Pre-Fall 2021 Coursework & Program Plans

Doctor of Philosophy Coursework and Credits

**The following requirements are in place for students admitted prior to Fall 2021**

Nursing and Nursing Theory Core (9 cr)

  • NURS 8121: Health Behavior and Illness Responses (3 cr)

  • NURS 8134: Nursing Interventions and Outcomes (3 cr)

  • NURS 8172: Theory and Theory Development for Research (3 cr)

Research Methodology Core (17 cr)

  • NURS 8171: Qualitative Research Design and Methods (3 cr)

  • NURS 8173: Principles and Methods of Implementing Research (3 cr)

  • NURS 8175: Quantitative Research Design and Methods (3 cr)

  • NURS 8177: Advanced Nursing Research Practicum (2 cr)

  • NURS 8180: Doctoral Pro-Seminar: Scholarly Development (1 cr)

  • NURS 8152: Scholarship in Healthcare Ethics (3 cr)

  • NURS 8190: Critical Review in Health Research (2 cr)

Graduate Statistics(6 cr minimum)

Determined in collaboration with your faculty advisor. Options are noted on the Graduate Statistics Requirement section.

Nursing Electives (2 - 14 cr)

  • Baccalaureate prepared* students complete 14 credits of electives focused on core nursing coursework

  • Master's Prepared students complete 2 credits of electives

Chosen in in collaboration with your faculty advisor. Examples may be found in the Nursing Elective Example section.

Dissertation Credits (NURS 8888, 24 Credits)
Total Required Credits

  • Baccalaureate Prepared: minimum 70 credits

  • Masters Prepared: minimum 58 credits

*Baccalaureate prepared refers to BSN, BA, BS, or MN degrees, including non-nursing degrees.

Sample Program Plans

Sample program plans are available for the following groups of students who pursue the PhD in Nursing. If you are unsure which plan you should be following please consult Alicia George ([email protected]) and Karen McCray (mccra[email protected]).

The sample plans included in this handbook are just that: it is a sample. Some students will have variation in when the courses are taken, but should consult with their advisor and DGS if this is the case. Also it is very important to note that the sample plan is the minimum; most students take many more courses than what are listed, particularly because each student’s needs related to content required to complete their dissertation is different. Indeed, with the tuition band, that is the intent of the University to have PhD students take advantage of its vast educational opportunities.