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Nursing faculty at 91¿´Æ¬Íø

Nursing - Ph.D.

Become a Leader in Nursing Research with 91¿´Æ¬Íø's Ph.D. Program. The Nursing Ph.D. program provides you with the opportunity to contribute to the field of nursing through research, scholarship and teaching.

Our hybrid model provides a unique niche for our program, enhancing accessibility to a rigorous Ph.D. in Nursing for students across Ohio and neighboring states, especially in our ability to access rural nurses who wish to become nurse scientists. Courses are offered in a hybrid format on the Kent campus, with students attending live virtual classes and completing a three-day on-campus requirement each academic year. This allows us to capitalize on both regional demand and national trends in nursing education, ensuring our program remains competitive and relevant. 

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More 91¿´Æ¬Íø This Program

A Ph.D. in Nursing will prepare you to fulfill your purpose. Whether you have always wanted to conduct cutting-edge research, educate and mentor future nurses, lead large health organizations, or any combination of these and more, earning a research doctorate in nursing from 91¿´Æ¬Íø University can open doors of opportunity. With a Ph.D. in Nursing, you can join the highest echelons in the nursing profession throughout the world.

Located in northeast Ohio, 91¿´Æ¬Íø is a leading academic choice for nurses, not only in Ohio and across the region, but throughout the nation and internationally. Because 91¿´Æ¬Íø is a top public R1 research university, you will have access to a wide variety of facilities and support services to fulfill your research ambitions.

Our doctoral nursing program is rigorous and is specifically designed to produce the next generation of nurse scientists and scholars. Our expert faculty created a state-of-the-science, streamlined curriculum, which will provide you with knowledge and skills to contribute meaningfully to nursing science.

Program Information for Nursing - Ph.D.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Generate new knowledge that contributes to the advancement of health, healthcare and nursing science.
  2. Disseminate advances in scientific knowledge.
  3. Use collaborative, interdisciplinary and innovative approaches to advance nursing science.
  4. Assume leadership roles in healthcare and education as researchers, educators and advanced clinicians.
  5. Synthesize and translate evidence for implementation and dissemination for evidence-based quality healthcare outcomes to all populations.

Admissions for Nursing - Ph.D.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Active, unrestricted U.S. registered nurse license (international students need to show proof of legal ability to practice as a registered nurse in country of origin)
  • Bachelor's or master's degree in nursing or related field, or a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, from an accredited program1
  • Minimum overall 3.000 graduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé or curriculum vitae
  • Essay (two pages, single-spaced), see guidelines below
  • Three letters of reference from health care professionals or academic faculty members who can speak to the applicant's professional and academic abilities (two of the three references from doctoral-prepared individuals are preferred)
  • Interview
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:2
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 DET score
1

A bachelor's degree in a closely related health field may be considered if the applicant has a master's degree in nursing or a D.N.P. degree from an accredited program. A master's degree in a closely related field may be considered if the applicant has a bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited program.

2

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Guidelines for the Essay

  • Applicants should begin their essay with "why" they are pursuing the Ph.D. degree in Nursing and "how" this degree will help them achieve their research and professional goals.
    • Introduce the population or phenomenon of interest that will be investigated.
  • In the body of the essay, applicants should explain why they are interested in this population and/or phenomenon and how their work will impact or advance science in that area.
    • Consider including scientific gaps and significance in that area of research.
    • Elucidate the effect the research will have on the health outcomes of the proposed population or those affected by the phenomenon of interest.
    • Indicate how the work may reflect diversity, equity and inclusion in the area of research.
  • In the closing paragraph, applicants should provide one to two key aspects of their research and propose ways to disseminate their scientific discovery.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Application deadline: November 15 (international student) and March 1 (domestic student)

All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted by these deadlines will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Coursework

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Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (min B grade in all courses)
NURS 70710HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING SCIENCE 2
NURS 70711SCIENTIFIC WRITING 3
NURS 70712RESEARCH DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS 3
NURS 70713ADVANCED STATISTICS I 3
NURS 70714LEADERSHIP FOR NURSING SCIENCE 3
NURS 70715THEORY CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT IN NURSING 3
NURS 70740ADVANCED STATISTICS II 3
NURS 70742ADVANCED QUALITATIVE METHODS FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 4
NURS 70743ADVANCED QUANTITATIVE METHODS FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 4
NURS 70744DISSERTATION FOUNDATIONS 3
NURS 70753DATA SCIENCE AND NURSING 3
NURS 70798RESEARCH IN NURSING 13-5
Post-Baccalaureate Requirements (all are required for post-baccalaureate students)0-9
NURS 70716
INNOVATION AND INTERVENTION RESEARCH
NURS 70718
ROLES AND EVALUATION
NURS 70739
RESEARCH IN HEALTH DISPARITIES
Nursing Science Electives, choose from the following: 26-12
BSCI 70195
SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIOLOGY
BSCI 80145
MEDICAL GENOMICS
BST 83013
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS IN PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH
BST 83014
APPLIED REGRESSION ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC HEALTH DATA
CI 77001
FUNDAMENTALS OF CURRICULUM
COMM 75040
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS IN COMMUNICATION
CULT 89595
SPECIAL TOPICS IN CULTURAL FOUNDATIONS
EPI 83018
OBSERVATIONAL DESIGNS FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH
EPSY 75524
LEARNING THEORIES
HED 81550
APPLIED THEORY IN HEALTH EDUCATION RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
HED 84050
HEALTH BEHAVIOR
PSYC 80391
SEMINAR IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
RMS 75522
BASICS OF QUALITATIVE INTERVIEWING
RMS 75533
INTRODUCTION TO NARRATIVE INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS
RMS 78715
SURVEY DESIGN AND APPLIED RESEARCH IN EDUCATION
RMS 78735
STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING
RMS 78745
HIERARCHICAL LINEAR MODELING
RMS 85520
MIXED METHODS RESEARCH
RMS 85540
GROUNDED THEORY AND PHENOMENOLOGICAL RESEARCH
RMS 85550
ETHNOGRAPHY AND CASE STUDY RESEARCH
SBS 73018
THEORIES OF PREVENTION SCIENCE
SBS 73019
EVALUATION RESEARCH METHODS IN PREVENTION SCIENCE
SBS 80030
CODING FOR QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
SBS 80040
TRANSCRIBING INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP INTERVIEWS FOR QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
SBS 80100
EMERGING ISSUES IN PREVENTION SCIENCE
SBS 83010
QUALITATIVE METHODS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH
SBS 83011
QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS
SOC 72219
QUALITATIVE METHODS IN SOCIOLOGY
SOC 72221
ADVANCED QUALITATIVE METHODS IN SOCIOLOGY
Culminating Requirement
NURS 80199DISSERTATION I 330
Minimum Total Credit Hours for Post-Baccalaureate Students90
Minimum Total Credit Hours for Post-Master's Students73
1

Post-baccalaureate students must complete 5 credit hours of NURS 70798 for the degree. Post-master's students must complete 3 credit hours of NURS 70798 for the degree.

2

Post-baccalaureate students must complete 12 credit hours of electives, and post-master's students must complete 6 credit hours of electives for the degree. Elective courses support the student's research interest and are selected with the approval of the student's academic advisor. The courses will supplement the student's program of study in a substantive area of research or specific method of research, including advanced statistical approaches, or assist the student with career goals following graduation.

3

Each doctoral candidate, upon admission to candidacy, must register for NURS 80199 for a total of 30 credit hours. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for Dissertation I, and thereafter NURS 80299, each semester, until all requirements for the degree have been met.

Oral Candidacy Examination

At the conclusion of coursework, students sit for the candidacy examination. The examination provides the basis for evaluation of the student’s readiness for completing the dissertation. Students must successfully pass candidacy and a proposal defense before beginning dissertation work.

Progression Requirements
  • Students who do not earn a minimum B grade in a course must repeat it and cannot take other courses that require that course as a prerequisite until the course is successfully retaken. Students who do not earn a minimum B grade on the second attempt may be dismissed from the Ph.D. degree.
  • The courses will be delivered mostly synchronously online. The face-to-face requirement for this hybrid program is met through attending Doctoral Days.
  • Each year, Ph.D. students are required to come to campus for Doctoral Days. The purpose of Doctoral Days is to provide scholarly socialization and scientific role development. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) pathways to excellence in doctoral education include three curricular domains. These domains are addressed throughout the curriculum and in the Doctoral Days.
    • Domain 1: Scientific Development is the ability to articulate nursing science's history, philosophy, knowledge construction and the influence on the discipline and research.
    • Domain 2: Health Equity is knowledge and skill development to lead research and improve practice through ethical, culturally humble and human-centered research.
    • Domain 3: Stewards of the Discipline are professional ethics for conducting original research, proficiency in scientific communication and identifying implications for policy, practice, future research and the discipline.

Doctoral Days occur at the beginning of the fall semester in Years 1 and 2 (first three days of the semester). In Year 3, Doctoral Days occur at the end of the spring semester to coincide with May graduation, on the day before and the day of commencement.

Activities at Doctoral Days in Years 1 and 2 include:

  • Orientation to each class taken that year
  • Human subjects research content
  • Opportunities to engage with faculty and fellow students in the College of Nursing and presentations on trends in nursing science
  • Library resources, milestone expectations and time with student's advisor
  • Special topics speakers

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • Minimum B grade required in all courses to earn the Ph.D. degree.
  • Passage of the candidacy examination
  • Submission and successful defense of a dissertation

Students with a D.N.P. degree may receive permission to have coursework waived if supported by the appropriate and recent coursework; however, maximum 12 credit hours may transfer to the Ph.D.. The waiver of each specific course will be determined by the relevant academic department. These students may graduate with fewer than 73 credit hours but no fewer than 60 total credit hours.

Roadmaps

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Roadmaps

Post-Baccalaureate Track

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
NURS 70710 HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING SCIENCE 2
NURS 70711 SCIENTIFIC WRITING 3
NURS 70712 RESEARCH DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS 3
NURS 70713 ADVANCED STATISTICS I 3
 Credit Hours11
Spring Semester
NURS 70715 THEORY CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT IN NURSING 3
NURS 70740 ADVANCED STATISTICS II 3
NURS 70742 ADVANCED QUALITATIVE METHODS FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 4
NURS 70798 RESEARCH IN NURSING 2
 Credit Hours12
Summer Term
NURS 70714 LEADERSHIP FOR NURSING SCIENCE 3
NURS 70716 INNOVATION AND INTERVENTION RESEARCH 3
Nursing Science Elective 3
 Credit Hours9
Second Year
Fall Semester
NURS 70743 ADVANCED QUANTITATIVE METHODS FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 4
NURS 70753 DATA SCIENCE AND NURSING 3
NURS 70798 RESEARCH IN NURSING 3
 Credit Hours10
Spring Semester
NURS 70718 ROLES AND EVALUATION 3
NURS 70739 RESEARCH IN HEALTH DISPARITIES 3
Nursing Science Elective 3
 Credit Hours9
Third Year
Fall Semester
Nursing Science Electives 6
 Credit Hours6
Spring Semester
NURS 70744 DISSERTATION FOUNDATIONS 3
 Credit Hours3
Summer Term
Oral Candidacy  
 Credit Hours0
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
NURS 80199 DISSERTATION I 15
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
NURS 80199 DISSERTATION I 15
 Credit Hours15
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:90

Post-Master's Track

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
NURS 70710 HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF NURSING SCIENCE 2
NURS 70711 SCIENTIFIC WRITING 3
NURS 70712 RESEARCH DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS 3
NURS 70713 ADVANCED STATISTICS I 3
 Credit Hours11
Spring Semester
NURS 70715 THEORY CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT IN NURSING 3
NURS 70740 ADVANCED STATISTICS II 3
NURS 70742 ADVANCED QUALITATIVE METHODS FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 4
 Credit Hours10
Summer Term
NURS 70714 LEADERSHIP FOR NURSING SCIENCE 3
NURS 70798 RESEARCH IN NURSING 1
Nursing Science Elective 3
 Credit Hours7
Second Year
Fall Semester
NURS 70743 ADVANCED QUANTITATIVE METHODS FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 4
NURS 70753 DATA SCIENCE AND NURSING 3
NURS 70798 RESEARCH IN NURSING 2
 Credit Hours9
Spring Semester
NURS 70744 DISSERTATION FOUNDATIONS 3
Nursing Science Elective 3
 Credit Hours6
Summer Term
Candidacy Examination  
 Credit Hours0
Third Year
Fall Semester
NURS 80199 DISSERTATION I 15
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
NURS 80199 DISSERTATION I 15
 Credit Hours15
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:73

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • Mostly online
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Why 91¿´Æ¬Íø?
  • Flexibility. Our new Hybrid program allows students to attend class virtually, minimizing the amount of time spent on campus. The program can be completed either full-time or part-time. In fact, the majority of our nursing Ph.D. students – including full-time students – continue to work while completing coursework and dissertation research. In the Hybrid program, our classes are offered synchronously each semester, including summer.
  • Personalized faculty guidance. Students receive mentorship and advising from experienced researchers and teachers. In addition to their research expertise, faculty members in the Ph.D. in Nursing program bring strong mentorship skills to assist you to reach your goals.
  • Convenience. 91¿´Æ¬Íø is the only public research university in northern Ohio that offers a Ph.D. in Nursing. Located just 40 miles from Cleveland, Ohio, and 100 miles from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 91¿´Æ¬Íø University is centrally located and is easy to access from major highways.
  • Credibility. 91¿´Æ¬Íø’s nursing programs are recognized throughout the region and the world for their excellence. Graduates of this program hold positions in leading universities and healthcare systems.
  • Community. During the first week of classes in the fall semester, students come to campus for a three-day immersion in a cross-university community that only a large research institution with a culture of inclusiveness can provide. Professional development workshops, and networking events are only a couple of the opportunities that are offered to help students become socialized to the role of a research scientist.
Find a Faculty Mentor

When choosing a doctoral program, it is important to find a faculty advisor and mentor who is an expert in the research area that you are interested in. 91¿´Æ¬Íø College of Nursing provides research support through our own Center for Nursing Research. 

91¿´Æ¬Íø has many innovative research institutes and initiatives that provide opportunities for cross-discipline research in areas such as brain health, environmental design, global understanding, and healthy communities. These collaborative opportunities are invaluable, as they help doctoral students gain insights from leading experts outside the discipline of nursing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I continue to work while attending the program?

Yes. In fact, according to a recent survey of Ph.D. in Nursing students at 91¿´Æ¬Íø, the majority continue to work full-time while enrolled in the program.

What is the difference between the Ph.D. and the DNP?

At the most basic level, the Ph.D. is a research-focused doctorate, while the DNP is a practice-focused doctorate.

Which doctoral degree you choose depends on your area of interest (nursing science or advanced clinical practice), your overall career goals (practice, education, research) and your prior nursing experience. 

See the Ph.D. or DNP: What Nursing Doctorate is Right for You? page to compare and contrast these two degrees.

By earning a Ph.D., would I be limiting my career options to being a professor?

No! While the Ph.D. will prepare you to work as a researcher and professor in academia, there are numerous opportunities for doctoral-prepared nurses throughout the workforce.

For example, many Ph.D. nurses are employed as researchers for hospitals and health systems. Many also hold top leadership positions within these organizations. 

Additional opportunities include independent consulting and leading nursing and healthcare associations.

Do you offer graduate assistantships?

As the majority of students in this program work full- or part-time as practicing nurses or nurse educators and have some or all of their tuition costs covered by their employer, we do not offer graduate assistantships.

The university does offer a number of awards and fellowships for graduate students. Additionally, the federal government provides generous loan forgiveness programs for nurse educators and nurses who work in public service.

Is this program online?

The majority of courses are delivered face-to-face at the Kent campus. A few courses (i.e., not more than one each semester) may be offered online. A few courses may be offered face-to-face using an intensive formatting.

Where is Kent, Ohio?

Map of Ohio with locations of major cities and 91¿´Æ¬Íø University

Kent, Ohio, is a small city located in the northeast Ohio region, near Cleveland, Akron, Canton, and Youngstown. Known for its density of trees, black squirrels, and scenic sites along the Cuyahoga River, Kent is a destination for nature lovers and is home to over a dozen parks and nature preserves.

The city's proximity to multiple Interstate highways allows for easy navigation to and from major cities across the region, including Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Youngstown, and Akron.

Many adult students are deciding to plant roots in Kent, drawn to its growing diverse population, family-friendly atmosphere, highly-ranked public schools, and central location.

Discover Kent & 91¿´Æ¬Íø University

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Nursing - Ph.D.

Those with a Ph.D. in Nursing from 91¿´Æ¬Íø University can pursue careers in academia as professors, researchers, or program directors, contributing to nursing education and mentoring future nurses. Additionally, graduates may work as nurse scientists, leading research initiatives within healthcare organizations, research institutions, and governmental agencies. Many also play influential roles in healthcare policy development or as consultants, applying evidence-based research to shape practices that improve patient care and public health outcomes. This degree empowers graduates to impact nursing on a national and global scale.

Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary

17.6%

much faster than the average

72,900

number of jobs

$75,470

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' . Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

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Testimonial

Testimonial

Quotes

I feel very fortunate to represent 91¿´Æ¬Íø University as a graduate of the Ph.D. program in the College of Nursing. As an advanced practice nurse, I sought an institution that would help me bring all my personal and professional experiences together in developing a program of research that I could be proud in contributing to the science. The College of Nursing is defined by dedicated professors who play a major role in expanding and evolving nursing science. They do so not only by conducting research, but also mentoring future leaders of the nursing profession."

 
Image
Photo of Juan Del Valle, PhD, CRNA
Juan Del Valle, PhD, CRNA
2020 Ph.D. Graduate

 

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