Phone: 216-368-3612
Jaclene A. Zauszniewski, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN, Director of PhD program
jaz@case.edu
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Field of Study: Nursing
Program Overview
The PhD program is a post baccalaureate degree program designed to prepare scientists who initiate and conduct research relevant to nursing. Expertise in clinical nursing and competence in research are required to prepare scholars to disseminate knowledge and build programs of research. To achieve excellence in the academic program, students engage in activities consistent with the areas of research excellence of the faculty. Moreover, the faculty is committed to the intellectual growth of the student, which is achieved through mentorship and collaboration in scholarship.
The PhD student concentrates on the organization and development of knowledge requisite to nursing practice for service to a population. The population may include: age group (children, adults), focus of service (individual, family, or community) and position on the continuum of health (health and wellness, acute and chronic disruptions in health). PhD students are culturally diverse, and many develop and apply knowledge relevant to global health needs.
Learning Outcomes
- Conduct original research
- Critique and integrate different scientific perspectives in the conduct of original research
- Lead interdisciplinary research teams and participate in team science
- Understand the evolving roles and responsibilities of a nurse scholar
- Assume leadership in the conduct of culturally and linguistically appropriate scholarship
- Lead in advancing the discipline through scholarly contributions and science in the global community
- Provide career and research mentorship to others
- Communicate research through publications and presentations for professional, interdisciplinary, and lay audiences
- Generate and disseminate knowledge relevant to health care policy
- Understand the influence of politics and policy on knowledge generation
- Appreciate the history and philosophy of science
- Understand the evolving nature of the nursing discipline
- Utilize professional and research ethics and judgment in the conduct of research
- Demonstrate mastery of in-depth knowledge in a substantive area
Graduate Policies
For graduate policies and procedures, please review the School of Graduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.
Program Requirements
Our PhD in Nursing program prepares students for careers as researchers, scientists, or university-level faculty members. Students have the opportunity to participate in research that has a profound effect on the science of nursing and nursing practices. PhD students concentrate on the organization and development of knowledge requisite to nursing practice for service to a particular population. PhD students are culturally diverse, and many develop and apply knowledge relevant to global health needs.
The post-MSN PhD requires a minimum of 57 credit hours, including course work, proposal development and research and dissertation completion. 36 credit hours of advanced dissertation research will be posted to the PhD/DMA student's record upon successful completion of the dissertation defense and submission of final certification paperwork.The program is individualized, taking into account student interests, aspirations, and work experience. Students entering the program with a BSN who do not wish to obtain an MSN degree will have an option to take NURS 507; or to take 6 credit hours of MSN courses to ease their transition from BSN to PhD. The BSN to PhD requires a minimum of 63 credit hours. An advanced standing option is available for those entering with a DNP degree; for those students, a minimum of 48 credit hours is required. Dual degree programs are also available, including MSN/PhD and DNP/PhD programs.
General program requirements are listed below. Additional coursework may be required or recommended, as determined by the faculty advisor, and area of research. Courses may be taken on a full time or part time basis.
Knowledge Development/Theory Core
Course List | Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| NURS 504 | Nursing Knowledge Development | 3 |
| NURS 533 | Introduction to Data Science in Healthcare | 3 |
Research Methods Core
Course List | Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| NURS 518 | Qualitative Research in Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS 530 | Advanced Nursing Research Methods I | 3 |
| NURS 531 | Advanced Nursing Research Methods II | 3 |
| NURS 524 | Molecular Genetics for the Nurse Scientist | 3 |
Statistics Core
Course List | Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| NURS 532 | Applied Statistics a | 3 |
| NURS 630 | Advanced Statistics: Linear Models | 3 |
| NURS 631 | Advanced Statistics: Multivariate Analysis | 3 |
Support Courses
Course List | Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| NURS 609 | Health Care Policy (Taught in an executive/intensive format) | 3 |
| NURS 615 | Topical Seminar in Health Science Research | 3 |
| 3 |
Preparation for Research
Course List | Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| 0 |
| NURS 671 | Proposal Development (minimum of 3 credits required) | 3 |
| 0 |
| 0 |
Dissertation Research (minimum 36 credit hours)
Course List | Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| NURS 701 | Dissertation Ph.D. | 1-9 |
| |
Optional PhD Education Courses
To insure that graduates from our PhD in Nursing program are prepared to assume the full faculty role upon graduation, including preparation for teaching and mentoring others, students are encouraged to take optional courses that specifically address the development of their teaching skills. These courses are taught in an intensive format, between semesters.
Preparation for Nursing Education Coursework
It is recommended that courses within this education track be integrated within the student's planned program of study within the first two years of the program.
Sample Curriculum Plans
See the website for details.
Traditional Format Sample Plan
Students who already have earned the MSN degree can enter the PhD program directly and complete the PhD core coursework during fall and spring semesters.
- A minimum of 3 credit hours of proposal development is required; however, students may need more time to complete their candidacy exam and proposal development and may therefore need to take more credits of proposal development.
- Concurrent enrollment in proposal development credits and dissertation credits is not permitted.
- Full time status is defined as 9 credit hours per semester only while students are enrolled in their coursework and prior to proposal development. However, enrollment in even a single credit of proposal development or dissertation constitutes full time study.
- Total required credit hours for the nursing PhD (post MSN) = 57 credit hours
Fast-Track Sample Plan
Students with a BSN or equivalent can pursue the PhD degree without earning an MSN. Learn more about our Entry Options.
- A minimum of 3 credit hours of proposal development is required; however, students may need more time to complete their candidacy exam and proposal development and may therefore need to take more credits of proposal development.
- Concurrent enrollment in proposal development credits and dissertation credits is not permitted.
- Full time status is defined as 9 credit hours per semester only while students are enrolled in their coursework and prior to proposal development. However, enrollment in even a single credit of proposal development or dissertation constitutes full time study.
- Total required credit hours for the nursing PhD (post BSN or equivalent) = 63 credit hours
- BSN to PhD Transition Course Waiver form (PDF)
Advanced Standing for DNP Graduates
Students who have earned a DNP degree within the past five years may be granted advanced standing in the PhD nursing program and qualify for a waiver of up to 9 credit hours. Total required credit hours post-DNP = 48 credit hours.
