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PhD Non-Nursing Requirements and Electives

In addition to the required PhD coursework above, students complete coursework in several required areas. The course options below are not exhaustive. Discuss potential courses with your faculty adviser or chair when developing your program of study.

Courses outside the School of Nursing are not managed by the School, so days, times and availability may change. Review the UW Time Schedule for current course details.

PhD requirements and elective options

Students must complete at least 4 credits of epidemiology coursework.

Or complete the sequence:

Students must complete at least 3 credits of approved clinical trials coursework.

Note: EDPSY 596 credits may count toward the Clinical Trials requirement or the Statistics requirement, but not both.

Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs sequence

Students choosing this option must complete both courses.

Students must complete at least 2 credits of approved policy coursework.

Note: This list is updated regularly. Courses that were approved when taken may still count toward the requirement even if they are no longer included on the current list.

Students must complete 6 credits of coursework with a NURS, NSG or NMETH prefix at the 500 level or above.

Courses offered every other year

Courses and options offered every year

PhD students may take MS-CIPCT, DNP Year 1 and relevant DNP Year 2 courses with a NURS, NSG or NMETH prefix on a space-available basis. NCLIN courses do not count toward this elective requirement.

Students must complete at least 12 credits of graduate-level statistics coursework, including an approved sequence. Students need to work directly with their faculty adviser or chair to determine which statistics sequence to choose.

Biostatistics: Medical Biometry sequence

This three-course sequence totals 12 credits and fulfills the PhD statistics requirement.

Biostatistics: Applied Biostatistics sequence

This sequence provides 8 credits. Students must complete an additional 4 credits of statistics coursework to meet the 12-credit requirement.

Review the Department of Biostatistics course sequence guidance when deciding between the Medical Biometry and Applied Biostatistics sequences.

Educational Psychology sequence

Begin with one of the following:

Students may then build a sequence from courses including:

Note: EDPSY 596 credits may count toward the Clinical Trials requirement or the Statistics requirement, but not both.

Course prerequisites determine the appropriate sequence. Refer to the EDPSY Sequencing Snapshot and review options with your faculty adviser or chair to develop a sequence that meets the 12-credit PhD statistics requirement.

Confirm current EDPSY prerequisites (UW Course Catalog)

Sociology sequence

The SOC 504–506 sequence totals 15 credits. Students who are not Sociology graduate students must contact the department for an add code.

SOC 508: Logic of Social Inquiry (5 credits) is also included on the approved statistics sheet.

Psychology sequence

The Psychology sequence totals 12 credits. PSYCH 522 and PSYCH 524 are taken concurrently in autumn, followed by PSYCH 523 and PSYCH 525 concurrently in winter. The sequence may overlap with NURS 587 and therefore may not be an option during Year 1.

Last updated: August 2026. Course offerings, schedules and approved options may change. Consult your adviser or chair when planning coursework.