Nursing (Ph.D.)

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Core Requirements

** Courses required to be completed only as part of the 90 Credit Plan.

• HSC 631 - Biostatistics I Credits: 3
• HSC 731 - Biostatistics II Credits: 3
• NURS 615 - Foundations of Advanced Nursing Credits: 3 **
• NURS 670 - Health Policy, Legislation, Economics and Ethics Credits: 3 **
• NURS 675 - Cultural Competence in Health Care Credits: 3 **
• NURS 810 - Doctoral Seminar Credits: 1 (3 credits required)
• NURS 815 - Philosophical Basis for Nursing Inquiry Credits: 3
• NURS 820 - Theory Development in Nursing Credits: 3
• NURS 825 - Qualitative Research Methods in Nursing Credits: 3
• NURS 830 - Quantitative Methods in Nursing Research Credits: 3
• NURS 835 - Ethical Issues Influencing Practice and Research in Health Credits: 2
• NURS 840 - Health Promotion Theory and Research in Underserved Populations Credits: 3 **
• NURS 845 - Measurement and Instrument Evaluation in Health Sciences Research Credits: 3 **
• NURS 895 - Practicum Credits: 1-3 (3 credits required)
• NURS 898D - Dissertation - PhD (COM) Credits: 1-24 (19-22 credits required)
• Electives Credits: 12-15 (60 credit plan), 27-30 (90 credit plan)
  *Must include one additional statistics or research methods course.  Methods or statistics will be found in the title. Graduate students must consult with their advisors prior to registration.

Additional Admission Requirements

GRE: Not required
TOEFL: Score of 81 Internet-based
IELTS: 6.5 total band

In addition to meeting basic requirements for admission to the Graduate School, applicants for graduate study in nursing must have:

• Current RN licensure. International students who are nurses are required to show proof of current licensure/registration as a Registered Nurse (or equivalent), in good standing, in their home country, and maintain that licensure throughout the duration of the program.
• Completed an approved statistical methods course within 5 years.
• Example of scholarly written work.
• Interview assessment reviewed by graduate faculty.
• Completed Compliance requirements: Clear Background check, clear FBI rolled fingerprint, clear drug screen, Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, ACLS certification for FNP specialization, professional liability insurance, influenza vaccine, and TB test.
• Applicants who have begun but not completed a graduate nursing program at another college or university must submit a letter to the College of Nursing indicating their reason for leaving that said program.  A letter of recommendation must also be submitted to the College of Nursing from the dean/director of their former program that includes the applicant’s standing in that program upon exit.

For applicants who completed their higher education within the United States:

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
• Master’s degree in nursing (from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program) or a related field of study with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of  3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.

For applicants who completed their higher education outside the United States:

• A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
• A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Master’s degree in nursing or a related field of study (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system. 

General Requirements

Graduate students must consult with their advisor before registering for graduate coursework.

For additional information refer to the Doctor of Philosophy Degree Requirements .