Post MSN to PhD in Nursing

Focus of the program

The Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing offers a Post Masters PhD in Nursing.  The online program focuses on vulnerable populations, community partnerships, and leadership in health policy.

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 policy develops the leadership skills to be effective in improving health outcomes and influencing health policy makers.  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.

Time Frame

The PhD in Nursing is designed to be completed in three to four years of full-time study or four to five years of part-time study. The need to engage in part-time study is individualized during program planning between the faculty advisor and student. All work to be applied toward the PhD must be completed within eight years of initial enrollment in the program.