PhD in Nursing Science curriculum
For students beginning autumn 2026
Enrollment requirements: Students receiving tuition support or a stipend must enroll in at least 10 credits during autumn, winter and spring quarters unless they have an approved accommodation. Registration is required during summer quarter.
View non-School of Nursing requirements and electives
Sample curriculum grids
96
Minimum program credits
Full- or part-time
Study available
3 – 5+ years
Sample study plans
PhD Curriculum Grid
Year 1
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| NURS 588: Philosophical Inquiry and Nursing Science | 4 |
| NURS 587: Leadership Seminar1 | 3 |
| Statistics course #1 | 4 |
| Additional coursework* |
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| NURS 589: Application of Theory and Evidence in Nursing Science | 4 |
| Statistics course #2 | 4 |
| Additional coursework* |
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| NMETH 579: Quantitative Research Methods | 5 |
| NMETH 582: Qualitative Inquiry | 5 |
| Statistics course #3 | 4 |
| Preliminary Exam2 | |
| Additional coursework* |
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Electives, if desired; not required** From approved list |
Year 2
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| NURS 610: Teaching Practicum | 3 |
| NMETH 610: Research Practicum Minimum of 4 credits required during program |
2–4 |
| Additional coursework* |
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| NURS 595: Synthesis of Nursing Science | 4 |
| Additional coursework* |
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| NMETH 596: Application of Methods in Conduct of Research | 4 |
| Additional coursework* | |
| Example: BIOST 524: Design of Medical Studies3 | 3 |
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General exam Completed with approval of the dissertation committee; exact date to be determined and may be at the start of autumn quarter | |
| Electives, if desired; not required** From approved list |
Year 3
Any remaining requirements and dissertation.
Year 4
If needed, dissertation.
Statistics concentration: PhD students can choose to add a statistics concentration to their program of study.
*Additional coursework: Students are required to complete the following additional coursework: Epidemiology (4 credits minimum), Clinical trials (3 credits minimum), Policy courses (2 credits minimum), Advanced Nursing Science or Nursing Methods (6 credits minimum) and Related (non-nursing) Fields (6 credits minimum). Please discuss timing with your adviser.
1 The psychology sequence may overlap with NURS 587 and therefore may not be an option during Year 1.
2 Preliminary Exam: Timing varies and will be decided each year by PhDCC in collaboration with core course faculty.
3 BIOST 524 is an option for a clinical trials course; see other clinical trial courses on the approved list.
Courses and requirements reflect the PhD curriculum plan for students beginning autumn 2026.
Year 1
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| NURS 588: Philosophical Inquiry and Nursing Science | 4 |
| NURS 587: Leadership Seminar1 | 3 |
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| NURS 589: Application of Theory and Evidence in Nursing Science | 4 |
| Additional coursework* |
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| NMETH 579: Quantitative Research Methods | 5 |
| Additional coursework* |
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Electives, if desired; not required** From approved list |
Year 2
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Statistics course #1 | 4 |
| Additional coursework* |
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Statistics course #2 | 4 |
| Additional coursework* |
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| NMETH 582: Qualitative Inquiry | 5 |
| Preliminary Exam2 Following this quarter | |
| Additional coursework* |
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Electives, if desired; not required** From approved list |
Year 3
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| NURS 610: Teaching Practicum | 3 |
| NMETH 610: Research Practicum Minimum of 4 credits required during program |
2–4 |
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| NURS 595: Synthesis of Nursing Science | 4 |
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| NMETH 596: Application of Methods in Conduct of Research | 4 |
| Course or requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Electives, if desired; not required** From approved list |
Year 4
General exam — completed with approval of the dissertation committee; exact date to be determined by the chair.
Any remaining requirements and dissertation.
Year 5+
Any remaining requirements and dissertation.
Statistics concentration: PhD students can choose to add a statistics concentration to their program of study.
*Additional coursework: Students are required to complete the following additional coursework: Statistics sequence (12 credits), Epidemiology (4 credits minimum), Clinical trials (3 credits minimum), Policy courses (2 credits minimum), Advanced Nursing Science or Nursing Methods (6 credits minimum) and Related (non-nursing) Fields (6 credits minimum). Please discuss timing with your adviser.
1 The psychology sequence may overlap with NURS 587 and therefore may not be an option during Year 1.
2 Preliminary Exam: Timing varies and will be decided each year by PhDCC in collaboration with core course faculty.
Courses and requirements reflect the PhD curriculum plan for students beginning autumn 2026.