Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.)
PhD class admitted Summer 2007
.jpg)
From left to right: Barb Richardson, Carrie
Holiday, Linda Ward, Vicki Aaberg, Coleen Doherty, and
Gail Oneal
The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program at Washington State University admitted its first students in Summer 2007. The program responds directly to the vision of the College of Nursing to pursue opportunities to expand the frontiers of nursing knowledge, science, and practice by using innovative approaches and leveraged resources to benefit all people. The College bridges barriers to health care in the global community with a focus on underserved and rural populations. In addition the program allies itself with the College mission to inspire and transform health care for generations to come. It endorses the values of inquiry and knowledge application, leadership, character, stewardship, and diversity.
The goals of the PhD program were established in the context of rapidly changing environmental factors. These factors include a critical shortfall of doctorally prepared nursing faculty and nurse scientists across the country and in the northwest. Therefore, the program addresses directly the recommendations of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing for research-focused doctoral programs in nursing. The program emphasizes the preparation of nurse researchers. Graduates will investigate nursing phenomena of concern to the discipline of nursing, will develop new nursing knowledge, and will therefore benefit the health of citizens of Washington State, the nation, and the world. Graduates will be prepared to launch independent programs of research, to seek support for all phases of research programs, and will lead others in the research process. Graduates will therefore be equipped to assume faculty positions in schools and colleges of nursing and to take on the roles of nurse scientists.
This PhD program prepares nurses to:
- Advance the discipline of nursing science through theory development
- Contribute to the body of nursing knowledge through research
- Lead nursing education in today’s fast-paced and every-changing health care environment
The PhD in Nursing program is designed to be accessible
for nurses throughout the northwest, and to provide the
supportive environment conducive to doctoral study. The
curriculum is delivered in two summer semesters on the
Spokane campus, clustered on three days/week, and three
fall and spring semesters with a combination of online,
in classroom, and satellite delivery of class. Written
and oral preliminary examinations follow the core course
work. Students present a proposal for their dissertation
project to the faculty, and once approved, begin the
independent research required by that project.