Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing - Courses and Structure
The PhD program requires students to take six core courses. In consultation with their research supervisors, students may determine additional course work will advance their program of study or be supportive of their research work. There is no limitation to the number of courses students may elect to take, while registered, although there are important milestones that must be kept in mind.
In addition to course work, the program requires that students complete a comprehensive examination (24 months post admission), an oral candidacy examination (36 months post admission), and a dissertation (within 6 years of admission). Upon completion of these requirements, students undertake a final oral examination in which they 'defend' their dissertation.
The core courses are: PhD Course Schedule 2012-2013
| Course | Credits | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| N553 | 3 | Advanced Methods in Qualitative Fieldwork | This course involves intensive inquiry into selected qualitative research methods relevant to the discipline of nursing. In particular, techniques of participant observation and ethnographic interviewing are investigated and practiced. Specific issues addressed include qualitative analysis and interpretation of data, the nature of qualitative description, and the contribution of qualitative research to theory development in nursing. Prerequisite: NURS 552 or equivalent. |
| N554 | 3 | Advanced Studies in Quantitative Design | This course focuses on quantitative research methods, emphasizing measurement, design, and analytic techniques. Nursing research studies are evaluated relative to measurement theory. Tools and procedures including those used to measure objective, cognitive, and psychological aspects of selected concepts are evaluated. Research designs and related statistical procedures are examined in terms of their appropriateness for addressing various nursing problems. Prerequisites: NURS 552, EPSE 592, or equivalents. Prerequisite or co-requisite: NURS 556. |
| N556 | 3 | Correlational Designs and Analysis in Educational Research | Correlation, including partial, multiple, and curvilinear; regression methods in testing linear hypotheses; extended treatment of analysis of variance and covariance. Prerequisite: NURS 549 or EPSE 592 or Equivalent. |
| N580 | 3 | The Philosophy of Evidence | This course presents a study of changing paradigms of nursing science in historical perspective. It includes a critical analysis of constructs and theories in nursing science. The focus is on both theoretical analysis and empirical investigation. Prerequisite: NURS 511 or equivalent. |
| N581 | 3 | The Genealogy of Knowledge | This course focuses on philosophical disputations within the discipline of nursing as they influence its knowledge development and practice mandate. It involves critical analysis of diverse theoretical perspectives within nursing and appreciation for the relationships among and between nursing theory, philosophy and research. Prerequisite: NURS 580. |
| N601 | 0 | Doctoral Seminar | An opportunity for students to discuss phenomena germane to nursing science, academia, and their dissertation research. (2 terms required, usually in first year) |
