NY State Program Code: 81377
HEGIS Code: 1203.10
CIP Code: 51.3808
(54 credit minimum)
The doctoral program in nursing is designed to prepare expert nurse-scholars who will advance the development of knowledge for the discipline; contribute to the science of nursing; advance healthcare through teaching, research and leadership; and improve the health of society. Students will be exposed to a breadth of information and theories, and discuss and debate opposing ideas. The program is grounded in philosophical and foundational core nursing knowledge as well as knowledge of research methodologies and methods. The student’s focus of substantive inquiry provides the context for the application of foundational knowledge.
This 54-credit (minimum) program leads to the Ph.D. degree in nursing. An M.S in nursing is required for entry. The program offers strong cores in both nursing science and research. Two graduate-level statistics courses are required. Concentrations of nursing education and healthcare outcomes courses are offered to prepare not only nurse scientists, but also those who will assume roles as faculty members in schools of nursing and nurse researchers in healthcare settings. Students also select graduate-level cognate courses, which support the dissertation topic or its methods, and are usually taken in schools or departments other than nursing.
A seminar format is used for most nursing courses. Inherent in this decision is the faculty’s belief that nursing education fosters collegiality, collaboration, leadership and professional growth. To that end, the faculty will facilitate learning by inviting the review and critique of selected topics and readings. Students also select readings appropriate to the topic for seminar discussion. Within a supportive environment, students are encouraged to challenge and debate ideas and to work towards extending each other’s thinking. Thus, the responsibility for learning rests with the student and his or her commitment to scholarship and the advancement of the science of nursing.
Following completion of 48 credits of course work, students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination in order to be admitted to candidacy and begin work on the required dissertation. The dissertation guidance process follows the formal defense of the student’s research proposal.
Planning for the student’s dissertation begins early in the program through courses designed to assist with this research process. The dissertation requires, at a minimum, two semesters of work and six credits of dissertation advisement. The successful oral defense of the dissertation is the last step in the program before graduation.
The program may be taken on a full-time (9 credits per semester) or part-time basis. Most courses are offered on one day a week. Students are admitted only in the fall semester and proceed through the program in cohorts. Procedures for the program, progression, oral defense, leaves of absence, graduation, etc., are outlined in the Doctoral Student Handbook provided to all students following admission to the program.
Please note that the deadline for application for admission is January 15.