Preparing Student for Research Careers
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing program prepares students for research careers. The distance PhD nursing program admits students who have earned a bachelor's degree with a major in nursing (BSN, BS) or a master's degree in nursing or related disciplines. The traditional BS-PhD and MS-PhD tracks share a common program of study with the exception of nine (9) additional MS cognate credits required for BS-PhD students.
PhD Overview
The PhD graduate is prepared with:
- Mastery of Knowledge: Graduates will attain comprehensive expertise in a specific area of nursing, demonstrating a deep understanding of its intricacies and complexities.
- Research Proficiency: Graduates will be adept at conducting original research, integrating diverse scientific perspectives, and generating innovative ideas through critical evaluation.
- Ethical Leadership: Graduates will exhibit leadership grounded in professional and research ethics, fostering culturally competent scholarship to enhance nursing practice.
- Effective Communication: Graduates will effectively communicate research findings to both professional and lay audiences, identifying implications for policy, practice, and the nursing profession.
- Scholarly Integration: Graduates will integrate scholarship components such as research, teaching, mentoring, and service, while also adapting to evolving roles and responsibilities as nurse scholars, advancing the profession through interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship.
Program Length
The PhD Program coursework can be completed in 7 semesters, followed by the dissertation phase that takes an additional 1-2 years to complete.
Mode
The PhD program is offered through synchronous distance education technologies for all students, local and non-local.
Problem Based Learning
Learner-driven self-identified goals and outcomes created in an Individual Development Plan (IDP) based on the development of a research-based doctoral student.
Completion Rate
Our completion rate for those that enter and complete the PhD program stands at
PhD Information
All PhD students, regardless of the state or country of residence, are required to attend three (3) week-long campus immersion experiences as a cohort. Week-long immersions are held at the University of Utah campus annually during the coursework phase of the program (the first three years of study).
The initial week-long campus immersion takes place during the first week of classes and serves as an orientation to the University of Utah and PhD program (typically in late August for fall admission). Exact dates for subsequent week-long immersions vary each year. Each of the three visits has distinct objectives that align with program progression.
All PhD students, regardless of the state or country of residence, are required to attend a research conference as a cohort annually during the coursework phase of the program (the first three years of study). The research conference is chosen by PhD program faculty (exact semester, location and dates may vary depending on which conference is chosen). Each of the three conference attendance experiences is typically tied to current coursework and provides rich faculty/student mentoring and networking opportunities.
| ACADEMIC PROGRAM | DNP | PHD |
|---|---|---|
FOCUS |
Nursing practice | Nursing research |
| DEGREE OBJECTIVE | Prepare the highest level of nursing practice scholars for clinical, administrative, and academic career; terminal degree in practice | Prepare scholars for research and academic careers in public or private sectors of healthcare; terminal degree in research |
| CAREERS | High-level advanced leadership/practitioner within health care system, quality improvement management, health care informatics, clinical educator or professor, policymaker | Nurse researcher, nurse scientist, policymaker, academic professor, educator for health care facility, author |
| CURRICULUM | Coursework will focus on research and analytical methods, theory, and nursing science. Most programs allow student to specialize in research interests that will directly relate to their careers—this research will culminate in a dissertation. | Coursework will focus on a combination of health care policy and advocacy, information systems and technology, health care quality improvement, evidence-based practice, and organizational/systems leadership. |
The PhD program can generally be split into two parts: the coursework phase and the dissertation phase. The coursework phase of the program is nine (9) semesters year-round, which includes one to two core courses per semester. Students have the option of taking additional electives or area of specialization courses to reach full-time status (9+ credits per semester).
BS-PhD students must attend full-time for the first year of study due to the additional MS cognate work. A student's faculty advisor or dissertation committee may require additional coursework to address identified academic deficiencies and identify inter-departmental and College of Nursing courses in the student's area of specialization.
The program requires successful completion of written and oral qualifying examinations at the conclusion of formal coursework prior to admission to PhD candidacy and initiation of the dissertation. The length of time to complete the dissertation phase is variable. All coursework and the dissertation must be completed within seven (7) years.
The Utah Model Emphasizes:
- Synchronous distance learning with a cohort
- Problem based learning strategies
- Faculty mentorship in a collaborative environment
- Conference-based learning/on-campus intensives
- Year round study