Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
Content
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
The primary aim of the PhD in Nursing and other new doctoral programs at SLU is to broaden and deepen the doctoral candidate’s knowledge of the chosen research theme or field of specialization. The ultimate goal is to train doctoral researchers both as future nurse scientists and as scientifically trained nursing professionals who will put into practice their doctoral expertise and competences in an academic or non-academic context. A second but complementary / subsidiary aim is to encourage the development of professional nursing skills which might cover the following areas: Critical thinking/intellectual skills; academic and technical skills; interpersonal skills; leadership skills and management of change.
Specifically, the PhD candidate is expected to achieve the following after the program: 1. Synthesize and critically evaluate the literature of nursing and related fields to identify issues and critical gaps in scientific nursing knowledge 2. Make significant original contributions to scientific nursing knowledge through the interdisciplinary and independent conduct of basic and clinical research 3. Contribute to the development of scientific methodology of nursing research congruent with the broad concerns of the discipline (physiological, bio-behavioral, spiritual, and psychosocial) 4. Complete research and direct application of findings in an environment characterized by commitment to high standards of ethical conduct, including truth, honesty, freedom of inquiry and intellectual autonomy 5. Display readiness for post-doctoral study and early research program development through recognition of high achievement in research and scholarship 6. Develop and assume roles that facilitate discovery, application, and integration of new nursing knowledge.
The Program Structure
The PhD in Nursing and other doctoral programs consist of two (2) components, the first is the Compulsory training component (also called the “Truncus Communis” or
the Common Core) and the other is the Academic competency-based training component. The former is considered the Research-based training which is rightlythe core of doctoral education.
I - The Truncus Communis
The truncus communis defines specific milestones which every doctoral candidate has to deliver in order to graduate and which are an important part of quality control of the doctoral program. For the whole duration of the doctoral training program, the candidate is expected to: a. Produce as main author or co-author at least one publication in a refereed journal. b. Participate (verbal presentation or poster) in at least one conference or congress organized by professional associations or societies. c. Play an active role in at least 5 seminars, preferably where ongoing PhD research is presented and discussed: each student is expected to give one seminar either his/her own doctoral research or scholarly papers related to the field of specialization or research interest; to act as a discussant in another presentation; and to participate actively in 3 other seminars. d. Attend at least 4 doctoral colloquia. A doctoral colloquium is a lecture/seminar given by a guest speaker or expert on the topic. It is a seminar organized specifically for doctoral candidates. e. Act as research assistant in the research project of a graduate professor and/or supervisor/promoter; contribute to journal publication as a co-author; take part in the research activities being undertaken by one of the research centers of the University, play a part in research studies commissioned by external funding agencies covered by a MOA with the University or URG projects under the Research, Extension and Publications Office (REPO). f. Carry out a substantial amount of educational activities over the whole period of the doctoral training (may include teaching assistantship, project supervision, organization of seminars/workshops, exercises and/or practical tests, re-echoing the seminars attended and participation to other curricular or co-curricular activities). g. Submit an annual progress report on their research. This report should be sent to the graduate program coordinator before the end of each term. The prescribed format will be provided to the graduate students.
II- The Academic Competency Component
The 2nd component or the Academic competency-based training deals with the
formal academic training and informal teaching. This consists of course works (cognates, major courses, and elective subjects designed to provide the specialization and needed foundation essential to the doctoral students’ future careers). The area of focus is on the development of academic, intellectual, relational and technical skills. Aside from the required courses, the doctorate students are encourage to participate in seminars, workshops, conferences, study periods abroad and the like to further enhance their own professional development. In consultation with your doctorate graduate program coordinator (GPC) and promoter/ supervisor, you need to assess which skills and competences you have to further develop, to successfully complete your doctorate or PhD or for later use in your professional career. N.B. In order for the doctoral candidates to keep track of these milestones and for the GPC or Supervisor/promoter to properly monitor their progress, a logbook for doctorate (LogDOC) students or an electronic doctoral training diary shall be developed and maintained.
The Program Admission Criteria:
1. Completion of a bachelor’s or higher degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program or equivalent nursing preparation 2. A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 82 for all undergraduate work and GPA of 87 or above in graduate course work 3. MA in Nursing or other health related field. If Master’s degree in not Nursing, the applicant must take 6 units relevant courses in the master’s level and pass the qualifying examination 4. At least 2 years of experience as a professional nurse in any setting (hospital, academe, community, research unit) 5. Evidence of current, unencumbered licensure to practice as registered nurse 6. Evidence of current membership to professional organizations (PNA, specialty organizations, etc.) 7. A general topic of interest or a problem area to be submitted to the GPC. 8. Three professional letters of recommendation
9. Resume 10. An interview will be required for applicants meeting the admission requirements 11. Duly accomplished Application Form with the following documents: a. Original copy of Transcript of Records b. Three recommendations from former professors, supervisors or employers c. Certified true copy of college diploma with seal of the university and signature of the registrar in ink d. Birth certificate (original to be presented for verification) e. Marriage certificate (original to be presented for verification) f. Four (4) passport size photos g. A two-three page paper stating the applicant’s research interests and professional goals, motivations for pursuing graduate study and view of self-directed learning as a method of learning h. Outline of a dissertation proposal with an acceptable title 12. For foreign applicants, additional requirements include the guidelines as required by the Student Affairs Office
The primary aim of the PhD in Nursing and other new doctoral programs at SLU is to broaden and deepen the doctoral candidate’s knowledge of the chosen research theme or field of specialization. The ultimate goal is to train doctoral researchers both as future nurse scientists and as scientifically trained nursing professionals who will put into practice their doctoral expertise and competences in an academic or non-academic context. A second but complementary / subsidiary aim is to encourage the development of professional nursing skills which might cover the following areas: Critical thinking/intellectual skills; academic and technical skills; interpersonal skills; leadership skills and management of change.
Specifically, the PhD candidate is expected to achieve the following after the program: 1. Synthesize and critically evaluate the literature of nursing and related fields to identify issues and critical gaps in scientific nursing knowledge 2. Make significant original contributions to scientific nursing knowledge through the interdisciplinary and independent conduct of basic and clinical research 3. Contribute to the development of scientific methodology of nursing research congruent with the broad concerns of the discipline (physiological, bio-behavioral, spiritual, and psychosocial) 4. Complete research and direct application of findings in an environment characterized by commitment to high standards of ethical conduct, including truth, honesty, freedom of inquiry and intellectual autonomy 5. Display readiness for post-doctoral study and early research program development through recognition of high achievement in research and scholarship 6. Develop and assume roles that facilitate discovery, application, and integration of new nursing knowledge.
The Program Structure
The PhD in Nursing and other doctoral programs consist of two (2) components, the first is the Compulsory training component (also called the “Truncus Communis” or
the Common Core) and the other is the Academic competency-based training component. The former is considered the Research-based training which is rightlythe core of doctoral education.
I - The Truncus Communis
The truncus communis defines specific milestones which every doctoral candidate has to deliver in order to graduate and which are an important part of quality control of the doctoral program. For the whole duration of the doctoral training program, the candidate is expected to: a. Produce as main author or co-author at least one publication in a refereed journal. b. Participate (verbal presentation or poster) in at least one conference or congress organized by professional associations or societies. c. Play an active role in at least 5 seminars, preferably where ongoing PhD research is presented and discussed: each student is expected to give one seminar either his/her own doctoral research or scholarly papers related to the field of specialization or research interest; to act as a discussant in another presentation; and to participate actively in 3 other seminars. d. Attend at least 4 doctoral colloquia. A doctoral colloquium is a lecture/seminar given by a guest speaker or expert on the topic. It is a seminar organized specifically for doctoral candidates. e. Act as research assistant in the research project of a graduate professor and/or supervisor/promoter; contribute to journal publication as a co-author; take part in the research activities being undertaken by one of the research centers of the University, play a part in research studies commissioned by external funding agencies covered by a MOA with the University or URG projects under the Research, Extension and Publications Office (REPO). f. Carry out a substantial amount of educational activities over the whole period of the doctoral training (may include teaching assistantship, project supervision, organization of seminars/workshops, exercises and/or practical tests, re-echoing the seminars attended and participation to other curricular or co-curricular activities). g. Submit an annual progress report on their research. This report should be sent to the graduate program coordinator before the end of each term. The prescribed format will be provided to the graduate students.
II- The Academic Competency Component
The 2nd component or the Academic competency-based training deals with the
formal academic training and informal teaching. This consists of course works (cognates, major courses, and elective subjects designed to provide the specialization and needed foundation essential to the doctoral students’ future careers). The area of focus is on the development of academic, intellectual, relational and technical skills. Aside from the required courses, the doctorate students are encourage to participate in seminars, workshops, conferences, study periods abroad and the like to further enhance their own professional development. In consultation with your doctorate graduate program coordinator (GPC) and promoter/ supervisor, you need to assess which skills and competences you have to further develop, to successfully complete your doctorate or PhD or for later use in your professional career. N.B. In order for the doctoral candidates to keep track of these milestones and for the GPC or Supervisor/promoter to properly monitor their progress, a logbook for doctorate (LogDOC) students or an electronic doctoral training diary shall be developed and maintained.
The Program Admission Criteria:
1. Completion of a bachelor’s or higher degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program or equivalent nursing preparation 2. A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 82 for all undergraduate work and GPA of 87 or above in graduate course work 3. MA in Nursing or other health related field. If Master’s degree in not Nursing, the applicant must take 6 units relevant courses in the master’s level and pass the qualifying examination 4. At least 2 years of experience as a professional nurse in any setting (hospital, academe, community, research unit) 5. Evidence of current, unencumbered licensure to practice as registered nurse 6. Evidence of current membership to professional organizations (PNA, specialty organizations, etc.) 7. A general topic of interest or a problem area to be submitted to the GPC. 8. Three professional letters of recommendation
9. Resume 10. An interview will be required for applicants meeting the admission requirements 11. Duly accomplished Application Form with the following documents: a. Original copy of Transcript of Records b. Three recommendations from former professors, supervisors or employers c. Certified true copy of college diploma with seal of the university and signature of the registrar in ink d. Birth certificate (original to be presented for verification) e. Marriage certificate (original to be presented for verification) f. Four (4) passport size photos g. A two-three page paper stating the applicant’s research interests and professional goals, motivations for pursuing graduate study and view of self-directed learning as a method of learning h. Outline of a dissertation proposal with an acceptable title 12. For foreign applicants, additional requirements include the guidelines as required by the Student Affairs Office
