PhD Program Overview

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN NURSING (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. in Nursing is a research-oriented doctorate that focuses on research related to issues and public policy asso­ciated with the health of vulnerable women and children. The program prepares scientists whose research in nursing will extend the knowledge base that informs nursing education, nursing practice, and nursing leadership.

Graduate Competencies/Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the PhD in nursing program should be able to:

• Synthesize knowledge from nursing as well as the biological and behavioral phenomena relevant to the discipline of nursing.
• Conduct, and communicate independent research that advances the body of scientific nursing knowledge.
• Integrate advanced knowledge of nursing and related disciplines to construct, analyze, and test theoretical models that are pertinent to the practice of nursing.
• Apply knowledge of philosophical and ethical principles and methods in analyzing health related issues and practice dilemmas.
• Provide leadership for nursing in clinical, academic, and/or political settings.
• Integrate in-depth knowledge of theory and research into a substantive field of study.

Seek new opportunities for exploring phenomena of concern to nursing and health care.