Early Entry PhD Option in Nursing

Curriculum

The program of study includes undergraduate and graduate credits. Current university standards for degree credits are followed. A minimum of 124 credits is required to earn a baccalaureate degree; a minimum of 16 graduate credits is required for the master’s degree, followed by the required 54 doctoral credits. The master’s degree is awarded prior to writing the preliminary examination. Upon successful completion of doctoral research credits and the dissertation defense, the Ph.D. is awarded.

A student’s program consists of early and intensive research training, clinical practice, and required and recommended coursework. Existing courses and independent study are used to satisfy program component requirements.

Research Training

An integral part of the Early Entry Ph.D. Option is preparation for a career as a nurse researcher. Throughout the program, students will participate in a research team facilitated by their major advisor. Students participate in colloquia exposing them to the breadth and depth of research at the UW-Madison School of Nursing. Additionally, colloquia bring together Early Entry students with doctoral students and faculty. As the students progress, there is an expectation that they conduct independent research.

Clinical Practice

The Early Entry Ph.D. Option prepares a nurse researchers with basic clinical nursing knowledge and skills and advanced knowledge and skills related to a specific clinical population. Basic clinical knowledge and skills prepare the student to demonstrate minimum nursing competencies. Each student is required to satisfactorily complete 12 credits of undergraduate-level clinical nurse courses. As part of the clinical practice component, students build on basic knowledge and skills, identify a population of interest, apply principles of systematic inquiry, identify gaps in clinical practice, and develop research-based guidelines. This may be accomplished through individually arranged advanced practice experiences.

Required and Recommended Coursework

At the undergraduate level, a student’s required coursework consists of theory courses (20 credits), population-based courses (9 credits), research courses (6-9 credits), and additional nursing courses (7-10 credits).

The 16 graduate credits toward the master’s degree include research courses (6 credits), population courses (6-9 credits), and coursework for preparation in the academic role (3-5 credits). The student and advisory committee together determine which core courses from the M.S. program are necessary.

The student completes all requirements of the current doctoral program: Existing and Evolving Knowledge in Nursing (6 credits), Methods (12 credits), Research Ethics (1 credit), Ph.D. Minor (10 credits), Doctoral Seminars (4 credits), Teaching and Learning (3 credits), Research and Dissertation (18 credits).

Each student enrolls in courses outside of nursing to support the area of research. This is consistent with the current Ph.D. program in which students complete a PhD minor in a discipline related to their area of research.

Admission

Undergraduate students may enter the program as a pre-nursing student or a student in the nursing major (e.g., a junior nursing student or registered nurse). Each applicant submits the following as part of admission screening: a statement of intent, written documentation of prior research experience(s), scholarly interests, academic recognitions or awards, transcripts, standardized test scores (ACT or SAT), and references.

The student will formally apply to the Graduate Program of the School of Nursing and the Graduate School of the university, one or two semesters prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. If the student is making satisfactory progress in the Early Entry Ph.D. option (including maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher), admission will be automatic. The student will not be required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for admission to the graduate program.

Review of Progression

The advisory committee will monitor each student’s progress in the Early Entry Ph.D. option. Students will be expected to meet the existing School of Nursing progression guidelines.

Exit Options for the B.S. and/or M.S. as Final Degrees

The Early Entry Ph.D. option will accommodate students who wish to exit the program with a baccalaureate degree and/or master’s degree. In either case, students would be required to complete all of the degree requirements.