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

Dr. Kevin Gosselin, Interim 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 unencumbered 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. Submission of CV or resume is strongly encouraged.

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. A current unencumbered 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 one-page personal statement.
  6. A CV or resume is strongly encouraged.

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

This degree program is delivered online. Students are required to attend an annual workshop on the UT Tyler campus. 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

Fall

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

Spring

NURS 6312Theory Construction and Evaluation
NURS 6321Foundations of Statistics
Elective/Cognate

Summer

NURS 6333Qualitative Research Designs and Methods
NURS 6350Research in Transcultural Health
NURS 6322Advanced Statistics

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 6160-6660
Dissertation

Spring

NURS 6160-6660
Dissertation

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 annual workshop on the UT Tyler campus. 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

Fall

NURS 6310Philosophy of Science
NURS 6342Scholarship in Nursing
MSN Specialty Track Elective
NOTE: MSN Specialty Track: Education must take NURS 5355; Informatics must take NURS 5381; Administration must take NURS 5331 

Spring

NURS 6312Theory Construction and Evaluation
NURS 5324Health Care Informatics
MSN Specialty Track Elective
NOTE: MSN Specialty Track: Education must take NURS 5327; Informatics must take NURS 5383; Administration must take NURS 5335 

Year 2

Summer

NURS 6333Qualitative Research Designs and Methods
MSN Specialty Track Elective
NOTE: MSN Specialty Track: Education must take NURS 5328; Informatics must take NURS 5385; Administration must take NURS 5337 

Fall

NURS 6320Data Management
MSN Specialty Track Elective
Elective/Cognate
NOTE: MSN Specialty Track: Education must take NURS 5329; Informatics must take NURS 5387; Administration must take elective as approved by program coordinator. 

Spring

NURS 6321Foundations of Statistics
NURS 6352Health Care Policy Development
Elective or Cognate
 

Year 3

Summer

NURS 6350Research in Transcultural Health
NURS 6322Advanced Statistics

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