MUSC Bulletin | College of Graduate Studies
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
Academic Policies and Student Compliant Procedures | Admission Requirements | Time Frame | MUSC Faculty | PhD in Nursing Science Degree Program | Curriculum | Course Descriptions
The Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing offers a PhD in Nursing program with a focus of study on vulnerable populations and community partnerships.
The PhD in Nursing program is designed to prepare graduates for a lifetime of intellectual inquiry that manifests itself in creative scholarship and research, often leading to careers in social, governmental, and health care organizations as well as traditional careers in university and college settings. The purpose of the PhD in Nursing program is to prepare nurse scientists to influence the quality of local, regional, national, and international health care.
Students in the PhD in Nursing program acquire knowledge and skills to conduct research and are prepared to advance and refine nursing science as the basis for nursing practice, education, and administration. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a core foundation in nursing theory development, research, and knowledge translation. The mentored research experience serves to strengthen skills in the conduct of disciplined inquiry, while the mentored teaching experience promotes skills in curriculum planning and teaching competencies. Mentored health policy allows students to affect change at the regional and national levels. Program options build on the core foundation and allow students to develop an individualized program of study in conjunction with a faculty advisor. The goal of the curriculum is to prepare beginning researchers in a defined area of nursing science.
The PhD in Nursing program is offered exclusively online with synchronous and asynchronous learning. Students are required to come to campus for a week-long Initial Residency before their first fall's matriculation and thereafter every summer for a two-week residency.
Students should access www.musc.edu/nursing/academics/doctoralprograms/dp_index.htm for most recent information.
Academic Policies and Student Compliant Procedures
All matriculated PhD students are responsible for the College of Nursing Academic Policies and Procedures outlines in the CON Student Handbook available at http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/nursing/administration/studentservices/handbook.htm
For your reference, the MUSC Student Complaint Procedure is found in The Bulletin http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/esl/bulletin/acad_policies/ under “Academic Policies and Information” http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/esl/bulletin/acad_policies/scc/ .
Admission Requirements
Regulations governing admission to graduate study in nursing include those established by both the Graduate School and the College of Nursing at the Medical University of South Carolina. Specific requirements for doctoral study in nursing include:
For the Post B.S.N.-Ph.D. program, the requirements include a baccalaureate in nursing from a program, accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE.
For the Post M.S.-Ph.D. program, the requirements include a baccalaureate in nursing from a program, accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE or a master’s degree in a health related field.
Applicants for the Post B.S.N.-Ph.D. program and the post-MS program are required to have:
- A grade point average of at least 3.5 (A=4.0).
- Satisfactory scores on the GRE aptitude test. (at least 500 on both the Verbal and Quantitative in the past 5 years.)
- Qualification for licensure to practice as an RN in South Carolina or state of residence. Or an unencumbered license in South Carolina or state of residence.
- Applicants who do not have a master’s degree in nursing are required to take a graduate level nursing theory course. Depending upon one’s area of interest, other courses may be required.
- Potential scholarship in nursing science as evidenced by the following:
- One example of previous scholarly work, e.g. research report, published article, thesis, written innovation.
- Submission of a Curriculum Vita
- Written statement of career goals.
- Three College of Graduate studies reference forms and letters of reference which address research and scholarly potential.
- Interviews with two nursing faculty.
Doctoral students will be admitted once a year for the following Fall semester. Completed applications may be submitted at any time.
For more information please contact:
Doctoral Program Administrator
College of Nursing
Medical University of South Carolina
99 Jonathan Lucas Street, PO Box 250160
Charleston, SC 29425
Phone: 843/792-4620
E-mail: phdnurse@musc.edu
Time Frame
The PhD in Nursing is designed to be completed in three to four years of full-time study or five to six years of part-time study. The need to commute or to engage in part-time study is taken under consideration during program planning with students. All work to be applied toward the PhD must be completed within eight years of initial enrollment in the program.
MUSC Faculty
Faculty are listed on the web at http://www.musc.edu/nursing/academics/shared/phdfaculty.htm.
PhD in Nursing Science Degree Program
Note: Visual display of course credit allocation are standardized by lecture/didactic hours, seminar hours, clinical/lab hours in the following format: 4 s.h. (2,0,2). Contact hours per credit hour will be a ratio as follows: lecture/didactic 1:1, seminar 2:1, clinical/lab 3:1. Part time study options are available.
Course Descriptions for Courses Offered at MUSC
NRPHD-705. Ethical Aspects of Research Involving Vulnerable Populations. This course is designed to provide an in-depth analysis of the unique ethical aspects of conducting research with vulnerable populations. Students will identify and analyze ethical dilemmas which occur when research is needed, but when the population presents unique considerations. Students will propose resolutions to these dilemmas which will facilitate the research while protecting the rights of the subjects. 2 s.h.
NRPHD-710. Doctoral Toolbox Series I: The Integrative Review
The Doctoral Toolbox Series (I-IV) provides an opportunity for socialization of students into doctoral work and the production of scholarly outcomes. Students will use weekly discussion, videoconferencing, and downloadable guest lectures to build skills in the research process. This Toolbox course is focused on developing the student's ability to create integrative review of the literature as a foundation for research. 1 s.h.
NRPHD-711. Doctoral Toolbox Series II: Publication
The Doctoral Toolbox Series (I-IV) provides an opportunity for socialization of students into doctoral work and the production of scholarly outcomes. Students will use weekly discussion, videoconferencing, and downloadable guest lectures to build skills in the research process. This Toolbox Session is designed to examine the aspects of successfully writing for publication. 1 s.h.
NRPHD-712. Toolbox Series III: Dissertation Process. The Doctoral Toolbox Series (I-IV) provides an opportunity for socialization of students into doctoral work and the production of scholarly outcomes. Students will use weekly discussion, videoconferencing, and downloadable guest lectures to build skills in the research process. This Toolbox Session is designed to examine the elements of successful dissertation development. 1 s.h.
NRPHD-713. Doctoral Toolbox Series IV: National Perspective
The Doctoral Toolbox Series (I-IV) provides an opportunity for socialization of students into doctoral work and the production of scholarly outcomes. Students will use weekly discussion, videoconferencing, and downloadable guest lectures to build skills in the research process. This Toolbox Session is designed to examine the elements of successful dissertation development. 1 s.h.
NRPHD-723. Special Topics in Nursing Science. A tutorial series on topics related to the advancement of nursing science that are of mutual interest for students and faculty members. Variable s.h.
NRPHD-724. Applied Statistical Methods for Nursing Research. This course provides a survey of descriptive and inferential statistics commonly used in nursing research and a working knowledge of these statistical methods and their applications. This course is intended for graduate students in the College of Nursing, but would also be of interest to graduate students in other clinical areas. Topics include a review of measures of central tendency and variation, frequency distributions, confidence interval estimation, comparison of means and proportions, correlation and simple linear regression. 4 s.h.
NRPHD-725. Curriculum Development and Design. Study of philosophical foundations and essential components of curriculum development. Examination of selected curriculum frameworks from philosophical and contextual perspectives. Construction of a curriculum package for diverse learners in a classroom, clinical, or simulation setting that reflects paradigmatic and contextual influences. Curriculum assessment and evaluation are discussed in the content of program, course, and student outcomes and objectives. 3 s.h.
NRPHD-727. Adv Research Study Design and Methods. Students will synthesize and apply concepts from previous doctoral course work related to study design and method application in a specific disciplinary prespective and to further their research question. Students will examine and position their own research ideas in the context of the broader research pipeline: from basic sciences to clinical and nursing research, through health service and population research to implementation, translational, and improvement research. Participants will define the components of their chosen methology and devise a plan for sampling, data collection, and the creation of a database that addresses the issues necessary for cleaning, coding, analysis, and interpretation. 3 s.h.
NRPHD-800. Mentored Teaching. This elective course will provide students with the opportunity to work with a faculty member in order to explore the role of educator. Students will identify their learning needs and specific activities will be designed with the faculty mentor. Prerequisite: Enrollment in Ph.D. program and NURSM-629 or equivalent. Variable s.h.
NRPHD-801. Advanced Quantitative Research Methods. Advanced study of quantitative methods, designs, and analyses in the study of nursing science. The goal is to facilitate the student’s ability to integrate design and analysis in the study of nursing phenomena and apply these principles to the student’s research interest. 3 s.h.
NRPHD-802. Knowledge Development in Nursing Science. Overview and critical analysis of historical and contemporary view of knowledge development in nursing science, with particular emphasis on the ways these views influence approaches to nursing inquiry. Emphasis on analyzing the underlying epistemological and ontological assumptions and implications for nursing knowledge. 3 s.h.
NRPHD-803. Scientific Inquiry. This course is designed to support the student’s development of scientific inquiry and the processes that promote it. It is a focused examination of grantsmanship and the constructs essential to successful proposal construction. As an applied action course, it is conducted within the context of dialogue, review and critique. 3 s.h.
NRPHD-804. Knowledge Dissemination and Translation. Emerging knowledge from health care theory and research is analyzed from the perspective of strategies designed to reduce the burden of illness in society. Issues of research dissemination, innovation adoption, and behavior change are analyzed at the levels of the individual, family, community and health care system. Knowledge translation emanating from diverse disciplinary perspectives will be evaluated based on its impact on improving service delivery, changing patient/provider behavior, enhancing access to appropriate health care, and protecting and motivating treatment for vulnerable populations. 3 s.h.
NRPHD-805. Advanced Measurement Strategies. In-depth study of the major techniques of quantitative data collection used in nursing research. Research techniques related to data collection by physiological instrumentation, observation, interview, and questionnaire will be explored. Reliability and validity issues will be discussed in depth. Students will develop and pilot test data collection strategies in each category. 4 s.h.
NRPHD-806. Advanced Qualitative Methods. This course is designed to provide critical analysis of qualitative methods in the development of nursing science. The course includes epistemology, philosophical assumptions, issues research planning process related to qualitative research methods, methods for data collection and analysis, and ethical issues. 3 s.h.
NRPHD-807. Advanced Statistical Methods for Nursing Research. This course provides the conceptual background and applied use of advanced multivariate statistics that are appropriate to Nursing Science in order to interpret the results of research students that have utilizes such methods as well as apply these analytical methods to their own data analyses as part of their thesis or dissertation research studies. The multivariate statistical methods covered include: multiple multivariate regression, factory analysis (exploratory and confirmatory, path analysis, latent variable analysis, and the overreaching structural equation modeling. Students will implement these analyses with AMOS and EQS statistical software using current, large and multidimensional research datasets with an emphasis on pre-analysis data screening and description. At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to identify and carry out an appropriate statistical analysis and to interpret result through statements of both statistical and clinical conclusions. Student also receive instruction in the use of a SEM statistical software packages, AMOS and EQS. Prerequisite: Enrollment in PhD program and NPRHD 724. 3 s.h.
NRPHD-808. Mentored Health Policy and Advocacy. This elective course prepares future nurse leaders to advocate for health policy change and health issues locally, regionally and nationally. Students will identify their learning needs and specific activities will be designed with an expert mentor. Variable s.h. 1-6.
NRPHD-810. Vulnerability & Resilience. A seminar in the concepts and theories of individual and collective courses of human vulnerability and resilience, including the spectrum of social vulnerability, social determinants of health, and sources of health inequalities, risk, capacity, assests, and resilience in diverse populations. Readings, discussions, and learning activities will provide an analysis of concepts of vulnerability, related theories, global perspectives, and approaches to research with vulnerable populations, enabling potential investigators to frame research problems and health inequalities within a broader social and environmental context. Prerequisite: NRPHD 802. 3 s.h.
NRPHD-870. Residency I. The purpose of Residency I for new PhD students is to become oriented to the MUSC program, the faculty, research foci, peers, campus resources, and the online learning environment.
NRPHD-880. Residency II. The main purpose of the Residency II course for returning PhD students is to refine and solidify their research ideas through large group,small group, and individual activities.
NRPHD-890. Residency III. The purpose of Residency III course for PhD students who are nearing completion of course work is to refine and solidify research ideas and prepare for comprehensive exam and dissertation success.
NRDNP-891. Independent Study. The purpose of an independent study is to provide an opportunity for a student to have an individualized learning experience under the direction of a faculty member. An independent study is designed to supplement required course work with learning which is either an extension of that covered in a course or in an area not covered in an existing course, or to provide an opportunity for research in an area of the student's interest. 1 - 6 variable s.h.
NRPHD-971. Mentored Research.
This elective course provides students with the opportunity to work with a faculty member on a funded research project. This experience will provide hands on experience with many research skills to include subject recruitment, outcome testing, interrater reliability, interviewing, and data entry, analysis, and management. The student’s personal goals and interests will be identified and linked with those of a faculty member in this interactive experience. Variable s.h.
NRPHD-990. Dissertation. Variable s.h. All.
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