PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The GSN ONLY accepts commissioned officers or service sponsored civilians in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, or Public Health Service with a Bachelor's or Master's Degree with a concentration in Nursing.
The PhD program prepares nurse scientists and scholars to conduct high quality/high impact research to on advance nursing science and address issues relevant to military and federal healthcare. The program leverages its location in the research-rich National Capital Region to provide unique scholarly development opportunities for students.
In the 3-year USU PhD Program in Nursing Science, students are provided with early and ongoing exposure to research intensive environments in federal and military research programs, as well as at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Strong emphasis is placed on ethics, policy, leadership and interdisciplinary and tri-service/multi-agency collaborations designed to support scientific advances in areas of significance to military and federal health care. Positioned on an academic health campus, students are provided opportunities to collaborate and study with students across multiple disciplines including basic and behavioral sciences, public health, clinical and research psychology, medicine, and advanced practice nursing.
Students complete mentored research experiences under the supervision of accomplished faculty members while completing a series of required core courses that prepare them to conduct sound research. Core courses are offered in nursing science; ethics, policy, and professional issues; theory and philosophy of science; research methods, statistics, and analytic techniques. Additional content in professional development and leadership is offered as well. Cognate and elective courses are individualized to support student’s area of investigation.
CURRICULUM
Designed to prepare research scientists, the PhD curriculum contains core courses which introduce students to scientific inquiry, and lay a foundation for life as a scientist and scholar. Students define a focused area of investigation early in the program and their interests are matched to one of the interdisciplinary options (biobehavioral and social science; ethics, policy, and leadership; basic science research; and “big data” data analytics and informatics). A particular strength of the program is the focus on military relevant topics such as traumatic brain injury, deployment health and recovery, physiologic effects of embedded metals; and women’s health.
With the guidance of their academic advisors, students develop a plan of study that includes cognates, research experiences, seminars, journal clubs, and other educational offerings inside and external to USU. Each student takes at least three cognate courses consistent with the focus of their dissertation. Cognates may be taken at USU or through the National Capital Region Consortium.
Students engage in research throughout the program to include participating in a series of research experiences (PhD 820-822) offered during the first year that exposes students to novel research techniques and methodological approaches while working in an interdisciplinary research environment. During the second year, in collaboration with their academic advisor, students complete a series of research internships (PhD 823-826) tailored to each student’s area of study. Some of the senior scientists with whom students work in research internships become members of the dissertation committee. Additional experiences such as attending national meetings, seminars, and guest lectures are regularly offered and supported.
The GSN PhD program offers both full- and part-time options. Full time students are expected to complete the program in three calendar years, and part-time students can complete the program in five years of continuous part-time enrollment, but have up to seven years to complete the program. Part time students are strongly encouraged to work closely with their Academic Advisor to design a curricular plan that is efficient and are strongly encouraged to enroll for two courses (core and/or cognate) each term.
REQUIRED NURSING CORE COURSES (12 CREDITS)
PhD 800 The Scholarship of Discovery (3)
PhD 812 Public Policy in the Context of Military and Federal Health Care (3)
PhD 814 Philosophy of Science (3)
PhD 811 Research Ethics (3)
RESEARCH METHODS (9–12 CREDITS)
PhD 830 Approaches to Scientific Inquiry (3)
PhD 831 Qualitative Research Methods (3)
Advanced Research Design in Students’ Area of Interest Options
PhD 832 Foundations of Survey Methodology [University of Michigan Summer Institute] (3)
PhD 834 Mixed Methods Research: Design & Analysis [University of Michigan Summer Institute] (3)
STATISTICS (8 CREDIT HOURS)
PMO 503 Biostatistics I (4)
PMO 504 Biostatistics II (4)
PhD 833 Analytic Approaches to Data Analysis and Interpretation (3)
Advanced Statistical Analysis supporting proposed dissertation research [recommended by advisor]
PMO 502 Introduction to SAS [required if registering for PMO 508] (1)
PMO 508 Biostatistics III [optional] (5)
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE/INTERNSHIP (ELECTIVE CREDITS AFTER FIRST TERM)
PhD 820-822 Research Experience [820 is required; other experiences determined by student
interest and advisor approval] (1 credit per quarter)
PhD 823-825 Research Internship [to be determined by the academic advisor] (2 credits per quarter)
PROFESSIONAL AND SCHOLARLY DEVELOPMENT (11 CREDITS)
PhD 840-845 Emerging Scholars Seminar (1 credit per quarter; 3 credits minimum)
PhD 880 Professional Issues in Scholarship (3)
PhD 881 Principles of Scholarly Writing (2)
PhD 882 Proposal Development and Grantsmanship (3)
SUBSTANTIVE AREA OF STUDY (9–12 CREDITS)
PhD 891 Directed Study
ADVANCEMENT TO CANDIDACY
QUALIFYING EXAMINATION
PhD 901 Qualifying Examination
Students must satisfactorily pass the qualifying examination to advance to the status of candidate. This two-day, in person examination demonstrates the student’s knowledge of the scientific literature, their ability to synthesize and integrate theoretical content and methodological approaches and integrate content related planned dissertation. To sit for the examination, students must complete the required course requirements with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
DISSERTATION COMMITTEE
By the end of the second year, students select a chair who will guide the direction of the dissertation and assist in selecting other members of the dissertation committee.
DISSERTATION RESEARCH AND HOURS (9 CREDITS PER TERM)
PhD 902 Dissertation Proposal Defense (no credit; pass/fail)
PhD 903 Dissertation Defense (no credit; pass/fail)
PhD 910 Dissertation Seminar/Research (9)
The dissertation is a rigorous research project that results in a substantive piece of original research. Students defend the dissertation twice; first in a private session with members of their committee and, upon committee approval, in a public presentation.
Funding for dissertation research is supported by competitively awarded external funding sources (i.e., Tri-Service Nursing Research Program, Jonas Foundation for Military and Veteran Health, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) and by designated intra-mural research funding.
ADMISSION
The GSN ONLY accepts commissioned Nurse Corps officers or service sponsored civilians in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, or Public Health Service. Applicants must have a Master's Degree in nursing or related field and hold a current unrestricted nursing license in any of the US states and territories.
For General Admission Requirements, read the Apply page
DEGREE SPECIFIC ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science Application Form
- Nurses from the uniformed services have priority for admissions. Nurses employed in federal agencies nominated and supported by their agency are also eligible for admission into the PhD program on a space available basis.
- Master's degree in nursing or related field at an accredited school with a minimum GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Current nursing license or eligibility for licensure in any of the 50 states and territories
- Current curriculum vitae
- Original Transcripts sent from all post-secondary education institutions attended
- Official GRE scores taken within five years of application
- Clear and succinct statement of the applicant's reason for PhD study and a match to faculty programs of research (Applicants may submit an essay, term paper, thesis, published article or professional report to demonstrate their ability to communicate logic and concepts)
- Three letters of reference from professors or other professionals who can adequately evaluate the applicant's potential for success. (Please contact our Registrar, Maureen Jackson to receive letters of reference.)
- At least two of the letters should be from nurses prepared at the PhD level who can describe
- The applicant’s understanding of the PhD role in military service or federal agency to which the applicant belongs
- The applicant’s capability to succeed in a rigorous PhD program
- At least two of the letters should be from nurses prepared at the PhD level who can describe
- An interview with PhD faculty members to assess the applicant’s intent and level of motivation, and to link research interests with USU faculty expertise.
Mail completed documents to:
Registrar, Graduate School of Nursing
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
4301 Jones Bridge Road, Building E, Room 1040
Bethesda, Maryland 20814-4712
or
Email to the GSN Registrar: gsn-admissions@usuhs.edu
Final acceptance is contingent upon approval of the sponsoring agency or service.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
The PhD program reviews and accepts candidates throughout the year in a process known as rolling admission. Academic Year starts mid-August.
FINANCIALS
TUITION AND FEES
Tuition: $0
Fees: $0
Books: $0
Equipment: $0
Tuition and fees are waived for all students.
Students retain active duty benefits.
SERVICE OBLIGATION
Active-duty Uniformed Services personnel may incur an obligation for additional service in accordance with the applicable regulations governing sponsored graduate education.