation of nurses.
Graduates will:
- master in-depth knowledge in a substantive area of nursing;
- conduct original research that generates new knowledge;
- disseminate research results and articulate implications for policy, practice, and the profession; and
- assimilate evolving roles and responsibilities of a nurse scholar.
The Doctor of Philosophy program in nursing requires a minimum of 72 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must maintain a UI cumulative grade-point average 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 PhD program must be updated according to university policy.
The PhD in nursing requires the following coursework.
Required Courses
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS:6802 | Health Policy, Law, and Advocacy | 3 |
| NURS:6811 | Social Determinants of Health and Health System Inequities | 3 |
| NURS:7000 | Philosophy and Sociology of Nursing Science | 3 |
| NURS:7001 | Qualitative Research | 4 |
| NURS:7002 | Designing Research | 3 |
| NURS:7003 | Quantitative Research | 4 |
| NURS:7006 | Theory and Model Development | 3 |
| NURS:7310 | Measurement in Health Research | 3 |
| NURS:7404 | Biological Markers in Health Research | 3 |
| NURS:7801 | Seminar: Research Scholarship Role Development | 2 |
| NURS:7803 | Research Practicum I | 2 |
| NURS:7804 | Research Practicum II | 2 |
| CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health | 0-1 |
| Specialization courses (BSN–PhD only) | 6 | |
| Intermediate statistics | 3 | |
| Advanced statistics | 3-4 | |
Cognate Area
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Cognate courses (BSN–PhD only) | 6 | |
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
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course (minimum of 11 s.h.): | ||
| NURS:7805 | Dissertation Research | arr. |
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 PhD Program
PhD applicants who have completed an accredited basic nursing program must hold a current license to practice nursing.
Applicants must have a grade-point average of at least 3.00. They must also 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).
The application deadline for the PhD program is Dec. 1. In order to be reviewed, the applicant's file must be complete, with all materials submitted.
The PhD 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, PhD
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 72 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a | ||
| See General Catalog and website for specific requirements; must include 3 s.h. of intermediate statistics, 3 s.h. of advanced statistics, 6 s.h. of other coursework, and at least 11 s.h. of dissertation credit. Work with faculty advisor to determine courses and sequence. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CITI Training b | ||
| NURS:7000 | Philosophy and Sociology of Nursing Science | 3 |
| NURS:7801 | Seminar: Research Scholarship Role Development | 2 |
| BIOS:4120 | Introduction to Biostatistics c | 3 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Spring | ||
| NURS:6811 | Social Determinants of Health and Health System Inequities | 3 |
| NURS:7006 | Theory and Model Development | 3 |
| BIOS:5120 | Regression Modeling and ANOVA in the Health Sciences | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NURS:7002 | Designing Research | 3 |
| NURS:7310 | Measurement in Health Research | 3 |
| BIOS:5130 | Applied Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
| CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health | 0 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| NURS:7003 | Quantitative Research | 4 |
| NURS:7803 | Research Practicum I | 2 |
| CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health | 1 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Comprehensive Exam d | ||
| NURS:6802 | Health Policy, Law, and Advocacy | 3 |
| NURS:7001 | Qualitative Research | 4 |
| NURS:7804 | Research Practicum II | 2 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| NURS:7404 | Biological Markers in Health Research | 3 |
| NURS:7509 | Research Residency e | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NURS:7805 | Dissertation Research f | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| NURS:7805 | Dissertation Research f | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NURS:7805 | Dissertation Research f | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| NURS:7805 | Dissertation Research f | 3 |
| Final Oral Exam (Dissertation Defense) | ||
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
- a
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- b
- Online training modules to be completed during first semester.
- c
- Other coursework includes the following: electives, additional methods courses, Research Practicum, or Research Residency. Work with faculty advisor to determine courses and sequence.
- d
- For students admitted fall 2017 or later, the Comprehensive Exam must be completed no later than the end of the fall semester of year three.
- e
- Or take an advanced/specific methods course, third statistics course, or an elective.
- f
- Minimum of 11 s.h. of Dissertation Research required, generally distributed over multiple semesters until degree completion.