Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science

Year 1

Fall

Course ID	Title	Credits
NSG 901	State of the Science	4
NSG 919	Nursing Science Seminar	1
BIOE 811	Biostatistics I	4
	Total	9

Spring

Course ID	Title	Credits
NSG 902	Sociohistorical and Contemporary Issues in Health	3
NSG 919	Nursing Science Seminar	1
NSG 924	Scientific Dissemination	3
BIOE 821	Biostatistics II	4
	Total	11

Year 2

Fall

Course ID	Title	Credits
NSG 910	Philosophy of Science and Theory in Nursing	4
NSG 913	Qualitative Research Methods	3
NSG 923	Quantitative Research Methods	3
NSG 960	Directed Study or Elective*	3
	Total	13

Spring

Course ID	Title	Credits
NSG 876	Leadership and Health Policy	3
NSG 912	Theory Construction and Analysis	3
NSG 925	Mixed Methods Research	3
NSG 926	Grantsmanship	2
IP 801	Integrity in the Conduct of Scientific Research	1
		12

Year 3

Fall

Course ID	Title	Credits
NSG 900	Dissertation**	6
NSG 960	Directed Study or Elective*	3
BIOE 865	Linear Regression Methods or an advanced statistics course	2
	Total	11

Spring

Course ID	Title	Credits
NSG 900	Dissertation**	9
	Total	9

Year 4

Fall

Course ID	Title	Credits
NSG 900	Dissertation**	9
	Total
	Post-BSN Admissions Total Credits	74

*Hours are variable and can be individualized. 

**Following completion of the candidacy examination, students are enrolled full-time in the program until degree completion. The maximum number of credit hours of NSG 900 that can be take in one term is 9 hours. 

• The PhD degree (with a focus in nursing) prepares nurse scientists who contribute to the development of scientific knowledge.
• The DNP program prepares nurses for the practice degree in nursing. Options include: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Family Nursing, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, Pediatric Primary Care Nursing, Pediatric Acute Care Nursing, Neonatal Nursing, and Nurse-Midwifery.
• The dual DNP/PhD program provides highly motivated and qualified students with an integrated advanced clinical and research program of study. Students focus on a clinical research area in the PhD program and a clinical specialty area in the DNP program.
• The combined program: 1) reduces the time normally required to complete both degrees and 2) yields expert practice leaders who are prepared to contribute to the development of scientific knowledge.

 

• Application materials must be submitted by May 1.
• Be prepared to have identified three individuals who will provide written references on letterhead addressing your research capabilities.
• Write an essay on your research and clinical interests, courses, or projects that have prepared you for this PhD program.
• This essay should include a description of prior research experiences, courses, or projects that have prepared you for this PhD program.
• The essay should also explain the research area you would like to contribute to. That is, specify at least one area or method you would like to learn in depth
• Give an example of a research project you are excited about. This can be a project you have conducted, you would like to conduct, or you have read about.
• Address issues that could potentially impact your admission status such as poor grades one term/course, switching schools, gaps in employment.
• Copy of an unencumbered RN license (scan/upload into NursingCas).

• Applications materials are submitted through NursingCAS.
• Additional packet components include:
  1. Official transcripts (must use NursingCAS transcript form)
  2. Official test scores ( are not required but may be provided by applicants)
  3. Copy of unencumbered RN license (scan/upload into NursingCAS)
  4. Current CPR card (scan/upload into NursingCAS)
• If accepted for admission, UTHSC will require official transcripts also be sent to the Office of Enrollment Services.
• Applicants must obtain transcripts from every institution to enter courses AND request transcripts for NursingCAS to verify coursework.
• If applying to the dual DNP/PhD program, applicants must be accepted first into the DNP program concentration (e.g., adult-gerontology acute care, family nursing, psych-mental health nursing, nurse anesthesia, pediatric primary care, pediatric acute care, and neonatal nursing.)
• Applicants may be accepted into DNP but not PhD.
• If not accepted into DNP program, applicants may request to be  considered for PhD program.
• Consider personally contacting DNP concentration coordinator and PhD program director before applying to the dual program.

Please consult the Admission Dates and Requirements page for this information. 

• 6-10 students are accepted yearly, based on match and availability of faculty advisor.
• Each faculty advisor mentors 3-5 students throughout their program.
• Number of students in the Nursing Science PhD Program ranges from 18 to 25 students per academic year.

• PhD students can be full or part-time.
  1. Majority graduate in 4 years or less.
  2. MSN prepared: 3 year curriculum
  3. BSN prepared: 3.5-4 year curriculum
• DNP/PhD students can be full or part-time.
  1. Reduces time to complete both programs separately by ½ to 1 year (1-2 terms)
  2. Students entering with post-BSN and post-MSN have varying sequence of courses

• Throughout program: on-campus week beginning and end of term (DNP, PhD, DNP/PhD programs).
• PhD courses: courses in first two terms meet Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays face to face of each week or every other week; distance technology available for classes.
• Research can be conducted in Memphis or other location.
• DNP advanced practice clinical/selective experiences in proximity where student resides.

• Candidacy exam after core PhD courses completed (4th or 5th term)
• Presentations and publications on literature reviews, pilot studies
• Dissertation proposal
• Dissertation research (24 credits minimum)
• Dissertation defense (final exam)
• Advanced practice credentialing exam (DNP/PhD graduates)

• Tuition waived for 6-8 hours of service weekly
• Research assistant/Teaching assistant (RA/TA) duties on a non-class day
• Examples of RA activities:
  1. recruit/participate in research of faculty
  2. data entry
  3. literature reviews
  4. developing posters, abstracts, presentations assist with on-line or face-to-face course