PhD Program Milestones
PhD Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination, is based on the aims and objectives of the doctoral program; namely, preparation of scholars for nursing able to:
- Analyze the theoretical propositions derived from the biological and social sciences that affect health status and behavior and determine their relevance for nursing.
- Enlarge the base of nursing knowledge through theory construction and testing.
- Conduct scholarly research utilizing established principles of scientific inquiry.
- Assume positions of leadership in teaching, research, and health care.
- Evaluate professional practice to discover needs for new information.
The qualifying examination, held in August of each year, consists of written and oral portions. The written portion is a one-day time-limited open book exam held in the School of Nursing. The oral portion consists of a one-hour oral examination held approximately one week after the written portion. A committee of three faculty is responsible for reading the written portion, conducting the oral portion, and providing an overall evaluation of the student's performance. Students typically complete the qualifying examination at the end of the first year of full-time study.
Dissertation Proposal and Defense
Following the completion of coursework, the student forms a dissertation committee who works with the student in the preparation of the first three dissertation chapters: Problem statement, literature review, and methods chapters, followed by the dissertation proposal defense. Students are restricted from taking more than 12 NUR 595 credits before proposal defense.
The presentation of the dissertation proposal is made at an open meeting. Doctoral students and faculty are encouraged to attend and participate in the discussion. The open presentation is followed by the student's "defense" at a closed meeting attended only by the dissertation committee. The dissertation committee may request that the student revise aspects of the proposal, following the public presentation. Final approval of the dissertation prospectus is the sole responsibility of the dissertation committee.
After successful defense of the dissertation proposal, close contact with the dissertation Advisor is recommended throughout the institutional research approval process, the data collection process, and the preparation of the written dissertation. Prior to registering the dissertation for final defense, all committee members will read the dissertation and agree that it is ready for defense.
Doctoral Candidacy
A student is admitted to doctoral candidacy following a successful dissertation proposal defense. The student's transcript must be in order, i.e., all required coursework is completed and there are no "I" grades. After a successful defense, paperwork is completed to advance the student to "PhD candidacy" and the implementation of the research proceeds following appropriate University ethical review.
Approval for Dissertation Research
By the end of the first semester all students must complete the Human Subjects Protection Program (HSPP).
The student needs to obtain Research Subjects Review Board approval prior to conduct any research involving human or animal subjects.
Dissertation Final Oral Examination
When the final version of the written dissertation is complete and approved as final by the committee, it must be registered in the Office of the University Dean for Graduate Studies. The final oral examination is scheduled when the dissertation is registered.
The purpose of the final examination is to ascertain whether or not the candidate has proposed a significant dissertation and whether or not he or she has defended the dissertation adequately by offering appropriate and effective arguments and by marshaling relevant and convincing evidence. The presentation and defense of a significant dissertation is the capstone of the work for the PhD degree.
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