Program Requirements

The PhD program in Nursing Science is designed for individuals seeking to develop a research and/or academic career in nursing science. The program has a required minimum of 93 quarter credits for completion, and graduates must meet five expected Student Outcomes. We anticipate that the average student will exceed the required number of credits by adding courses that provide knowledge that is unique to their area of research interest. Each student's supervisory committee has the final responsibility for approving his or her program of study.

Of the 93 credits required for graduation, 41 credits are defined as Theory and Domain of Knowledge, and 52 credits are defined as Scholarly Inquiry.

Theory and Domain of Knowledge
Minimum 41 credits

Coursework in theory and domain of knowledge provides grounding in science and nursing science that is foundational to examination of more specific issues in the relationship of human health and nursing. The coursework involves individuals, groups, and communities as they define and interactively influence health. Health is a socially constructed concept that shows variation based on biological, gender, age, social class, and cultural factors. Health can refer to wellness and illness as well as disease. Nursing as a scientific discipline studies the interaction of persons and environments and the patterning of human behavior to achieve or maintain health.

Required (Core) courses are highlighted in bold.

Scholarly Inquiry
Minimum 52 credits
Courses included in the Scholarly Inquiry requirement deal with the means of developing knowledge. There is exposure to a variety of approaches with encouragement to develop advanced skills in at least one methodology. Courses in this category are grouped into three required sub-categories:

1. Core Methods Courses (7 credits)
   These courses give students an overview of design, methods, and analyses.

2. Design/Methods/Analysis Sequence (18 credits)
   This sequence of courses allows students to obtain in-depth knowledge and skill in either a) outcomes or b) interpretive methods. Courses are divided into two areas:
   • Advanced Methods
   • Statistics
   In addition to the courses listed below, the Department of Biostatistics offers many interdisciplinary research methods courses.

3. Dissertation: NMETH 800 (27 credits)
• Optional Elective - Colloquium
  NURS 596: Colloquium, Scientific Content, and Dissertation Seminar (2-6 credits)
  This course is designed for students engaged in the dissertation research process after the first year, and is intended for peer exchange demonstrating the individual scholar's domain of knowledge and scholarship.