Nursing PhD
Applicants to the Ph.D. program will be holistically reviewed using criteria such as GPA, a personal statement, an essay, work/volunteer experiences, professional activities, leadership roles, honors, award recognitions, etc.
Due to higher education regulation changes, the University of Missouri–St. Louis cannot admit students from all states for online programs. Please see the Center for Teaching and Learning for additional information: http://www.umsl.edu/services/ctl/onlinelearning/state_authorization.html
Admission Criteria
- Admission to the University by completing the UMSL Graduate School Application
- Completion of the College of Nursing supplemental application
- Graduation from a nationally accredited baccalaureate or master's nursing program with 3.25 minimum GPA (4.0 scale)
- Completion of a basic undergraduate statistics course
International applicants must meet minimum requirements on tests of written and spoken English (TOEFL, Minimum iBT score of 79 or better is desired). International students must also apply through the International Student Services Office.
See the UMSL College of Nursing's website for the application process and specific program deadlines.
Degree Requirements
While each program of study is individualized, BSN to Ph.D. students complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of graduate-level course work and an additional 12 credit hours of dissertation, which equal the 72 total credit hours required for the Ph.D. program. MSN to Ph.D. students complete a minimum of 45 post-MSN credit hours and an additional 12 credit hours of dissertation. These 57 credit hours, in addition to 15 credit hours earned from Master’s level work, equal the 72 credit hours required for a Ph.D.
Nursing Science, Theory, and Discipline of Nursing:
| NURSE 6424 | Social Determinants of Health for Underserved Populations | 3 |
| NURSE 7200 | State of the Science in Nursing Research and Practice | 3 |
| NURSE 7403 | Development of the Nurse Scientist | 3 |
| NURSE 7443 | Healthcare Policy and Economics | 3 |
| NURSE 7481 | Development of Nursing Science and Theory | 3 |
| NURSE 7491 | Advanced Nursing Theory Development and Validation | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Nursing Research Methods:
| NURSE 7211 | Biostatistics I | 3 |
| NURSE 7488 | Introduction to Qualitative Research Methodologies and Methods | 3 |
| NURSE 7212 | Biostatistics II | 3 |
| NURSE 7490 | Advanced Nursing Research Designs and Methods | 3 |
| NURSE 7495 | Mixed Methods Research in Health Care | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Design, Implementation and Evaluation of Health Interventions | ||
| Biostatistics III - Structural Equation Modeling | ||
| Seminar in Advanced Qualitative Research Methods | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Cognates:
All Ph.D. students (BSN to Ph.D. and MSN to Ph.D.) are required to take a minimum of 9 credit hours of cognates in the related area of research1. The advisor must approve the cognate to ensure it meets the College of Nursing guidelines.
| 1 | BSN to Ph.D. students must also take 6 credit hours of electives. |
Dissertation:
| NURSE 7499 | Dissertation Research | 12 |
Additional Required Courses for BSN to Ph.D. Students:
| NURSE 6111 | Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| NURSE 6130 | Research, Interventions and Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| NURSE 7220 | Leadership in Practice | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
PhD Program Learning Outcomes
- Develop expertise and knowledge to establish a program of research & scholarship.
- Translate nursing research into practice & policy to improve health & healthcare systems.
- Provide leadership to effect change in healthcare practice, policy, & education issues by collaboration & partnerships.
- Collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams.
- Improve the healthcare quality of life, individuals/families/communities regionally, nationally & internationally.