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A Holistic View of Nursing Science
The UW School of Nursing Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science (PhD) program faculty are global leaders in nursing science. Students from all over the world create a community of scholars and learn from expert researchers. Our expert nursing scientists provide mentorship tailored to student needs using technology-driven instruction.
The UW PhD program is ideal for students with diverse backgrounds who want to become premier leaders in nursing research.
We maintain a holistic view of nursing science and our faculty’s scholarship represents a broad array of research projects and innovative methodologies. Some examples include:
- Symptom science
- Laboratory sciences
- Health promotion and disease management across the lifespan
- Policy analysis and advancement of cost-effective health care systems
- Health equity
- Innovative methodologies
Our PhD program is highly individualized to create independent thinkers with demonstrated ability to articulate, investigate, and report on original research that substantially contributes to health care knowledge.
The flexible program reflects the enormous scope and impact of the latest nursing research and policymaking. Although the PhD curriculum can be completed in three years of full-time study, individual student program lengths are expected to vary.
Once offered admission as a PhD student, you are matched with a faculty adviser. Your adviser provides guidance and helps answer questions until you select a supervisory committee chair (between years one and three). Your chair then serves in an advisory capacity and as the supervisor for your dissertation.
View the PhD Sample Curriculum Grid
PhD Required and Elective Courses
The first year of the full-time PhD program and the first two years of part-time focus on required core courses emphasizing nursing philosophy, conceptual frameworks, theory, and research methodologies.
In addition, students complete their statistics sequence and may take selected electives or engage in research or teaching practicum. Students complete the preliminary exam at the end of the first year of full-time study and the end of two years of part-time study.
Students who enter the PhD program with a BSN can earn an MS in Nursing Science during the program following successful completion of the first year of the PhD program and the preliminary examination.
After the first year of full-time study and the first two years of part-time study, courses and other scholarly activities are determined by you and your supervisory committee to comprise your individual program of study. The supervisory chair is a School of Nursing graduate faculty member whose research approach, interest, or research methods align with your proposed dissertation project.
You and your chair complete the supervisory committee by selecting faculty members from the School of Nursing, the UW at large, and other appropriate experts outside the University. This committee approves your program of study and guides you through the general examinations, dissertation research, and final defense.
The Nursing Science Statistics Area of Concentration requires a minimum of 14 credits of advanced statistical methods coursework above and beyond the 10 credits of statistics required for the PhD degree. Of these, two credits are fulfilled by the CSSS Seminar, and a minimum of 12 credits are fulfilled by at least four advanced statistics courses, three of which must come from the list of CSSS courses approved for the concentration.
All courses taken as part of the statistics concentration must be graded.
However, a 500-level course that is graded credit/no credit may be considered for inclusion in your Area of Concentration proposal if:
- In the course, you submit an individual project (i.e., not a group project); and
- Major course assignments are submitted to your Supervisory Committee for review
CSSS seminar: minimum two credits
A minimum of two quarters in CS&SS is required. The most up-to-date course descriptions for statistics course options can be found on the CSSS website.
Course | Credits |
---|---|
CS&SS 590: CSSS Seminar | 1 |
Approved CSSS advanced statistics course options
The most up-to-date course descriptions for statistics course options can be found on the CSSS website.
Course | Credits |
---|---|
CS&SS 510: Maximum Likelihood Methods for the Social Sciences | 5 |
CS&SS 526: Structural Equation Models for the Social Sciences | 3 |
CS&SS 527: Survey Research Methods | 4 |
CS&SS 529: Sample Survey Techniques | 3 |
CS&SS 536: Analysis of Categorical and Count Data | 3 |
CS&SS 544: Event History Analysis for the Social Sciences | 5 |
CS&SS 560: Hierarchical Modeling for the Social Sciences | 4 |
CS&SS 564: Bayesian Statistics for the Social Sciences | 4 |
CS&SS 565: Inequality: Current Trends and Explanations | 3 |
CS&SS 566: Causal Modeling | 4 |
CS&SS 567: Statistical Analysis of Social Networks | 4 |
CS&SS 568: Game Theory for Social Scientists | 5 |
CS&SS 589: Multivariate Data Analysis for the Social Sciences | 3 (max. 6) |
CS&SS/POLS 591: Panel Data Analysis | TBD |
CS&SS/SOC WL 594: Longitudinal Data Analysis | 1-5 |
Variation in area of concentration coursework
One advanced methodological course in nursing, political science, psychology, public health, sociology, statistics, economics, educational psychology, social welfare, and other related fields may be considered as part of the Nursing Science Statistics Area of Concentration four course requirements if it contributes to the overall coherence of the student’s program of study and is consistent with the student’s research goals.
This course would be in addition to the ten credits of statistics courses required for the PhD in nursing.
The PhD in Nursing Science program requires a minimum of 96 quarter credits for completion, and graduates must meet five expected student outcomes:
- Have multiple perspectives of knowing and acknowledge multidisciplinary contributions to knowledge generation
- Demonstrate substantive knowledge within a particular area of nursing science with particular emphasis on issues and questions within the field that require scholarly attention
- Innovate and rigorously test, generate, and extend knowledge in an area relevant to nursing science
- Communicate, disseminate, and critique nursing science and scholarly activities in both oral and written formats
- Demonstrate critical interrogation of positionality, recognition of implicit biases, as well as knowledge and application of anti-racism principles to promote health equity.
- An in-process or earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in any discipline
- A minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0, or a 3.0 GPA for the last 60 semester/90 quarter graded college/university credits
- Meet the Essential Behaviors for PhD Students
- If you plan to take clinical nursing courses, you must have an active, unrestricted Washington state RN license by the time you matriculate into the PhD program; if you do not intend to take clinical courses, RN licensure is not required
- International applicants who plan on taking clinical nursing courses must have an active, unrestricted U.S. RN license at the time of application
- If your native language is not English, proof of proficiency in English (reading, writing, and comprehension)
- Online PhD application
- Current curriculum vitae
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of goals and research interests
- Transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended
- Foreign transcripts must include translated evaluations
- You do not need to include a foreign transcript if you attended a foreign university through a study abroad program and the credits appear on your school’s transcript)
- Copies of scores from appropriate tests demonstrating English-language proficiency (reading, writing and comprehension as well as spoken) if appropriate
- UW School of Nursing pre-doctoral training fellowships (optional)
PhD interview
PhD applicants who submit complete and competitive applications will be invited to an online live interview via Zoom.
You will receive an email in January with your scheduled interview time. Please reserve 40-45 minutes to complete the interview.
The email you receive with your scheduled interview time includes a link to the online conference room for your interview. Click the link at the time of your interview to log in and join.
You may also download the Zoom app for iOS and Android mobile devices. Use the meeting ID in your email invitation to log in. For more information on zoom, please visit the Zoom website.
We recommend logging into your conference room 5-10 minutes early to test your device’s camera and microphone on the day of your interview. You may access your conference room as soon as you receive your email invitation.
- Make sure you have a computer, tablet, or mobile device with a working camera and microphone.
- It is recommended that you restart your computer or device within 24 hours of starting your interview.
- If you do not wish to restart your computer or tablet, clear the cache of the internet browser you plan to use and close and re-launch your internet browser, or use a private/incognito window.
- Use a browser that is up to date. Check your browser version by accessing the Help > About menu in your browser of choice.
- Make sure your internet connection has a minimum download speed of at least 3 Mbps and a minimum upload speed of at least 1 Mbps. If you are using a Wi-Fi connection, minimize the number of obstructions between your internet router and your computer.
Using mobile devices
- If using a Cellular Data connection, we would strongly recommend LTE and remaining stationary for the duration of the interview and response upload.
- Set device to Airplane mode and connect via WiFi to avoid a call interruption.
Environment
- Position your webcam so it is at your eye level when you are seated.
- Think about how your interview room is lit:
- The background light should be the brightest in the room.
- A simple desk lamp can be used as your main light source.
- Turn on any available lights in the room, close all windows, and check to make sure there is no glare on your monitor.
- Never use your monitor as your light source.
- Be mindful of your background.
- Position yourself in front of a wall with neutral colors; avoid patterns, wallpaper, and mirrors.
- Clean your recording area. A tidy recording space conveys professionalism to the admissions committee.
- Turn off all appliances or devices that may create ambient noise.
- Your recording space should be quiet and comfortable.
- Allot yourself ample time to answer each question in your chosen space.
- Eliminate all possible distractions and interruptions. Turn off your cell phone and if you’re at home, make sure people in the house know you are taking an interview.
Preparation
- Practice, practice, practice – before you even turn your webcam on, try practicing by looking into the camera as if you were having a conversation with someone sitting in front of you.
- In a traditional interview, eye contact is of the utmost importance so make sure you look directly into the camera to answer the questions posed to you.
- Do not look at the computer screen when answering questions – this places your line of sight below the webcam and you will appear to be looking down from the interviewer’s point of view.
- The more you rehearse looking at the webcam and not the person on the screen, the more comfortable you will feel during your interview.
- Be prepared to answer any questions about your CV and rehearse your responses.
- Review your CV and develop multiple talking points about all of your past experiences.
- Polish your answers – avoid filler words such as “um”, “like”, and “you know”.
- Dress for success; communicate professionalism with your attire. In general, you should look as if you put time and effort into your personal appearance. Your clothing should be a complement, not a distraction.
Conducting the interview
- Speak clearly and enunciate.
- Don’t rush but don’t answer too slowly either.
- Listen to each question, contemplate your response, and answer concisely.
- Make sure you answer the question being asked and don’t go off-topic.
- Answer with a headline.
- The first sentence of your answer should set the tone by restating the question and providing your initial opinion.
- From there, you can add details from your own research, opinions, and experiences. However, you should always make sure you cycle back to your original point and don’t stray too far off topic.
- Take a deep breath, relax, and let your personality shine through.
- Smile and have fun – remember, if you are adequately prepared, you will be successful.
Hear from #HuskyNurse Sarah McKiddy and her experience with the PhD program.
A Community of Scholars
We welcome applicants with a baccalaureate degree in any field. We encourage post-baccalaureate students, as well as most master’s and DNP students who are ready to begin intensive study of nursing science, to apply.
UW PhD students have a wide range of academic backgrounds, including:
- Nursing
- Public health
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Complementary and alternative medicine
- Healthcare systems and policy
- Music therapy
- Humanities