The PhD program in nursing is designed to prepare graduates for research and active scholarship in nursing that will extend the knowledge base of nursing and improve the delivery of rural health care. Graduates will be prepared to conduct research and develop theory related to nursing and health of rural people. Based on analysis of nursing, client or health systems in rural areas, graduates are able to design future practice models, direct the development of policy initiatives and effect meaningful change within healthcare delivery systems. The program includes:

• Research and Theory Development: Addressing advanced research methods, theory development and analysis, advanced statistics for health research, conceptual analysis, instrumentation and measurement, as well as involvement in active research programs
  
• Nursing and Rural Health Systems: Addressing the healthcare needs of rural populations through the study of rural nursing and health, as well as issues, strategies and policy development interventions for healthcare delivery for rural populations
  
• Cognate Courses: Supporting the student's area of interest and including at least two courses in rural sociology
  
• Dissertation: Representing an independent original research project.

Students are admitted to candidacy upon satisfactory completion of the following:

• required coursework;
• University Graduate School residency requirement;
• a qualifying examination;
• a computer skill requirement;
• a doctoral comprehensive examination (including successful defense of the dissertation proposal);
• the teaching requirement.

Admission

For students who intend to pursue the PhD program and who are entering at the post-master's level, the following are required and evaluated for admission:

• a bachelor's and master's degree in nursing from a program that is nationally accredited by a nursing accreditation organization;
• Graduate Record Examination scores (75th percentile or higher is desirable);
• two scholarly papers; one must be theoretical (master's thesis or equivalent); published papers are acceptable;
• three recommendations for doctoral study;
• a statement of purpose and professional goals;
• licensure to practice as a registered professional nurse in the United States;
• completion of a statistics course (within the past five years);
• curriculum vita, including employment and education history;
• a personal interview;
• official TOEFL or MELAB scores (for international students whose native language is not English).

Doctoral students in Decker School of Nursing adhere to all policies of the school pertinent to professional practice, grading policies, professional ethics and academic honesty.

Financial Assistance

Prospective students are encouraged to contact the Director of the Graduate Nursing Program (607-777-6163) for information regarding financial aid.

Students seeking admission to the doctoral program at the post-baccalaureate level should contact the Graduate Nursing Office for information regarding admission and requirements.

PhD in Nursing

For more information regarding the PhD in nursing, please click here.