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

Dr. Barbara McAlister, Program Director

Objectives

The Ph.D. in Nursing prepares nurse leaders to: 1) design and conduct research that contributes to the advancement of nursing science and health innovations; 2) conduct culturally sensitive research to guide evidenced-based 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. A current license to practice professional nursing.
  3. International students must meet the standards for proficiency in English described in the International Graduate Student Admissions section of this catalog.
  4. A one-page personal statement.
  5. Three academic and/or professional letters of reference.
  6. Submission of CV or resume.

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 unencumbered license to practice professional nursing. International students must meet the standards for proficiency in English described in the International Graduate Student Admissions section of this catalog.
  5. A one-page personal statement. 
  6. A CV or resume is strongly encouraged. 

Consideration for admission to the Ph.D. 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: M.S.N. - Ph.D.

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 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 Ph.D. 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 fall and spring 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 6341Scholarship of Writing for the PhD and DNP

Fall

NURS 6310Philosophy of Science
NURS 6342Scholarship in Nursing
NURS 6320Data Management

Spring

NURS 6312Theory Construction and Evaluation
NURS 6322Advanced Statistics
Elective/Cognate

Summer (2)

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

Year 2

Fall

NURS 6324Advanced Multivariate Statistics
NURS 6330Quantitative Research Designs and Methods
Elective/Cognate

Spring

NURS 6337Advanced Research Design and Methods
NURS 6339Mixed Methods Research Design
NURS 6352Health Care Policy Development
Proficiency Exam

Summer

Elective/Cognate

Year 3

Fall

NURS 6160-6660Dissertation

Spring

NURS 6160-6660Dissertation

Degree Requirements: B.S.N.- Ph.D.

Promising BSN prepared nurses will enroll directly into the Ph.D. program with the opportunity to complete the degree in four years of full-time study, rather than the five required if aN MSN and Ph.D. were earned sequentially. 

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 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 (72 hrs.)

    Required Courses - 51 hrs.

    1. Electives - 9 hrs.
    2. 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 Ph.D. degree. Two course failures (i.e., grade < B) will result in dismissal from the program. 
    2. Nursing courses within the Ph.D. 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 fall and spring 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 BSN-Ph.D. student.

Year 1

Summer

NURS 6341Scholarship of Writing for the PhD and DNP

Fall

NURS 6310Philosophy of Science
NURS 6342Scholarship in Nursing
NURS 5355Integrated Advanced Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology

Spring

NURS 6312Theory Construction and Evaluation
NURS 5324Health Care Informatics
MSN Specialty Track Elective
NOTE: MSN Specialty Track Elective - Education Track must take NURS 5355

Year 2

Summer

NURS 6333Qualitative Research Designs and Methods
MSN Specialty Track Elective
NOTE: MSN Specialty Track - either NURS 5331 or NURS 5327

Fall

NURS 6320Data Management
MSN Specialty Track Elective
Elective/Cognate
NOTE: MSN Specialty Track - either NURS 5335 or NURS 5328

Spring

NURS 6322Advanced Statistics
NURS 6352Health Care Policy Development
Elective/Cognate
NOTE: MSN Specialty Track - either NURS 5337 or NURS 5329

Year 3

Summer

NURS 6350Research in Transcultural Health

Fall

NURS 6324Advanced Multivariate Statistics
NURS 6330Quantitative Research Designs and Methods

Spring

NURS 6339Mixed Methods Research Design
NURS 6337Advanced Research Design and Methods
Doctoral Proficiency Exam

Year 4

Fall

NURS 6660Dissertation

Spring

NURS 6660Dissertation