The doctoral program at the University of Washington School of Nursing is designed to provide an educational opportunity for individuals seeking to develop a research and/or academic career in nursing science. There are five Student Outcomes, and a required minimum of 93 quarter credits for completion. We have purposefully kept the required credits at a minimum level to enable students to complete their degree requirements in a timely manner and to give increased opportunity to take courses which will build perspective in the individual scholar's area of interest. Hence, it is anticipated that the average student will exceed the required number of credits by adding knowledge unique to their area of research interest. The individual student's supervisory committee has the final responsibility for approving the course of study for a particular student, which may exceed the 93 required course credits.

Of the minimum requirements, there are a minimum of 43 credits defined as Theory and Domain of Knowledge, and a minimum of 50 credits defined as Scholarly Inquiry.

Theory and Domain of Knowledge (minimum 43 credits). Courses in this category are:

It is intended that course work in theory and domain of knowledge will provide grounding in science and nursing science that are foundational to more specific issues in the relationship of human health and nursing. The perspective involves individuals, groups and communities, as they define, and also 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.

Scholarly Inquiry (minimum 50 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 four required sub-categories:

1. METHODOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES IN NURSING SCIENCE - 5 credits
Methodological Perspectives in Nursing Science - NMETH 580, gives 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 and Statistics. The Department of Biostatistics offers many interdisciplinary research methods courses.

ADVANCED METHODS - 8 credit minimum

STATISTICS - 10 credit minimum

Optional Statistics Courses

Optional Advanced Statistics Courses

3. DISSERTATION - 27 credits
The dissertation is accomplished in NMETH 800 and is the individual student's major research endeavor.

OPTIONAL ELECTIVE: COLLOQUIUM: Scientific Content and Dissertation - 2-6 credits
As of Spring Quarter, 2006, NURS 596: Colloquium is an elective course. It 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.