PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The doctoral program in Nursing PhD is designed to prepare students for positions as nursing faculty members, leaders in the application of innovative technologies to nursing education and clinical care, executive leaders in healthcare systems, and scientists who contribute to the body of nursing knowledge through their research.
The doctoral program in Nursing prepares nurse scholars to possess a body of knowledge about theory, processes and methods of inquiry in the discipline of nursing. The program allows students to contribute to disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge in nursing and healthcare from the basis of sound conceptual, methodological, and ethical decision-making. As well as adding to the knowledge generation and testing in the nursing care of vulnerable populations, application of innovative technologies in nursing and healthcare, and clinical and executive leadership in healthcare systems and policy.
The program focuses on the following areas:
- Vulnerable populations within Florida’s multicultural environment
- Application of innovative technologies to nursing education and clinical care
- Health care systems and policy
CURRICULUM
The Nursing PhD program requires a minimum of 57 credit hours beyond a master’s degree in Nursing. This program requires 15 dissertation credit hours, 15 research credit hours and nine credit hours supporting course work allowing students to gain additional expertise in the area chosen for their dissertation. At least two of the three courses must be taken outside of the College of Nursing.
| Total Credit Hours Required: |
| 57
Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Master's Degree |
Students in the Nursing PhD program must complete all course work with GPA of 3.0 (“B”) or better, a professional portfolio, a satisfactory dissertation and defense of dissertation.
Required Courses—33 Credit Hours
Foundation Areas—9 Credit Hours
- NGR 7892 Healthcare Systems and Policy (3 credit hours)
- NGR 7661 Healthcare for Vulnerable Populations (3 credit hours)
- NGR 7820 Innovative Technologies in Healthcare (3 credit hours)
Knowledge Development—9 Credit Hours
- NGR 7115 Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Science (3 credit hours)
- NGR 7123 Concept Development in Nursing (3 credit hours)
- NGR 7939 Dissertation Seminar (3 credit hours)
Research Methods—15 Credit Hours
- NGR 7815 Qualitative Methods in Nursing Research (3 credit hours)
- NGR 7817 Quantitative Methods for Nursing Research I (3 credit hours)
- NGR 7818 Quantitative Methods for Nursing Research II (3 credit hours)
- NGR 7823 Psychometrics and Measurement for Nursing Research (3 credit hours)
- NGR 7919 Doctoral Research (3 Credit Hours)
Elective Courses—9 Credit Hours Minimum
The supporting course work is designed to permit students to gain additional expertise and knowledge in the area chosen for the dissertation. At least two of the three courses must be taken outside of the College of Nursing.
Dissertation Research—15 Credit Hours Minimum
The dissertation research addresses the design and conduct of research on a specific topic within one of the three foundational areas: vulnerable populations, innovative technologies, or healthcare systems and policy. Students conduct the dissertation in areas of faculty interest and expertise. Students are required to complete at least 15 credit hours of dissertation and are required to register for 3 credit hours of dissertation until they complete the degree requirements.
- NGR 7980 Dissertation Research (15 credit hours)
Doctoral Research
The course NGR 7919 Doctoral Research is designed for students to gain research experience with a faculty researcher. Students must obtain permission from the faculty member before registering for this course and complete the College of Nursing doctoral research form. The purpose of this course is for students to have an experience with research other than that of the dissertation. This course is not to be used as a pilot study for the student’s dissertation.
Admission to Candidacy and Examinations
The process for candidacy will start the appointment of the dissertation advisory committee. The Candidacy Examination is a Candidacy Paper with both written and oral components. When these are completed successfully, the student becomes a doctoral candidate and is eligible to enroll in dissertation credits. When candidacy status is obtained, the student must enroll in at least three semester credits of dissertation credit each semester until successful oral defense of the dissertation is made and all graduation requirements are completed. The university requires a minimum of 15 dissertation credits. Post-candidacy status is subject to the rules and regulations of the University of Central Florida Graduate Catalog.
Equipment Fee
Students in the Nursing Doctoral Program pay a $90 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled.
INDEPENDENT LEARNING
The dissertation satisfies the independent learning experience.
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline(s).
Students are admitted to the program in the fall for the program of study; however, spring admissions are possible for a revised plan of study.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- A master's or bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution.
- Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state of Florida. (Does not apply to international applicants).
- Official, competitive GRE score taken within the last five years.
- An essay of no more than 500 words addressing goals for doctoral study related to the College of Nursing and the three areas of focus.
- A personal interview.
- Research interests that match faculty expertise.
- Résumé.
- Three letters of recommendation evaluating potential for doctoral study preferably by nursing instructors, nurse employers or nurses with advanced degrees.
The College of Nursing accepts the most qualified students based on evaluations of the applicant's abilities, past performance, recommendations and match of UCF programs with applicant's career goals.
Students may not transfer courses into the program (including those courses taken in nondegree status). Students may petition to transfer course work in excess of 30 hours from their earned master's degree. Students must obtain a UCF Graduate Petition Form from the College of Nursing Graduate Office and submit the completed petition to the College of Nursing Graduate Office for review by the Doctoral Committee.
Please call the College of Nursing Graduate Office (407) 823-3079 to speak with a doctoral adviser to discuss your goals for doctoral study. It would be very advantageous to discuss the program before you write your essay in the admission application.
Application Deadlines
| Nursing PhD |
Fall Priority
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Fall
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Spring
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Summer
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Domestic Applicants
| Jan 15 | Mar 15 | - | - |
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International Applicants
| Jan 15 | Jan 15 | - | - |
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International Transfer Applicants
| Jan 15 | Jan 15 | - | - |
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FINANCIALS
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see Student Finances, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowships
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student’s graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see Fellowships, which includes descriptions of UCF fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.