PHD NURS - Nursing (PhD)

PROGRAM COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS: The Doctor of Philosophy degree is a research degree and is not conferred solely as a result of formal course work, no matter how superior and extensive. To receive the doctoral degree, the candidate must demonstrate evidence of proficiency and distinctive attainment in a special field, and a recognized ability for independent investigation as presented in a dissertation based upon original research.

REQUIRED COURSEWORK – Plan of study includes 52 hours. Post-BSN and entry level MSN students must take a minimum of 60 hours for the degree, which includes 8 hours of electives, relevant to the student's research. Plans of study for post-DNP students will be determined on an individual basis following a gap analysis of required coursework for the degree. All students must pass ID 700 Ethics in Research or its equivalent.

The plan of study will be guided by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's (AACN) Essentials competency framework.

QUALIFYING EXAMINATION AND ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY - The qualifying examination is given to graduate students in good academic standing upon completion of coursework and must be successfully completed for admission to candidacy for the doctor of philosophy degree.

DISSERTATION PROPOSAL AND DEFENSE – In collaboration with the PhD program director and approval of the dean of the Graduate School, each candidate forms a Dissertation Advisory Committee to develop a proposal for dissertation research. The candidate must orally defend the written dissertation proposal to their Advisory Committee prior to beginning dissertation research. Students must enroll in PHN 701 every fall and spring until successful defense of the dissertation proposal.

DISSERTATION - The dissertation must show originality of thought and demonstrate the results of independent investigation. It should contribute to the advancement of knowledge, exhibit mastery of the subject literature, and be written with an acceptable degree of literary skill. The dissertation, written according to prescribed form, is prepared under the direction of the candidate's advisor and must be approved by the candidate's Dissertation Advisory Committee and the dean of the Graduate School. This approval must be obtained and all other requirements completed by the date given in the official academic calendar. Guidelines outlining the prescribed form for a student's written dissertation can be found on the SGSHS website (UMMC login required).

DISSERTATION DEFENSE - The dissertation defense is conducted by the candidate's Advisory Committee and consists of a public presentation and defense of the dissertation.

PUBLICATION REQUIREMENT - Students receiving the PhD degree are required to have the results of their research accepted for publication prior to awarding of the degree. This manuscript must meet the publication requirement, i.e., the student must be listed as the sole first author on at least one publication in a national or international peer-reviewed journal.

SUGGESTED PLAN OF STUDY

*Post-BSN and entry-level MSN students must also take a minimum of 8 hours of pre-approved electives.

±DNP to PhD plan of study – determined on an individual student basis via gap analysis.

**Students must enroll in PHN 701 until successful dissertation proposal defense.

Students will be admitted as PhD students beginning with the summer term.