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College of Nursing

  • PhD Graduate Student

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science (Ph.D.)

Sample Curriculum

The Ph.D. curriculum is designed for busy nursing professionals. Choose either a full-time or part-time program for the learning pace that fits your career and lifestyle. Executive-style two-day monthly course delivery and online learning activities add flexibility to pursue a doctoral degree.

The USC Experience

The executive model implemented for the Ph.D. program is innovative and will open up the opportunity for more nurses interested in seeking a doctoral degree. The faculty in the College of Nursing is committed to the success of the students, and their dedication is evident.

Beth Schultz, Ph.D. graduate and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholar.

 

Curriculum Entry

Four entrance pathways available

Fall semester 1

  • NURS 800 - Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Science
  • NURS 804 - The Role of the Nurse Scientist

Spring semester 2

  • NURS 801 - Theory Analysis and Application for Nursing Science
  • NURS 810 - Nursing Research Methods I

Summer semester 3

  • NURS 817 - Application of Statistics for Evidence Based Nursing Practice

Fall semester 4

  • NURS 811 - Nursing Research Methods II
  • NURS 870 - Grant Proposal Development

Spring semester 5

  • NURS 803 - Scientific Knowledge in Nursing
  • NURS 813 - Nursing Research Methods III
  • NURS 898 - Research Internship +

Summer semester 6 *

Fall semester 7

  • NURS 899 - Dissertation Preparation **

Spring semester 8

  • NURS 899 - Dissertation Preparation **

Fall semester 7

  • NURS 899 - Dissertation Preparation **

Spring semester 8

  • NURS 899 - Dissertation Preparation **

TOTAL 39 credit hours

+research immersion with mentor faculty

*Qualifying/Candidacy Exam is taken after completion of all core courses (may be taken summer semester)     

**N899 plan to be developed with the Ph.D. chair (may take longer than 2 semesters)

Fall semester 1

  • NURS 800 - Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Science
  • NURS 804 - The Role of the Nurse Scientist

Spring semester 2

  • NURS 801 - Theory Analysis and Application for Nursing Science
  • NURS 810 - Nursing Research Methods I

Summer semester 3

  • NURS 817 - Application of Statistics for Evidence Based Nursing Practice
  • Elective

Fall semester 4

  • NURS 811 - Nursing Research Methods II
  • NURS 870 - Grant Proposal Development
  • Elective

Spring semester 5

  • NURS 803 - Scientific Knowledge in Nursing
  • NURS 813 - Nursing Research Methods III
  • NURS 898 - Research Internship +

Summer semester 6 *

  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective

Fall semester 7

  • NURS 899 - Dissertation Preparation **

Spring semester 8

  • NURS 899 - Dissertation Preparation **

Summer semester 9

  • NURS 899 - Dissertation Preparation **

Fall semester 10

  • NURS 899 - Dissertation Preparation **

TOTAL 57 credit hours

+research immersion with mentor faculty

*Qualifying/Candidacy Exam is taken after completion of all core courses (may be taken summer semester)     

**N899 plan to be developed with the Ph.D. chair 

Fall semester 1

  • NURS 800 - Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Science
  • NURS 804 - The Role of the Nurse Scientist

Spring semester 2

  • NURS 801 - Theory Analysis and Application for Nursing Science
  • NURS 810 - Nursing Research Methods I

Summer semester 3

  • NURS 817 - Application of Statistics for Evidence Based Nursing Practice
  • Elective
  • Elective

Fall semester 4

  • NURS 811 - Nursing Research Methods II
  • NURS 870 - Grant Proposal Development
  • Elective

Spring semester 5

  • NURS 803 - Scientific Knowledge in Nursing
  • NURS 813 - Nursing Research Methods III
  • NURS 898 - Research Internship +

Summer semester 6 *

  • Elective
  • Elective

Fall semester 7

  • NURS 899 - Dissertation Preparation **

Spring semester 8

  • NURS 899 - Dissertation Preparation **

Summer semester 9

  • NURS 899 - Dissertation Preparation **

Fall semester 10

  • NURS 899 - Dissertation Preparation **

TOTAL 57-66 credit hours

+research immersion with mentor faculty

*Qualifying/Candidacy Exam is taken after completion of all core courses (may be taken summer semester)     

**N899 plan to be developed with the Ph.D. chair 

NOTE: Non-MSN master’s entry students who do not have beginning level graduate courses in nursing theory (NURS 700), research (NURS 790), or statistics equivalent (NURS 717) to those required in the USC College of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing degree program will need to complete these courses prior to beginning the PhD core courses.

Fall semester 1

  • NURS 700 - Theoretical and Conceptual Foundation for Nursing A
  • NURS 717 - Application of Basic Statistics for Nursing Practice and Service Management B
  • MSN course

Spring semester 2

  • NURS 790 - Research Methods for Nursing A
  • MSN course
  • MSN course

Summer semester 3

  • Elective
  • Elective

Fall semester 4

  • NURS 800 - Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Science
  • NURS 804 - The Role of the Nurse Scientist

Spring semester 5

  • NURS 801 - Theory Analysis and Application for Nursing Science
  • NURS 810 - Nursing Research Methods I

Summer semester 6

  • NURS 817 - Application of Statistics for Evidence Based Nursing Practice
  • Elective
  • Elective

Fall semester 7

  • NURS 811 - Nursing Research Methods II
  • NURS 870 - Grant Proposal Development
  • Elective

Spring semester 8

  • NURS 803 - Scientific Knowledge in Nursing
  • NURS 813 - Nursing Research Methods III
  • NURS 898 - Research Internship +

Summer semester 9 *

Fall semester 10

  • NURS 899 - Dissertation Preparation **

Spring semester 11

  • NURS 899 - Dissertation Preparation **

Summer semester 12

  • NURS 899 - Dissertation Preparation **

Fall semester 13

  • NURS 899 - Dissertation Preparation **

TOTAL 75 credit hours

Aindicates A term, Bindicates B term. If not noted, full semester course.

+research immersion with mentor faculty

*Qualifying/Candidacy Exam is taken after completion of all core courses (may be taken summer semester)     

**N899 plan to be developed with the Ph.D. chair (may take longer than 2 semesters)

 


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