The dissertation overview requires the student to formulate a research plan and to justify the selected approach for studying the topic before the student's dissertation committee.

Dissertation Committee

Prior to the comprehensive examination and the dissertation overview, the student and research advisor propose, subject to approval by the director of the PhD program and the Dean, a committee of four or more members, one of whom must be from another school within the University and the majority of whom must be from the School of Nursing. A majority, including the major advisor, must also be full members of the Graduate Faculty of the University.

See Doctoral Committee under Regulations Pertaining to Doctoral Degrees of the University catalog.

Admission to Candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy

Admission to candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy degree constitutes a promotion of the student to the most advanced stage of graduate study and provides formal approval to devote essentially exclusive attention to the research and the writing of the dissertation. To qualify for admission to candidacy, students must be in full graduate status, have satisfied the requirement of the preliminary examination, have completed formal courses with a minimum grade point average of 3.00, have passed the comprehensive examination, and have received approval of the proposed dissertation research by the dissertation committee. Admission to candidacy is granted by the Dean.

Residency Requirement

Students seeking the PhD degree are required to engage in a minimum of one term of full-time doctoral study (nine credits), which excludes any other employment except as approved. The doctoral student must notify the PhD program director in writing the term that this occurs.

Dissertation and Abstract

The date and title of the dissertation defense must be submitted to the PhD program director one month prior to the final defense. For definitions and detail on what constitutes an acceptable dissertation, please see Dissertation and Abstract under Regulations Pertaining to Doctoral Degrees of this catalog.

The PhD program includes an apprenticeship model of research training that combines rigorous coursework and an apprenticeship with successful research mentors. This model includes a formalized series of Apprenticeship Practica (minimum of 6 credits under the direction of a research mentor), with recommended experiences and a series of defined deliverables. This experience allows for the opportunity to acquire individualized and tangible research skills within a mentored research application environment, which is additive to and precedes the dissertation experience.

All mentors are experienced nurse researchers. During their apprenticeships, students acquire tangible skills in research methodology, grantsmanship, professional skills, the responsible conduct of research, and dissemination of research findings through publications and presentations. Students receive an intense and comprehensive research experience resulting in publications and pilot data to support applications for independent research funding and dissertation work.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), can have a significant impact on direct patient care and on both the effectiveness and efficiencies of health care systems across three spheres of impact: patients/clients, nurses, and systems/organizations. They diagnose, develop plans of care, treat, and provide ongoing management of complex patients. A CNS can prescribe medication, durable medical equipment, and therapies in many states. A CNS will also act as a consultant to other nurses and medical professionals, sharing their expertise in a particular specialty, a specific population, a type of illness, care setting, type of care, or disease. They are also able to identify and fill gaps in health care delivery, having the skills to design and implement interventions to improve delivery and outcomes. This type of practice is credited with reducing hospitalization costs and length of stays, lowering the number of emergency room visits, and increasing patient satisfaction.

Studies consistently conclude that the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is a valuable healthcare resource, providing high-quality clinical and evidence-based nursing practice. This type of APRN is much sought-after, as hospitals and healthcare systems seek to improve care quality while lowering costs. CNSs are in demand for their abilities to enhance the quality of care and promote cost effectiveness at hospitals, private practices and clinics, home health institutions, and long-term care facilities.

Clinical Nurse Specialists also make excellent clinical faculty members in Schools of Nursing. The clinical expertise and experience with mentoring nurses are beneficial when working with nursing students.