Doctor of Philosophy
The College of Nursing at the University of Rhode Island offers a Ph.D. program in nursing. Its purpose is to prepare nurse scholars and researchers capable of advancing nursing knowledge through the development and testing of nursing theory and the conduct of research in clinical practice. The program cultivates a sense of inquiry and stimulates collaborative relationships with professional colleagues both in nursing and other disciplines. 
Admission Requirements
Admission decisions will be based on a comprehensive review of applicant qualifications presented as a total package. The following criteria will be used as the guidelines for admission decisions:- Baccalaureate degree from an NLN-accredited program in nursing or its equivalent. A minimum of 3.0 QPA is desirable.
- Master's degree in nursing or its equivalent. A minimum of 3.3 QPA is desirable.
- Submission of two scholarly papers (one theoretical and the other empirical) is required for review by the graduate faculty. A master's thesis or its equivalent may be submitted in lieu of two scholarly papers for review.
- Three letters of reference attesting to the applicant's capability for doctoral study, one of which should be by a doctorally prepared person.
- Completion of an undergraduate course in statistics that includes inferential statistics.
- Congruence of applicant goals with the objectives of the program and the goals of the College and University.
Curriculum
The doctoral program consists of 43 credits of course work (including core, nursing domain and elective components) and 18 credits of dissertation research. The program culminates with written and oral comprehensive exams and the completion of dissertation research.Download the Curriculum Sheet (PDF)
Program Requirements
- Core Courses in Nursing (19 Credits)
- Theory Component
- NUR 660 Philosophical Foundations for Health Care Research
- NUR 601 Foundations of Nursing Science
- NUR 602 Construction of Nursing Theory I: Inductive Process
- NUR 603 Construction of Nursing Theory II: Deductive Process
- Methods Component
- NUR 651 Advanced Methods in Nursing Research I (Qualitative Methods)
- NUR 652 Advanced Methods in Nursing Research II (Quantitative Methods)
- Role Component
- NUR 671 Role Development in Nursing
- Required Nursing Domain Courses (9 credits)
- NUR 621 Nursing Theory and Research in the Client Domain
- NUR 631 Nursing Theory and Research in the Client-Nurse Domain
- NUR 641 Nursing Theory and Research in the Practice Domain
- Theory Component
- Methods Electives (6 credits)
- Free Electives (3 Credits)
- NUR 699 Dissertation Research (18 credits)
The client, client-nurse and practice domains are used to
1. identify and explore central phenomena relevant to nursing
2. identify theoretical frameworks for explaining these phenomena
3. raise nursing research questions.
Part-Time and Full-Time Study
Students take 1 or 2, 3 credit courses per semester for part-time and 3 courses for full-time. Students can select to move through courses anywhere between a 2 to 5 year time frame.
Information on Admission and Application Procedures to the College of Nursing
To view the University catalog please click here
To apply please go here and click Apply Online Now!
graduate student links
graduate degree programs
- Nursing Education
- Clinical Specialist in Psychiatric/ Mental Health (ON HOLD)
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
graduate student contacts
Bethany Fay
Graduate Studies Secretary
p. 401.874.5334
bfay@uri.edu
Patricia Burbank, D.N.Sc., RN
Director of Graduate Studies
p. 401.874.5339
mcsullivan@uri.edu
