For the PhD in Nursing at the UASON, students will be required to successfully complete a minimum of 66 semester credits beyond the Masters in Nursing or other field. These credits of required coursework are allocated as follows:
| Core (theory, research design,methods, statistics) | 30 credits |
| Substantive Area | 12 credits (minimum) |
| Research Practicum | 6 credits |
| Dissertation | 18 credits (minimum) |
| Total: | 66 credits (minimum) |
The curriculum is designed to provide students with a core foundation in theory, research design, methods and statistics (30 credits). A substantive area of concentration (12 credits) allows students to develop depth of knowledge and contributes to an individualized program of study approved by the dissertation committee. A research practicum (6 credits) provides the student with mentored research experiences to strengthen skills in the conduct of research.
Students in the Post-Baccalaureate PhD option complete 15 credits of master's level coursework in addition to the above. A minimum of 81 semester credits beyond the baccalaureate degree is required to complete the Post-Baccalaureate PhD option.
Upon completion of the program of studies, the student completes a comprehensive exam to demonstrate proficiency in the core, substantive area, and research practicum courses.
Courses offered in School of Nursing required of all PhD students:
• Applied Statistical Analysis Techniques
• Designs for Nursing Studies I
• Designs for Nursing Studies II
• Issues in Leadership and Health Policy
• Linear Models for Clinical Nursing Research
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Quantitative Research Methods
• Research Practicum
• Responsible Conduct of Research
• Theory Building in Nursing
Potential elective courses offered within the School of Nursing:
• Biobehavioral Foundations in Nursing Research
• Biobehavioral Research: State of the Science
• Family Health and Caregiving Across the Lifespan
• Theory Development in Family Health and Caregiving
• Family Research Methods
• Protecting, Promoting and Restoring Health
• Interventions to Promote, Protect and Restore Health
• Methods and Measurement in Nursing Research
• Multivariate Methods for Clinical Nursing Research
Sample Full-Time Plan of Coursework Prior to Dissertation:
In addition to the total of 6 credits of Research Practicum, scheduled in any combination of credits (1-6) during these terms and the substantive area credits (12), the following courses are required. An additional 15 credits of master's level coursework is required for those in the Post-Baccalaureate PhD option.
Semester 1
Theory Building in Nursing (4)
Applied Statistical Analysis Techniques (4)
Quantitative Research Methods (3)
Semester 2
Linear Models for Clinical Nursing Research (3)
Qualitative Research Methods (4)
Semester 3
Responsible Conduct of Research (2)
Summer Intensive (1)
Semester 4
Designs for Nursing Studies I (3)
Issues in Leadership and Health Policy (3)
Semester 5
Designs for Nursing Studies II (3)
Time Frame:
The PhD in Nursing Science is designed to be completed in three to four years of full-time study. Part-time study may also be arranged within a planned program of study.
The PhD in Nursing part-time plan of study is designed to be completed in four to six years of study. All work to be applied to the PhD must be completed within seven years of initial enrollment in the program.