Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.) in Nursing

Objectives

The Ph.D. in Nursing prepares nurse leaders to: 1) design and conduct research that contributes to the advancement of nursing science and global health; 2) conduct culturally sensitive research to guide nursing practice; 3) incorporate research outcomes to formulate policies pertinent to nursing and global health; and 4) disseminate innovative and creative strategies to improve health through nursing research, practice, and education.

Admission Requirements

Ph.D. in Nursing

1. A master's degree from a college or university approved by a recognized regional accrediting body.
2. Submission of satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores taken within the last five years. Applicants with a previously earned doctorate or those transferring from a regionally accredited PhD in Nursing program may be exempt from taking the GRE.
3. A current license to practice professional nursing.
4. International students must meet the standards for proficiency in English described in the International Graduate Student Admissions section of this catalog.
5. A 3-5 page paper linking professional goals and research interests to health issues emphasized in this program.
6. Three academic and/or professional letters of reference.

BSN to Ph.D. in Nursing

1. A bachelor's degree in nursing from a college or university approved by a recognized regional accrediting body.
2. A grade point average of at least 3.2 for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work;
3. Submission of satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores taken within the last five years.
4. A current license to practice professional nursing.
5. International students must meet the standards for proficiency in English described in the International Graduate Student Admissions section of this catalog.
6. A 3-5 page paper linking professional goals and research interests to health issues emphasized in this program.
7. Three academic and/or professional letters of reference.

Consideration for admission to the PhD in Nursing program will also be given to one or more of the following: the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to his or her chosen field of study, socioeconomic background, first generation college graduate, multilingual proficiency, geographic region of residence, and level of responsibility in other matters including extracurricular activities, employment, community, service, and family responsibilities.

Degree Requirements

This degree program is delivered online. Students are required to attend an orientation on the UT Tyler campus prior to beginning coursework and an annual summer workshop. Students may be required to be present for other special activities throughout their program of study (e.g. dissertation defense).

1. Minimum Credit Hours (60 hrs.)
   1. Required Courses - 39 hrs.
   2. Electives - 9 hrs.
   3. Dissertation - 12 hrs.
2. Special degree requirements (for details on university doctoral requirements, see the general graduate section of this catalog and the School of Nursing Student Guide available on the School of Nursing website)
   1. A minimum grade of “B” is necessary in all required courses for the PhD degree. Two course failures (i.e. grade < B) will result in dismissal from the program. 
   2. Nursing courses within the PhD curriculum may be repeated only once.  A course withdrawal is counted as one course attempt.  Exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances.
   3. The Proficiency Examination is taken after the student has completed a significant portion, if not all, coursework. Students may not advance to candidacy or register for dissertation hours until all coursework is completed and all portions of the Proficiency Examination have been passed satisfactorily.
   4. Students have a maximum of nine years to complete the program. Students will have five years to complete the program after entering candidacy. Students unable to complete the program within the designated time limits must file for an extension.
   5. A dissertation of original research contributing to the body of knowledge in nursing will be required. Students must enroll for dissertation hours during each long semester while in the dissertation process. A minimum of 12 hours of dissertation credit is required.
   6. Students must meet all doctoral degree requirements of the University.
3. Transfer work: Students may transfer up to twelve hours of coursework with the approval of their advisor and the Doctoral Program Director. Students will be responsible for providing necessary documentation of course equivalency.

Below is a typical outline of program progression for a full-time student.

Year 1

Summer (1)

NURS 6341

Scholarship of Writing for the PhD and DNP

Fall

NURS 6310	Philosophy of Science
NURS 6342	Scholarship in Nursing
NURS 6352	Health Care Policy Development

Spring

NURS 6312	Theory Construction and Evaluation
NURS 6320	Data Management
NURS 6330	Quantitative Research Designs & Methods

Summer (2)

NURS 6333	Qualitative Research Designs & Methods
NURS 6350	Research in Transcultural Health

Year 2

Fall

NURS 6322	Advanced Statistics
NURS 6337	Advanced Research Design & Methods
	Elective/Cognate

Spring

NURS 6324	Advanced Multivariate Statistics
NURS 6339	Mixed Methods Research Design
	Elective/Cognate
	Proficiency Exam

Summer

Elective/Cognate

Year 3

Fall

NURS 6160-6660

Dissertation

Spring

NURS 6160-6660

Dissertation