Intercollegiate College of Nursing: Academic Programs

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.)

Cohort 1, Summer 2007

From left to right: Barb Richardson, Carrie Holliday, Linda Ward, Vikki Aaberg, Colleen Doherty, Gail ONeal

Cohort 2, Summer 2008

From left to right: Erla Champ-Gibson, Tracey Klein, Jeannine Roth, Aaron Huston, Marni Storey, Susan Fleming, Terry McManus, Katie Adamson.

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. See the Courses: Plan of Study & Description for more information on the curriculum and timeline.