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College of Nursing:
PhD in Nursing

The PhD in Nursing program prepares nursing professionals for advanced careers in nursing research, practice, and education. With a focus on readying students to contribute to nursing science, advance knowledge in nursing practice, and improve healthcare services, practices, and policies, course topics include: research methods, theoretical and scientific perspectives in nursing, strengthen scholarly writing skills, enhance critical analysis of the literature advanced quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research design; quality improvement systems and leadership which culminates in the dissertation. The doctoral dissertation enables students to conduct and publish original research that contributes to the body of knowledge in their chosen specialty. Based on their educational and career goals, students will choose from among five focus areas: Nursing Education, Healthcare Administration, Interdisciplinary Health, Leadership, and Population Health.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be prepared to:

  1. Conduct research to generate findings that advance the knowledge and practice of nursing.
  2. Demonstrate advanced competency in research design and methodology to address social problems and needs.
  3. Engage in scientific inquiry that advances the knowledge base of research and practice in the profession.
  4. Evaluate the role of research and scholarship in the field of nursing in relation to its role in improving health interventions and advancing the development of related theory.
  5. Demonstrate leadership by generating new knowledge that promotes positive social change and addresses the social determinants of health.
  6. Contribute to the science of nursing through social change and social policy initiatives.
  7. Apply ethical decision making and values to the profession.
  8. Advocate for policies and programs that improve health outcomes by addressing the social determinants of health among culturally diverse populations.
  9. Demonstrate professional communication that supports the discipline and practice of nursing.
  10. Demonstrate the ability to act as a role model and mentor to others who wish to pursue the profession (stewardship).

Minimum Degree Requirements

The PhD in Nursing offers three entry options: BSN-PhD, MSN-PhD, and DNP to PhD Bridge Option. See specialization pages for details on minimum required credits by specialization and entry option.

  • Foundation course (1 credits)
  • Core courses (45 credits or 20 credits, depending upon BSN-PhD or MSN-PhD/DNP Bridge entry option)
  • Research courses (20 credits)
  • Doctoral Seminar (5 quarter credits)
  • Focus area courses (15 credits)
  • Completion of the Doctoral Capstone
    • Dissertation (minimum 20 quarter credits, taken continuously until completion of the dissertation)
  • Doctoral Writing Assessment (0 credits)
  • Four PhD residencies

Core Curriculum

BSN-PhD entry: This entry option is for registered nurses (RN) who have earned their bachelor’s in nursing degree.

MSN-PhD entry: This entry option is for registered nurses (RN) who have earned their master’s in nursing degree.

DNP-PhD entry: This entry option is for registered nurses (RN) who have earned their doctor of nursing practice degree.

Foundation Course (1 credits)

Core Courses (45 credits or 20 credits)

BSN-PhD entry students take 45 credits of core courses. See each focus area for MSN level core course information.

20 credits of MSN level core courses based on the focus area

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

MSN-PhD and DNP Bridge entry students take 20 credits of core courses.

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Research Courses (20 credits)

Foundation Research Courses (15 credits)

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Advanced Research Course (5 credits)

OR

OR

Doctoral Seminar (5 credits)

Focus Areas (15 credits)

See each focus area for course information.

Completion of the Doctoral Capstone

Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval.

To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.

Residency Requirements

Course Sequence

BSN-PhD Entry Course Sequence

The BSN-PhD entry course sequence is as follows.

Quarter

Course

Credits

Quarter 1

NURS 8003 – Foundations and Essentials in Nursing

1 credit

BSN-PhD Entry Core Course #1

5 credits

Quarter 2

BSN-PhD Entry Core Course #2

5 credits

BSN-PhD Entry Core Course #3

5 credits

Quarter 3

BSN-PhD Entry Core Course #4

5 credits

NURS 8100 – Healthcare Policy and Advocacy

5 credits

Quarter 4

NURS 8710 - Doctoral Seminar I

1 credit

NURS 8112 – Theoretical and Scientific Foundations of Nursing Research

5 credits

RESI 8401 – Residency 1

Complete Residency 1 prior to RSCH 8110.

Quarter 5

RSCH 8110 – Research Theory, Design, and Methods

5 credits

NURS 8301 – Effectively Leading Organizations in Quality Improvement Initiatives

5 credits

Quarter 6

NURS 8720 – Doctoral Seminar II

1 credit

NURS 8210 – Transforming Nursing and Healthcare through Technology

5 credits

NURS 8250 – Advanced Theoretical and Scientific Perspectives in Nursing

5 credits

Quarter 7

NURS 8730 – Doctoral Seminar III

1 credit

RSCH 8210 – Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis

5 credits

RESI 8402 – Residency 2

Complete Residency 2 prior to NURS 8750 (Doctoral Seminar V)

Quarter 8

NURS 8740 – Doctoral Seminar IV

1 credit

RSCH 8310 – Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis

5 credits

Focus Area Course #1

5 credits

Quarter 9

Focus Area Course #2

5 credits

Focus Area Course #3

5 credits

Quarter 10

NURS 8750 – Doctoral Seminar V

1 credit

Advanced Research Course

Choose 1 course from the options below.

RSCH 8260 – Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis

RSCH 8360 – Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis

RSCH 8460 – Advanced Mixed Methods Reasoning and Analysis

5 credits

RESI 8403 – Residency 3

Complete Residency 3 prior to NURS 9000 (Dissertation)

Quarter 11 +

NURS 9000 – Dissertation

Continuous enrollment in 5 credits per term for a minimum of 4 terms; taken continuously until completion

RESI 8404 – Residency 4

Taken after prospectus approval.

MSN-PhD Entry Course Sequence

The MSN-PhD entry course sequence is as follows.

Quarter

Course

Credits

Quarter 1

NURS 8003 – Foundations and Essentials in Nursing

1 credit

NURS 8710 - Doctoral Seminar I

1 credit

NURS 8112 – Theoretical and Scientific Foundations of Nursing Research

5 credits

RESI 8401 – Residency 1

Complete Residency 1 prior to RSCH 8110.

Quarter 2

RSCH 8110 – Research Theory, Design, and Methods

5 credits

NURS 8301 – Effectively Leading Organizations in Quality Improvement Initiatives

5 credits

Quarter 3

NURS 8720 – Doctoral Seminar II

1 credit

NURS 8210 – Transforming Nursing and Healthcare through Technology

5 credits

NURS 8250 – Advanced Theoretical and Scientific Perspectives in Nursing

5 credits

Quarter 4

NURS 8730 – Doctoral Seminar III

1 credit

RSCH 8210 – Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis

5 credits

Focus Area Course #1

5 credits

RESI 8402 – Residency 2

Complete Residency 2 prior to NURS 8750 (Doctoral Seminar V)

Quarter 5

NURS 8740 – Doctoral Seminar IV

1 credit

RSCH 8310 – Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis

5 credits

Focus Area Course #2

5 credits

Quarter 6

NURS 8750 – Doctoral Seminar V

1 credit

Advanced Research Course

Choose 1 course from the options below.

RSCH 8260 – Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis

RSCH 8360 – Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis

RSCH 8460 – Advanced Mixed Methods Reasoning and Analysis

5 credits

Focus Area Course #3

5 credits

RESI 8403 – Residency 3

Complete Residency 3 prior to NURS 9000 (Dissertation)

 

Quarter 7+

NURS 9000 – Dissertation

 

Continuous enrollment in 5 credits per term for a minimum of 4 terms; taken continuously until completion

RESI 8404 – Residency 4

Taken after prospectus approval.

 

Bridge Option for Students with a DNP

Quarter

Course

Credits

Quarter 1

NURS 8003 – Foundations and Essentials in Nursing

1 credit

NURS 8112 – Theoretical and Scientific Foundations of Nursing Research

5 credits

RESI 8401 – Residency 1

Complete Residency 1 prior to RSCH 8110.

Quarter 2

NURS 8710 – Doctoral Seminar I

1 credit

RSCH 8110 – Research, Theory, Design, and Methods

5 credits

Quarter 3

NURS 8720 – Doctoral Seminar II

1 credit

NURS 8250 – Advanced Theoretical and Scientific Perspectives in Nursing

5 credits

Quarter 4

NURS 8730 – Doctoral Seminar III

1 credit

RSCH 8210 – Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis

5 credits

RESI 8402 – Residency 2

Complete Residency 2 prior to NURS 8750 (Doctoral Seminar V)

Quarter 5

NURS 8740 – Doctoral Seminar IV

1 credit

RSCH 8310 – Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis

5 credits

Quarter 6

NURS 8750 – Doctoral Seminar V

1 credit

Advanced Research Course

Choose 1 course from the options below.

RSCH 8260 – Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis

RSCH 8360 – Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis

RSCH 8460 – Advanced Mixed Methods Reasoning and Analysis

5 credits

RESI 8403 – Residency 3

Complete Residency 3 prior to NURS 9000 (Dissertation)

Quarter 7 +

NURS 9000 – Dissertation

 

Continuous enrollment in 5 credits per term for a minimum of 4 terms; taken continuously until completion

RESI 8404 – Residency 4

Taken after prospectus approval.

 

Doctoral Writing Assessment

Students who start or readmit to doctoral programs at Walden University in the university catalog for academic year 2017 or later will complete the university’s required doctoral writing assessment. Designed to evaluate incoming doctoral students’ writing skills, this assessment aims to help prepare incoming doctoral students to meet the university’s expectations for writing at the doctoral level.

8-Year Maximum Time Frame

In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation/doctoral study course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation/doctoral study course shell.

Students have up to 8 years to complete their doctoral degree requirements (see Enrollment Requirements in the student handbook). Students may petition to extend the 8-year maximum time frame, but an extension is not guaranteed.

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