PhD in Nursing Science
CurriculumThe PhD curriculum consists of 90 total credit hours across six core areas: Professional Development, Nursing Theory, Nursing Science Research Major, Nursing Science Concentration, the Minor, and Dissertation. MSN-PhD students may transfer up to 30 graduate credit hours from their Master of Science in Nursing degree. BSN-PhD students complete 12 credits of MSN "Bridge" core coursework and an additional 18 credits of graduate level courses, resulting in a 90 credit hour PhD. The 18 graduate credits are selected by the student and their faculty mentor to enhance the student's PhD research focus.
| Core | BSN to PhD track | MSN to PhD track |
| Professional Development Core | 6 credits | 6 credits |
| Nursing Theory Core | 6 credits | 6 credits |
| Nursing Science Research Major | 15 credits | 15 credits |
| Nursing Science Concentration | 8 credits | 8 credits |
| Minor, external or internal | 9-12 credits | 9-12 credits |
| Dissertation | 16 credits | 16 credits |
| MSN "Bridge" core courses | 12 credits | 0 credits |
| Additional graduate credits | 18 credits | 0 credits |
| Graduate level transfer credits | 0 credits | 30 credits |
| TOTAL PROGRAM CREDITS | 90 credits | 90 credits |
For a complete outline of the courses required for each core, visit the Indiana University School of Nursing PhD program website.
As a PhD graduate, you are well positioned for a successful career as a leader within academic and practice settings to:
- Master and synthesize knowledge from nursing and other disciplines to conduct original research, generate, and disseminate new ideas;
- Critique and integrate perspectives from diverse disciplines in the development of new knowledge for the discipline;
- Assume leadership in the conduct of culturally competent, ethical research and scholarship to improve nursing practice and health outcomes;
- Incorporate the components of scholarship, namely: research, teaching, mentoring, and service within your professional role;
- Prepare the future generation of nurses.
Last updated March 2022
