TRACK DESCRIPTION
The Doctor of Philosophy program in Nursing is designed to prepare students for positions as nursing faculty members, leaders in the application of innovative technologies to nursing education and clinical care, executive leaders in healthcare systems, and scientists who contribute to the body of nursing knowledge through their research. The BSN to PhD track is designed to support students in completing the PhD in a timely fashion to provide for a longer research career.
The doctoral program in Nursing prepares nurse scholars to
possess a body of knowledge about theory, processes and methods of inquiry
in the discipline of nursing. The program allows students to contribute to
disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge in nursing and healthcare from
the basis of sound conceptual, methodological, and ethical decision-making.
Students in the BSN to PhD track will have focused support in grant writing for
programs such as the National Research Service Award (NRSA).
Program
Objectives
At the completion of the PhD in Nursing Program, graduates
will be able to:
- Conduct research to generate a body of knowledge
and test theories that advance nursing science.
- Develop a program of
scholarship that integrates research, teaching, leadership, and service to
the profession.
- Contribute to interdisciplinary solutions that
advance health care in a global society.
CURRICULUM
| The Nursing BSN to PhD program
requires a minimum of 75 credit hours beyond a bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
This program includes 51 credit hours of required courses that focus on
foundation, knowledge development and research methods, 15 dissertation credit
hours, and 9 credit hours of electives allowing students to gain additional
expertise in the area chosen for their dissertation. Details about this
program are located in the Nursing
PhD Handbook. |
| Total Credit Hours Required: |
| 75
Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree |
Students in the Nursing
BSN to PhD program must complete all course work with GPA of 3.0 (“B”) or
better, a satisfactory dissertation and defense of dissertation.
Required Courses—51 Credit Hours
Foundation Areas—12 Credit
Hours
- NGR 7892 Healthcare Systems and Policy (3
credit hours)
- NGR 7805 Doctoral Scholarship (3 credit hours)
- NGR 7806 Doctoral Scholarship II (3 credit hours)
- NGR 7952
Scientific Writing for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals (3 credit
hours)
Knowledge Development—9 Credit Hours
- NGR 7115 Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Nursing
Science (3 credit hours)
- NGR 7123 Concept Development in Nursing (3
credit hours)
- NGR 7939 Dissertation Seminar (3 credit hours)
Research Methods—30 Credit Hours
- NGR 7807
Research Approaches and Designs for Nursing and Healthcare (3 credit
hours)
- NGR 7815 Qualitative Methods in Nursing Research and
Healthcare I (3 credit hours)
- NGR 7817 Quantitative Methods for
Nursing and Healthcare I (3 credit hours)
- NGR 7818 Quantitative
Methods for Nursing and Healthcare II (3 credit hours) or NGR 7808
Qualitative Methods in Nursing and Healthcare II (3 credit hours)
- NGR 7823 Psychometrics and Measurement for Nursing Research (3 credit
hours)
- NGR 7916 Research Grants Process and Proposal Writing (3
credit hours)
- NGR 7932 Nursing Research Grants Process and Proposal
Writing (3 credit hours)
- NGR 7919 Doctoral Research (9 Credit
Hours; 3 credit hours taken three times)
Elective Courses—9
Credit Hours Minimum
The supporting course work is designed to
permit students to gain additional expertise and knowledge in the area
chosen for the dissertation. These courses may vary from student to student
depending upon individual needs or objectives. Course selection should be
influenced by the following criteria:
- Increase in understanding of the
phenomenon of interest
- Increase in understanding of specific
methodologies or analytical techniques relevant to the student’s
dissertation.
- Exposure to experiences relevant to the phenomenon of
interest or methodological elements relevant to the student’s dissertation.
The UCF College of Nursing strongly encourages all PhD students to
actively seek out interdisciplinary supporting courses including those offered
by other disciplines. All supporting courses must be approved by the student’s
faculty adviser or dissertation committee chairperson.
Dissertation
Research—15 Credit Hours Minimum
The dissertation research addresses
the design and conduct of research that advances nursing science. Students
conduct the dissertation in areas of faculty interest and expertise.
Students are required to complete at least 15 credit hours of dissertation
and are required to register for 3 credit hours of dissertation each
semester until they complete the degree requirements.
- NGR 7980
Dissertation Research (15 credit hours)
Doctoral
Research
The course NGR 7919 Doctoral Research is designed for
students to gain research experience with a faculty researcher. Students
must obtain permission from the faculty member before registering for this
course and complete the College of Nursing doctoral research form. The
purpose of this course is for students to have an experience with research
in addition to that of the dissertation.
Admission to Candidacy and
Examinations
The process for candidacy will start with the
appointment of the dissertation advisory committee. The Candidacy
Examination has both written and oral components. When these are completed
successfully, the student becomes a doctoral candidate and is eligible to
enroll in dissertation credits. When candidacy status is obtained, the
student must enroll in at least three semester credits of dissertation
credit each semester until successful oral defense of the dissertation is
made and all graduation requirements are completed. The university
requires a minimum of 15 dissertation credits. Post-candidacy status is
subject to the rules and regulations of the University of Central Florida
Graduate Catalog.
The following are required to enroll in
dissertation hours. Evidence that items have been completed must be
received by the Graduate College on the Friday before the first day of
classes for those who wish to enroll in dissertation hours in that
semester:
- Completion of all course work,
except for dissertation hours.
- Successful completion
of the candidacy examination.
- The dissertation
advisory committee is formed, consisting of approved graduate faculty and
graduate faculty scholars.
- Submittal of an approved
program of study (should be finalized by the student's third
semester).
Equipment Fee
Full-time students in the Nursing PhD program pay a $90 equipment
fee each semester that they are enrolled. Part-time students pay $45 each
semester.
Independent Learning
The dissertation satisfies the independent learning experience.
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application
requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each
college/university attended.
- A Bachelor’s Degree in nursing from an
accredited institution or the equivalent.
- Licensure as a Registered
Nurse in the state of Florida. (Does not apply to international
applicants).
- Official, competitive GRE score taken within the last
five years.
- An essay of no more than 500 words addressing goals for
doctoral study to knowledge development for Nursing.
- A personal
interview.
- Research interests that match faculty expertise.
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae which reflects prior education, recent
clinical accomplishments, any scholarly work (publications and presentations),
and activities with professional organizations. For recent graduates this can
include accomplishments as a student.
- Three letters of
recommendation evaluating potential for doctoral study preferably by nursing
instructors, nurse employers or nurses with advanced degrees.
The
College of Nursing accepts the most qualified students based on evaluations of
the applicant's abilities, past performance, recommendations and match of UCF
programs with applicant's career goals. Students are admitted to the program
in the summer for the program of study.
Effective August 2017, the
College of Nursing will be implementing a database, LEAP*RN (ProjectConcert) to
manage information regarding student course work and plans of study, clinical
placements, and all evaluation data. This database will assist us in maintaining
standards required for CCNE accreditation, facilitate student progression, and
enhance clinical tracking. All students will be responsible for an annual
subscription of $66.60 payable directly to ProjectConcert. Holds will be placed
on registration and enrollment if the subscription cost is not paid. Further
information will be disseminated early in the summer.
Please call the
College of Nursing Graduate Office (407) 823-3079 to speak with a doctoral
adviser to discuss your goals for doctoral study. It would be very
advantageous to discuss the program before you write your essay in the
admission application.
Application Deadlines
| BSN to PhD |
*Fall Priority
|
Fall
|
Spring
|
Summer
|
|---|
|
Domestic Applicants
| - | - | - | Jan 15 |
|---|
|
International Applicants
| - | - | - | Nov 1 |
|---|
|
International Transfer Applicants
| - | - | - | Dec 15 |
|---|
|
*Applicants who plan to enroll full time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the Fall Priority date.
|
FINANCIALS
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies
Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The
Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowships
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student’s graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.