The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) Program prepares graduates to function in faculty positions in college and university settings; conduct independent research as nurse scientists, perform scholarly endeavors in nursing; generate and expand the theoretical, empirical, and philosophical bases for nursing practice; provide leadership to the profession; and interpret nursing to society. Students have opportunities to expand their theoretical knowledge and research skills in one of three emphasis areas (Health Systems, Symptom Science, or Education); develop expertise in nursing theory development; expand research skills; and gain a historical and philosophical perspective that broadens their professional orientation and provides a basis for understanding changing social expectations, cultural perspectives, and economic and political trends. The PhD Program prepares nurse scientists for the future with coursework in Precision Health, Data Science, and Grant Writing.

Nurses engaged in doctoral study are adult learners with unique perspectives gained from personal, professional, and educational experiences. These individuals tend to be self-directed, goal-oriented, highly motivated and capable of abstract, original thinking. Individual interests are explored through study in the selected emphasis area. Learning is achieved through independent study and research, as well as instructed courses.

Admission Criteria

New students are accepted to the PhD degree program once a year, for instruction that begins in June during the summer semester. The application deadline is January 1st for admission the following summer. Prospective students can apply using the KU Medical Center online application.

1. Completion of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science (MS) in nursing, or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from a nationally accredited (NLNAC or CCNE) program.
2. Current registered nurse licensure in at least one state in the United States. This requirement may be waived for international students who will not engage in patient care while in the program
3. Preference is given to applicants with a 3.5 GPA in a BSN program or 3.25 GPA in a Master's or DNP program
4. Potential for leadership and scholarship in nursing
5. Prerequisite preparation must include a graduate-level statistical methods course and an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) course
6. Satisfactory criminal background check (completed once an offer of admission has been extended to applicant), which may affect the student's eligibility to enter the program

English Language Requirements 

All applicants for study at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) whose native language is not English must demonstrate an established level of English language proficiency through either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the academic format of the EILTS (International English Language Testing System). The test must have been taken within two years of the first semester of enrollment.

See also Admissions in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.

Program Options

Students may apply to the research doctoral (PhD) program after completing a doctor of nursing (DNP), master's degree in nursing or a baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing. The post-baccalaureate entry option is for exceptionally well-qualified BSN graduates whose career goals are research-oriented and who wish to progress as rapidly as possible toward the research doctorate in nursing.

Course Requirements

The PhD degree requires 67 credit hours; 52 coursework credit hours and at least 15 dissertation credit hours for Post-MS students. Post-BSN students complete an additional 6 credit hours from the graduate nursing core. DNP-to-PhD students complete 27 credit hours of coursework and 15 dissertation credit hours.

The PhD program is offered through a combination of formats, including:

• Three required on-campus, one-week summer intensives at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas
• Online coursework throughout the year, including synchronous and asynchronous web-based conferencing on a regular basis
• On-campus and videoconference mentoring by faculty for research and career advisement and scholar development

Coursework includes curriculum components: core (41 credit hours for Post-MS), an Emphasis Area (11 credit hours), and Dissertation (at least 15 credit hours). DNP-to-PhD students complete 27 credit hours of coursework and 15 dissertation credit hours.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Prerequisites
BIOS 704	Principles of Statistics in Public Health (or equivalent)	3
and
NRSG 700	Analysis of Variance for Nursing Research (or equivalent)	2
or
BIOS 720	Analysis of Variance	3
BSN-PhD Required Courses
NRSG 748	Theories for Practice and Research	3
NRSG 754	Health Care Research	3
BSN-PhD and MS-PhD Required Core
NRSG 877	Foundations in Education and Learning	3
NRSG 895	Grant Writing for Nursing Science	1
NRSG 896	Grant Writing Application	2
NRSG 934	Foundations of Data Science	3
NRSG 935	Professionalism and Scholarship Workshop	2
NRSG 936	Philosophy of Nursing Science	2
NRSG 937	Innovative Theories and Models for Nursing Science	3
NRSG 939	Precision Health	3
NRSG 941	Preparing for Doctoral Leadership	2
NRSG 945	Synthesis Workshop I	1
NRSG 946	Measurement Principles and Practice	3
NRSG 949	Synthesis Workshop II	1
NRSG 952	Qualitative Research Methods and Application	4
NRSG 953	Quantitative Research Methods and Application	4
BIOS 730	Applied Linear Regression	3
Advanced Research Methods/Analysis Course*		3
Emphasis Area (11 credit hours)
Emphasis Area Course #1*		3
Emphasis Area Course #2*		3
Emphasis Area Course #3*		3
NRSG 970	Synthesis of Emphasis Area of Study	2
Dissertation
NRSG 999	Dissertation (up to 6 credit hours in one semester)	15

*Courses will be selected in consultation with advisor.

Emphasis Area

The emphasis area includes 11 coursework credit hours in the student's area of choice from among three options: Health Systems, Symptom Science, or Education. Emphasis area courses must support the student's research interest area. Two of the 11 emphasis area credit hours are taken through enrollment in NRSG 970: Synthesis of Emphasis Area of Study, which is taken after completion of the emphasis area coursework. That course requires completion of a scholarly paper synthesizing content taken throughout the emphasis area course sequence. 

Dissertation

Each PhD student must complete a study that shows the planning, conduct, and results of original research. See Doctoral Degree Requirements, Ph.D., in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog. The minimum number of post-comprehensive dissertation credit hours is 15. The program also requires satisfactory completion of the University's research skills and responsible scholarship requirement, two qualifying examinations at the completion of NRSG 945: Synthesis Workshop I and NRSG 949: Synthesis Workshop II, a comprehensive oral exam, (i.e., the dissertation proposal defense), and a final oral examination, (i.e., the final dissertation defense).

The KU School of Nursing has three entry options to the Ph.D. in Nursing program. You can apply to the research doctoral program after completing a BSN, M.S. or DNP degree. Students may also choose between full-time and part-time plans of study. For more information, see the KU School of Nursing website. 

BSN-PhD Sample Full-Time Plan of Study 

Year 1
Summer	Hours	Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
NRSG 935	2	BIOS 704	3	NRSG 700 or BIOS 720	2
NRSG 748	3	NRSG 939	3	NRSG 754	3
	5		6		5
Year 2
Summer	Hours	Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
NRSG 877	3	NRSG 936	2	NRSG 952	4
NRSG ELECTEmphasis Area Course	3	NRSG 934	3	NRSG 946	3
		BIOS 730	3	NRSG 937	3
	6		8		10
Year 3
Summer	Hours	Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
NRSG 945	1	NRSG 953	4	NRSG 941	2
NRSG ELECTEmphasis Area Course #2	3	NRSG 895	1	NRSG ELECTEmphasis Area Course	3
		NRSG 896	2	NRSG ELECTAdv Research Methods/Analysis	3
		NRSG 997	1
	4		8		8
Year 4
Summer	Hours	Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
NRSG 949	1	NRSG 990	6	NRSG 999	6
NRSG 970	2	Note: The plan for NRSG 970, NRSG 990, & NRSG 999 will vary according to individual student plan with dissertation advisor approval.
	3		6		6
Year 5
Summer	Hours	Fall	Hours
NRSG 999	3	NRSG 999 (if needed)	6
	3		6
Total Hours 84

MS-PhD Sample Full-Time Plan of Study  

Year 1
Summer	Hours	Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
NRSG 935	2	NRSG 936	2	NRSG 937	3
NRSG 877	3	NRSG 939	3	NRSG 946	3
		BIOS 730	3	NRSG 952	4
	5		8		10
Year 2
Summer	Hours	Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
NRSG 945	1	NRSG 895	1	NRSG 941	2
NRSG ELECTEmphasis Area Course	3	NRSG 896	2	NRSG 997	1
		NRSG 934	3	NRSG ELECTEmphasis Area Course	3
		NRSG 953	4	NRSG ELECTAdv Research Methods Course	3
	4		10		9
Year 3
Summer	Hours	Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
NRSG 949	1	NRSG 970	2	NRSG 999	6
NRSG ELECTEmphasis Area Course	3	NRSG 990 or 999	6
	4		8		6
Year 4
Summer	Hours	Fall	Hours
NRSG 999	3	NRSG 999if needed	6
	3		6
Total Hours 73

TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR ADMISSION
University of Kansas School of Nursing

I.  Introduction

All individuals admitted to the University of Kansas School of Nursing will be asked to verify that they can meet the following Technical Standards, with or without accommodation(s). In courses or programs without clinical components, or involving no direct client care, the Technical Standards may be modified by the Student Admission and Progression Committee (SAPC). After acceptance, but before admission to the School of Nursing, students in all programs must be able to document current certification/evidence of completion of a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for healthcare providers. This requires being able to successfully complete both the written and practical test for certification. In addition, with or without accommodation, the following abilities and expectations must be met by all students, undergraduate and graduate, admitted to the School of Nursing.

II.  Standards

A.  Observation/Sensory-motor: Applicants must be able to observe demonstrations and learn from experiences in the basic sciences, including but not limited to, physiology and pharmacology, microbiology and pathophysiology laboratory situations. Applicants must be able to observe and learn from experiences in the clinical nursing laboratory such as the following examples: accurately read gradients/calibrations on a syringe; measure medications accurately; accurately recognize color changes on chemical reaction strips; assess heart, breath, abdominal sounds; assess normal and abnormal color changes in the skin; observe pupil changes; and observe digital or waveform readings.

B.  Communication: Communications include not only speech but also reading, writing, and computer usage, including handheld digital access. Applicants must be able to communicate accurately and effectively with patients, caregivers, physicians, other health professionals, clinical facility staff, faculty and staff, peers, and the community in general in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and perceive nonverbal communications.

C.  Psychomotor: Applicants should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers. Applicants should be physically able to collect specimens and perform basic tests (such as glucose finger stick, urine dipstick). Applicants should be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Examples of emergency treatment reasonably required of nurses are cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of intravenous medication, application of pressure to stop bleeding, and assist in moving and lifting patients using proper body mechanics. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and using tactile and visual senses.

D.  Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative: Applicants must be able to comprehend and interpret documents written in English. Applicants should have cognitive abilities including measurements, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis.  Critical thinking is the ability to synthesize knowledge. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of nurses, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, the applicant should be able to comprehend three dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures in order to understand normal and abnormal anatomy and physiology, which may be an essential part of the selected research topic.

E.  Behavioral and Social Attributes: Applicants must possess the emotional health required to utilize their intellectual abilities fully, exercise good judgment, complete all responsibilities attendant to the nursing diagnosis and care of patients promptly, and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients and their families. Applicants must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal communication skills, interest and motivation are all personal qualities that should be assessed during the admissions and education process. As a component of nursing education, a student must demonstrate ethical behavior including adherence to the professional nursing and student honor codes. The honor code at the KU School of Nursing is the Professional Integrity System (PROFITS). KU PROFITS is a peer-oriented integrity system to promote an environment where academic honesty is valued and expected.

III.  Reasonable Accommodation

Applicants who disclose a disability are considered for admission if they are otherwise qualified so long as such accommodation does not significantly alter the essential requirements of the curriculum and the educational program, or significantly affect the safety of patient care or others. When applicants or students disclose a disability, the provision of reasonable accommodations will be considered in an attempt to assist these individuals in meeting these required technical standards. Applicants whose response indicates that they cannot meet one or more of the expectations will be reviewed further by the University’s Office for Academic Accommodations, with applicant and faculty input, to determine if any reasonable accommodations are possible to facilitate successful completion of the nursing curriculum and preparation for the national registry examination.

It is important to give persons interested in enrolling in nursing a realistic view of the vigorous demands of the School of Nursing’s theoretical and practicum curriculum while at the same time investigating reasonable accommodations. Whether or not a requested accommodation is reasonable will be determined on a case by case basis. Interested individuals may schedule an orientation visit to the nursing skills laboratory and actual sites of the University of Kansas Hospital and/or University of Kansas Medical Center. These orientation visits enable persons to assess their interest and ability to function in the actual clinical areas and in learning and demonstrating manual skills.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) Program

The University of Kansas School of Nursing PhD program prepares graduates to function in faculty positions in college and university settings; conduct independent research and scholarly endeavors in nursing; generate and expand the theoretical, empirical, and philosophical bases for nursing practice; provide leadership to the profession; and interpret nursing to society. The DNP-to-PhD in Nursing program prepares graduates for these purposes for those who previously earned a DNP degree. The advanced practice or leadership cognate area from the DNP program serves as the "emphasis area" for the DNP-to-PhD program. Additional content provided in the PhD program is focused on statistics, theory, data science, or precision health, research methods, grant writing, and conduct of research, (i.e., skills essential to the research doctorate). The DNP-to-PhD program focuses on preparing the graduate for conducting independent and collaborative research for nursing science. DNP-PhD students complete 27 credit hours of coursework and 15 dissertation credit hours.

Eligibility and Requirements

1. Completion of a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from a nationally accredited (NLNAC or CCNE) program.

2. Current registered nurse licensure in at least one state in the U.S.

3. Minimum cumulative graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Preference is given to applicants with a 3.25 GPA in the DNP program.

4. Potential for leadership and scholarship in nursing. 

5. Prerequisite preparation must include a graduate-level statistical methods course and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) course. 

6. Satisfactory criminal background check, which is completed once an offer of admission has been extended to applicant.

   
    

 Course Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
PhD Statistics Requirements
NRSG 700	Analysis of Variance for Nursing Research (or BIOS 720 [pre-req])	2
BIOS 730	Applied Linear Regression	3
PhD Theory
NRSG 936	Philosophy of Nursing Science	2
NRSG 937	Innovative Theories and Models for Nursing Science	3
NRSG 934	Foundations of Data Science (or NRSG 939)	3
PhD Research Methods
NRSG 946	Measurement Principles and Practice	3
NRSG 952	Qualitative Research Methods and Application	4
NRSG 953	Quantitative Research Methods and Application	4
NRSG 895	Grant Writing for Nursing Science	1
NRSG 896	Grant Writing Application	2
Qualifying Exam(s) / Residency Requirement
Required on campus-orientation (typically during the first week of June)
NRSG 945	Synthesis Workshop I	1
NRSG 949	Synthesis Workshop II	1
Dissertation
NRSG 999	Dissertation (15 credit hour minimum)	1-12