PhD Curriculum

PhD Coursework

The Post-Master’s PhD course of study requires 60 credit hours at the post-master’s level. You will complete coursework pertaining to the philosophy of nursing science, theory development and verification, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and synthesis of theories from nursing, social, behavioral, and biological sciences. You will also complete coursework in a cognate minor outside of the College of Nursing to build your interdisciplinary understanding.

Post-Master’s PhD: Part-time Schedule
Year 1
 
Autumn Credit Hours
8440 Philosophy of Science and Development of Nursing Knowledge 3
8783 Quantitative Design for Nursing Research 3
Total credit hours 6*
   
Spring  
8441 Health Determinants Models for Nursing Science 3
8784 Qualitative Design for Nursing Research 3
Total credit hours 6
   
Summer  
8891.01 Emerging Topics in Nursing Science (Genetics and Genomics for Nursing Science) 3
Total credit hours 3
   
Year 2
 
Autumn  
8460 Integrative Reviews in Nursing 3
Statistics #1 3
Total credit hours 6
   
Spring  
8462 Grant Writing for Nursing Scientists 3
Statistics #2 3
Total credit hours 6
   
Summer  
8891.02 Emerging Topics in Nursing Science (Secondary Analysis of Complex Survey Data for Nursing and Health Research) 3
Total credit hours 3
   
Year 3
 
Autumn  
8785 Measurement for Nursing and Health Research 3
Advanced stats or methods 3
Cognate #1 3
Total credit hours 9
   
Spring  
8786 Advanced Design for Nursing Research 3
7781 Responsible Conduct of Research 3
8980 Nursing Research Residency 3
Total credit hours 9
   
Year 4
 
Autumn  
Cognate #2 3
Total credit hours 3
   
Spring  
8400 Leadership for Nurse Scientists 3
Candidacy Examination**  
Total credit hours 3
   
Year 5
 
Autumn  
8999 Dissertation 3
Total credit hours 3
   
Spring  
8999 Dissertation*** 3
Total credit hours 3
   
Total Hours 60
*University requirement for two consecutive full-time semesters pre-candidacy is satisfied in year 3.
**Students must be enrolled for a minimum of 3 credit hours during the semester the candidacy exam is taken.
*** Additional credits of 8999 may be needed. Students must be enrolled a minimum of 3 credit hours each semester post-candidacy.
Post-Master’s PhD: Full-time Schedule
Year 1
 
Autumn Credit Hours
8440 Philosophy of Science and Development of Nursing Knowledge 3
8783 Quantitative Design for Nursing Research 3
8460 Integrative Reviews in Nursing 3
Statistics #1 3
Total credit hours 12
   
Spring  
8441 Health Determinants Models for Nursing Science 3
8784 Qualitative Design for Nursing Research 3
8462 Grant Writing for Nursing Scientists 3
Statistics #2 3
Total credit hours 12
   
Summer  
8891.01 Emerging Topics in Nursing Science (Genetics and Genomics for Nursing Science) 3
Total credit hours 3*
   
Year 2
 
Autumn  
8785 Measurement for Nursing and Health Research 3
8980 Nursing Research Residency 3
Advanced stats or methods 3
Cognate #1 3
Total credit hours 12
   
Spring  
8786 Advanced Design for Nursing Research 3
8400 Leadership for Nurse Scientists 3
Cognate #2 3
7781 Responsible Conduct of Research 3
Total credit hours 12
   
Summer  
8891.02 Emerging Topics in Nursing Science (Secondary Analysis of Complex Survey Data for Nursing and Health Research) 3
Candidacy Examination**  
Total credit hours 3
   
Year 3
 
Autumn  
8999 Dissertation 3
Total credit hours 3
   
Spring  
8999 Dissertation*** 3
Total credit hours 3
   
Total Hours 60
*Students on fellowships need 12 credits autumn and spring and 6 credits in summer until post-candidacy.
**Students must be enrolled for a minimum of 3 credit hours during the semester the candidacy exam is taken.
***Additional credits of 8999 may be needed. Students must be enrolled a minimum of 3 credit hours each semester post-candidacy.

The Post-BSN PhD course of study requires 81 credit hours at the post-baccalaureate level. In addition to the 60 credits required for the PhD, you will complete additional graduate coursework necessary to meet this university requirement or a minimum of 17 additional graduate credits. If you have elected to earn a master’s degree while also pursuing your PhD, you will be required to earn all credits associated with the selected master’s program.

For students seeking a specialty certification in addition to their PhD
Year 1*
 
Autumn Credit Hours
8440 Philosophy of Science and Development of Nursing Knowledge 3
8783 Quantitative Design for Nursing Research 3
8460 Integrative Reviews in Nursing 3
3 credits toward 80 grad credits requirement 3
  12
   
Spring  
8441 Health Determinants Models for Nursing Science 3
8784 Qualitative Design for Nursing Research 3
8462 Grant Writing for Nursing Scientists 3
7781 Responsible Conduct of Research 3
Total credit hours 12
   
Summer  
8891.01 Emerging Topics in Nursing Science (Genetics and Genomics for Nursing Science) 3
Additional credits as needed for specialty MS  
Total credit hours 3
   
Year 2
 
Autumn  
8785 Measurement for Nursing and Health Research 3
Statistics #1 3
6 credits toward 80 grad credits requirement 6
Total credit hours 12
   
Spring  
8786 Advanced Design for Nursing Research 3
Statistics #2 3
6 credits toward 80 grad credits requirement 6
Total credit hours 12
   
Summer  
8891.02 Emerging Topics in Nursing Science (Secondary Analysis of Complex Survey Data for Nursing and Health Research) 3
Additional credits as needed for specialty MS  
Total credit hours 3
   
Year 3
 
Autumn  
Cognate #1 3
Advanced stats or methods 3
3 credits toward 80 grad credits requirement 3
Additional credits as needed for specialty MS  
Total credit hours 9
   
Spring  
8400 Leadership for Nurse Scientists 3
8980 Nursing Research Residency 3
Cognate #2 3
Additional credits as needed for specialty MS  
Total credit hours 9
   
Summer  
3 credits toward 80 grad credits requirement 3
Candidacy Examination  
Additional credits as needed for specialty MS  
Total credit hours 3
   
Year 4
 
Autumn  
8999 Dissertation 3
Additional credits as needed for specialty MS  
Total credit hours 3
   
Spring  
8999 Dissertation** 3
Additional credits as needed for specialty MS  
Total credit hours 3
   
Total Hours (60 required PhD + 21 additional graduate credits) + Required MSN courses 81
*Students on fellowships need 12 credits autumn and spring and 6 credits in summer
**Students must be enrolled for a minimum of 3 credit hours during the semester the candidacy exam is taken.
***Additional credits of 8999 may be needed.
For students seeking a PhD without a specialty certification
Year 1
 
Autumn Credit Hours
8440 Philosophy of Science and Development of Nursing Knowledge 3
8783 Quantitative Design for Nursing Research 3
8460 Integrative Reviews in Nursing 3
3 credits toward 80 grad credits requirement 3
Total credit hours 12
   
Spring  
8441 Health Determinants Models for Nursing Science 3
8784 Qualitative Design for Nursing Research 3
8462 Grant Writing for Nursing Scientists 3
7781 Responsible Conduct of Research 3
Total credit hours 12
   
Summer  
8891.01 Emerging Topics in Nursing Science (Genetics and Genomics for Nursing Science) 3
Total credit hours 3
   
Year 2
 
Autumn  
8785 Measurement for Nursing and Health Research 3
Statistics #1 3
6 credits toward 80 grad credits requirement 6
Total credit hours 12
   
Spring  
8786 Advanced Design for Nursing Research 3
Statistics #2 3
6 credits toward 80 grad credits requirement 6
Total credit hours 12
   
Summer  
8891.02 Emerging Topics in Nursing Science (Secondary Analysis of Complex Survey Data for Nursing and Health Research) 3
Total credit hours 3
   
Year 3
 
Autumn  
Cognate #1 3
Advanced stats or methods 3
3 credits toward 80 grad credits requirement 3
Total credit hours 9
   
Spring  
8400 Leadership for Nurse Scientists 3
8980 Nursing Research Residency 3
Cognate #2 3
Total credit hours 9
   
Summer  
3 credits toward 80 grad credits requirement 3
Candidacy Examination  
Total credit hours 3
   
Year 4
 
Autumn  
8999 Dissertation 3
Total credit hours 3
   
Spring  
8999 Dissertation** 3
Total credit hours 3
   
Total Hours (60 required PhD + 21 additional graduate credits) + Required MSN courses 81

*Students on fellowships need 12 credits autumn and spring and 6 credits in summer
**Students must be enrolled for a minimum of 3 credit hours during the semester the candidacy exam is taken.
***Additional credits of 8999 may be needed.

 

Candidacy exam

As a student in the PhD program, you will be required by The Ohio State University to pass a written and oral examination prior to undertaking original research for your dissertation. The candidacy examination is a test of your comprehension of the field and allied areas of study, your capacity to undertake independent research and your ability to think and express ideas clearly. You will be eligible for candidacy after you have completed all required PhD coursework and received the approval of your candidacy examination committee. Both the written and oral exam must be satisfactorily completed to move on to the dissertation phase of the program.

 

Dissertation

Once candidacy has been achieved, you will enter the dissertation phase of the program. The dissertation is a scholarly contribution to nursing science and involves the generation of new knowledge. The dissertation allows you to demonstrate your ability to function as an independent scholar and command a high level of knowledge. Dissertations involve a final written document and oral examination. Both must be successfully defended at the discretion of your dissertation committee in order to graduate from the program.

Portia Zaire, student
Portia Zaire, student

“The PhD program has completely changed the way I think about my role in healthcare. I am gaining the tools, skills, and resources needed to generate new knowledge to improve outcomes for underserved communities.”