Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing Science (PhD)


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Requirements for the Degree


The PhD in Nursing Science program requires 41 credit hours of coursework plus nine credit hours of dissertation. Students entering with a baccalaureate degree are required to have 53 credits of coursework plus nine credit hours of dissertaion. Students are required to work with their advisor to develop a plan of study. The plan must first be approved by the academic advisor and then the PhD in Nursing Science Program Committee by the end of the first semester of study in the program. In addition to coursework, degree completion requires successful completion of one written and oral comprehensive examination, successful defense of the dissertation proposal, and successful defense of the dissertation. Please refer to the program policy statement for more specific details regarding these processes and selection of examination and dissertation committees. Students are expected to complete the program in five years.

Curriculum


Coursework will be specified in the student’s plan of study and must include the following:

Post-BSN Bridge Coursework


Students without a master’s degree take these three courses during the first year.

*Note:

Students who do not have significant experience teaching in an academic nursing program beyond adjunct clinical teaching are required to devote 3 cognate credits to an independent study teaching practicum. One credit hour for 15 weeks of independent study represents 3-4 hours per week of supervised and/or independent practice, which computes to 45-60 hours/semester/credit hour. Students will register for NURS 891 - Teaching Practicum . Teaching practicum mentors may be, but are not required to be, UD SON faculty.

PhD students who have significant experience in an academic setting including both classroom and clinical instruction are eligible to apply for a waiver. They are required to document their academic teaching activities when they apply for the waiver.

Research/Methods/Analysis Courses (19 credits):


*Note:

*Students are required to complete 3 credits in a research practicum. One credit hour for 15 weeks of independent study represents 3-4 hours per week of supervised and/or independent practice, which computes to 45-60 hours/semester/credit hour. Students will register for NURS 892 . Students may divide the 3 credits over several semesters. Research practicum mentors may be, but are not required to be, UD SON faculty.

Research Methodology Course (3)

Course offered by other departments, relevant to student’s research focus, determined with academic advisor and with approval of course faculty

Cognates (6-9 credits):


Students with a master’s degree will take 6 credits of cognate coursework and students without a master’s will take 9 credits of cognates.

Electives

Electives are taken to build substantive knowledge in area of dissertation topic. Electives are intended to enhance and broaden the student’s scholarly involvement, build and inter- professional team of advisors, and build toward successful completion of the dissertation. To acquire interdisciplinary knowledge and skills, at least 6 credits of total cognate requirements must be taken in departments outside of nursing. Post-master’s students take at least 6 credits and post-BSN students take at least 9 credits of cognate coursework.

Research and Readings


Research and readings in preparation of dissertation topic and/or comprehensive examination for doctoral students before admission to candidacy but after completion of all required course work.NURS 964  credits convert to NURS 969  credits if the student admitted to candidacy before the end of the free drop/add period of the next semester.

Dissertation (9 credits)


Last Revised 2020-2021 Academic Year


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