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Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

PhD in Nursing: Program Overview
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
College of Nursing , Office of Student Affairs, Suite 637
877 Madison Avenue , Memphis, Tennessee 38163
901-448-6125

Faculty members of the UTHSC PhD Nursing Program welcome your interest and hope that this overview provides you with the information needed to determine if our program fits your educational needs. We look forward to comments and questions about our program and thank you for considering us as you explore your career options.

Degree Focus . The UTHSC Nursing PhD program produces nursing research scientists and scholars, and is designed to educate nurse scientists to use research-based knowledge, theories, and interventions in their roles as researcher, educators, and administrators.

Admission. Admission to the PhD Nursing program is partially based on a match between the prospective student’s research interests and the expertise of a College of Nursing faculty member who is able to accept a new student into her or his program of research (this faculty member typically serves as the chairperson of the student’s dissertation committee).

Affiliation. The PhD Nursing program is a collaborative program with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. PhD Nursing program students are admitted to the College of Graduate Health Sciences (CGHS) at the University of Tennessee Memphis Health Science Center and have the opportunity to enroll in courses with students from other disciplines throughout the University and to take courses in the College of Nursing.

PhD Program Enrollment Requirements, Credit Assignment, and Academic Term

RN Degree Requirement. Program of study is open to registered nurses who have completed a baccalaureate or master’s degree.

Master’s Degree Credit Earned During Program. Students who enter the program without a master’s degree (students with a baccalaureate degree) may enroll in master’s level courses to obtain a MSN while enrolled in the PhD program.

Full / Part-time Schedule . Students may enroll on a full-time or part-time basis.

Course Credit. Master’s degree courses count in the first year of the program; PhD courses are begun during the second year of degree requirements.

Academic Term . The academic schedule typically consists of two academic terms per year with the first two terms including primarily core courses, such as College of Graduate Health Sciences required courses, including 801 IP, Integrity in the Conduct of Scientific Research

Program of Study Progression and Dissertation

Dissertation Committee. At the completion of the first year of study the student in collaboration with her or his faculty advisor will select the student’s dissertation committee.

Course Hour Requirements . The student’s dissertation committee determines the total number of course hours required for completion of the PhD with a focus in Nursing.

Program of Study Decisions . Selection of specific courses, their number and sequence following the completion of the first year of study will be determined by the student in consultation with the faculty advisor and dissertation committee guided by CGHS policy.

Candidacy Exam. Admission to candidacy for the PhD degree requires successful completion of a written candidacy examination which may be taken during the third semester (i.e., second year of PhD coursework). A student who has passed the candidacy examination is referred to as a PhD candidate. The student must be a candidate for at least two semesters prior to graduation.

Dissertation and Hours Required to Graduate . At least 24 semester hours is required in the doctoral dissertation course (NSG 900) prior to the oral defense and submission of the dissertation and graduation. In general, this means that the student must be engaged in dissertation-level research for at least two semesters.

Residency Requirements

Year/Semester Minimum Requirement. Not less than one academic year or two consecutive semesters of the required term of study must be completed by students to obtain the doctoral degree from the UT CGHS.

Maximum Years Allowed to Complete Program. After admission to candidacy students must complete the required program within six years but not less than two terms.

PhD Program Online Studies

Program Flexibility. The program is designed to offer students flexibility in determining their own living arrangements, schedule of study, timing of coursework and conduct of dissertation research.

Required On Campus Meetings. Students are required to be on campus at least monthly and at the start and end of each term.

Face-to-Face Online Meetings. Courses that require face-to-face contact may be offered live online (synchronous attendance).

Financial aid and scholarships

Tuition Waiver Option. All full-time students are eligible for waiver of all tuition fees in exchange for 6 hours per week of service to the University (assignments are determined by the CON program director or his or her designee, and may be completed off campus with permission of the faculty advisor).

Stipends. A limited number of stipends may also be available.

FAFSA Required. Applicants interested in financial aid and/or scholarships should complete the FAFSA online application form.

Research Funding. Graduate faculty members assist students with exploring sources for research funding opportunities. Students are encouraged during their program of study to submit research proposals to local, regional, and national funding agencies to establish a track record for securing extramural grants to fund their dissertation research.

Doctoral Program Sample Schema (Full-time)

PhD Timetable

February 1 · Submission of all admission documents to Student Enrollment Services (i.e., application form, essay, reference forms, all official transcripts, etc.)

March · On campus visitation and interviews with at least two graduate nursing faculty

March · Admission decisions announced, applications for stipends and scholarships submitted to the College of Nursing, and financial aid applications submitted to the Office of Financial Aid

Annual Term Timetable (approximate)

July · On campus session and classes begin (with the exception of first year students who begin in August of the year they are admitted to the program)

November · Final on campus session unless otherwise notified

December · Classes end

January · Classes begin

February · On campus sessions

April · On campus sessions

May · There MAY be an on campus session

June · Classes end

Initial contact about the PhD program should be directed to:
PhD Program Director, J. Carolyn Graff, PhD, RN, FAAMR
email: cgraff@utmem.edu
telephone: 1.901.448.6250 or 1.800.733.2498