School of Nursing

Departmental E-mail: nursing@iu.edu 
Departmental URL: nursing.iu.edu/indianapolis 

(Please note that when conferring University Graduate School degrees, minors, certificates, and sub-plans, The University Graduate School’s staff use those requirements contained only in The University Graduate School Bulletin.)

Curriculum

Curriculum
Courses
Faculty 

Program Information

The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science (PhD degree) is offered through the University Graduate School. In addition, the School of Nursing offers a Master of Nursing Science (MSN degree) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP degree). See the IU School of Nursing Graduate Program Bulletin for more information about the MSN and DNP Programs.

Special Departmental Requirements

(See also general University Graduate School requirements.)

Doctor of Philosophy Degree

The PhD program encompasses a wide scope of scientific inquiry including Clinical Nursing Science, and Health Systems research, which includes nursing education research. Clinical Nursing Science, based on biologi­cal, behavioral, and other types of investigations, provides the scientific basis for the care of individuals across the lifespan, families, and/or communities. Health Systems research ex­amines ways to improve health outcomes in complex systems including those related to the availability, quality, and costs of health care services. Nursing education research focuses on how students learn professional practice as well as strategies to improve educational processes and outcomes in the prepara­tion of clinicians, nurse educators, nurse administrators, and scientists using traditional and innovative teaching strategies.

On-Campus and Distance-Accessible PhD Options

The Indiana University School of Nursing (IUSON) offers both on-campus and distance-accessible courses. The distance-accessible option offers BSN and/or MSN prepared nurses access to our PhD program using distance technologies. Faculty and students use web-based courses, video conferencing, telephone con­ferencing, and other emerging technologies to communicate synchronously at a distance. Admission criteria and curriculum are the same for on-campus or distance-accessible options.

Focus Areas of Study with Wide Application

Students who pursue the PhD in Nursing Science choose one of two focus areas: Clinical Nursing Science or Health Systems, which includes nursing education science. PhD students work closely with faculty mentors utilizing the resources avail­able at the Indiana University School of Nursing and partici­pate in intensive research studies. Focus areas reflect faculty research strengths.

Clinical Nursing Science

Clinical Nursing Science concentrates on the interrelationships of health promotion, health behavior and quality of life in acute and chronic illness throughout the lifespan. This focus area in­cludes the prevention and early detection of disabilities across the continuum of care and the enhancement of the health and well-being for individuals, families, and communities.

Examples of faculty research within the focus area of Clinical Nursing Science include:

1. Improving quality of life in persons with chronic illness, including epilepsy, stroke and renal disease
2. Behavioral oncology across the cancer continuum (including cancer prevention, detection, and symptom management)
3. Family caregiving across the lifespan
4. Tailored intervention studies to improve quality of life
5. Childhood and family adaptation to chronic illness
6. Patient care safety

Health Systems

Health Systems operate to create structures and resources that enable individuals and communities to achieve optimal health. This focus area includes the science of nursing education, health policy, and administration.

Examples of scholarship and faculty research within the focus area of Health Systems include:

1. Nursing Education
2. Teaching and learning in web-based courses
3. Clinical reasoning
4. Assessment of learning and program evaluation
5. Health policy and public policy analysis
6. Computer systems to enhance care delivery
7. Community-based care coordination
8. Patient care simulations

PhD Minors

The IU School of Nursing offers two different doctoral minors that are open to PhD students in other disciplines.

PhD Minor in Symptom Science and Self-Management

The minor is designed for doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows in health science programs. This 12-credit minor will prepare students to: 1) understand the NIH Symptom Science Model to guide symptom research; 2) explore biological and patient-reported measures, research methods, and models relevant to symptom science; 3) examine the role of self-management in improving outcomes for people with chronic conditions; and 4) determine the components of effective self-management interventions.  

Required Courses (6cr):

• NURS-R 702 Biological and Behavioral Foundations of Self-Management Interventions (3 cr.)
• NURS R 703 Symptom Science: Models, Methods, and Measures (3 cr.)

Select two additional elective courses from the following list (6 cr):

• NURS-D 609: State of the Science Seminar (2 cr.)
• NURS-D R601: Instrumentation and Measurement (3 cr.)
• NURS-D R605: Design and Applications of Advanced Research Designs/Interventions (3 cr.)

PhD Minor in Advanced Research Methods

This minor is designed for postdoctoral fellows or PhD students enrolled in health science programs. The 12-credit minor will prepare students to: 1) understand the philosophical and historical underpinnings of quantitative research methods; 2) understand the philosophical and historical underpinnings of qualitative research methods; 3) evaluate the key tenets, procedures, strengths, and limitations of advanced research designs; 4) apply advanced research methods to a program of research.

Select 12 credit hours from the below lists of courses. Advanced Methods courses placement and permissions will be evaluated to ensure prerequisites for courses are satisfied:

Core Methods courses:

• NURS-R 603 Quantitative Research Design and Methods
• NURS-R Foundations of Qualitative Methods
• NURS-R Instrumentation and Measurement

Advanced Methods courses:

• NURS-R Design and Applications of Advanced Research Designs/Interventions (3 cr.)
• NURS-R Grounded Theory Research (3 cr.)
• NURS-R Comparative Effectiveness Research and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (CER/PCOR) (3 cr.)

Admission Requirements

Successful applicants must meet the following criteria and submit an online application by November 1st of each year for admission to the PhD the following summer semester (May). Applications open on August 1st of each year.

Admission Criteria:

• Completion of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing from a program within a regionally accredited institution of higher education. (Indiana Univer­sity School of Nursing faculty retain the right to determine acceptable accreditation status of nursing programs from which applicants have graduated.)
• A baccalaureate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. For applicants holding a master’s degree, a cumulative gradu­ate GPA of 3.0 or higher is required. (The master’s degree GPA will supersede the baccalaureate GPA.)
• Completion of a 3-credit-hour graduate level statistics course with a grade of B- or higher for students applying to the MSN-PhD track only.

Required Application Materials:

• Official transcripts for all post-secondary coursework*
• Confirmation of support from an IU School of Nursing faculty advisor
• Three professional references indicating ability to succeed in the PhD program
• Application essays, which are your opportunity to highlight your writing ability, and convey how a PhD will enhance and support your career path
• Current resume or curriculum vitae
• Proof of English Proficiency for non-native English speakers
• Qualified applicants will be invited to a formal admission interview with PhD faculty

Opportunities for Financial Aid

Information about financial resources for doctoral nursing students including traineeships, fellowships, research teaching assistantships, and scholarships may be obtained from the Indiana University School of Nurs­ing’s Center for Academic Affairs, or by visiting our Web site at nursing.iu.edu/indianapolis/admissions/cost-fin-aid/index.html. PhD students have been successful in securing funding for their doctoral education from:

• Research Training Grants and Fellowships
• Nurse Faculty Loan Program
• The American Organization of Nurse Leaders
• The National Institute of Nursing Research
• The Mary Margaret Walter Program for Cancer Care Research
• The American Cancer Society
• The Oncology Nursing Foundation

Students interested in financial aid should consult with the Office of Student Financial Aid Services at gradaid@iu.edu or indianapolis.iu.edu/cost-aid/ Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA. In addition, other nursing scholarships are available to IU School of Nursing students, awarded on an annual basis. Scholarships are awarded based on the availability of funds in each scholarship account. The amount of each scholarship may vary from year to year and, furthermore, if adequate funds are not available, some scholarships may not be awarded every year.

All scholarship applications are reviewed and recipients se­lected by the Scholarship Committee of the School of Nursing.

Scholarship application forms and further information may be obtained on the IUSON website: nursing.iupui.edu/undergraduate/tuition-aid/index.shtml .

Curriculum Concentrations

The PhD curriculum consists of six core areas and MSN to PhD Bridge coursework totaling 90 credit hours. Up to 30 of these credit hours may be met by Master of Science course work.

1. BSN-PhD Bridge Coursework or MSN transfer credits (30 cr.)
2. Professional Development Core (6 cr.)
3. Nursing Theory Core (6 cr.)
4. Nursing Science Research Major (15 cr.)
5. Nursing Science Concentration (8 cr.)
6. Minor (external or internal) (9-12 cr.)
7. Dissertation (16 cr.)

BSN to PhD Bridge Coursework (30 cr.)

• NURS-D 751 Relationship-centered Leadership (3 cr.)
• NURS-N 502 Theory I (3 cr.)
• NURS-R 505 Measurement and Data Analysis or equivalent (3 cr.)
• NURS-R 500 Nursing Research Methods I (3 cr.)
• Additional graduate coursework totaling (18 cr.)

Professional Development Core: (6 cr.)

• NURS-D 602 Responsible Conduct of Research or equivalent (1 cr.)
• NURS-D 701 Nursing Inquiry and Scholarship: Introduction to Doctoral Study (3 cr.)
• NURS-T 800 Preparing Future Faculty (2 cr.)

Nursing Theory Core: (6 cr.)

• NURS-D 607 Theoretical Perspectives of Nursing Science (3 cr.)
• NURS-D 608 Middle-Range Theory (3 cr.)

Nursing Science Research Major (15 cr.); the following 9 credits are required. Students select the remaining 6 credits from the list of Cafeteria Options below.

• PBHL-B 562 Biostatistics for Public Health II (3 cr.)
• NURS-R 603 Foundations of Quantitative Research (3 cr.)
• NURS-R 610 Foundations of Qualitative Research (3 cr.)

Cafeteria Options: Select two additional courses from below:

• PBHL-B 583 Applied Multivariate Analysis (3 cr.)
• NURS-D 743 Trans-disciplinary Approaches to Influencing Public Health Policy (3 cr.)
• NURS-R 601 Instrumentation and Measurement (3 cr.)
• NURS-R 605 Design and Applications of Advanced Research Designs/Interventions (3 cr.)
• NURS-R 613 Grounded Theory (3 cr.) 
• NURS-R 615 Comparative Effectiveness Research and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (CER/PCOR) (3 cr.)
• NURS-R 703 Symptom Science: Models, Methods, & Measures (3 cr.)
• NURS-R 704 Developing Grant Applications for Health Sciences (3 cr.)
• NURS-W 540 Writing for Publication in Health Sciences (3 cr.)

Nursing Science Concentration (8 cr.)

• NURS-D 751 Advanced Topics in Nursing Science (various topics offered) (3 cr.)
• NURS-D 609 State of the Science (2 cr.)
• NURS-D 752 Directed Research Practicum (3 cr.)

Internal or External Minor (9-12 cr.)

Cognate or supporting course work from inside or outside nursing. May include minor in an alternate focus area, other approved minors, or individualized plans developed by the student's program planning advisory committee.

Dissertation: (16 cr.)

• NURS-R 899 Dissertation in Nursing (1 to 9 variable cr.)

Qualifying Exam

After the student has completed all required course work for the PhD, students are required to take and pass a qualifying examina­tion, which includes an oral component. The qualifying examination must be passed after completion of course work and at least eight months before the date the degree is awarded.

Oral Defense of the Dissertation (Final Examination)

Students provide a copy of the completed disserta­tion to each member of the Research Committee in sufficient time to read it in its entirety. After reading it, the committee members should have direct communication with the commit­tee chairperson regarding perceived readiness for the defense. The candidate submits to the School of Nursing and the University Graduate School the Dissertation Defense Announcement e-Document noting the date, time, and location of the final Dissertation Defense. The announcement must be approved by the University Graduate School a minimum of 40 days prior to the defense. The Dissertation Defense is scheduled for two hours; the first hour is a public presentation of the dissertation research. The second hour is a closed meeting with the Research Committee and student. 

For rules and guidelines for final submission of the dissertation and completion of all degree requirements, students should re­fer to graduate.indianapolis.iu.edu/theses-dissertations.