PhD in Nursing Science

Become a leader in the field of nursing

Our PhD program prepares you for a career in nursing education, research, health systems, or clinical science to enhance the care of individuals and families across the lifespan. PhD-prepared nurses lead the profession, teach the next generation of nurses, and expand nursing’s impact on health policy and public health.

Is a PhD right for you?

The PhD program is available through the IU Indianapolis campus, but it is distance-accessible, using videoconferencing technology that synchronously places you in the classroom with your classmates. You can also choose in-person classes if you prefer to learn in a face-to-face setting. We attempt to schedule the required PhD courses across one day each week so that students know in advance which day to plan to be available for class.

This program features both a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to PhD pathway, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to PhD path.  The MSN-PhD can be accomplished in three years as a full time student, or five years as a part time student.  The BSN-PhD can be accomplished in four years as a full-time student, or six years as a part-time student.

As a PhD student, you are linked with faculty researchers who provide supportive mentoring throughout your entire PhD program. There is one core curriculum, but you can choose to work with faculty experts on one of two tracks: Clinical Nursing Science or Health Systems, which includes Nursing Education.

Are you passionate about research?

Two research tracks to choose from

Clinical Nursing Science

Clinical nursing science concentrates on the intersections of health promotion, health behavior, and quality of life in acute and chronic illness throughout the lifespan. It includes the prevention and early detection of disease and disability across the continuum of care and the enhancement of the health and well-being for individuals, families, and communities.

Examples of scholarship and faculty research in clinical nursing science include:

  • Improving the quality of life of persons with chronic illness
  • Behavioral oncology across the cancer continuum
  • Childhood and family adaptation to chronic illness
  • Family caregiving across the lifespan
  • Tailored intervention studies to improve quality of life
  • 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, informatics, health policy, and administration.

Examples of scholarship and faculty research within the focus of health systems include:

  • Teaching and learning in distance courses
  • Clinical reasoning
  • Assessment of learning and program evaluation
  • Health policy and public policy analysis
  • Computer systems to enhance care delivery
  • Nursing informatics
  • Narrative pedagogies
  • Patient care simulations
  • Community-based care coordination

PhD in Nursing Science

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the PhD in Nursing Science -
Description Course Credits
Responsible Conduct of Research NURS-D602 1
Nursing Inquiry and Scholarship: Introduction to Doctoral Study NURS-D701 3
Preparing Future Faculty NURS-T800 2
Total   6

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the PhD in Nursing Science -
Description Course Credits
Theoretical Perspectives of Nursing Science NURS-D607 3
Middle Range Theory NURS-D608 3
Total   6

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the PhD in Nursing Science - Required Courses
Required Courses
Description Course Credits
Advanced Statistics in Nursing Research NURS-R607 3
Foundations of Quantitative Research NURS-R603 3
Foundations of Qualitative Research NURS-R610 3
Total   9
Table lists courses and credit hours required for the PhD in Nursing Science - Cafeteria Options: Select TWO FROM THE FOLLOWING FOR A TOTAL of SIX (6) CREDITS
Cafeteria Options: Select TWO FROM THE FOLLOWING FOR A TOTAL of SIX (6) CREDITS
Description Course Credits
Trans-disciplinary Approaches to Influencing Health Policy NURS-D743 3
Instrumentation and Measurement NURS-R601 3
Design and Applications of Advanced Research Designs/Interventions NURS-R605 3
Grounded Theory Research NURS-R613 3
Comparative Effectiveness Research and Patient‐Centered Outcomes Research (CER/PCOR) NURS-R615 3
Symptom Science: Models, Methods, and Measures NURS-R703 3
Developing Grant Applications for Health Sciences NURS-R704 3
Writing for Publication in Health Sciences NURS-W540 3

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the PhD in Nursing Science - Required
Required
Description Course Credits
State of the Science Seminar NURS-D609 2
Directed Research Practicum NURS-D752 3
Total   5
Table lists courses and credit hours required for the PhD in Nursing Science - Choose ONE for a TOTAL OF THREE (3) CREDITS
Choose ONE for a TOTAL OF THREE (3) CREDITS
Description Course Credits
Advanced Leadership in Complex Systems NURS-D721 3
Biological and Behavioral Foundations of Self-Management Interventions NURS-R702 3
Symptom Science: Models, Methods, and Measures NURS-R703 3

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the PhD in Nursing Science -
Description Course Credits
Cognate or supporting course work from inside or outside nursing. May include a minor in an alternate focus area, other approved minors, or individualized plans. 9 - 12
Total   9 - 12

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the PhD in Nursing Science -
Description Course Credits
Dissertation in Nursing NURS-R899 16
Total   16

Learning outcomes

As a PhD graduate, you are well-positioned for a successful career as a leader within academic and practice settings. Graduates of the program are expected to:

  • Synthesize knowledge from nursing as well as biological and behavioral sciences to investigate health phenomena.
  • Utilize analytical and empirical methods to extend nursing knowledge and scholarship.
  • Conduct and communicate independent research that advances the body of scientific knowledge.
  • Defend the social significance of the expanded knowledge base of nursing.
  • Interpret nursing science within an interdisciplinary context.

Ready to take the next step?

Find out how to apply