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 (3-1)
	Total	9 (8-1)

Spring

Course ID	Title	Credits
NSG 919	Nursing Science Seminar	1
NSG 924	Scientific Dissemination	3
NSG 960	Directed Study or Elective*	1
BIOE 821	Biostatistics II	4 (3-1)
IP 801	Integrity in the Conduct of Scientific Research	1
	Total	10

Year 2

Fall

Course ID	Title	Credits
NSG 876	Leadership and Health Policy	3
NSG 910	Philosophy of Science and Theory in Nursing	4
NSG 923	Quantitative Research Methods	3
NSG 960	Directed Study or Elective*	3
	Total	13

Spring

Course ID	Title	Credits
NSG 912	Theory Construction and Analysis	3
NSG 913	Qualitative Research Methods	3
NSG 925	Mixed Methods Research	3
NSG 932	Grantsmanship	2
		11

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	72

*Hours are variable and can be individualized. 

**Students may enroll in an advanced statistics course, such as BIOE 865 Linear Regression Methods, BIOE 812 Fundamentals of Epidemiology, or BIOE 813 Fundamentals of SAS for Epidemiology. Student and Faculty Advisor may opt for the student to enroll in BIOE 852 Introduction to Biostatistics for the Health Sciences (3 credit hours). Students enrolled in BIOE 852 in the Fall term of Year 1 will not enroll in BIOE 811 in the Fall term of Year 1 and will not enroll in BIOE 821 in the Spring term of Year 1. In the Spring term of Year 1, they will enroll in an elective or directed study course. In Year 2, these students will enroll in BIOE 811 in the Fall term and BIOE 821 in the Spring term.

***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, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Executive, 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 Feb. 1, 2027, to meet the priority application deadline. All applications must be submitted by March 15, 2027, to be considered for Fall 2027 admission.
• 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 GRE 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, nurse executive, nurse midwifery, 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 typically are accepted yearly, based on applicant 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. BSN and MSN prepared: 3.5 year curriculum for full-time students.
  3. BSN and MSN prepared: 5.5 year curriculum for part-time students
• 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 depending on DNP practice concentration.

• Throughout DNP and DNP/PhD program: on-campus week beginning and end of term.
• Throughout PhD program: on-campus week beginning and end of program and other times as needed
• PhD courses: courses in first two years meet Mondays face to face 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 (end of 4th or during 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)