2020-2021 Graduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Nursing (Ph.D.)


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Program Coordinator/Contact

Melinda Tinkle, Associate Dean for Academic Programs
College of Nursing
Wagner Hall 217, Box 2275
605-688-5178 or 1-888-216-9806, Ext. 2

Program Information

The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing prepares nurse scientists to assume roles as health care researchers, faculty, and health care administrators with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention in under-served and rural populations. The Ph.D. program educates nurse scientists in academic, research, practice and policy roles to address healthcare issues in urban, rural, frontier, and reservation areas.

Program Competencies

The graduate of the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program will demonstrate the competencies:

  • Conduct original research relevant to the discipline of nursing.
  • Integrate nurse scholar and scientist role components of research, teaching, leadership, mentoring, and service to the profession.
  • Contribute to the advancement and dissemination of nursing science.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Conduct original research: Conduct original research relevant to the discipline of nursing. (Communication Skills; Transferable Skill: Leadership - Management)
  • Integrate nurse scholar and scientist role: Integrate nurse scholar and scientist role components of research, teaching, leadership, mentoring, and service to the profession. (Communication Skills; Transferable Skill: Diversity Awareness; Awareness of Public Policy - Regulatory Affairs)
  • Contribute to advancement of nursing science: Contribute to the advancement and dissemination of nursing science. (Communication Skills; Transferable Skill: Leadership - Management)

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

Licensure

Students who are Registered Nurses must provide evidence of professional registration by submitting a copy of the most current RN license.  International students who are Registered Nurses must provide evidence of national registration in good standing in their home country.

Course Delivery Format

Nursing courses are delivered online.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees


Doctor of Philosophy 60 Credit Plan
  90 Credit Plan

Core Requirements


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

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 .

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