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Nursing Science PhD Curriculum

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Our students develop the skills of a clinical researcher. These skills are based on the integration of biological, behavioral and clinical sciences.  

Your clinical research skills contribute to the scientific basis of care for patients across the life span — in any setting where care is provided.  

You will also develop the leadership skills necessary to serve as a senior academician and influence health care systems and policy. 

Graduates meet the following outcomes: 

  • Synthesize and apply theoretical and research-based knowledge in the investigation of clinical phenomena 
  • Test and integrate disciplinary knowledge in models of clinical practice across the levels of prevention 
  • Generate and disseminate research-based, clinically related knowledge 
  • Analyze health care trends to influence health and social policy for diverse client populations 
  • Participate in collaborative interprofessional practice and research 
  • Assume faculty responsibilities within a senior academic environment 
  • Function as a clinical scientist

Graduates Meet the Following Standards

For students with a masters degree, coursework must be the equivalent of at least 52 term hours of graduate credit in addition to a dissertation. Students with a bachelor's degree must complete at least 60 term hours of graduate credit in addition to a dissertation.

You must complete degree requirements within eight years.

Program Curricula

Theory courses

  • NSG - 680 Understanding Scientific Paradigms (Credits: 3) 
  • NSG - 681 Understanding Theoretical Framework Development (Credits: 3) 

Subtotal: 6

Statistics courses

  • NSG - 522 Applied Epidemiology Biostats Nursing (Credits: 3) 
    * Waived if student has taken an equivalent graduate-level biostatistics course in the preceding three years.
  • NSG - 684 Intermediate Statistics (Credits: 3) 
  • NSG - 685 Multivariate Statistics (Credits: 3) 

Subtotal: 9

Research courses

  • NSG - 675 Literature Synthesis Approach (Credits: 3) 
  • NSG - 686 The Research Process: Quantitative Design and Methods Part I (Credits: 3) 
  • NSG - 687 The Research Process: Quantitative Design and Methods Part II (Credits: 3) 
  • NSG - 688 The Research Process: Qualitative Design and Methods (Credits: 3) 
  • NSG - 691 Advanced Clinical Research Practicum (Credits: 1-12 minimum, credit hours: 8) 

Subtotal: 20

Ethics course

  • NSG - 683 Ethical Conduct in Research Settings (Credits: 3) 

Subtotal: 3

Role courses

  • NSG - 600 Leadership in Evolving Healthcare Environments (Credits: 3) 
  • NSG - 614 The Leader and Policy, Politics, Power and Ethics (Credits: 3) 
  • NSG - 679 Evidence-Based Teaching in Health Professions (Credits: 3) 
  • NSG - 690 Grant Writing (Credits: 3) 

Subtotal: 12

Cognates

Credit hours: 5 

Subtotal: 5

Dissertation

  • NSG - 699 Dissertation Research (Credits: 2-4) 
    • Minimum total: 12 (Minimum 3 credit hours and maximum 4 credit hours per term) 

Subtotal: 12

Bridge coursework

Individual for each student; only for BSN-PhD students. 

Subtotal: 8 

Total: 75 for BSN-PhD; 67 for MSN-PhD

View the current course catalog

Refer to the course catalog for our most up-to-date curriculum information.