Nursing, Ph.D.

Program Description

The Wilkes University Ph.D. in Nursing program prepares nurses to investigate and develop the science that drives nursing practice and education. The program is designed for students interested in pursuing academic and education roles, as well as research roles in healthcare settings. The program culminates in the student’s defense of the dissertation, an original research study to advance knowledge in nursing science on a variety of topics. The dissertation is a requirement of the Ph.D. in nursing degree.

Dissertation Development

Early engagement between faculty and student is key to successful dissertation development. Students will select a dissertation chair, with whom they will work closely throughout the duration of the program in an individual student-chair dyad, online environment. This facilitates ongoing dissertation development and guidance throughout the doctoral program, and aims to promote dissertation completion.

Ph.D. Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

Synthesize empirical and theoretical literature from nursing and other disciplines regarding nursing education and clinical practice.
Design a nursing research study that examines, refines, and advances nursing science and theory to transform nursing education and clinical practice.
Critically evaluate research findings as applicable to nursing science.
Contribute to the field of nursing science through the dissemination of research findings.

Ph.D. Admission Requirements

Applicants will be evaluated for admission based on the following criteria. These admissions standards represent the minimum eligibility requirements for the program. Admission committee members reserve the right to request additional information from candidates as needed for a more in-depth review of qualifications. Admission is not guaranteed.

A completed online application.
Official transcripts showing a master’s or doctoral in nursing degree with completion from an institution with programmatic (ACEN, NLNAC, CCNE) and regional accreditation.*
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Unencumbered current RN license; APRN license if appropriate.

*Applications presenting a history of disciplinary action on professional licenses will be subject to an additional review process by the Special Licensure Discrepancy Committee

https://www.wilkes.edu/bulletin/current/graduate/degrees-programs/nursing/doctor-of-philosophy-in-nursing/index.aspx

Post Master’s Ph.D. Curriculum

Courses are 12 weeks, fully online, except for a 1-day on campus residency (NSG 615 ) and 2 week dissertation competency exam (NSG 628 ).

Total Credits: 47

*NSG 615 PhD New Student Orientation is a 1-day virtual mandatory course scheduled before the Fall semester start date.

**NSG 628 (2-week course that includes a one day comprehensive written examination)

Students who have not successfully completed data collection by the conclusion of NSG 630 will be required to enroll in an additional 3 credit “extension” course NSG 699. More than one of these “extension” courses may be taken if needed to complete data collection. Students will receive an incomplete for NSG 630 until all course work is satisfied. Students who have not successfully defended their dissertation by the conclusion of NSG 631 will be required to enroll in an additional 3credit “extension” course NSG 699. More than one of these “extension” courses may be taken if needed to complete the dissertation. Students will receive an incomplete for NSG 631 until all course work is satisfied. Extension courses are Pass/Fail. Students must complete the program, including dissertation defense, within 7 years from the date of enrollment.

Ph.D. -D.N.P. Curriculum

This pathway is for students with a Ph.D. to attain a D.N.P. degree. The D.N.P. courses are 12 weeks fully online except for NSG 608a and NSG 608b which are 15 weeks in length for completion of the D.N.P. Project.

Total Credits: 24

An elective practicum course NSG 609 is available for students entering the M.S.-D.N.P. program with less than 400 hours from their master’s degree and Post -Graduate/APRN certificate programs. This course provides students with additional time to complete the required 1000 hours for the D.N.P. degree, prior to the start of the D.N.P. project.

NSG 609: D.N.P. Program Practicum; 250 clinical hours; 3 credits

NSG 609 - D.N.P. Program Practicum

DNP-Ph.D. Curriculum

Courses are 12 weeks, fully online, except for a 1-day on campus residency (NSG 615 ) and 2 week dissertation competency exam (NSG 628 ).

Total Credits: 41

*NSG 615 PhD New Student Orientation is a 1-day virtual mandatory course scheduled before the Fall semester start date.
**NSG 628 (2-week course that includes a one day comprehensive written examination)

Students who have not successfully completed data collection by the conclusion of NSG 630 will be required to enroll in an additional 3 credit “extension” course. More than one of these “extension” courses may be taken if needed to complete data collection. Students will receive an incomplete for NSG 630 until all course work is satisfied. Students who have not successfully defended their dissertation by the conclusion of NSG 631 will be required to enroll in an additional 3credit “extension” course. More than one of these “extension” courses may be taken if needed to complete the dissertation. Students will receive an incomplete for NSG 631 until all course work is satisfied. Extension courses are Pass/Fail. Students must complete the program, including dissertation defense, within 7 years from the date of enrollment.

Residency

All students will be required to take this PhD New Student Orientation course (NSG 615) prior to the start of the program and NSG 616. This course is a 1-day virtual residency, providing students with the opportunity to begin to build academic relationships and community, and ease the transition into doctoral level education.

Ph.D. Competency, Comprehensive Exam

(NSG 628 )

All Ph.D. students are required to successfully pass the timed, scheduled comprehensive exam (NSG 628 ) before proceeding into the Dissertation Seminar (NSG 629 ).Students are provided a specific date and time period to complete the comprehensive exam during NSG 628 . If a student is unsuccessful on the first attempt, they may retake the comprehensive exam one time only. If the comprehensive exam is failed a second time, the student will be dismissed from the program and ineligible to return.