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PhD in Nursing Science

PhD in Nursing Science

Become a leader in the field of nursing

Our PhD program prepares you for a career as a nurse scientist with the ability to generate research to enhance the care of individuals and families across the lifespan. PhD-prepared nurses lead the profession, teach the next generation of nurses, and expand nursing’s impact on health policy and public health.

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Fellowships Available

The IU School of Nursing offers competitive funding for PhD students, including tuition remission, a stipend, and health insurance.

Is a PhD right for you?

The PhD program is primarily taught in-person on the IU Indianapolis campus, although some courses may be in online or hybrid formats. We attempt to schedule the required PhD courses across one day each week so that students know in advance which day to plan to be available for class.

This program features both a Master of Science in Nursing to PhD pathway, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to PhD path. The MSN-PhD can be accomplished in three years as a full time student, or five years as a part time student. The BSN-PhD can be accomplished in four years as a full-time student, or six years as a part-time student.

As a PhD student, you are paired with a faculty researcher who provides supportive mentoring throughout your entire PhD program. There is one core curriculum, but you can choose to work with faculty experts on one of two tracks: Clinical Nursing Science or Health Systems.

Ready to take the next step?

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Are you passionate about research?

Explore PhD student dissertations

Explore our areas of research excellence

Faculty spotlight: Dr. Andrea Tanner

Andrea Tanner, PhD, RN, NCSN, FNASN, began her career as a school nurse before joining the PhD program at the IU School of Nursing. She is currently an assistant professor researching the mental health crisis among children and adolescents in schools.

Two research tracks to choose from

Clinical Nursing Science

Clinical nursing science concentrates on the intersections of health promotion, health behavior, and quality of life in acute and chronic illness throughout the lifespan to enhance the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Examples of scholarship and faculty research in clinical nursing science include:

Prevention and early detection of disease
Improving the quality of life of persons with chronic illness
Behavioral oncology across the cancer continuum
Childhood and family adaptation to chronic illness
Family caregiving across the lifespan
Tailored intervention studies to improve quality of life
Patient care safety

Health Systems

Health systems operate to create structures and resources that enable individuals and communities to achieve optimal health. Examples of scholarship and faculty research within the focus of health systems include:

Health policy and public policy analysis
Nursing workforce
Computer systems to enhance care delivery
Nursing informatics
Community-based care coordination

PhD in Nursing Science curriculum

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the PhD in Nursing Science curriculum -

Description	Course	Credits
Responsible Conduct of Research	NURS-D602	1
Students will develop knowledge regarding the responsible conduct of research, including conflict of interest, responsible authorship, policies for handling misconduct, data management, data sharing, policies regarding the use of animals and/or human subjects, and institutional vs. individual responsibilities for scientific integrity. This meets the NIH requirements for instruction of pre- and postdoctoral fellows.
Nursing Inquiry and Scholarship: Introduction to Doctoral Study	NURS-D701	3
Examination and development of knowledge, skills, and strategies to support critical and creative thinking, identification of research and evaluation interests, socialization, and development of scholarship in nursing.
Preparing Future Faculty	NURS-T800	2
This course helps students develop competencies as doctorally-prepared educators in academic and other complex organizations. Course concepts include functioning within the educational environment; understanding the relationship between teaching, research/scholarship and service and preparing to be a doctorally prepared member of the faculty.
Total		6

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the PhD in Nursing Science curriculum -

Description	Course	Credits
Theoretical Perspectives of Nursing Science	NURS-D607	3
This course focuses on comparison of philosophical approaches to knowledge development. Emphasis will be on concepts as building blocks of theory and approaches to concept development and analysis for theory development.
Middle Range Theory	NURS-D608	3
This course focuses on evaluation of theory, the utility of theories in research, and the influence of various theoretical perspectives on research strategies. Emphasis is on midrange, multidisciplinary theories relevant to nursing research.
Total		6

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the PhD in Nursing Science curriculum - Required Courses
Required Courses
Description	Course	Credits
Advanced Statistics in Nursing Research	NURS-R607	3
This course covers multiple linear regression, ANCOVA, factorial ANOVA, repeated measures, sensitivity and specificity, logistic regression, and survival analyses. Understanding the mathematics and logic behind these techniques is emphasized. Students develop skills to answer research questions, and critically analyze, interpret, and evaluate evidence related to nursing research.
Foundations of Quantitative Research	NURS-R603	3
This course is an in-depth critique of quality indicators for quantitative research designs. Designs, sampling methods, data collection methods, measurement strategies, and quality of measures are evaluated for threats to internal and external validity. In addition, the logical consistency among problem, purpose, design, data analysis, and conclusions are examined.
Foundations of Qualitative Research	NURS-R610	3
The focus of this course is on in-depth critique of the quality indicators for qualitative research designs. Designs, sampling methods, data collection methods, and analysis methods are evaluated for credibility, neutrality, consistency and usefulness of findings. In addition, the consistency among research questions, purpose, design, data analysis and conclusions are examined.
Total		9

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the PhD in Nursing Science curriculum - Cafeteria Options: Select TWO FROM THE FOLLOWING FOR A TOTAL of SIX (6) CREDITS
Cafeteria Options: Select TWO FROM THE FOLLOWING FOR A TOTAL of SIX (6) CREDITS
Description	Course	Credits
Trans-disciplinary Approaches to Influencing Health Policy	NURS-D743	3
Designed for nurses and other professionals, this course focuses on policy and advocacy at institutional, local, state, national, and international levels. Participants communicate with policy makers, analyze factors and apply evidence to influence health policy decisions.
Instrumentation and Measurement	NURS-R601	3
This course provides an opportunity for the student to develop expertise in developing and testing the psychometric properties of an instrument to measure health-related phenomena. Content focuses on theoretical foundations of measurement, item construction, questionnaire design, and content analysis, item analysis, assessment of reliability and validity, accuracy and precision, and manuscript preparation to report psychometric properties.
Design and Applications of Advanced Research Designs/Interventions	NURS-R605	3
Evaluates and applies issues relevant to intervention research and health services research. Content will include intervention dosage, sensitivity, mediators and moderators, and quality assurance and feasibility of intervention delivery. Translational research, multisite research, intent-to-treat, nested designs, and outcome designs will be discussed for application.
Grounded Theory Research	NURS-R613	3
This course focuses on the methods of grounded theory research within the context of its origins, history and philosophical foundations.
Comparative Effectiveness Research and Patient‐Centered Outcomes Research (CER/PCOR)	NURS-R615	3
This course provides an overview of comparative effectiveness and patient‐centered outcomes research (CER/PCOR). Topics include history, definitions, and key terms; engaging patients and stakeholders; evidence‐based medicine; health technology assessment; policy issues; government and private sector roles and programs; CER/PCOR funding; role of cost and quality; and methods and standards.
Symptom Science: Models, Methods, and Measures	NURS-R703	3
This course focuses on models, methods, and measures used in symptom science. The NIH Symptom Science Model and core symptoms of cognition, depression, fatigue, pain, and sleep will be examined. Students will critically evaluate scientific literature and conduct an in-depth evaluation of one symptom related to their area of research interest.
Developing Grant Applications for Health Sciences	NURS-R704	3
In this course, students develop beginning grantsmanship skills by understanding the process of successful grant writing and common components of grant applications. Students will collaborate with research mentors/teams to develop substantive content of a grant application that has potential for funding. Students will participate in peer review and critique.
Writing for Publication in Health Sciences	NURS-W540	3
This course is for graduate students in health sciences focusing on preparing a research or scholarly works manuscript for publication. The content of the course is organized to take students through the process of journal selection, manuscript preparation, and submission. Emphasis is placed on peer review, contemporary issues in publishing, and publication ethics.

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the PhD in Nursing Science curriculum - Required
Required
Description	Course	Credits
State of the Science Seminar	NURS-D609	2
This course focuses on increasing the students' understanding of how knowledge has developed relevant to their phenomena of interest. Each student will develop skills needed to critically analyze and synthesize relevant literature in the area of a specific phenomenon. Special emphasis is placed on the application on critical analysis and synthesizing skills.
Directed Research Practicum	NURS-D752	3
Students will develop research skills through directed study and supervised research experience. Multidisciplinary research experience may include, but is not limited to, pilot-testing and evaluating research methods, data collection, data analysis, and secondary analysis of existing datasets relevant to the student's research interests. This course may be taken more than once.
Total		5

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the PhD in Nursing Science curriculum - Choose ONE for a TOTAL OF THREE (3) CREDITS
Choose ONE for a TOTAL OF THREE (3) CREDITS
Description	Course	Credits
Advanced Leadership in Complex Systems	NURS-D721	3
This course focuses on synthesis of leadership research, theory, and organizational models within the context of health systems. Environmental influences, team relationships, partnership models, organizational culture, and achieving performance outcomes are explored and applied. Self-knowledge, strategic vision, risk-taking, and effective communication are discussed relative to complex systems.
Biological and Behavioral Foundations of Self-Management Interventions	NURS-R702	3
This course provides in-depth analysis of the theoretical and research literature that provides evidence for biological and behavioral factors that influence self- and family management. Students will critically evaluate theories/models applicable to self- and family-management and complete an in depth analysis of self-management interventions relevant to their area of interest.
Symptom Science: Models, Methods, and Measures	NURS-R703	3
This course focuses on models, methods, and measures used in symptom science. The NIH Symptom Science Model and core symptoms of cognition, depression, fatigue, pain, and sleep will be examined. Students will critically evaluate scientific literature and conduct an in-depth evaluation of one symptom related to their area of research interest.

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the PhD in Nursing Science curriculum -

Description	Course	Credits
Cognate or supporting course work from inside or outside nursing. May include a minor in an alternate focus area, other approved minors, or individualized plans.		9 - 12
Total		9 - 12

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the PhD in Nursing Science curriculum -

Description	Course	Credits
Dissertation in Nursing	NURS-R899	16
Dissertation research is facilitated through individualized research mentoring. Each semester, goals/objectives and a timeline for work to be accomplished are mutually determined by the student and chair. The student and dissertation chair meet regularly and dissertation committee members are involved as needed to ensure consistent progress.
Total		16

Learning outcomes

As a PhD graduate, you are well-positioned for a successful career as a leader within academic and practice settings. Graduates of the program are expected to:

Synthesize knowledge from nursing as well as biological and behavioral sciences to investigate health phenomena.
Utilize analytical and empirical methods to extend nursing knowledge and scholarship.
Conduct and communicate independent research that advances the body of scientific knowledge.
Defend the social significance of the expanded knowledge base of nursing.
Interpret nursing science within an interdisciplinary context.

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Pre- and postdoctoral training

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