PhD - Nursing Science

PhD, Nursing Science Degree Requirements

The PhD in Nursing Science program may be completed by finishing one of the following tracks:

• BSN-to-PhD
• Masters-to-PhD

The PhD in Nursing Science program is a lock-step program.  Students must complete the coursework as specified in the Plan of Study for the specific track under which they were admitted and as listed in the Academic Bulletin and the Student Handbook.  Students must also successfully complete the courses in each semester to progress to the next.  Questions related to degree requirements should be directed to the appropriate Associate Dean or Program Director, or staff member in the OSS.

To receive the PhD degree, the candidate must meet all the general requirements for the PhD degree with respect to course work, residency, the qualifying examination, 12 credit hours of dissertation, and successful defense of the dissertation.

Students in the SONHS are responsible for meeting their degree requirements.  It is the student's responsibility to understand fully and comply with all the provisions of the Academic Bulletin and written changes to their Plan of Study.  Students are provided assistance by faculty advisors and other faculty members.  Requests for deviation from the Plan of Study or SONHS requirements are granted only by written approval from the Associate Dean or Dean.  Students who are in violation of the provisions of this Academic Bulletin may be withdrawn from classes unilaterally or have a stop placed upon their future enrollment by appropriate SONHS officials.  The SONHS reserves the right to change academic requirements to include course offerings that ensure students receive the highest-quality and most-current education.  Classes may be held on weekdays or weekends and will be listed as such in the course schedule.  Any programmatic changes are transmitted by written notice in the Student Handbook or by an official in the SONHS.

Admission Requirements

1. Master’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution, preferably in nursing
   • Degrees in nursing from NLN or CCNE accredited programs are preferred.
   • Official transcripts for each institution attended must be mailed from the issuing institution’s Registrar directly to NursingCAS. NursingCAS cannot process transcripts that are stamped “Issued to Student.”  To expedite the process be sure to include the Transcript Request Form from the “Colleges Attended” section in “Academic History.”
   • Applicants are required to list all institutions attended in the “Colleges Attended” section under “Academic History” even if no degree was awarded.
   • Applicants with international transcripts should refer to the “Additional Requirements for International Transcripts” section below. International degrees must be equivalent to those in the U.S.
2. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
3. Introductory statistics course
4. Three letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s disposition towards scholarship 
   • Preferably from individuals with doctorates in nursing.
   • At least one reference from an academic source. 
   • Complete the “References” section to request electronic recommendations.
5. Statement of professional goals
   • Discuss specific research interests and how areas of interest might fit in with the ongoing research activities of the (SONHS) faculty. Reasons for applying to the Masters-to-PhD program at the University of Miami, future professional goals, and related clinical, teaching, and/or research experience should also be addressed. 
   • It is important to match research interests with the research content matter or methodology expertise of the SONHS faculty. It is recommended that applicants review the faculty areas of research listed on the SONHS website, https://www.sonhs.miami.edu/faculty-and-staff/faculty-directory/index.html, as well as faculty publications before applying (see CINHAL, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, or Google Scholar databases to search for research articles).
   • Upload in the “Documents” tab under “Personal Statement.”
6. Current CV/resume
   • The CV/resume should include work and volunteer activities, licensures and other certifications, awards, professional organizations, and academic experiences.
   • Upload in the “Documents” tab under “CV/Resume.”
7. Current, unrestricted RN license to practice nursing in the State of Florida or the state/territory of current practice
   • Upload in the “Documents” tab under “License.”
   • International students must have a United States Social Security number to obtain a Florida RN license.
8. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers certification
   • Only BLS certifications from the American Heart Association are accepted.
   • Upload in the “Documents” tab under “Certification.”

Curriculum Requirements

BSN-to-PhD

Note: Students in the BSN-to-DNP program must successfully complete 12 dissertation credits to complete their degree.

Masters-to-PhD

Note: Students in the Masters-to-DNP program must successfully complete 12 dissertation credits to complete their degree.

PhD, Nursing Science Plan of Study

The PhD in Nursing Science program is a lock-step program.  Students must complete the coursework as specified in the Plan of Study below and in the Student Handbook for the specific track under which they were admitted.  Students must also successfully complete the courses in each semester to progress to the next.  Questions related to degree requirements should be directed to the appropriate Associate Dean or Program Director, or staff member in the OSS.

BSN-to-PhD Plan of Study

Note: The first summer session follows the Summer B Academic Calendar.  All other summer semesters follow the Summer C Academic Calendar.  Students in the BSN-to-DNP program must successfully complete 12 dissertation credits to complete their degree.

Masters-to-PhD Plan of Study

The Masters-to-PhD program is a lock-step program.  Students must complete the coursework as specified in the Plan of Study below and in the Student Handbook for the specific track under which they were admitted.  Students must also successfully complete the courses in each semester to progress to the next.  Questions related to degree requirements should be directed to the appropriate Associate Dean or Program Director, or staff member in the OSS.

Note: All summer semesters follow the Summer C Academic Calendar.  Students in the Masters-to-DNP program must successfully complete 12 dissertation credits to complete their degree.

Mission

The purpose of the PhD in Nursing Science program in nursing is to prepare scholars and researchers to contribute to the growth of nursing science through recognized methods of scholarly inquiry and dissemination of research findings. Both qualitative and quantitative nursing research methods are emphasized from a multicultural perspective. Additionally, graduates of this program will be prepared to provide innovative leadership to the profession and make the practice of nursing more effective. 

Goals

The program prepares students to:

• Synthesize philosophical, theoretical and conceptual knowledge to guide scholarly inquiry and extend the science of nursing.

• Demonstrate cultural competence and ethical practices in conducting research.

• Conduct research in a focused area of scientific inquiry.

• Disseminate scholarly findings for the purposes of building and expanding the science of nursing.

• Develop leaders for the advancement of nursing science.

• Engage in scholarly interdisciplinary inquiry.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate the ability to synthesize knowledge from nursing and other disciplines.
• Demonstrate ethical practices in designing and conducting qualitative and quantitative research studies.
• Students will develop proficiency in scholarly writing.