Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

The Catholic University School of Nursing employs a "whole person" philosophy for evaluation of applicants for admission to the online Doctor of Philosophy in nursing program. In addition to the University Admission requirements, applicants must meet the following admission criteria:

1. Possess a minimum of a baccalaureate degree, preferably in nursing, from an accredited institution.
2. Present transcripts of undergraduate and graduate study that provide evidence of academic ability to complete the program and do original research. A GPA of 3.2 or higher is desired.
3. Graduates of international programs must have transcripts evaluated and comparability to an American degrees established. Evaluation may be conducted by the World Education Services (www.wes.org).
4. Three letters of reference (preferably at least one from a former dean, former faculty member or academic adviser, and at least one from a current or former supervisor preferably in a clinical practice/research/academic setting).
5. A written statement of career goals and proposed area of research.
6. A copy of a recent scholarly paper, research report, or publication related to clinical nursing.
7. International applicants should attach copies of all grade reports, certificates, and transcripts at the time of application in both the original language and in English translation. English proficiency and proof of funding documents must be presented to the Office of Graduate Admissions either by postal mail or in person. These documents will not be accepted through the online application.
8. International applicants must meet all University requirements, including TOEFL scores to be considered.

Applicants who do not meet the requirements for regular admission as degree-seeking candidates may be eligible for provisional admission if required documents are missing or for conditional admission if there are questions about academic performance or English language proficiency.

Graduates of the Post-Graduate Certificate (PGC) program are expected to achieve the following outcomes upon completion:

1. Knowledge for Nursing Practice
   Integrate scientific underpinnings into critical thinking and clinical reasoning, including knowledge from nursing and other disciplines, theology, philosophy and the other liberal arts and natural and social sciences, to make judgments and create innovations in advanced nursing practice/specialty levels for the common good.
    
2. Person-Centered Care
   Implement, manage, and evaluate care that supports morally responsible, holistic, individualized, just, compassionate, coordinated, evidence-based, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive care that is respectful of the dignity of the human person and consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
    
3. Population Health
   Implement evidence-based and collaborative activities that promote health, prevent disease, and manage risks, considering social determinants of health and advocating for the improvement of equitable health outcomes, across the continuum of care and levels of prevention through both traditional and non-traditional partnerships from diverse communities, public health, industry, academia, health care, local government entities, and others.
    
4. Scholarship for the Nursing Discipline 
   Synthesize, translate, apply, and disseminate nursing knowledge to improve health and transform health care.
    
5. Quality and Safety
   Implement initiatives to address clinical quality issues using improvement science and evidence to promote a culture of patient, provider, and work environment safety through both system effectiveness and individual performance.
    
6. Interprofessional Partnerships
   Implements models of interprofessional teamwork and intentional collaboration with colleagues, patients, families, and communities that value engagement with the city, nation, Church and world through participatory decision-making related to healthcare needs that optimizes, enhances and improves health outcomes within advanced nursing specialty practice.
    
7. Systems-Based Practice
   Develop and lead strategy implementation for coordinated, cost-effective, proactive and efficient care within complex healthcare systems based on Catholic values to provide safe, quality, and equitable care to diverse populations.
    
8. Informatics and Healthcare Technologies
   Navigate information and communication technologies to gather data, guide decision making, and provide care respecting the dignity of the human person that aligns with best practice and professional and regulatory standards.
    
9. Professionalism
   Model a sustainable professional identity and cultivate professional development in others grounded in Catholic social teaching, inclusive of honesty, integrity, accountability, a collaborative disposition, and ethical behavior reflective of the Catholic identity and nursing’s unique characteristics and values.
    
10. Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development
    Model and mentor others in activities that demonstrate a commitment to lifelong whole person well-being, intellectual curiosity, professional growth and development, resilience, and healthcare leadership. 

• PhD Sample Program Plan (Standard)
• BSN to PhD Sample Program Plan 

*All plans are for example only. Individual plans are worked out with one’s Academic Advisor. Some students may finish programs in shorter periods than illustrated in the samples. Availability and personal preference for summer courses and the number of credits taken each semester will affect program length.

Dissertation guidance ongoing until completion.

Sessions are 7-8 weeks in length. Some courses are conducted throughout two sessions.

Students in the PhD Program are not considered to be doctoral candidates until after successful completion of the comprehensive exam. The date of candidacy is important as that is when the time limit begins for completion of the PhD dissertation . Please reference the policy below from the Graduate Handbook. From the date of candidacy, the student has 5 years (10 semesters) in which to complete the dissertation.

Admission to a doctoral program does not automatically include admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree. The faculty of the school and department (where applicable) must evaluate the progress of the student and determine that the student has completed all course and other requirements, has passed the Comprehensive Examination and is otherwise qualified to fulfill the requirements of the doctoral dissertation or its equivalent. Schools and departments (where applicable) may follow different procedures for formal admission to candidacy. The student should consult with the Director of the PhD Program for information on these procedures.

The student’s school or department (where applicable) may record the actual date of the successful vote for candidacy. However, candidacy for the doctoral degree begins formally and administratively on the first day of the semester following successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination. The student has five (5) years (i.e., ten [10] semesters) from this date of formal, administrative admission to candidacy to complete, defend and deposit the dissertation. Individual schools and departments may, at their discretion, set different time limits for completion, as long as these do not exceed the five (5) year (ten [10] semester) limit. If more than five (5) years, or the time set by the schools or departments, elapse between formal admission to candidacy and oral defense of the dissertation, the doctoral candidate may be required to retake the Comprehensive Examination or fulfill additional requirements as determined by the school and department.

As a part of courses NURS 923D and NURS 924D, you will make contact with sites that may be useful in completing your research. In addition, NURS 922D is a practicum research experience working in a clinical or research setting.

Absolutely. Conway School of Nursing faculty members are available for support and guidance throughout the program and especially during your dissertation. We understand that online students may feel isolated during the dissertation project and we work hard to stay connected with you and to help you stay on track to finish it within a reasonable period.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice focuses on practice. The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing is a research-focused doctoral degree in nursing that is designed to prepare nurse scientists and scholars who conduct original research and then apply the findings to practice.

The two types of doctoral programs are both considered terminal degrees in nursing, but represent different goals—one in clinical practice, one in research.